Congressional District of Texas Campaign Plan

Congressional District of Texas Campaign Plan Khizer Zamani The 23rd Congressional District of Texas is an interesting congressional district. It is a district that shows how the demographics of Texas, and of the United States more generally, are changing. The district is a predominantly Latino one and until the 2014 election, had a Democratic representative; however, the 2014 election caused Republican Bill Hurd to win, unseating Democratic representative Pete Gallego (Ballotpedia, 2014b). As is often the case in politics, it is important to look ahead to the next opportunity. For 2016, how can someone defeat Bill Hurd? One important aspect is, naturally, campaigning. The role of money in politics is increasingly strong, yet it is also important to spend money on media that reaches the target demographic. The 23rd Congressional district is an important one for politics: â€Å"Texas 23rd Congressional District was a battleground district in 2014 due to the fact that the seat was held by a Democrat, but the district had a slight Republican lean and was won by the Republican presidential candidate in both 2008 and 2012† (Ballotpedia, 2014a). The district is more than 70% Hispanic (Ballotpedia, 2014a) and has a 70% high school graduation rate (Ballotpedia, 2014a), a median household income of approximately $46,000 (Ballotpedia, 2014a), and a college graduation rate of about 21% (Ballotpedia, 2014a). The unemployment rate is 6.5% (Ballotpedia, 2014a), and the population is just over 650,000 (Ballotpedia, 2014a). The area is largely rural: â€Å"About the closest thing to a swing district would be freshman Rep. Quico Canseco’s (R-Texas) big and rural 23rd district, running from San Antonio to El Paso† (Blake, 2011). All of these factors indicate that this â€Å"swing† district is winnable by the opposition if they consider how this type of voter works. Marketing segmentation will help here (Weaver, 2013). Dividing up the potential voters on the basis of identity categories will help identify key issues and approaches to meet voters in order to achieve victory. Marketing segmentation is closely related to analyses of voting turnout (Nagler, 2013, p. 27). The typical voter in the 23rd Congressional District in Texas is a relatively lower middle class individual. He or she is likely to be a high school, but not college, graduate. He or she is likely Latino and a hard worker with aspirations for a better life. He or she is likely relatively concerned about their personal economy and is slightly more socially conservative than Texans in other districts, but likely advocates for gay rights. He or she is likely a nominal Catholic or grew up in a culturally Catholic home that informs their ideas about life (Kemp, 2005). This means that the voter may have certain ideas about gender roles, which in turn could influence their votes. The younger median age in this congressional district means that the voters are likely far more digitally connected than the older generation, and they tend to get their news from less traditional sources such as Facebook and even The Daily Show (Baumgartner, 2006). This means that they are actually rather well informed, but have an expectation for immediate responses and irreverence. Despite the problematic aspects of these trends (Popkin, 2006), it is still important to respond to them if victory is the most important thing. Therefore, the hypothetical, proposed campaign – which will be discussed below – will be digital, yet tailored to the demographics of this specific district. Therefore, the ideal candidate for 2016 will be a male of Latino heritage who can appeal to the working class, ideally because he exemplifies the American dream and has worked his way up from humble circumstances. The ideal candidate would be the owner of a blue-collar business and whose personal narrative goes something like he came to the United States at a young age, overcame poverty due to a strong family relationship, went to trade school and now owns a successful, but relatable, business in a blue collar field such as plumbing or HVAC. This would ensure that the candidate is relatable to the economic and cultural dynamics of the congressional district. This does not mean that the path to a democratic victory involves simply dragging out an average Joe or Juan and convincing him to run. It will be a difficult campaign, partly because â€Å"The traditional view in electoral research holds that Congressional election campaigns are principally aimed at highlighting the virtues of the individual candidates† (Kim Leveck, 2013, p. 492). Further, incumbents have a distinct advantage, because they are more experienced at campaigning, because voters often go for that which they already know (Kim Leveck, 2013, p. 492), and because they tend to be higher quality candidates (Kim Leveck, 2013, p. 492). Redistricting has changed the 23rd district in a way that arguably made it more susceptible to voting Republican (Blake, 2011). This means that the incumbent candidate will find it easier to campaign, too, because the voters there are already well matched to his outreach programs know (Kim Leveck, 2013, p. 492). This means that the proposed challenger will have to engage in a campaign that reflects several different aspects. One of these will have to be funding. Money matters in politics, and money changes votes. The individual will have to have much of his own money and will have to obtain support from many powerful people. In terms of the