Class of 2009 note #1

Class of 2009 note #1 While we are still waiting to hear from everyone, and hence it is too early to know anything about the waitlist, the Next Big Mailing (NBM) is on its way to those who replied to us before the deadline. One of the coolest parts of the NBM is the Athena Account Coupon. The coupon will allow you to get yourself a Kerberos Identity/Athena username. What will this mean for you? Well, youll have an MIT email address, MIT web space (currently 1 GB), ability to access MIT-only secure web pages, and, of course, you add me to your list of friends on Thefacebook ;) Your important task is to choose a username for yourself. Yes, MIT believes in letting you choose your own email address (you can laugh at your friends at schools where their email address is some garbled mess of intials and numbers). It must be between 3-8 characters, and it must be unique. Theres no comprehensive check you can do to see what is taken, but you should check the MIT directory to get a preliminary idea. If your first name or last name is uncommon and 8 letters or fewer, thats often a good choice, as those addresses are professional and easy to remember. You can try your initials, or first intial-last name. You can spell your name backwards, or use a nickname. You can even name yourself after your favorite rock album (like one of my friends did) or an adjective that describes your personality (another friend). The important thing to remember is that you cannot change your username. So if youre planning to go with something wacky, check with your friends to ensure it is truly a good idea. Back in the fall of 1996 (we had to wait until we were on campus to get our usernames back in those days), I chose madmatt as my username. It was a high school nickname given to me by my boss, and I thought it gave my username a little character. madmatt served me well, and many people still refer to me by my username. However, when I started to apply for jobs, I made myself a list, mcgann, with madmatt as the only member of that list (essentially, a second email list for myself). I continue to use that email list professionally (if you get an email from me, the return address will be mcgann), but deep down, Ill always be madmatt. MIT students/alums: any advice for choosing usernames? Any funny stories about others usernames? Class of 09 members: how will you choose your username?

Adolescent Interview Essay - 1282 Words

Adolescent Interview Teenage years can be a challenging time for many individuals. Beginning at the age of 11 through 20, adolescence is defined as a â€Å"transitional period in the human life span, linking childhood and adulthood† (Santrock 2009). At this point, the person is no longer a child, but not yet an adult. This makes it a very critical and sensitive time frame for identity formation. According to Erik Erikson, adolescence is marked by the child’s questioning his or her identity during what he refers to as the identity versus identity confusion developmental stage. During this phase, the adolescent becomes mindful of his or her identity and seeks his or her purpose in life, as well as the answer to the eternal question, â€Å"who†¦show more content†¦They are all currently freshmen at Warren Township High School. Some of the subjects they are studying include biology, English, geometry, history, and health. Although at times they are overwhel med with the amount of homework from each class, they are still able to keep up and maintain above average grades. All of their peers, including those with the same age in their neighborhood currently go to school. After high school, they all plan on going to college and major in nursing, much like their mothers, father and older siblings. Based on their responses, their current identity status is that of foreclosure. This is because their mother, father and other siblings are nurses, and so they feel compelled or pressured to continue the nursing tradition in their families. They all admitted to not have experienced a crisis yet, nor being in the midst of one. The five teenagers that I interviewed do not currently work. Their main focus is school, as it should be. However, they stated that if given the opportunity, they would like to take up a job so that they could start saving money for themselves and to help out their families with their expenses. They do not seem to ha ve too many responsibilities given to them by their parents, aside from doing household chores and maintaining decent grades in school. Even though their parents allowed them with some autonomy, they do not take this for granted. They still obtain permissionShow MoreRelatedAdolescent Interview Essay1428 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Maria Alvarez TUES-THURS 10:30-11:50AM May 8, 2014 Adolescent Interview When picking my adolescent I had quite a few choices to pick from but I decided on my