Critical Analysis Worksheet Essay Example for Free

Critical Analysis Worksheet Essay Perform a critical analysis of each reading using critical thinking techniques from this week’s readings. Respond to the following based on your critical thinking analysis of the â€Å"Common Core† and â€Å"The Battle Against Common Core Standards† readings. 1) Define the term conclusion. Aside from being the obvious result or closing, a conclusion is also â€Å"a proposition concluded or inferred from the premises of an argument† as defined by dictionary.com. This means, the conclusion is a final logically reasoned deduction. 2) What is the conclusion of each article? The conclusion from the â€Å"Common Core† perspective is that students will learn the essentials for success in college and business prior to graduating high school. The conclusion for those that are in â€Å"The Battle Against Common Core Standards† is that implementing these standards is politically motivated and not in the best interest of students. See more: how to write an analysis 3) Define the term premises. The premise is the basis of support for a given conclusion. 4) What premises support the conclusions in each article? Those working against common core implementation cite government control due to the funding provided to school districts and lack of proof that the system works as basic reasons for their conclusions. Those in favor of common core cite better prepared graduating students, a more educated workforce, and standardization amongst students. The article indicated that if districts had to define their own educational standards, they would start  by seeking out â€Å"common core standards.† 5) How convincing is the conclusion of each article? Explain your answer. I was more convinced by the arguments in favor of implementing common core standards. I noticed more bias in Smith’s article against common core implementation. I was more convinced by Sell’s article because of the objectivity. 6) Define the term biases. A bias is â€Å"a particular dendency or inclination, especially one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a quesiton; prejudice† according to dictionary.com. Anything that prevents someone from objectively drawing a conclusion is a bias. 7) What biases did you observe in each article? Why do you think they are biases? While the â€Å"Common Core† article objectively defined common core and explained its function all of the sources cited were supportive of implementing common core standards. The article would state the opposition and then Sell would quote someone in favor of common core. Smith’s title alone lets you know that this is an opposing argument. The article is politically motivated. Throughout the article, Smith discusses democratic initiatives and state’s â€Å"relinquishing their right to control.† 8) What might be the sources of the biases in each article? Personal expertise is the initial bias. Perhaps they have a child that has fallen below common core standards. Living in a state that has already implemented common core values, I have dealt with standardized tests as both a student and parent. While I was able to pass them with ease, I have witnessed students taken them multiple times to no avail. Those politically motivated are driven by funding and votes. It’s hard to determine if their focus is genuine or if ulterior motives are present. I recognize my personal bias with regard to choosing or opposing common core. References Bias. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved November 14, 2014, from \ Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bias Conclusion. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved November 14, 2014, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/conclusion Premise. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved November 14, 2014, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/premise Sell, M. (2013). Common core. McClatchy Tribune Business News [Washington]. Smith, H.K. (2013, March). The battle against common core standards. FreedomWorks, Retrieved from www.freedomworks.org Link to the article: http://www.freedomworks.org/blog/rousseau/the-battle-against-common-core-standards

Black And White Essay -- essays research papers

Black and White   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Following the Civil War, just prior to the turn of the century, many American novelist were writing more freely of the previous slave culture. Two of these writers being Mark Twain and Charles Chesnutt. Mark Twain was a popular â€Å"white† author by this time. Charles Chesnutt, the son of free blacks, decided to pursue a dream of becoming an author in order to remove the spirit of racism. By studying these authors in particular, the views of a white raised in the slave holding south are juxtaposed with the views of free black. Both Twain and Chesnutt satirize whites in different ways through their literature. Twain also displays some unfavorable preconceptions of blacks. This can be attributed to his own upbringing in the slave holding south.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The main character of the Chesnutt stories is an old Negro man, previously a slave, who engages his new white employers in many tales about life on the plantation. Uncle Julius relays these stories with much detail. Though, at the conclusion of each, the reader is left wondering whether the tale was true or if Uncle Julius had conceived of it merely to satisfy his own desires. Chesnutt has added to the end of each story an ulterior motive of Uncle Julius that seems to be met by the telling of his tales. By doing this, Chesnutt discretely satirizes whites in general.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the first story, The Goophered Grapevine, Uncle Julius tells of a conjure woman putting a â€Å"goopher† on the grapevines, causing all blacks that eat the grapes to die within one year. This story is relayed upon the first meeting of the northern white couple (John and Annie) and the native South Carolinian. After telling his tale of Henry and the others that suffered from this spell, Uncle Julius concludes that these northerners should not buy this vineyard, adding conveniently that he is not afraid to eat the grapes because he know the â€Å" ole vimes fum de noo ones.† John decides to buy the farm in spite of Uncle Julius's warnings, but he does offer him employment as a coachman. It seems as if Uncle Julius had been trying to guarantee his usefulness on the plantation even after its sale. Was white man tricked into believing Julius' knowledge would be useful in the renewing of the vineyards? Chesnutt lets the reader wonder, but regardless of his tale being ... ... of blacks, especially her own black heritage. When scolding her son Tom for refusing to challenge the twins, Roxy blames his cowardice on â€Å"de nigger† in him. After noting all of the predominant white members of his pedigree, she concludes that â€Å"de nigger† is his soul. Twain seems to have some assumptions of his own that blacks have no pride in their own heritage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Twain and Chesnutt both satirize whites, but in different ways. Twain, being a white, satirizes the slave holding south, rather than whites in general. Chesnutt, on the other hand, uses a couple from the north in a story set in the free south. Chesnutt also is more descrete in his satire, while Twain pokes fun directly. Twain also displays some of his own prejudices, being a white trying to explain the black culture. On the contrary, Chesnutt honestly portrays blacks from an inside perspective. Roxy was ashamed of the black blood in her, while Uncle Julius seemed to be a proud old man, happy to tell of his black friends and past. From the analysis these literary selections we can gain a greater understanding of racial views but, one may say that everything is not as simple as black and white

