Friday, January 24, 2020

Bill Clinton - Redefines Democratic-republican :: William Jefferson Clinton Essays

Bill Clinton - Redefines Democratic-Republican In the early 1800's, the United States was but a promising seedling in search of viable political direction. The initial parties were known as the federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, the first of which soon diminished and the later eventually bisected. The result is the two party Democrat and GOP system which the majority of politicians of current day subscribe. However, many political and economic analysts find themselves perplexed by an incredible new phenomenon radiating from the white house - the economic policies of President Bill Clinton. This dilemma has left many wondering, did we elect a democrat or a republican? Has Clinton unintentionally begun a campaign to reunite the two rivals? The telltale signs of Clinton's political ambiguity include reminiscently republican techniques of reducing the budget, creating jobs, lowered productivity, and shaping the tax code. During Clinton's 1992 campaign, balancing the budget was not among the countries main economic objectives (Miller 4). However, after close scrutiny, the economic woes of the approaching millennium were projected as "higher then we thought it would be" (Miller 4). In fact, "in the twelve years before Clinton took office, the deficit quadrupled in size" (deficit 1). As a result, Clinton must engage in creative cost cutting techniques to keep the budget under control. Money afforded to state and local governments for development programs, such as those which relieve "urban blight," will eventually be cut by two-thirds, a third more then Gingrich's last congress proposed (Rauch 2). In addition, cuts to transportation aid will prove fifty percent greater then republican propositions (Rauch 2). According to Clinton, all of these maneuvers will result in the lowering of the deficit by $600 billion, or almost one-third by the year 1998 (progress 1). Economists speculate that these reforms may produce the desired effect (Rauch 2). However, putting these measures into action may contradict one of Clinton's main election tenets - to preserve the status quo as it relates to government programs. The final budget will include one-seventh for interest on the national debt. A whopping two thirds will go toward entitlement, one sixth for defense programs and another one-sixth for "non- defense discretionary spending" (Rauch 2). Perhaps the most touted aspect of the initial Clinton administration was its ability to "create" jobs. According to the White House, almost six million jobs have been created in the past four years, and the unemployment rate in Texas has dropped from 7.5% to 5.8% (Progress 1). This is a level well below the 6% rate which many economists regard as full employment. However, there may be a great deal more then meets the eye when it comes to these "promising" statistics.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Eulogies: Eulogy and Philosophy Collection Article

Informative Speech Outline Eulogies Introduction Attention Getter: Life is not just about the number of days we live, or the number of contacts we have. Our lives can have an immeasurable and undetectable affect on others. Motivational Link: At some point in our lives we could write, read, or even hear a eulogy about someone that we once knew. Purpose Statement: Through the context of my presentation it is my purpose to enlighten you on the qualities that make these speeches so memorable.Preview Statement: In order to gain a better understanding, we must first examine the history of where they originated, then we can focus on where and how they are used today, and finally discuss the elements used when writing one. Body It is important to know the history of eulogies as it gives us an insight of where they originated to why we use them. The origin of the eulogy. The word originated from the Greek language, and from the words â€Å"word/ speech of praise† â€Å"It was first kn own use was in the 15th century†. This is according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary online that was update in 2013.There have been many famous eulogies throughout history, from Shakespeare (1616) to Michael Jackson (2009). The purpose and they way they are composed are no different. This is a part of history that is does not change but grows. Sign Post: Now that we have discussed the history of eulogies, where they originated, let us look at where and how they are used today. A eulogy can be performed at all kinds of celebrations. Most commonly we think of eulogies being given as part of a funeral service. They take place in either a funeral home and can be preformed during or after a wake.A wake is the period of visitation of the deceased. A eulogy may also be performed during the main service. Also there can be living funerals for those who are severely ill or elderly which