adolescent 15 year old sister since I know a lot about her and have seen first-hand how she is coping with this adolescent stage. Patricia is a normal 15 year old girl still in high school. She lives in a household of 7 with 3 older siblings and one younger one. She mentioned that she lived in a small home with three dogs, two fish, aRead MoreBshs 395 The interview process Essay week 2825 Words   |  4 PagesThe Interview Process Lolita Kyser BSHS/395 March 26th, 2013 Instructor Michael Moore The Interview Process The purpose of this essay is to explain the assessment interview process. This essay will feature an imaginary interview involving the client and helping process. The significance of the interview process initiates effective case management and entails direction of the clients goals (Kyser, 2014). Alyssa is a teenage adolescent girlRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder : A Psychological Study884 Words   |  4 PagesLatinx immigrant adolescents experienced a traumatic event. On the other hand, Kessler et al., 1995 and Copeland et al., 2007, studies done primarily on non-Hispanic whites in the United States, report 51% of women, 61 % of men, and 68% of adolescents in the U.S. have experienced a potentially traumatic event during their lifetimes. Yet, Latinx immigrants who face traumatic events are significantly more likely to develop post traumatic stress disorder (21% of adults and 9% of adolescents) compared toRead MoreTHE ESSAY FOR EVALUATING RESOURCES ON THE WEB1268 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿THE ESSAY FOR EVALUATING RESOURCES ON THE WEB Introduction: It is obviously that everyone wants to get a dream job. A good CV (Curriculum vitae) and a successful job interview are what you need to make that dream come true. But it seems that job interview is really the biggest challenge to most of applicants. Even if you have a perfect CV but you do not prepare well for your interview, you will lose your chance. So how can you have the best preparation for a job interview? Thanks to the developmentRead MoreNew York : Meredith Books1185 Words   |  5 Pagesdetail school-and home –based strategies for preventing cyberbullying and healing those affected by the phenomenon. 3. Subrahmanyam, Kaveri, and Patricia Greenfield. â€Å"Online Communication and Adolescent Relationships†.The Future of Children 18.1 (2008): 119–146. The purpose of this article is to examine adolescents’ relationship with friend, romance partners, strangers, and their family in the context of their online communication activities. 4. Hinduja, SK, Patchin, JW (2014). Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard:Read MoreApplying Plain Packaging On Cigarette Cases Essay1698 Words   |  7 Pageswithin how uninformed the general populous is. The lobbyist essentially claims that the plain packaging policy has no proof of being an effective method of diminishing the number of smokers. Though the lobbyist asserts that it is invalid, this research essay will introduce compelling evidence and experimental data that suggests that the notion behind the plain packaging policy is actually an efficient method for minimizing the popularity of smoking. This paper will also look at opposing points of viewsRead MoreExamine and Assess the Influence of Other People on Human Behaviour and Performance.1704 Words   |  7 PagesOption B essay question Examine and assess the influence of other people on human behaviour and performance. This essay will examine and assess the influence of other people on human behaviour and performance, starting with Adorno et al (1950)s large-scale study on the authoritarian personality with its focus on the parental and family influence as well as alternative explanations, including evidence that multiple factors influence the formation of authoritarianism. It will then go onRead MoreEssay On Body Image In The Media1460 Words   |  6 Pagessinger Adele. She has talked about her curves in an interview with Australia s 60 minutes stating It seemed to astound people that I was plus size and successful. (Peterson). Adele proceeds to go on about how during the time of her success, she was constantly asked questions about her body and her weight. (Peterson). She proceeds by stating It s a little bit annoying that men don t get asked that question as much. (Peterson.) This interview from a known-famous singer portrays the realizationRead MoreCompare and Contrast Analysis1650 Words   |   7 Pageshave examined the concept of collectivism and individualism. People form individualistic cultures tend to view themselves as unique entities and independent form one another (Coon Kemmelmeier, 348) The current essay is a compare and contrast analysis of two persons whom the author interviews. Two individuals included in this study were my friends. Both are my college friends and belong to Korea. The girl is Jain Lee and she is studying at college with me. The name of the boy is Hyunbo Park and heRead More Technology’s Detrimental Effects on Communication1292 Words   |  6 Pagesability of today’s generation to read body language, facial expressions, and to clearly vocalize what is important to them. Technology has changed drastically in the past 50 years, and continues to grow and morph every day. Today’s youth and adolescents are seen with their heads down, texting on their cell phones, instead of looking up and conversing with the people around them. While individually, each of the components of a social networking website may seem useful and necessary, the sum of them