campaign itself, the candidate will likely find success by focusing on the economy and on the Republicans’ distaste for Latinos. Playing up the opponent’s Tea Party ties, if any, could be a useful strategy given that the Republicans in the 23rd district tend to be more moderate and have rebuked the Tea Party in this district (Martin, 2012). The campaign should therefore be heavily focused on digital engagement that dismantles arguments by the incumbent, plays up the hyper-conservative, Tea Party nature of Republicans and their vicious disapproval of Obama’s amnesty policies for undocumented workers. The campaign should still focus on the candidate’s relatability, particularly in terms of his personal narrative and economic success (Coleman Manna, 2000). The campaign should have manifold opportunities for younger people to interact digitally. This could include official social media accounts, contests, and opportunities within the geographically large district for people of all ages to interact with the candidate in person. The gerrymandering that has been undertaken in Texas may have redrawn the district maps, but it has not changed the increasing tide of changes in the state’s demographics. It has not changed overall social trends towards a growing Latino population, increasing economic uncertainty, a more tenuous existence for the middle class, and skepticism regarding rigid belief systems such as homophobia. At the same time, it still means that the district has a large population of conservatives, although they are moving towards a more economically conservative and socially moderate viewpoint. It is possible to flip the 23rd district back in 2016, but it will require planning beginning now. It will require a strong candidate who has an impeccable personal record, yet is still relatable enough for the humble lifestyle of this region. It will also require someone who is capable of traveling across the vast geographic expanse of this district in order to make an impact with constituents and potential voters and to meaningfully campaign in person. This is all doable, but it is important that the right candidate be found immediately and that the campaign launch as soon as possible after the candidate is vetted. Works Cited Ballotpedia. (2014a). Texas’ 23rd Congressional District Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia.org. Retrieved December 15, 2014, from http://ballotpedia.org/Texas’_23rd_Congressional_District Ballotpedia. (2014b). Texas’ 23rd Congressional District elections, 2014 Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia.org. Retrieved December 15, 2014, from http://ballotpedia.org/Texas’_23rd_Congressional_District_elections,_2014 Baumgartner, J. (2006). The Daily Show Effect: Candidate Evaluations, Efficacy, and American Youth. American Politics Research, 34(3), 341–367. doi:10.1177/1532673X05280074 Blake, A. (2011). The GOP’s big Texas gerrymander. Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2014, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/the-gops-strong-texas-gerrymander/2011/06/02/AGP56VHH_blog.html Coleman, J. J., Manna, P. F. (2000). Congressional Campaign Spending and the Quality of Democracy. The Journal of Politics. doi:10.1111/0022-3816.00032 Kemp, C. (2005). Hispanic Health. bearspace.baylor.edu. Retrieved September 19, 2014, from https://bearspace.baylor.edu/Charles_Kemp/www/hispanic_health.htm Kim, H. a., Leveck, B. L. (2013). Money, Reputation, and Incumbency in U.S. House Elections, or Why Marginals Have Become More Expensive. American Political Science Review, 107(03), 492–504. doi:10.1017/S0003055413000245 Martin, G. (2012). Canseco concedes to Gallego in District 23 San Antonio Express-News. MySanAntonio.com. Retrieved December 15, 2014, from http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Canseco-concedes-to-Gallego-in-District-23-4023778.php Nagler, J. (2013). Who Votes Now? Demographics, Issues, Inequality, and Turnout in the United States. Demographics, Issues, Inequality, and Turnout in the United States. Princeton. Popkin, S. L. (2006). Changing media, changing politics. Perspectives on Politics, 4(02), 327–341. Weaver, J. (2013). Market Segmentation. Bournemouth University Foundation Degree Southwest. Retrieved November 26, 2014, from http://media3.bournemouth.ac.uk/marketing/07segmentation/04strategies.html

Principles Of Good Writing And Formatting English Language Essay

Principles Of Good Writing And Formatting English Language Essay The process of preparing financial statements may also required you to provide accompanying reports or recommendations. Below are some principles that should be followed when preparing this written communication. Principles of good writing and formatting Proper grammar and correct spelling are the underpinning elements of any written communication. Other writing and layout skills contribute significantly to the communication and acceptance of any document. Here are some principles that provide evidence of good writing. Principles of good writing Audience Always design with an audience in mind. Where possible, state up front what the reader profile is. Aim at a specific reader and assume that the reader is intelligent but uninformed. Purpose Before writing your document, determine the exact purpose of the report. Language Use language that is simple, concrete, and familiar. Structure When preparing explanatory notes follow the standard speakers approach First tell your readers what you are going to tell them, then tell it to them, and finally