Writers on Writing The Value of Keeping a Diary, Journal, or Writers Notebook

Cecily: I keep a diary in order to enter the wonderful secrets of my life. If I didnt write them down, I should probably forget all about them.Miss Prism: Memory, my dear Cecily, is the diary we all carry about with us.Cecily: Yes, but it usually chronicles the things that have never happened and couldnt possibly have happened.(Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895) For reasons made clear by these eight writers, now is the perfect time for you to start keeping a diary, journal, or writers notebook. Sylvia Plath on Holding the RaptureNovember 13, 1949As of today I have decided to keep a diary again--just a place where I can write my thoughts and opinions when I have a moment. Somehow I have to keep and hold the rapture of being seventeen. Every day is so precious, I feel infinitely sad at the thought of all this time melting farther and farther away from me as I grow older. Now, now is the perfect time of my life.(quoted by Kathleen Connors in Word Crafts. Eye Rhymes: Sylvia Plaths Art of the Visual, edited by Kathleen Connors and Sally Bayley. Oxford University Press, 2007)bell hooks on Safe WritingKeeping a daily diary did not mean that I was seriously called to write, that I would ever write for a reading public. This was safe writing. . . . It was for me the space for critical reflection, where I struggled to understand myself and the world around me, that crazy world of family and community, that painful world. I could say there what was hurting me, how I felt about things, what I hoped for. I could be angry there with no thought of punishment. I could talk back. Nothing had to be concealed. I could hold on to myself there.(bell hooks, Remembered Rapture: The Writer at Work. Henry Holt, 1999)Anne Frank on the Patience of PaperJune 6, 1942Its an odd idea for someone like me to keep a diary; not only because I have never done so before, but because it seems to me that neither I--nor for that matter anyone else--will be interested in the unbosomings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Still, what does that matter? I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart. . . .Yes there is no doubt that paper is patient and as I dont intend to show this cardboard-covered notebook, bearing the proud name of diary, to anyone, unless I find a real friend, boy or girl, probably nobody cares. And now I come to the root of the matter, the reason for my starting a diary: it is that I have no such real friend.(T he Diary of Anne Frank: The Revised Critical Edition. Doubleday, 2003)Thomas Mann on Capturing DaysFebruary 1934I love this process by which each passing day is captured, not only its impressions, but also, at least by suggestion, its intellectual direction and content as well, less for the purpose of rereading and remembering than for taking stock, reviewing, maintaining awareness, achieving perspective . . ..(Thomas Mann: Diaries 1918-1939, selected by Hermann Kesten, translated by Richard Winston. Robin Clark Ltd., 1984)Northrop Frye on Confronting His ConsciencePrologue to the Diary of 1949Im not working hard enough, and I feel that a diary would be useful, as my job is mainly thinking writing, I need some machinery for recording everything of importance I think of. . . .I also hope it will be of some moral benefit, in passing a kind of value judgment, implicit or explicit, on whether Ive wasted the day or not . . .. The feeling of meeting my own conscience at the end of the d ay may cut down my dithering time.(The Diaries of Northrop Frye, 1942-1955, edited by Robert D. Denham. University of Toronto Press, 2001)The Long Monologue of Edward Robb EllisDecember 1, 1932This evening Ross said to me: It must take an awfully egotistical person to keep a diary. Surprised, I began to defend myself, citing several reasons for maintaining this journal--a chance to practice writing, the opportunity to analyze myself, the value of a diary as a reference volume.November 10, 1973[T]here is another way in which I saved myself from madness, and this is the fact that all my life I have tried to communicate with myself. My diary is proof of this effort. My life has been one long monologue. I will go mad only if I am ever unable to talk to myself.(Edward Robb Ellis, A Diary of the Century: Tales from Americas Greatest Diarist. Sterling, 2008)Journalist Edward Ellis began keeping a diary in 1927 when he was a sophomore in high school; he continued writing until his death in 1998.Gail Godwin on Diaries and FictionI need to write a diary just as I need to write fiction, but the two needs come from very different sources. I write fiction because I need to organize the clutter of too many details into some meaning, because I enjoy turning something promising into something marvelous; I keep a diary because it keeps my mind fresh and open. Once the details of being me are safely stored away every night, I can get on with what isnt just me. . . . I had to keep a diary for many years before I could begin writing fiction.(Gail Godwin, A Diarist on Diarists. Writers on Writing, edited by Robert Pack and Jay Parini. University Press of New England, 1991)Franz Kafka on the Courage of StrivingDecember 23, 1911One advantage in keeping a diary is that you become aware with reassuring clarity of the changes which you constantly suffer . . .. In the diary you find proof that in situations which today would seem unbearable, you lived, looked around and wrote observatio ns, that this right hand moved then as it does today, when we may be wiser because we are able to look back upon our former condition, and for that reason have got to admit the courage of our earlier striving in which we persisted even in sheer ignorance.(The Diaries of Franz Kafka, edited by Max Brod. Secker and Warburg, 1948) More About Keeping a Diary or Journal Your Writing: Private and PublicVirginia Woolf on Keeping a JournalTwelve Reasons to Keep a Writers Diary