Basic Models Of Word Retrieval - 1222 Words

during treatment caused in the capability to perform parallel semantic judgments on original semantic tasks. Theoretical models of naming Why does training more complex, atypical category items result in generalization to typical items, while the reverse training procedure which is training less complex an typical items does not affect production of atypical items?. To clarify the potential mechanisms underlying the effect of typicality treatment, it is useful to concisely review theoretical models of word retrieval. Majority theoretical models of naming agree that lexical access can be generally divided into two processes, specifically, semantic and phonological processes. These models, on the other hand fall along a range when addressing the details concerning to the relative timing of lexical access. One observation of naming suggests two chronological components to lexical access, namely lexical selection followed by phonological encoding (Butterworth, 1989, 1992; Levelt, 1989; Levelt, Roelofs,Meyer, 1999). A different observation of naming conjectures that lexical access can have two levels but not certainly two s tages (Dell, 1986; Humphreys, Riddoch, Quinlan, 1988). Hence, activation of a word during naming consists of at least two closely interacting levels which are activation of the semantic representation as well as activation of the phonological form of the target word. Some views also assume that perhaps an intermediate is activated, namely, lexeme level.Show MoreRelatedComputers And Conscious Problem Solving Essay1694 Words   |  7 Pagesstorage, and retrieval of information. I. Memory Models a. Information-processing models are analogies that compare human memory to a computer’s operations. b. To remember any event, we must: -get information into our brain, encoding - retain that information, storage - later get the information back out, retrieval c. Encoding- The processing of information into the memory system—for example, by extracting meaning. d. Storage- The process of retaining encoded information over time. e. Retrieval- The processRead MoreAnalysis of Database Management and Information Retrieval Systems1102 Words   |  5 Pages1. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DBMS) INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM (IRS) DBMS offer advance Data Modelling Facility (DMF) including Data Definition Language and Data Manipulation Language for modelling and manipulating data. IRS do not offer an advance DMF. Usually data modelling in IRS is restricted to classification of objects. Data Definition Language of DBMS is the capability to define the data integrity constraintsRead MoreUse Of Psychology And Counseling Centre1467 Words   |  6 Pagessuperior to that in read condition. Using a repeated measures design, subjects were exposed to 2 levels (conditions, namely, read condition and generate condition). After each condition, they were engaged in a simple recall task, remembering as many words as they could. This phenomenon is applied even across variations in encoding rules, timed or self-placed presentation and along with between and within subjects design. A number of potential explanatory principles are considered and their difficultiesRead MoreCognition And Teaching L2 And L21161 Words   |  5 PagesTeaching L1 and L2 Composition Academic writing is believed to be cognitively complex. Cognitive models have tended to define students’ writing in terms of problem-solving (cf. McCutchen, Teske, Bankston, 2008), and problem-solving has been conceptualized in terms of information processing. The contemporary cognitive process in composition is heavily influenced by Flower and Hayes(1981)’s Cognitive Process Model, which advocates for the evaluation of text in terms of the underlying function with respectRead MoreModels Of Theories Of Memory1235 Words   |  5 PagesEvaluate two models of theories of memory. This essay will evaluate two models of theories of memory. Memory can be defined as the persistence of learning over time via the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information. Encoding is the process of categorizing incoming information through conscious effortful processing, rehearsal, or unconscious