are used to express words of love and gratitude before they pass In the novel Tuesdays with Morrie C opyright  © 2006, the professor named Morrie preferred to have a living funeral, so that he could hear all the wonderful things his family and colleagues had to say about him. As well as praising individuals who will be passing soon, eulogies can also be a time to praise those who are still living and have something special to celebrate.In cases of retirement, promotions, birthdays, or even weddings. However, some religions do discourage, or do not permit at all during the time of service to maintain respect for tradition and their higher power/ beliefs. a. In catholic mass the priest are prohibited by the rubrics of the mass. â€Å"’Eulogy’ is not part of our catholic tradition, and it doesn’t belong in a catholic funeral mass† November 2010 Religion and Philosophy Collection article â€Å"Let’s Bury the Eulogy† As we did learn in the history that the word eulogy is Greek for word of praise, the catholic take these words in another conten t. we come to bury Caesar and not to praise the wretch, as Shakespeare says, because the only one we praise in liturgy is Christ† Again November 2010 Religion and Philosophy Collection article â€Å"Let’s Bury the Eulogy† Sign Post: Since you now know where and how eulogies are used today, now we can discuss the components used when writing one. A eulogy is most often delivered by a family member, friend, or even colleagues. The individual who is giving the speech is also the one who wrote it. When preparing and giving a eulogy there are many different components one must consider.There are so many different ideas to consider but if you can focus and remember these five, preparing and delivering a eulogy will be easy. Decide on which approach is appropriate for you some writers take the serious approach, while others bring humor. It doesn’t matter which one you use but it is important to have a conversational tone as if you are talking to friends. The spea ker needs to consider their audience. Does not matter what occasion focus on the positive aspects of the person talking about, even if they do have flaws.Be specific, by making it personal with a story not wanting to just list qualities about the person or achievements they have made. As the writer and speaker you want to be concise and well-organized, so like in any public speaking make an outline, and brainstorm areas that you can talk about, as well as being interesting and avoid rambling. You will want to rehearse, reread the eulogy you have written out load. These will help with making sure it sounds appropriate and if you need to change it. ConclusionSummary Statement: Through examining history, present day usage, and the components of preparation, we have developed a better understanding of eulogies. Leaving Statements: The next time you are at a funeral or special occasion and someone gets up to give a speech of praise, you will know what it took for them to write it, as wel l as have full appreciation to what they are doing for that individual they are speaking of. Tieback: You don’t know what the future holds for you, but you, you can make a difference and impact someone else’s.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Figurative Language Definition and Examples

Figurative language is  language in which figures of speech (such as metaphors and metonyms) freely occur. This contrasts with  literal  speech  or language. If something happens literally, says childrens book author Lemony Snicket in The Bad Beginning, it actually happens; if something happens figuratively, it feels like it is happening. If you are literally jumping for joy, for instance, it means you are leaping in the air because you are very happy. If you are figuratively jumping for joy, it means you are so happy that you could jump for joy but are saving your energy for other matters. Figurative language  can also be defined as any deliberate departure from the conventional meaning, order, or construction of words. Examples Tom Robbins, Another Roadside Attraction It is midmorning. A few minutes ago I took my coffee break. I am speaking figuratively, of course. Theres not a drop of coffee in this place and there never has been. Metaphors Austin OMalley, Keystones of Thought Memory is a crazy woman that hoards colored rags and throws away food. Similes P.G. Wodehouse, Uncle Fred in the Springtime The Dukes moustache was rising and falling like seaweed on an ebb-tide. Hyperbole Mark Twain, Old Times on the Mississippi I was helpless. I did not know what in the world to do. I was quaking from head to foot and could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far. Understatement Jonathan Swift, A Tale of a Tub Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her person for the worse. Metonymy The suits on Wall Street walked off with most of our savings. Chiasmus Cormac McCarthy, The Road