Yellow Press And Its Effects On The United States - 863 Words

During the 1800’s expansion was taking place and many countries were trying to gain independence from colonies. This was a point in history when many countries wanted to gain to gain more land, resources, stronger militaries and overall power. At this time Cuba was controlled by Spain also known as the Spanish. Cubans wanted independence but the Spanish and their military forces were too powerful to defeat by themselves. The Spanish treated the Cubans very harsh by starting concentration camps. Many Cubans were severely dying of starvation, and other countries such as America became aware of this tragedy taking place in Cuba. Americans used ‘yellow press’ as a way to communicate and to keep people informed about recent news. Yellow journalism was major key because publishers would exaggerate stories that would interest the public. Pictures of Cubans in concentration camps started reaching the press with bold headlines which made Americans sympathetic and they want ed to help liberate Cuba. At this time Teddy Roosevelt was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He was a very important asset to America because he led our military. The yellow press also advertised ads to recruit volunteers for the army which basically forced the public to support expansion in other countries. Teddy Roosevelt wanted to expand military forces overseas so there were bases and American presence in places such as the Philippines and Hong Kong. Many Americans served in the army and were awayShow MoreRelatedEssay on What ´s Yellow Journalism?748 Words   |  3 PagesYellow journalism is a writing style that used melodrama, romance, and hyperbole to sell millions of newspapers. But the number of newspapers selling went up drastically after the blowing up of the battleship USS Maine. At 9:30 on February, 15 the USS Maine sinks in Havana Harbor. This starts the Spanish American War. Then newspaper owners William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer began having the sinki ng of the USS Maine all over the front pages. The dramatic style of yellow journalism contributedRead MoreRequired Midterm Essay Questions1563 Words   |  7 Pagescolonial period of print up to and including how printed news is delivered today with national papers like USA Today. Include and describe what was the significance of the era of the penny press, jazz journalism, yellow journalism, and muckraking. The history of the printed newspaper in the United States has spanned even before the nations independence. The format and coverage may have changed over the years, but one principle element has remained the same. That element is the dispersion ofRead MoreThe Spanish American War in 18981256 Words   |  5 Pages The quote A Splendid little war by Secretary of State John Hay summarizes the Spanish American War in 1898. While this war could be seen as an act of aggression by the 20th century standards this war was beneficial to the United States of America while being deviating to the Kingdom of Spain for many reasons. There were many causes for the Spanish American War. The first long term cause was the Wilson Gordon Tariff. This tariff ultimately decreased tariff rates for may Europeans nations excludingRead MoreCivil Liberties : The State Of Minnesota And It918 Words   |  4 PagesFor most people seeing news about political events and scandals seems like a normal everyday occurrence. In the early 1920’s however this wasn’t the case with States being able to censor the press in order to keep political scandals quiet. The first case to challenge this was Near vs. the State of Minnesota and it would become one of the most important cases for civil liberties/ This essay looks at the history of the case as well as its relation to civil liberties while also looking at its relevanceRead MoreThe Motivations of the 19th Century American Anti-chinese Movement1377 Words   |  6 PagesIn the late 19th century, a national wide anti-Chinese movement took place in the United States of America . The Chinese immigrants were excluded by the Native Americans. Their stores were stolen; their houses were burned down and even worse, many of them were killed. However, if we refer back the history of America, we will find that the early Chinese immigrants were accepted by Americans and were not the immediate targets of hostility or violence. In addition, the prosperity of America, especiallyRead MoreEssay on How Sensationalism Affects Eve1135 Words   |  5 Pages How Sensationalism Affects Everyone Involved In today ¡Ã‚ ¦s society journalism is under close scrutiny and is losing its credibility. Sensationalism effects both those who receive it in addition to those who report it. This essay will review the history of sensationalism in the media, clearly demonstrate how sensationalism effects ours views on journalism, and confront the ethical dilemmas that journalists must face between reporting objectively and reporting what sells. This will be accomplishedRead More Politics and the Media Essay2295 Words   |  10 Pagesthe media for a great deal of its information. The role of the press in American politics has become a major source of discussion and controversy in recent years (Davis, 1). The question raised in this paper is, Does the media present the news fairly, accurately, and completely? The