automatic processing. The storage process involves the retention of encoded information over time. Lastly, retrieval is the process of getting informationRead MoreEssay about The Human Memory Model1732 Words   |  7 Pagesencoding stage, a storage process, and a retrieval process, the human memory also tends to forget quite a bit of information. Psychologists have many general principles to help us improve our memory and learning how the memory works will enable us to develop new ways to increase memory recall. One of the most significant models of memory was the Shiffrin model, also known as the Modal Model, which was the work of Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin in 1968 (Mod al Model, n.d.). The study of the humanRead MoreSubjective Test Assessment Of Online Exams1474 Words   |  6 Pagesunderstanding and knowledge. This paper presents a survey on the effective techniques for subjective test assessment. In this, the answers are unstructured data which have to be evaluated. The evaluation is based on the semantic similarity between the model answer and the user answer. Different techniques are compared and a new approach is proposed to evaluate the subjective test assessment of text. Index terms: Subjective test assessment; Online examinations; Semantic Similarity; Evaluation. I. INTRODUCTIONRead MoreThe Effect Of Stimulating Brain Oscillations On Memory Performance1235 Words   |  5 Pagesfrequency and amplitude of oscillations to be alternated during stimulation, in a way that is less likely to entrain oscillations other than the intended frequency, making it a more specific technique to use (Herrmann, Rach, Neuling, Strà ¼ber, 2013). The basic assumption is that if oscillations are essential to a specific cognitive function, then using tACS to stimulate these oscillations should elicit that particular function (Sejnowski Paulsen, 2006). The current study will use tACS in order to monitorRead More The Reliability of Eyewitness Testimony Essay1329 Words   |  6 Pagesunderstanding of the reliability of eye witness testimony (EWT) as he suggested that recall is subject to personal interpretation dependent on our learnt or cultural norms and values- the way we make sense of our world. In other words, we tend to see and in particular interpret and recall what we see according to what we expect and assume is normal in a given situation. Bartlett tested this theory using different stories to illustrate that memory is an active processRead MoreTraining Evaluation : Light Of Gagne s Model And Return On Investment816 Words   |  4 PagesTraining Evaluation in Light of Gagne’s Model and Return on Investment The mistakes and pain that arise from ignorance can never be overemphasized. Likewise, knowledge can never be overemphasized. Knowledge is power. As a result, education (formal or informal) is a potent catalyst that delivers knowledge and provokes world change; it can make individuals become cleaver devils, or agents of constructive change. Even basic education in reading and writing can bring about a world of positive changes

Acet Essy Free Essays

In order for the Committee on Admission and Aid to get to know you better, answer the question below in the form of an essay. â€Å"Are there any significant experiences you have had, or accomplishments you have realized that have helped to define you as a person? † â€Å"l love you, Lord, my strength. † In the course of my life, I have encountered several trials and several attainments, but despite all of those experiences; one unforgettable moment struck me the most. We will write a custom essay sample on Acet Essy or any similar topic only for you Order Now The car accident happened in a Sunday evening back in February of 2011. There was a strong hit at the right side of the back of our car which led the car to swerve to the feet, and collide on a passing Jeep. The sad thing about the incident was that the point of impact on my side was strong. I fell unconscious after my head hit the door and I didn’t know what happened next. I only felt that I was regaining consciousness when I was already in a tricycle with my dad. My vision wasn’t clear and I can feel something painful on my face; I was troubled and nervous about what was going on and what has happened. Vie come to understand it after I woke up in a hospital lying on a bed. I was very confused why I was laid on a bed, why my mom and relatives were around me. It turned out that I was the one they were fretting over. My mom told me about the accident while she was sobbing. My mind went blank; all I can think about was, â€Å"How? Why? Is this real? † I was transferred and referred to another hospital, then another until I had my operation. The doctors read all laboratory findings and tests and they told me that I was lucky enough that my left eye didn’t end up blind. I was seriously hurt physically and mentally. Knowing the bills