You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget. Anaphora John Hollander, Rhymes Reason: A Guide to English Verse Anaphora will repeat an opening phrase or word; Anaphora will pour it into a mold (absurd)! Anaphora will cast each subsequent opening; Anaphora will last until its tiring. Kinds of Figurative Language Tom McArthur, The Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language (1) Phonological figures include alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia. In his poem The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1842), Robert Browning repeats sibilants, nasals, and liquids as he shows how the children respond to the piper: There was a rustling, that seemed like a bustling / Of merry crowds justling at pitching and hustling. Something sinister has started. (2) Orthographic figures use visual forms created for effect: for example, America spelled Amerika (by left-wing radicals in the 1970s and as the name of a movie in the 1980s) to suggest a totalitarian state. (3) Syntactic figures may bring the non-standard into the standard language, as in U.S. President Ronald Reagans You aint seen nothing yet (1984), a nonstandard double negative used to project a vigorous, folksy image. (4) Lexical figures extend the conventional so as to surprise or entertain, as when, instead of a phrase like a year ago, the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas wrote a grief ago, or when the Irish dramatist Oscar Wilde said at the New York Customs, I have nothing to declare but my genius. When people say that you cant take something literally, they are generally referring to usage that challenges everyday reality: for example, through exaggeration (the hyperbole in loads of money), comparison (the simile like death warmed up; the metaphor life is an uphill struggle), physical and other associations (the metonymy Crown property for something owned by royalty), and a part for a whole (the synecdoche All hands on deck!). Observations Joseph T. Shipley, Dictionary of World Literary Terms Figures are as old as language. They lie buried in many words of current use. They occur constantly in both prose and poetry. Sam Glucksberg, Understanding Figurative Language Traditionally, figurative language such as metaphors and idioms has been considered derivative from and more complex than ostensibly straightforward language. A contemporary view...is that figurative language involves the same kinds of linguistic and pragmatic operations that are used for ordinary, literal language. Jeanne Fahnestock, Rhetorical Figures in Science At no place in Book III [of the Rhetoric] does Aristotle claim that these devices [figures] serve an ornamental or emotional function or that they are in any way epiphenomenal. Instead, Aristotles somewhat dispersed discussion suggests that certain devices are compelling because they map a function onto a form or perfectly epitomize certain patterns of thought or argument. A.N. Katz, C. Cacciari, R. W. Gibbs, Jr., and M. Turner, Figurative Language and Thought The emergence of nonliteral language as a respectable topic has led to a convergence of many fields: philosophy, linguistics, and literary analyses, computer science, neuroscience, and experimental cognitive psychology, to name a few. Each of these fields has enriched the scientific understanding of the relation between language and thought. Figurative Language and Thought Raymond W. Gibbs, Jr., The Poetics of Mind: Figurative Thought, Language, and Understanding This new view of the poetics of mind has the following general characteristics: The mind is not inherently literal. Language is not independent of the mind but reflects our perceptual and conceptual understanding of experience. Figuration is not merely a matter of language but provides much of the foundation for thought, reason and imagination. Figurative language is not deviant or ornamental but is ubiquitous in everyday speech. Figurative modes of thought motivate the meaning of many linguistic expressions that are commonly viewed as having literal interpretations. Metaphorical meaning is grounded in nonmetaphorical aspects of recurring bodily experiences or experiential gestalts. Scientific theories, legal reasoning, myths, art, and a variety of cultural practices exemplify many of the same figurative schemes found in everyday thought and language. Many aspects of word meaning are motivated by figurative schemes of thought. Figurative language does not require special cognitive processes to be produced and understood. Childrens figurative thought motivates their significant ability to use and understand many kinds of figurative speech. These claims dispute many beliefs about language, thought, and meaning that have dominated the Western intellectual tradition. The Conceptual Metaphor Theory David W. Carroll, Psychology of Language According to the conceptual metaphor theory, metaphors and other forms of figurative language are not necessarily