tell them what you told them Culturally appropriate communication According to the website of the Department of Families, Community services  [1]  , culturally appropriate communication means: Finding away to communicate effectively that also respects and accepts cultural differences. Communication is a two-way process, so all parties need to work together to achieve culturally appropriate communication. Its about discovering, recognising, understanding and working effectively within the influences of each others culture. Effective communication is an important component of any job. Effective communication ensures that ideas, instructions and information are shared in a way that ensures the organisation achieves its objectives. For communication to be effective it needs to be understood and interpreted by the person receiving the message in the same way that the sender intended. So, effective communication becomes a challenge when the person you are communicating with is from a different background, has different values and perhaps has a different language to your own. In these situations you need to deliver your communication in a culturally appropriate way if effective communication is to be achieved. Some important points to consider to ensure culturally appropriate communication are: Remember that you are communicating with individuals. Beware of the assumption that all people from a certain cultural share the same values and beliefs. All cultures are equal A different culture to your own does not mean a lesser one. While you are most comfortable with your own culture, this does not mean it is the the best or the only way people should behave. Speak clearly and concisely Sound words out properly rather than slowly, which can sound patronising. Shorten your sentences and convey one idea per sentence. Add visual support like charts, images and diagrams to your text or verbal communications. Check for understanding Ask the person to repeat your communication back to you to ensure they understood the message how you intended. Be aware of non-verbal communication Not all communication is verbal. Some studies report that up to two-thirds of the meaning of a message is interpreted by the non-verbal communication such as facial expressions, hand gestures, posture and tone of voice. Take care not to allow your non-verbal communication to be misinterpreted by people from by other cultures. Language for report writing Be precise: Use short sentences and be simple and direct. Avoid using excess words and cumbersome phrases. Express your meaning clearly and do not use clichà ©s, jargon or ambiguous terms. Be objective: Present data impartially and without bias. Present facts and avoid using emotive terms. Clearly distinguish opinion from assumptions. Be accurate: Ensure your report is free of spelling and grammatical errors. Proof read your work carefully before finalising and presenting it. Be impersonal: Avoid the use of personal terms like I, my and me. Organisational requirements for producing reports Your organisation may have templates or style guidelines that direct how documents are to be produced. This may include directions for use of company logos, headers and footers, page numbering and file naming protocols. You should ensure your report follows all necessary guidelines, contains all the relevant information and is presented professionally. Have a colleague check your work for details you may have missed. Communication and Interpersonal skills Interpersonal skills are a necessary component in the process of preparing financial statements. You must be able to effectively confirm the requirements for reporting in order to produce useable statements and recommendations. Some useful communication skills are outlined below: Third-personing This technique can be used to normalise a clients feelings. Example Many retirees are looking for ways to get a better cash flow option This technique allows the client to respond to the statement and talk about the statement if they choose. It also allows the client to correct advisors assumptions. To the Nth Degree This skill allows the client to define their own priorities and needs. You are concerned with many different financial issues. What concerns you most? This technique shows respect for the clients needs and allows the client to control the interviews direction. Offering Options When a client is struggling with a decision, an advisor can offer a range of options, which allows the client to choose which options might work for them. Paraphrasing Paraphrasing lets the client know that they have been heard and understood by the advisor. This technique uses different language to reinforce what the client has said. It also allows the client to give an advisor feedback if they have been misunderstood. Acknowledge/normalise Acknowledge or normalise a clients feelings to reassure them. This helps builds trust, openness and self-respect. Example Thats a pretty common reaction. Affirming Statements Genuine affirmation improves the clients sense of well-being and builds on client strengths and past successes. Examples: Thanks for your input today. It was very informative Things to avoid There are ways in which communication can be interrupted or blocked unintentionally by the listeners response. Some of these responses to avoid include arguing, lecturing, moralising, preaching, judging, withdrawing, distracting or ridicule  [2]  . Learning activity: Interpersonal skills Identify and describe three benefits that you think that a person charged with the responsibility of preparing financial statements would secure by possessing good interpersonal skills to deal with clients. 