for the operation, medicines, hospital was very grieving. My parent’s had to pay thousands of pesos Just because of what happened to me. They had to drive to and from one capital to another Just for check-ups. My conscience ate me, â€Å"Aka kaki eh! Gung Hindi aka undergrad’s, wall an sang epigraph Pasadena mega angular MO at serial MO! † I felt that I was held responsible that we were experiencing those hardships. It wasn’t easy for me to bear that thought, and then another thought entered my mind, â€Å"Piano gung sill Mommy, Daddy, bat mongo chapatti at pins nag undergrad’s? Slang pat nag nightcap at aka okay an okay? † I can’t even stand the thought of it ever happening. I said to myself that I was a hero for saving them; it was far okay for me to be the one who’s hurt and not them. I have come to realize and regret so many things in life that time; in the billions of people in the world, why me? Out of the many possible things that could have happened, why this? Why was the taxi driver so reckless and so stupid? Had I not lead a virtuous and faithful life to deserve this? Why? I felt so many regrets and blame. There were so many questions and realizations that passed through my mind. It wasn’t very easy for me to bear what I have gone through. It went to the point that I questioned God why did it happen. I experienced a lot of suffering and struggle when I was still in the hospital ND recovering at home. I missed almost the 4th quarter of my 1st year high school started the 4th Quarter at a very short time. In spite of the downfall I experienced; I clung on to the Lord and believed on myself on what the future I hold if I let it pass or let it be a chance for better progress. I believed that it was a test from God to see if I will fall down or stand up. I was sure that it was only the beginning of how life really was. â€Å"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. † It reflected the life Vie gone through back then. This incident made e define myself as it allowed me put myself in others’ shoes. I saw my condition as a chance to reflect and see what was really going on. It defined me as a person in a way that I showed more importance for others than myself. My faith was more sincere and true. No matter what pint of depression, no matter what pint of loneliness you’re in, no matter how deep of trouble you are; God will always walk with you and will always be with you facing those difficulties. Guided by this vision and understanding, I was awarded a bronze medal in the Honors’ Assembly the following school year. Hoping that more of these will come and God will continue to bless and guide me. It was a Sunday evening in February 13 of 2011 that our family experienced a car accident, and I faced a tragic event in my life. It was the most depressing and fearful episode of my life I have ever experienced. Deep thoughts entered my mind, emotions and feelings Vie never felt before. Will I take it as an obstacle in my life or take it as an opportunity? I made a decision to take it as an opportunity and use it for my never ending success in the continuous days of my life. â€Å"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. † -John F. Kennedy How to cite Acet Essy, Papers

Tragic Fate Of Greek Heroes Essays - Ancient Greek Theatre, Oedipus

Tragic Fate Of Greek Heroes The Tragic Fate of Greek Heroes Jason Runyon History 300 The Tragic Fate of Greek Heroes The hero stands as an archetype of who we should be and who we wish to be. However, the hero has inherent flaws, which we do not wish to strive towards. In literature, these flaws are not used as examples of what we should be but rather as examples of what not to be. This is especially dominant in the Greek hero. The Greek hero battles fate with excessive pride and intelligence, yet follows his fate, making serious mistakes. The Greek hero is strong and mighty while his wit and intelligence are highly valued. In Greek tragedy, the hero struggles to avoid many flaws. Among these flaws are ambition, foolishness, stubbornness, and hubris, the excessive component of pride. He must overcome his predestined fate, which is futile to do. From the beginning of the tale, it is already clear that the hero will ultimately fail with the only way out being death. In Oedipus, the hero is confronted with a load of information about his family and gouges his eyes out. He tried to outwit his fate he h ad already lost and was sentenced to death. In Antigone, her act resulted in her death, but she had the consolation that the deities agreed with her. The Greek hero is so normal, that you can relate to him. He is usually a common human being with no extraordinary life. His story seems believable, even possible. We would have no hard time imagining the heros conflict as being ours. As in the case with Oedipus, you can understand how he feels it would be possible for his circumstances to be