creative expressions. This is admittedly a somewhat unusual idea, as we ordinarily associate figurative language with poetry and with the creative aspects of language. But Gibbs (1994 [above]) suggests that what is frequently seen as a creative expression of some idea is often only a spectacular instantiation of specific metaphorical entailments that arise from the small set of conceptual metaphors shared by many individuals within a culture (p. 424). The conceptual model assumes that the underlying nature of our thought processes is metaphorical. That is, we use metaphor to make sense of our experience. Thus, according to Gibbs, when we encounter a verbal metaphor it automatically activates the corresponding conceptual metaphor. John Updikes Use of Figurative Language Jonathan Dee, Agreeable Angstrom: John Updike, Yes-Man. [John] Updike wrote self-consciously about big subjects and big themes, but he was always celebrated more for his prose style than for his subject matter. And his great gift, on the level of style, was not just descriptive but explicitly figurative  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  not about presentation, in other words, but about transformation. This gift could work both for and against him. Figurative language, best employed, is a way of making connections between disparate phenomena, but even more than that it is a way of making us see better, more freshly, more naà ¯vely. Updike was more than capable of such flights: Outdoors it is growing dark and cool. The Norway maples exhale the smell of their sticky new buds and the broad living-room windows along Wilbur Street show beyond the silver patch of a television set the warm bulbs burning in kitchens, like fires at the backs of caves...[A] mailbox stands leaning in twilight on its concrete post. Tall two-petaled street sign, the cleat-gouged trunk of the telephone pole holding its insulators against the sky, fire hydrant like a golden bush: a grove.[Rabbit, Run] But taking one thing and turning it, via language, into another can also be a way of deferring or denying or opting out of engagement with the thing nominally being described. Abusing Figurative Language Peter Kemp, review of How Fiction Works Obfuscation also comes from mishandled metaphor. As readers of his reviews will know, letting [James] Wood anywhere near figurative language is like giving an alcoholic the keys to a distillery. In no time, he’s unsteady and comprehensibility is a casualty. Getting images upside down is a speciality. The personality of a Svevo character is, Wood writes, as comically perforated as a bullet-holed flag  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  an odd view of what’s comical since such a flag would usually be found among the dead and mutilated on a battlefield. Another character is inundated with impressions...like Noah’s dove. The point about Noah’s dove, though, is that it wasn’t inundated but survived the flood and ultimately brought back evidence that the waters had subsided. Sources Carroll, David W. Psychology of Language. 5th edition, Cengage Learning, March 29, 2007. Dee, Jonathan. Agreeable Angstrom: John Updike, Yes-Man. Harpers Magazine, June 2014. Fahnestock, Jeanne. Rhetorical Figures in Science. 1st Edition, Kindle Edition, Oxford University Press, July 1, 1999. Gibbs, Raymond W., Jr. The Poetics of Mind: Figurative Thought, Language, and Understanding. 1st Edition, Cambridge University Press, August 26, 1994. Glucksberg, Sam. Understanding Figurative Language: From Metaphor to Idioms. Oxford Psychology Series Book 36, 1st Edition, Kindle Edition, Oxford University Press, July 26, 2001. Hollander, John. Rhymes Reason: A Guide to English Verse. 3rd Edition, Yale University Press, March 1, 2001. Katz, Albert N. Figurative Language and Thought. Counterpoints: Cognition, Memory, and Language. Cristina Cacciari, Raymond W. Gibbs, Jr., et al., 1st Edition, Kindle Edition, Oxford University Press, August 12, 1998. Kemp, Peter. How Fiction Works by James Wood. The Sunday Times, March 2, 2008. McArthur, Tom. The Oxford Companion to the English Language. Oxford University Press, September 3, 1992. McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. Paperback, Vintage, March 28, 2006. OMalley, Austin. Keystones of Thought. Hardcover, Palala Press, April 27, 2016. Robbins, Tom. Another Roadside Attraction. Paperback, Reissue edition, Bantam, April 1, 1990. Shipley, Joseph T. Dictionary of world literary terms: Criticism, forms, technique. Hardcover, George Allen Unwin, 1955. Snicket, Lemony. The Bad Beginning. Paperback, UK ed. edition, Egmont Books Ltd, February 25, 2016. Swift, Jonathan. A Tale of a Tub. Kindle Edition, Amazon Digital Services LLC, March 24, 2011. Twain, Mark. Old Times on the Mississippi. Kindle Edition, Amazon Digital Services LLC, January 22, 2014. Wodehouse, P.G. Uncle Fred in the Springtime. Paperback, Reprint edition, W. W. Norton Company, July 2, 2012.