1. 2 3 Listening Become an active listener There are five key elements to this to help ensure you are really listening to what the person has to say: Pay attention Give the client your undivided attention and acknowledge the message. Recognise that what is not said also speaks loudly. Show that you are listening Use your own body language and gestures to convey your attention. Provide feedback Ask questions to clarify certain points. What do you mean when you sayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦? Is this what you mean? Defer judgment. Allow the client to finish. Dont interrupt with counter-arguments. Respond appropriately. Be candid, open, and honest in your response  [3]  . Learning activity: Active listening Am I being an active listener when I Argue my point Yes/No Look around the room Yes/No I am honest in my response Yes/No My body is facing away from the other person Yes/No I ask them to clarify a point Yes/No Liaising When confirming reporting requirements, you will need to liaise effectively with relevant stakeholders. Gathering information, answering queries and resolving difficulties rely on good communication skills and your job will be made easier when you can deal with everyone efficiently and effectively. Most problems hindering project outcomes are tied back to communication difficulties. To make this liaising process easier, consider implementing the following; Firstly have a clear idea about what youre supposed to be doing. Clearly outline the terms and conditions under which youll be operating. Knowing who is responsible for what and how things are going to get done, makes later disagreements less likely. Some tax agents use a standardised contract to establish and manage this relationship. Secondly dont report to multiple people. Insist on one constant point of contact throughout the process. Requests for changes or updates should come from one person. This way there is less chance that youll end up chopping and changing as different people express their opinion. Thirdly, keep your client abreast of your progress on a regular basis. Maybe its a regular email just to let them know that you have everything under control. This will stop the client checking in on progress at times that may be inconvenient and disrupt your work flow. Learning activity: Client liaisons Identify different situations where you may need to liaise with a client when providing financial statement preparation services, and describe how this might be done. In particular, note what trigger points there are in the process that may require you to liaise or clarify information with a client. e.g. initial interview phone call to organise mutually acceptable time/date

Hobbit: From Childrens Story to Mythic Creation Essay -- Literature F

Hobbit: From Children's Story to Mythic Creation "Mr. Baggins began as a comic tale among conventional and inconsistent fairy-tale dwarves, and got drawn into the edge of it - so that even Sauron the terrible peeped over the edge." -J.R.R Tolkien, letter to his publisher (quoted in Carpenter 1977, 182). The Hobbit started as little more than a bedtime story for Tolkien's children. Like most of his fellow academics, Tolkien viewed fantasy as limited to childhood. The result was a book written in a chatty, informal style that contrasts sharply with that of its serious successors. The narrator makes frequent patronising and intrusive asides, such as "And what would you do, if an uninvited dwarf came and hung his things up in your hall without a word of explanation?" (H, 18). The language approximates baby-talk at times (nasty, dirty wet hole oozy smell"), and modifiers ("terribly", "lots and lots") abound. Many critics, including Tolkien himself, have viewed this as the chief weakness of the book. Although the tone does evoke the oral tradition through which myths were originally created, it detracts from the power of the book. It renders villains are more comic than truly threatening, its heroes more endearing than awe-inspiring. One commentator feels that The Hobbit "lacks a certain intellectual weight" and "deserves little serious, purely literary criticism" (Helms 1974: 53). The important words here are "purely literary". The novel cannot be studied in isolation, but must be seen against the broader backdrop of Tolkien's literary philosophy and the entire mythic tradition. For the writing of The Hobbit both influenced and was influenced by the profound intellectual change its author was undergoing, namely t... ...teaching its author the immense possibilities of fantasy. It itself does not exhaust these possibilities, but merely begins to explore them. It starts unambitiously, but in drawing from the rich store of world folklore and the author's imagination, soon develops into a myth that, like all good fantasy, speaks as clearly to the mythopoetic imagination today as it did in Tolkien's time. Bibliography: Carpenter, H. 1977. J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography. London: George Allen & Unwin. Helms, R. 1974. Myth, Magic and Meaning in Tolkien's World. London: Granada Publishing. Nitshe, J.C. 1979. Tolkien's Art: A Mythology for England. New York: St. Martin's. O'Neill, T.R. 1979. The Individuated Hobbit. Boston: Hougton Mifflin. Rogers, D. & Rogers, I.A. 1980. J.R.R. Tolkien. Boston: Twayne. Tolkien, J.R.R. 1937. The Hobbit. London: George Allen & Unwin.