applied to our lives. Although the details may seem a little farfetched, it is not impossible that there is some truth to the story. Where Oedipus was strong and perhaps blind to many truths, Antigone was a fighter who yielded to the pressure of the truths and eventually killed herself. Oedipus was strong and ignorant, where Antigone was passionate and destroyed by the recognition of the truth. The Greek hero is more of a thinker than a violent individual. He tries to outwit everyone including his fate. He has a high level of hubris. This is exactly the cause of his death making his fight nearly pointless. Oedipus deals with the human struggle fo r knowledge, first for knowledge of the evil, but ultimately for self-knowledge. Despite the advice of others, Oedipus remains with his illusion, he must find the truth even if it will destroy him. Oedipus is a tragic hero according to Aristotles Conception in The Poetics. He is not the victim of fate expressed in the oracles. His tragedy results from within his character. He sees things only his way, and driven by his uncontrolled emotions, ends up dead. The tragic hero yearns to believe that there is purpose to his actions, yet many of his actions lead to pain and disaster. He evolves thinking about right and wrong or good and evil, believing that these come to him as divine revelations. Yet he often discovers that his morality produces immoral results, and his good is often evil. It is common to all characters in a tragic situation that they are confronted with a choice. Choice is at the heart of tragedy. This choice may be taken without much consideration, it may be taken deliberately but in ignorance of the whole truth (Oedipus) and it may also be taken because it is imperative (Antigone). Greek tragedy, then, is an expression of man realizing that his human standards have become questionable. Sophocles Antigone and Oedipus make a commentary upon the ideals of Greek humanism, specifically the individuals responsibility in society and morality. Both Antigone and Oedipus make several moral choices and suffer the consequences. In the case of Antigone, her choice to bury her brother is not a fatal mistake that results in her death. It is a brave act that upholds a moral right in the face of capricious human justice. She also distanced everyone who is close to her making it easier for her to go through her difficult experience. This is something noble. Likewise, Oedipus is

The Definition of Form in Art

The Definition of Form in Art The term form can mean several different things in art. Form is one of the seven elements of art and connotes a three-dimensional object in space. A  formal analysis of a work of art describes how the elements and principles of artwork together independent of their meaning and the feelings or thoughts they may evoke in the viewer. Finally,  form is also used to describe the physical nature of the artwork, as in metal sculpture, an oil painting, etc.​ When used in tandem with the word art as in art form, it can also mean a medium of artistic expression recognized as fine art or an unconventional medium done so well, adroitly, or creatively as to elevate it to the level of fine art. An Element of Art Form is one of the seven elements of art  which are the visual tools that an artist uses to compose a work of art. In addition, to form, they include line, shape, value, color, texture, and space.  As an Element of Art, form connotes something that is three-dimensional and encloses volume, having length, width, and height, versus shape, which is two-dimensional, or flat. A form is a shape in three dimensions, and, like shapes, can be geometric or organic. Geometric forms are forms that are mathematical, precise, and can be named, as in the basic geometric forms: sphere, cube, pyramid, cone, and cylinder.  A circle becomes a sphere in three dimensions, a square becomes a cube, a triangle becomes a pyramid or cone. Geometric forms are most often found in architecture and the built environment, although you can also find them in the spheres of planets and bubbles, and in the crystalline pattern of snowflakes, for example. Organic forms are those that are free-flowing, curvy, sinewy, and are not symmetrical or easily measurable or named. They most often occur in nature, as in the shapes of flowers, branches, leaves, puddles, clouds, animals, the human figure, etc., but can also be found in the bold and fanciful buildings of the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi (1852 to 1926) as well as in many sculptures. Form in Sculpture Form is most closely tied to sculpture, since it is a three-dimensional art and has traditionally consisted almost primarily of form, with color and texture being subordinate. Three-dimensional forms can be seen from more than one side. Traditionally forms could be viewed from all sides, called sculpture in-the-round, or in relief, those