short answer is no, the long answer will be examined throughout the following essay. This essay will examine the media and its influence and effects on politics and government. Publick Occurrences was the firstRead MoreAPUSH Essays1633 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Analyze the responses to TWO of the following to Secretary of State John Hay’s view that the Spanish American War was â€Å"a splendid little war†; William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt, Alfred Thayer Mahan, Emilio Aguinaldo When Secretary of State John Hay stated that the Spanish American War was a â€Å"splendid little war†, he received mixed responses from people such as William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt, Alfred Thayer Mahan, and Emilio Aguinaldo. Some people of the Philippines, especiallyRead MoreEssay on The Cause And Effect Of The Spanish American War953 Words   |  4 Pagestradition but was a logical extension of commercial expansion, something the US had been doing throughout its history (SparkNotes: The Spanish American War, 1898-1901,: Effects of the Treaty). President McKinley was not interested in wars of conquest or of territorial aggression. His interest in expansion was to make the United States first in international commerce and as a means to implement its humanitarian and democratic goals (Faragher, J., Buhle, M. J., Armitage, S. H. ,2008, Out of Many,Read MoreThe Chiricahua Named Chihuahu A Different Opinion Of Their New Home1194 Words   |  5 PagesAfter the arriv al of Dr. Walter Reed on a tour of duty as post surgeon it is determined that ten more Chiricahua have died from a combination of yellow fever and tuberculosis. The conditions were made worse by the fact that the Government was supplying food that went against their own tradition such as fish and pork, causing them to sell their persona; effects in order to obtain necessary food to eat further lowering the overall moral of a decimated people. All of this is found out by the aforementioned

How far is it right to see Anthem for Doomed Youth as entirely a poem of protest and criticism Essay Example For Students

How far is it right to see Anthem for Doomed Youth as entirely a poem of  protest and criticism? Essay Although I believe that Anthem for Doomed Youth is a poem that contains strong opinion from Owen, I do not think that it was aimed to be entirely a poem of protest, or of criticism. However, from the title of the poem, it is easy to see how it could be immediately viewed as such. The use of the word Anthem to describe the poem gives the impression that Owen wishes to make a point, as it is a strong word that implies anger. As well as this, Anthem is generally used to represent a group of people, rather than individuals, such as a National Anthem which represents a country, and because of this the reader begins to see where Owen might be trying to make a point it seems to be the beginning of a strong statement throughout the poem. However, although some readers may believe Owen used this word to show his criticism of the system, I believe he also used it as an anthem has a strong link to honour the National Anthem is always played when someone (an athlete, for example) has achieved something to be proud of. I think that Owen was trying to link the poem to honour even from the title, as well as making a strong statement even before the reader has started the poem. However, when the word Anthem is combined with Doomed Youth makes it seem slightly sarcastic as if Owen is almost mocking the idea of honour itself. The strong statement in the title is continued by Owen into the opening stanza of the poem in the first line, the soldiers are called cattle. Straightaway, this word tells the reader than Owen is angry at something, as cattle is a strong and harsh word to use to describe soldiers fighting for the country. As well as this, it again groups all the soldiers together, rather than acknowledging them as individual people. Again, this could easily imply that Owen is trying to make a point about something, as it is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as if he wants the idea to remain in the readers mind. Referring to the soldiers specifically as cattle also has an effect; cattle need to die for others (in that we need to eat meet to survive), and in making this link I believe that Owen wants us to think about why these soldiers are going to fight, and effectively makes us feel guilty. In linking them to animals, Owen also implies that he feels the soldiers are stupid another sign that p erhaps he is trying to make a point as it would have been a rare opinion to think ill of your soldiers. Phrasing the first line as a question also makes the first line sound very aggressive, almost as if Owen is accusing the reader of something. This makes the line sound very harsh, and adds to the tone already created in the poem, which is a strong feeling of anger. This is a very clever opening line technique, as it grabs attention and makes the reader involved from the very first line, as they are questioning their own feelings. Overall, the first stanza appears to contain a lot of anger there are strong sounds throughout, for example rifles rapid rattle, which gives the impression that a speaker saying these words would almost be spitting them out. The alliteration also sounds like a stutter, which gives the impression that a speaker would perhaps be overcome with the anger he feels. The adjectives used in the first stanza are very dark and depressing, for example monstrous, which give the first stanza overall a very depressing feel. As well as the anger shown, the first stanza contains