College Admissions Essay: Teaching Wisdom :: College Admissions Essays

Teaching Wisdom Every morning in my homeroom, my principal performs the announcements. In his announcements, he updates the school on the activities that are going on that day. After his update, he continues on the intercom system to do the "Words of Wisdom" (Project Wisdom). This has made a great difference in my life. During the [Project Wisdom] program, my principal tells us a quote then he goes on to explain it. For example, he would say, "Danny Thomas once said, 'Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others." This quote hit me like a thunderbolt. I was constantly thinking about it. Then I saw homeless people while I was walking home from school. I thought of nothing but the quote, so as I got closer to the homeless people, I pulled out my wallet and gave them a ten dollar bill. The feeling I got when the homeless people looked at me is indescribable. After this experience, almost every time someone is in need of something, I give or at least try to give them what they need because of the self-content it brings me. The "Words of Wisdom" program made a difference in my life by helping me discover that it feels good to serve others. Another example is when my principal was doing [Project Wisdom] and he said, "'The position of the earth is changed by the weight of a tiny bird resting upon it,' said the famous Leonardo da Vinci." The first thought that entered my mind was, "What was the point of that quote?" But the more I thought about it the more I began to realize what da Vinci was saying. If a little bird - a small portion of mass - can change the position of the earth, then little things can make a difference. For example, I used to always be selfish. I mean, when I opened the door to enter or exit a building I would let the door slam on the other person's face. I had a total disregard for other people. Now, I am nice. I care a lot about others. When I enter or exit a building now I hold the door open for the next person to enter or exit. There was this one woman who seemed like she was always in a bad mood.

ICT and society portfolio section Essay

Microsoft word Microsoft Word is a word processor program from Microsoft. It was originally written by Richard Brodie for IBM PC computers running DOS in 1983. Later versions were created for the Apple Macintosh (1984), SCO UNIN, and Microsoft Windows (1989). It became part of the Microsoft Office. Microsoft word is a software package which can be used for school work, course work, home work or personal work such as making posters or fliers. So it is extremely useful, especially if you have untidy handwriting because Microsoft word can improve your presentation not only by improving your writing but also can improve presentation by adding pictures, this can be done using a feature called clipart which allows me too insert pictures to my work. Another good point about this is that it has a feature called spell check, which is handy if you are bad at spelling because if you spelt a word wrong then it will either automatically correct it or show you a list of words to help you. The only bad point about spell check is that it doesn’t recognise every word and that sometimes it uses the American spelling of words. Other god points include the fact that if you are doing something such as an essay or coursework which requires a lot of writing because you can easily change your w ords if you make a mistake whereas if you were writing it out by hand then you would have to rewrite everything from the beginning. Microsoft Excel Excel 2003 enables you to turn data into information with powerful tools to analyze, communicate, and share results. Excel 2003 can help you work better in teams, and help protect and control access to your work. In addition, you can work with industry-standard Extensible Mark-up Language (NML) data to make it easier to connect to business processes. Just like Microsoft word, excel is a software package which can be used for school work, course work, home work or personal work. Mostly excel is used in business’ in order to keep track of financial status and to record data required to run a business. The good points about Microsoft excel is that you can use features such as auto sum which allows you to quickly and easily count up numbers, another feature is the graph function which allows you to create graphs easily, the graphs make the figures easier to understand and improves presentation. Microsoft access Microsoft Access is a relational database management system from Microsoft, packaged with Microsoft Office Professional. Microsoft Access can use data stored in Access/Jet, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, or any ODBC-compliant data container. Skilled software developers and data architects use it to develop powerful, complen application software. Relatively unskilled programmers and non-programmer â€Å"power users† can use it to build simple applications without having to deal with features they don’t understand. Microsoft Access was also the name of a communications program from Microsoft, meant to compete with ProComm and other programs. This Microsoft Access proved a failure and was dropped. Years later Microsoft reused the name for its database software. Microsoft access is normally used in areas such as hospitals in order to keep a record of all the patients. Another area where databases are used is in buissness’ in order to keep track of financial staus and contacts. Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft publisher Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing application from Microsoft. This program helps you easily create, customize, and publish materials such as newsletters, brochures, flyers, catalogs, and Web sites. It is very neat and tidy and improves presentation. People who work in the advertising industry might find publisher very useful because it is very quick and easy to use.