in which the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid background, including bas-relief, haut-relief, and sunken-relief. Historically sculptures were made in the likeness of someone, to honor a hero or god. The twentieth century broadened the meaning of sculpture, though, heralding the concept of open and closed forms, and the meaning continues to expand today. Sculptures are no longer only representational, static, stationery, forms with a solid opaque mass that has been carved out of stone or modeled out of bronze. Sculpture today may be abstract, assembled from different objects, kinetic, change with time, or made out of unconventional materials like light or holograms, as in the work of renowned artist James Turrell. Sculptures may be characterized in relative terms as closed or open forms. A closed-form has a similar feeling to the traditional form of a solid opaque mass. Even if spaces exist within the form, they are contained and confined. A closed-form has an inward-directed focus on the form, itself, isolated from ambient space. An open form is transparent, revealing its structure, and therefore has a more fluid and dynamic relationship with the ambient space.  Negative space is a major component and activating force of an open form sculpture. Pablo Picasso (1881 to 1973), Alexander Calder (1898 to 1976), and Julio Gonzalez (1876 to 1942) are some artists who created open form sculptures, made from wire and other materials. Henry Moore (1898 to 1986), the great English artist who, along with his contemporary, Barbara Hepworth (1903 to 1975), were the two most important British sculptors in modern art, both revolutionized sculpture by being the first to pierce the form of their biomorphic (biolife, morphicform) sculptures. She did so in 1931, and he did in 1932, noting that â€Å"even space can have form† and that â€Å"a hole can have as much shape meaning as a solid mass.†Ã‚   Form in Drawing and Painting In drawing and painting, the illusion of three-dimensional form is conveyed through the use of lighting and shadows, and the rendering of value and tone. Shape is defined by the outer contour of an object, which is how we first perceive it and begin to make sense of it, but light, value, and shadow help to give an object form and context in space so that we can fully identify it. For example, assuming a single light source on a sphere, the highlight is where the light source hits directly; the mid-tone is the middle value on the sphere where the light does not hit directly; the core shadow is the area on the sphere that the light does not hit at all and is the darkest part of the sphere; the cast shadow is the area on surrounding surfaces that is blocked from the light by the object; reflected highlight is light that is reflected back up onto the object from the surrounding objects and surfaces. With these guidelines as to light and shading in mind, any simple shape can be drawn or painted to create the illusion of a three-dimensional form. The greater the contrast in value, the more pronounced the three-dimensional form becomes. Forms that are rendered with little variation in value appear flatter than those that are rendered with greater variation and contrast. Historically, painting has progressed from a flat representation of form and space to a three-dimensional representation of form and space, to abstraction. Egyptian painting was flat, with the human form presented frontally but with the head and feet in profile. The realistic illusion of form did not occur until the Renaissance along with the discovery of perspective. Baroque artists such as Caravaggio (1571 to 1610), explored the nature of space, light, and the three-dimensional experience of space further through the use of chiaroscuro, the strong contrast between light and dark. The portrayal of the human form became much more dynamic, with chiaroscuro and foreshortening giving the forms a sense of solidity and weight and creating a powerful sense of drama. Modernism freed artists to play with the form more abstractly. Artists such as Picasso, with the invention of Cubism, broke up the form to imply movement through space and time. Analyzing an Artwork When analyzing a work of art, a formal analysis is separate from that of its content or context. A formal analysis means applying the elements and principles of art to analyze the work visually. The formal analysis can reveal compositional decisions that help to reinforce content, the work’s essence, meaning, and the artist’s intent, as well as give clues as to historical context. For example, the feelings of mystery, awe, and transcendence that are evoked from some of the most enduring Renaissance masterpieces, such as the Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci, 1517), The Creation of Adam (Michelangelo, 1512),  the Last Supper (Leonardo da Vinci, 1498) are distinct from the formal