many allusions that Owen is not happy with the attitudes of the public towards soldiers, despite appearing to think little of them himself at first. The repeated use of the word only at the start of successive lines implies that Owen feels soldiers are not really given enough of anything for example honour, respect and support. The way that the word is repeated emphasises this, as if Owen has at the back of his mind consta ntly how soldiers deserve more than they receive for what they risk. He also mentions the soldiers hasty orisons. I believe that inputting hasty here, again shows that Owen feels what they receive is inadequate he could have easily omitted this word. By writing it here it draws the readers attention to the fact that the soldiers do not even have enough time to complete their prayers, which may contribute to the feeling of injustice for the soldiers. In this respect, I believe that it is a poem of criticism as I feel Owen is condemning the attitude towards the soldiers. Along with anger, there is a strong sense of mocking in the first stanza Owen uses words that have trivial connotations for example shrill and patter. This implies that he is mocking the overall attitude to war, and the attitude towards dying for your country. As a result of this, the opening stanza also comes across as very bitter and resentful, which the reader feels increases the likelihood that Owen is trying to make a point with this poem. The reader also recognises the anger as we realise that Owen would probably have fou ght in the war himself, and so the feelings would seem a lot more important and personal to him, which is perhaps why they seem so intense. Search for My Tongue SummaryThe language overall in the second stanza is much more gentle and calm, especially when compared to the language in the first. As seen earlier, in the first stanza there are many strong words and sounds which gave the verse its feeling of anger. The language here also creates the tone; the sounds are much softer and contribute largely to the overall feeling. Examples of these words are shine, glimmers, and tenderness. These words give a much more positive feeling to this part of the poem, due to the connotations they have, for example shine and glimmers both have strong associations with light, which is why they have this effect. They also allow the reader to feel more reflective about the poem, as the slower pace and calmer feeling allow the reader to take time to evaluate how they feel. The sounds of the words are also a lot softer, which contribute to the calm feeling in this area of the poem. I believe that this really turns opinion against Anthem be ing entirely a protest of criticism because this area of the poem doesnt appear to be arguing the point that has been shown to us so far by Owen. The last line in this stanza is perhaps the best example of the different language the use of the word dusk is probably the most positive word possible to use all the alternatives, such as darkness, night, black and so on are all considerably more depressing. This shows the change in attitude Owen has had from the first stanza, where many of the words were probably chosen for dramatic effect. The phrase a drawing-down of blinds is also a contrast from the first stanza; it is quite a comforting phrase (considering that it refers to death) and is more synonymous to sleep than to death. Again, this shows the contrast because previously I believe Owen would have chosen the phrase to create the most impact, in order to give his protest more force. Although, even in this line, it would be possible to see Owen as trying to show his protest once more; by putting each in the line it could be seen as trying to make the point that the death will happen over and over again. However, I believe that it just makes this line more personal, as to me each separates each soldiers death out from the mass death happening every day. The tone of the poem overall changes often; however I believe by the end of the poem the initial anger has almost been forgotten due to the very different second stanza. It is almost like a continuous thought process; as if Owen is writing down his feelings as they occur to him. For example, the first line of the second stanza is What candles may be held to speed them all? It is this line where the reader sees the change in the tone of the poem; it is here when Owen appears to have a change of heart, very suddenly. It is as if it is here when Owen realises what true honour is at this precise point in the poem, and this would explain why he goes from writing to make a point with so much anger becoming seemingly more reflective about everything. The question mark also implies that he really does not know the answer, making it seem more like an overall though, and an exploration of his feelings rather than a true protest poem. I believe that this would explain the sudden change in the l anguage of the poem. The main emotion changes three times in this poem; from anger, to sadness, to acceptance, and I believe that this could have been intentional by Owen, as it represents the mourning process after the death of a loved one. It is effective overall because he does it subtly constructing the poem so that it could be used as a thought process means that there are multiple ways of viewing it, giving the reader the chance to think for themselves. I believe that although Owen does make individual points throughout the poem, that this overall was his main aim rather than to make a protest or criticise. It appears, although there is some criticism towards the beginning of the poem, that it is more a reflection of the feelings of Owen himself.