History of Basketball Essay

Basketball has become a nationwide played sport ; there are multiple leagues in basketball now and today. Basketball originated in Springfield Massachusetts by a Canadian physician at Ymca professional which is now and todays Springfield College! This sport has been noted as the most played sport in the world. James Naismith created a worldwide sport that is now in schools and recreation centers. It was the YMCA that had a major role in spreading basketball throughout the United States and Canada, and throughout the world. In 1893, Mel Ride out arranged the first European match in Paris, in Montmartre! James Naismith published 13 rules for the new game. He divided his class of 18 into 2 teams of 9 players each (which today would be the equivalent of 3 guards, 3 centers, and 3 forwards) and set about to teach them the basics of his new game of Basketball . The object of the game was to throw the soccer ball, into the fruit baskets nailed to the lower railing of the gym balcony. Every time a point was scored, the game was halted so the janitor could bring out a ladder and retrieve the ball. Later, the bottoms of the fruit baskets were removed. The first public basketball games were held in Springfield, MA, on December 21, 1891! They got the name basket ball from the fact that they had a ball and a basket. In the beginning they were going to name it â€Å"Naismith game†. The way the game was set up back then was they had to shoot the ball into the basket, the basket had no hole in it unlike the ones we use today. They would have to retrieve the ball manually; during the time of them fetching the ball out the basket each team had a break. Today we have ‘Timeouts† this is where the team devises a game plan to win the game! In 1906 was when they developed metal hoops with nets and backboards which made the game more easier. Instead of them using a soccer ball they upgraded to a spalding ball, these are the balls that are still used to this day! Basketball was spreading throughout the United States ,Canada , and the world ! The YMCA had a lot to do with why basketball became a well known trend. The First World War broke out in 1914, and the U. S. Army started fighting in Europe in 1917. During World War 1, American Expeditionary Force brought basketball wherever they went. Together with the troops, there were hundreds of physical education teachers, who knew basketball quite well, and even James Naismith spent two years with YMCA in France, in that period. Not only did they bring basketball with them, but even the â€Å"modern† basketball, that is the game as it was played in the United States at that time. People in France were very intrigued by the sport that James Nasmith brought to the YMCA out there. There were others even traveling to places such as China, India, Japan, and Persia spreading the new game around the globe. The men that traveled to these countries are : , Bob Gailey , Duncan Patton, Genzabaro Ishikawa , C. Haree ! They had every element they needed to take the new sport basketball to the top! James Naismith made sure that he had proper funding for the sport, the right supporters, and of course the right minds working on creating the individual leagues. The first professional league started in 1898 it was 6 teams in this league the first champions of this league were the Trenton Nationals. Shortly after the Trenton Nationals won the championships other teams followed in their footsteps. They abandoned this league in 1904, their were little championship games that people would play for money. The Celtics were proclaimed the original â€Å"Fathers of basketball† and were also posed as the world basketball champions! In order to even play with this team and Jim Furey you had to sign a contract. The success of this team lasted from 1922-1928 reason why was , because the team was disbanded due to ownership issues. The Original Celtics are sometimes incorrectly thought of as forebears of the current Boston Celtics of the NBA; in reality, they share only a name, as today’s Celtics were not founded until 1946, nearly two decades after the demise of the Original Celtics. In 1922, the first all-African American professional team was founded: the Rens (also known as New York Renaissance or Harlem Renaissance). The Original Celtics opponents were The Rens to get into a game only cost a $1 for a Ticket. The team took part in the World professional basketball tournament and took the 1st place trophy in 1939. The team had also disbanded like the Celtics exactly 10 years after they won the tournament ! In the 1920s and 1930s, Eastern Basketball League founded in 1909 , Metropolitan Basketball League founded in 1921 and American Basketball league founded in 1925 were the most important leagues. The most hard playing games were played at colleges. The first organized game was played between Geneva College and The New Brighton YMCA on April 8th ,1893 in Beaver Falls , Pennsylvania Geneva college had a flawless victory that day they won 3-0. Geneva College named themselves â€Å"The Birthplace of College basketball†! In February 1895,Minnesota State School of Agriculture, and Hamline University played the first intercollegiate match (won 9–3 by Minnesota). In that period, the Amateur Athletic Union took over the organization of collegiate activity. In 1905, Yale University was disqualified, and some other universities created the Intercollegiate Athletic Association , which became Nation Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1910. The NCAA created the first united states championship in 1939 which brought in the playoffs at the end of each conference! On June 6th 1946 a league was started in New York city the league was known as the Basketball association of America. The league received a new name in 1949 the National Basketball Association (NBA). They changed the name ,because they merged with their rival league the National Basketball League (NBL). The NBA has become Americas most favorite association they have the most significant players ,salaries, popularity , talent, and last but not least level of competition. The Smart Set Athletic Club of Brooklyn and the St. Christopher Club of New York City was established as the first fully organized independent all-black basketball teams in 1906 these teams were amateur! In 1907, the amateur, all-black Olympian Athletic League was formed in New York City consisting of the Smart Set Athletic Club, St.  