compositional elements and principles such as line, color, space, shape, contrast, emphasis, etc., the artist used to create the painting and that contribute to its meaning, effect, and timeless quality. Resources and Further Reading Form, Tate Museum, tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/f/formThe Art of Sculpture, Encyclopedia of Art, visual-arts-cork.com/sculpture.htmThe hole of life, Tate Museum, tate.org.uk/context-comment/articles/hole-of-lifeBarbara Hepworth vs Henry Moore, CultureWhisper, https://www.culturewhisper.com/r/article/preview/3670Works of Antoni Gaudi, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/320Henry Moore Foundation, https://www.henry-moore.orgBarbara Hepworth, https://barbarahepworth.org.ukJames Turrell, http://jamesturrell.com Resources for Teachers The Elements of Art: Form, Grade Level: 3-4, National Gallery of Art, https://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/form.htmlShape and Form in Art: Instructional Program for Grades K-4, Teacher’s Guide, http://gettingtoknow.com/wp-content/uploads/shapeinartTG.pdf

How to Start a Writing Group

How to Start a Writing Group How to Start a Writing Group How to Start a Writing Group By Mark Nichol This is the second post on our series about writing groups. The first one is 5 Reasons to Start a Writing Group. You’ve determined to seriously pursue a writing career, but you feel like you need support and feedback. Although you joined a couple of writing groups, you dropped out of each one because the fit just didn’t feel right. What do you do now? Start your own group, of course. 1. Compose How many members do you want? What level of experience should they have? Should all members be writing for the same market? It’s best to start small (up to half a dozen people), seek people with similar experience levels (writers with one or more published short stories, for example), and select others writing in the same genre or niche and working in the same form, whether short stories or novels as you are. The closer the skills and interests of group members, the more productive it will be. (But be flexible about demographic details such as gender and age.) 2. Propose Design a simple but informative flyer. Specify the details about ideal group composition you have decided on, pick a day and time for regular meetings (the most frequently recommended meeting duration is two hours), and provide contact information. Print copies and post them, but be discriminating: Target writer habitats such as bookstores (especially those that sell used books), cafes, and schools, and avoid blanketing general-purpose bulletin boards. 3. Screen Briefly interview people who contact you. Tell them you’ll check back after you’ve lined up the number of people you want to start with. Take notes and, immediately after the call or email exchange, evaluate them with a simple yes, maybe, or no and perhaps a couple of notes to remind you why you assigned that grade (â€Å"sincere asked about my writing†; â€Å"insecure? but good fit,† â€Å"arrogant†). If a â€Å"no† persists in trying to join, tell them, â€Å"I’m looking for people who aren’t yet quite at your level† or â€Å"I have the number I want, but I’ll keep you in mind if someone drops out.† 4. Form When you have enough â€Å"yes† candidates, consider adding a couple of strong â€Å"maybe† prospects in case one or two people drop out; if you have more defections later, you can always recruit others or disband and start again. If three of you work well together but don’t feel comfortable continuing with one or more of the others, break up the group and start over with that cooperative core. But take care to avoid acting like a clique, and be diplomatic. 5. Locate Choose a setting and stay with it. If you plan to host at your home, stick to that location rather than rotating among everyone’s domiciles. Better yet, meet at a local library (some have small meeting rooms available for just this type of purpose) or a community center, or a quiet cafe. 6. Schedule Contact and confirm your finalists, and if anyone backs out, keep recruiting from the â€Å"maybe† list or from new candidates. Set up the first meeting; if the day and time doesn’t work for someone, jot down their preference and bring it up when the rest of the group convenes for the first time. If the alternate day and time is equally convenient for everybody, consider switching for subsequent meetings. If not, wish the person good luck in finding a group that meets at a better time for them. 7. Assign Ask members to bring an excerpt from a current project something that will take five minutes or less to read so that others will have an immediate grasp of everyone’s skill and style. Next up: How to conduct writing groups. 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:Apply to, Apply for, and Apply withStory Writing 10150 Plain-Language Substitutions for Wordy Phrases