Analysing the Financial Performance of Garner Ltd †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Financial Performance of Garner Ltd. Answer: The main objective of this report is to focus on the calculation of various ratios of Garner Ltd for the year ended 2007 as well as 2008 for analysing the financial performance of the company. The report will mainly focus on profitability and liquidity position of the company through various ratios like profitability ratio and liquidity ratio. The ratios can be calculated as follows Ratio Formula 2007 2008 Current ratio Current assets/current liabilities 2.21 1.27 Quick ratio Current assets less inventories / current liabilities 1.68 0.97 Debt ratio Total liabilities / total assets 0.38 0.40 Inventory turnover ratio Cost of sales / average inventory 3.68 Accounts receivable turnover ratio Credit sales / Average accounts receivable 6.00 Gross profit percentage Gross profit/sales * 100 40.00 41.67 Profit margin Profit/Sales *100 9.00 10.00 Return on total asset EBIT/Net assets 0.49 0.52 Return on owner's equity Profit after tax / Total equity 0.18 0.21 Looking at the liquidity ratio of the company that is the current ratio and quick ratio of the company, it can be identified that both current ratio and the liquid ratio of the company is in decreasing trend (Bodie, 2013). The current ratio of the company decreased to 1.27 in 2008 as compared to 2.21 in 2007 whereas, the quick ratio of the company decreased to 0.97 in 2008 as compared to 1.68 in 2007. As the liquidity ratios indicate the capability of a company to pay off its short-term obligation, the decreasing trend is indicating that the companys ability to pay-off its short term obligations is decreasing (Waemustafa Sukri, 2016). Looking at the profitability ratios like percentage of gross profit as well as profit margin and return on total assets ratio, it can be identified that all the profitability ratios are in increasing trend that indicated that the company is strong, stable and have a good growth prospect for the future year. The growth prospect and upward moving profitability ratios will definitely attract the investors for investing their fund (Babalola Abiola, 2013). If the stability ratio of the company that is the debt ratio and liquidity ratios are considered, it can be identified that the debt ratio of the company has been slightly increased to 0.40 in 2008 from 0.38 in 2015 (Nyabwanga et al., 2013). A debt ratio of generally 0.5 or lower is considered to be reasonable as it indicates that the company is less risky or to be more specific, the liabilities of the company is just 50% of its assets. Further, though the liquidity ratios are in decreasing trend, the company is still in better position to pay-off their current obligations. Therefore, it can be said that the company is stable and will be considered as solvent over the coming years (Haslem Longbrake, 2015). From the above analysis, it is concluded that from all the aspects like profitability, stability and liquidity, the company is performing well and will be considered as stable from the investing prospect. The company will therefore, be able to borrow money, avail good credit terms and attract the investors to invest their fund. However, as the liquidity ratios are in decreasing trend, Garner Ltd shall look into the matter as further fall will threaten its repaying capability of short-term obligations. References Babalola, Y. A., Abiola, F. R. (2013). Financial ratio analysis of firms: A tool for decision making.International journal of management sciences,1(4), 132-137. Bodie, Z. (2013).Investments. McGraw-Hill. Haslem, J. A., Longbrake, W. (2015). A discriminant analysis of commercial bank profitability. Nyabwanga, R. N., Ojera, P., Simeyo, O., Nyanyuki, N. F. (2013). An empirical analysis of the liquidity, solvency and financial health of small and medium sized enterprises in kisii municipality, Kenya. Waemustafa, W., Sukri, S. (2016). Systematic and unsystematic risk determinants of liquidity risk between Islamic and conventional banks.