Christopher Club, Marathon Athletic Club, Alpha Physical Culture Club, and the Jersey City Colored YMCA. The first inter-city basketball game between two black teams was played in 1907 when the Smart Set Athletic Club of Brooklyn traveled to Washington, DC to play the Crescent Athletic Club. In 1908 Smart Set Athletic Club of Brooklyn, a member of the Olympian Athletic League, was named the first Colored Basketball World’s Champion. In 1910, Howard Universities first varsity basketball team began. In 1922, the Commonwealth Five, the first all-black Professional team was founded. The New York Renaissance was founded in 1923. In 1939, the all-black New York Renaissance beat the all-white Oshkosh All-Stars in the World Pro Basketball Tournament. The all-white National Basketball League began to Racially integrate in 1942 with 10 black players joining two teams, the Toledo Jim White Chevrolets and the Chicago Studebakers. The NBA integrated in the 1950–51 season, with three black players each achieving a separate milestone in that process. In the draft held immediately prior to that season, Chuck Cooper became the first black player drafted by an NBA team. Shortly after the draft, Nat Clifton became the first black player to sign an NBA contract. Finally, Earl Lloyd became the first black player to appear in an NBA game, as his team started its season before either Cooper’s or Clifton’s. The American Basketball Association (ABA) was founded as an alternative to the NBA in 1967 at a time when the NBA was experiencing a lot of popularity. The ABA offered an alternative ethos and game style as well as some changes in the rules. Julius Erving was the leading player in the league, and helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim. The league emphasized excitement and liveliness, be it in the color of the ball (red, white and blue), the manner of play, wild promotions, or the three point jump shot. National recognition and earnings were low, leading the league to look for a way out of its problems. Merger with the more established and very successful NBA was seen as a solution. The ABA was folded into the NBA in the summer of 1976, its four most successful franchises the New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs being incorporated into the older league. The aggressive, loose style of play and the three-point shot were taken up by the NBA. The game basket ball started branching out and becoming the most played sport in the country. Once college teams started forming there ball teams , schools all over the country in high schools, middle schools, and even elementary schools had teams or was hosting tournaments! Once basketball came to Europe it was branched out very quickly. The very first international game was played in 1909 at Saint Petersburg. The Mayak Saint Petersburg team managed to beat a YMCA American team. United States, led by future Hall of Fame player Max Friedmen won against Italy and France, and then Italy beat France. Basketball soon became popular among French and Italians. International basketball was growing ,and games were just popping up everywhere. They even developed an international league on June 18, 1932 this was the final piece to a big puzzle. Having teams all over the world compete in a world Basketball tournament there’s even people who trade to international teams from the USA and vice versa. Even the Olympics pick best players from American teams to come out and play against teams from every country for the Gold Medal! The first Olympic basketball title was one by Team USA. Canada was runner-up; the games were played on an outdoor clay court. The first World Championship was held in Argentina in 1950! There was even a female basketball league that was orchestrated . A lady name Senda Berenson read about Dr. Naismith’s new game, and with modified rules, introduces the game to the students at Smith College. The first women’s game was held between the University of California, Berkeley and Miss Head’s School. Clara Gregory Baer was the one to write the first book full of rules for women’s basketball. Senda Berenson publishes the first issue of Basketball Guide for Women, which she would edit and update for eighteen years. These rules, with minor modifications, would remain in use until the 1960s. In 1899 women started developing the same taste for the sport as the men did. Woman’s basketball wasn’t as major as men’s basketball the first international game they played was in Victoria, Australia. The baskets that they were using were paper bags! That same year Stanford abolishes intercollegiate competition of women which cause them to form their own independent club. In 1904 Stanford rescinds the prohibition against intercollegiate competition of women. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a women’s professional basketball league in the United States . It currently is composed of twelve team the league was founded on April 24, 1996, as the women’s counterpart to the National Basketball Association (NBA). League play started in 1997; the regular season is currently played from June to September with the Finals in October. Basketball has been the sport that at least every person in this world has at least tried. Its one of the most commonly known sport. The history behind basket ball shows how far this sport has come. Basketball went from peach baskets, to metal hoops, and backboards with spalding balls. Basketball has come from being a little sport played for money or for fun to having different types of leagues. James Naismith helped bring the world together with just a ball and a hoop with 18 players.