Technology Influence

TECHNOLOGY INFLUENCE At every stage of the production process there is the potential for technology to be applied to improve efficiency and quality, such as using machines to make manufacturing more accurate. Some form of technology is used in operations to make every good, so changes in technology have a big impact on transformation processes, affecting the mix of inputs, as well as creating new opportunities for outputs. Technology also has an important impact on operations management because electronic systems can be used to better plan, monitor, control, and manage the operations process.For example, technology can be used to design products and sequence production tasks more efficiently. Technological impacts on inputs Many forms of technology are used as inputs in the production process, such as microchips, synthetic materials, and machinery. These technologies can often be substituted for other resources. For example, synthetic products can replace raw materials, and machines can do the work of humans. As technology advances and becomes cheaper, more reliable, and easier to use, these kinds of substitutions become more likely.The replacement of humans by machines (called ‘automation') is a particularly big issue as labour accounts for about 60% of all production costs. Machines can often be much cheaper than people. New technology can often be expensive to adopt, so a business might feel pressured by the market to make the change (for instance, because new technology is perceived as fashionable or higher quality), but be reluctant to do so because of cash f low problems or doubt about long-term benefits.Also, there can sometimes be initial problems and bugs with new technology, and workers may have to learn new skills to be able to use technology properly. Technological impacts on the types of outputs New technology presents wonderful opportunities for businesses to make new kinds of products and old products with new features. Improvements in elec tronic and computing technology, for example, allowed the development of smartphones and mp3 players. It also allows innovations that were previously unheard of (such as white bread fortified with calcium).These opportunities affect business strategies, which affects operations management, which may have to adapt to produce new products. If businesses are behind the technological curve, operations management may need to play a game of ‘catch up' to keep up with technological innovations. For example, as technological change allowed mp3 players to flourish, operations managers in companies stuck making old-fashioned CD players had to learn to make the new kind of music player. ? Technological impact on the quantity of outputsTechnological change may allow the business to increase its efficiency, allowing it to make more products than it could previously. For example, a human might be able to make three handbags each hour. A new machine might be able to make 30 or 300 in an hour , and could potentially operate around the clock, whereas humans can only work limited hours. Similarly, electronic records mean doctors can access patients' medical histories more quickly and therefore allow potentially faster diagnoses, so they can see more patients in a day.

Persuasive Speech Sunday School - 1470 Words

But, it would all be over soon, in mere hours in fact. By this evening everyone in town will have known how they’ve been duped, how they’ve wasted their time—their lives—worshiping these false gods. Then, everyone in will know†¦ know how they have given themselves to those who had enslaved them. â€Å"Phillip, could you try to look even remotely interested in what I have to say?† Mrs. Freinheit said as she stopped her lecture causing the entire class to focus their attention on him. â€Å"Next year, when you turn eighteen, Saturday school will be all over, all but a bad memory for you, and you can go and do whatever it is you like with your Saturday. Because Lord knows you won’t be spending it giving thanks to the volunteers for all they’ve done†¦show more content†¦Phillip also hurried with his things as he eyed, Kylee Fontaine, from across the room. He wanted to time his encounter with her just right, when there would be few prying ears around to pick up on what he had to say to her. So trying his best to remain invisible, he watched with subtle glances as she finished assembling her things, placing a book and her computer, along with a few writing materials into a small pack she eventually carried over her shoulder. Kylee then said goodbye to several of their fellow classmates as she made her way to the exit. Phillip hurried wanting to stay within steps of Kylee as she made her way from the front of the building, hoping to catch up with her before she’d gotten in her parents’ transport which was surely waiting out in the lot. Kylee made it the edge of the walkway and then stopped at the curb before checking the time on her watch. She then began glancing around the parking lot in search of her ride. Phillip also stopped and scanned around, but in search of unwanted classmates nearby. And after seeing none, he knew it had to be now; the time was perfect. He wasn’t going to ge t another chance. So, he crept up next to her from behind as quiet as a phantom. â€Å"Hey, Kylee,† he then said with a head nod that seemed innocent enough, and it had worked to catch her attention. Kylee sighed and rolled her eyes as if in disgust at the sight of him. â€Å"You looking forward to Saturday school finishing upShow MoreRelatedEssay about Persuasive Speech: The Benefits of Volunteering1127 Words   |  5 Pagesliving in poverty in our community that have significant needs that need to be addressed. a. According to the CDC, there has been a steady increase in preventable childhood diseases. b. Many of these children only get a full meal while having their school lunch, so many of these children go hungry the rest of the day. c. Test show that Standardized test scores for these children have also been decreasing. 2. 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