Developing Good Work Habits Essay

During the early school years, students must begin to develop good work habits including preparing for schoolwork, organizing time and effort, and developing effective study skills. As students continue into middle school and high school their success depends, to a large degree, on refining and sustaining these work habits. Time management, organizational skills, and efficient study skills become especially important by this stage. Students who are able to develop and maintain good work habits are in a position to succeed – to learn what needs to be learned, and to become confident students. Getting started on assignments in school and at home requires students to engage their attentional abilities. Students must be alert to the task at hand, possibly shifting focus to a new activity, and have the mental effort necessary to initiate the task. Students who are able to preview, or think about the outcomes of a task before beginning, are helped in many ways. They can have an idea of what a report will be like once a topic is selected, what materials will be necessary to do an assignment, etc. In addition, students who have a strong sense of â€Å"step-wisdom† – knowing how tasks or activities can be broken down into a series of steps, will be able to determine the first step needed to get started on an assignment. There is an optimal rate for accomplishing most tasks. A competent student is often a well-paced student, performing at a rate appropriate to the task and available time. Taking the appropriate amount of time for a task is largely dependent upon both a student’s temporal-sequential skills and his/her attentional abilities. Temporal-sequential skills help us interpret, retain, or create information that is in serial order. These skills are related to a student’s ability to appreciate time in general and estimate time appropriately. Tempo control (a facet of attention) helps students regulate the allocation of time to the task at hand, and predict the time required for an upcoming task. Tempo control also instills a sense of â€Å"step-wisdom†, the knowledge that it is more effective to undertake activities in a series of steps, rather than all at once. Tempo control allows a student to match his/her pacing to the demands of a given task, e. g. , to take the right amount of time to finish an essay test, to do a homework assignment thoroughly yet efficiently, etc. For many students, time is their most precious resource. Making the most of the time they have enables students to be as efficient and successful as possible, leading a balanced life of work and play. A clear understanding of time is required for students to manage their own time effectively, e. g. , plan long term projects, organize schedules, etc. As such, time management skills are an important component of a student’s success – in school and beyond. In order to meet assignment deadlines and to keep up with schedules related to school and schoolwork, students must engage their temporal-sequential ordering abilities. These skills help us interpret, retain, or create information that is in a serial order. Students with strong temporal-sequential ordering skills are able to manage their schedules, organize their work, and make efficient use of their time. Such students are also able to avoid procrastination (putting off a task that must be done). For students with weak time management skills, procrastination can have painful consequences, affecting both academic and personal success. In order to complete assignments for school, students must develop their cognitive working capacity. That is, students must learn to initiate and maintain the mental effort needed to complete tasks and activities. The ability to manage one’s effort is closely linked to academic productivity and success. A strong capacity for work enables students to delay gratification and to persevere through tasks that take considerable energy. It also helps them sustain their effort when information is worthy of attention, even though not immediately exciting, such as when studying a chapter they will be tested on the next day, or reading the instructions for a science experiment. Developing good organizational behaviors can play a key role in efficient school performance. School is much easier for students who know how to organize themselves, their materials, and their work space. Having effective organizational tactics will continue to be a valuable asset throughout a student’s education and career. Being ready to learn often means being prepared for the next activity, having to shift gears from one task to another, and having all the necessary materials on hand. In order to develop this aspect of learning readiness, students must engage their attentional abilities (especially that of previewing), as well as their memory skills. Through previewing, a student is able to look ahead and be prepared to deal with upcoming circumstances, challenges, and academic tasks. For example, previewing helps students prepare for a test, get ready for an upcoming class, and smoothly transition from one activity to the ext. In addition, students who preview are able to determine which materials are needed for a task and to remember to have those materials on hand. As a result, they are better prepared for activities and better able to follow through on assignments. Staying organized for school requires a student to have strong spatial abilities as well as a strong memory. To efficiently keep track of school materials and assignments, for example, students must have an internal sense of how things should be organized. In order to follow through on school-related tasks, such as turning in homework and bringing the right books to class, students must be able to remember where these items are, as well as remember to have the items on hand when needed! Maintaining a good study space is important to every student’s success. Students must have appropriate environments in which to learn and study, both at school and at home. Setting up and keeping an organized work space requires that students have strong spatial abilities. Such abilities help a student arrange a consistent place for storing school books, organize a desk drawer, keep a desk clear of clutter, etc.