The Motivation in Night - Literature Essay Samples

Motivation is the condition of providing something as need, belief, or desire that induces a character to act. In the historical fiction Night, by Elie Wiesel, action and setting contribute significantly to the motivation of the central protagonist, Elie. The overall effect of motivation presents the characters as retrogressing to savage-like behaviors. Motivation undoubtedly portrays a vital role in Elies demeanor. Many times, actions of others influence the aspirations of the main character. One day in the story, the Kapo (head of prison block) Idek flies into his usual fanatical rage and beats Elie. A young Aryan French girl comforts him in German. Years later, Elie meets the woman in Paris. She reveals that she is Jewish and risked her life, trusting Elie by speaking to him in German. The girls words motivated and encouraged Elie to be determined and not give up. Elie, though physically beaten, is emotionally boosted by this. Another time, prisoners are so crowded into barracks t hat people are piled upon each other. Elie finds himself lying on top of Juliek, a Polish violinist he knew in Buna. Julieks soulful playing of Beethoven through the night elevates hope and soothes the audience of exhausted and dying men. Evidently, these actions display the causes to motivation of Elie. Setting also affects the inclination of the central figure. At Auschwitz conditions are better and the fellow captives are not as brutal. The prisoners are even allowed to sleep in beds. Because of the more humane treatment, Elie and the residents of Auschwitz are more spirited. But at his stay in Birkenau, Elie is separated from his mother and sister, sees babies horrifically tossed into fires, comes close to death in the crematories, and is pummeled by guards. Dwelling in Birkenau, Elie loses hope and motivation but regains some of it at Auschwitz. On the last march to Gleiwitz, Elies father becomes weak, and catches a deadly case of dysentry. So while in Gleiwitz, Elie, is demora lized. Gleiwitz influences the motivation by reducing it. Either by diminishing or heightening motivation, the setting is important in determining the amount of it. The total outcome of motivation leads Elie and furthermore the other characters to de-humanize, desiring only for food and water. Elie comes to not even caring for his father. The harshness of camp life weakens Elies filial devotion, which causes him to feel shame and guilt. He becomes concerned primarily with feeding himself, an animal-like behavior, and this instinct of self-preservation often outweighs concern for his fater. Later while the captives are transporting to Buchenwald, German workmen throw pieces of bread into one of the prison cars for entertainment. The prisoners becoume barbaric, trying for the scarce amount of nourishment. One man desperately hungry, kills his own father for a piece of bread. The prisoners are transformed into a pack of savage wolves, fighting each other for survival. The motivation to satisfy their hungers reduces them to acting like mere beasts. Notably, setting and action contributes greatly to the motivation of the central character, Elie. The motivation causes Elie to desire more for food, and succumb human traits as revenge and generosity to animal-like behaviors. The horror of the holocaust that allowed people like Elie to be persecuted, should never be permitted to transpire again.

A Free Man By Thomas Jefferson And Sally Hemings - 1612 Words

Imagine living a life in slavery, where you have a limited freedom and society constantly looks down on you. If you had the opportunity to be a free man, would you take it or would you come running back to becoming a slave? Two of Thomas Jefferson’s slaves, James Hemings and Sally Hemings had to make this decision in 1789. James and Sally are part of a family that held various high positions at Monticello, Jefferson’s plantation. Martha Jefferson, Jefferson’s wife, was step-siblings with James and Sally. When Jefferson was called to be the U.S. minister in France, he called upon James to come with him to serve as his servant. Two years later, Sally followed accompanying Jefferson’s youngest daughter, Polly to France. While in France, James and Sally were considered free due to the â€Å"Freedom Principle.† This states that any slave who sets foot in France is now considered a free man. Jefferson chose James specifically to come with him to France b ecause he knew that James wanted to be chef and France was the perfect place to enhance his culinary skills. Not only did Jefferson pay for James’ training but he also gave James a salary that was more than the average salary of anyone in his profession. There are those who believe that James’ loyalty to Jefferson was a valid reason to stay; however, I believe James unwisely chose to leave behind the booming city of Paris and his personal freedom. This paper will explore the factors that James considered to make his decision. First, IShow MoreRelatedThe Relationship Between Thomas Jefferson And Sally Hemings1057 Words   |  5 PagesThomas Jefferson is an outstanding man. He already is a lawyer, politician, plantation owner, philosopher, and inventor when the United States just recently declares independence from England. Despite this, is there any conspiracy surrounding this great man? Why yes there is one for him. One of the most divisive rumor in the United States is between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings. The question do Jefferson fathered Sally Hemmings children? is the main question of this rumor up to until DNARead MoreThe Relationship Of Thomas Jefferson And The Declaration Of Independence1563 Words   |  7 PagesJefferson was a founding father who created the Declaration of Independence and he was hypocritical when it came to his ideas of freedom about slaves in America. Thomas Jefferson didn’t grant African American slaves their rights when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. He owned slaves on his plantation which goes against the American freedoms that he wrote about in the Declaration. Jeffersons personal relationships with his slaves affected the way that he viewed African Americans. ThomasRead MoreEssay on Thomas Jefferson: Hero or Hypocrite?1423 Words   |  6 Pages3rd president and member of the original founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson. While most Americans view Thomas Jefferson as an upstanding and honorable man, he was plagued with the moral contradiction of having fathered children with one of his slaves Sally Heming’s and as a result spurred a great deal of controversy. As a result of his action’s Jefferson’s virtuous demeanor is questioned and shows how hypocritical he is. Peter Jefferson, a planter turned legislature in the Virginia House of BurgessesRead MoreThe Life Of Thomas Jeffersons Most Trusted Servants1651 Words   |  7 Pages Among the hundreds of slaves at Monticello resided James Hemings, a young man who, through his renown family and unique skills, became one of Thomas Jefferson s most trusted servants. Son of Elizabeth Hemings, a half African, half European slave, and John Wayles, Jefferson s Father-in-Law, James was a half brother of Martha Jefferson. James and his direct siblings, although considered to be black based on the ethnicity of their mother, were actually only one fourth African, with the remainingRead MoreThomas Jefferson Was Not A Successful President1827 Words   |  8 PagesThomas Jefferson was not a successful President and was an even less successful friend. Jefferson treated both his mistress Sally Hemings and his once dear friend Abigail Adams very poorly. It was because of this that both of these women grew a deep rooted hatred for the man. Sally Hemings and Abigail Adams killed Thomas Jefferson because of the way he these women and their loved ones as well as how he felt towards women and African Americans. Sally Hemings was born in 1773 in Virginia to ElizabethRead MoreEssay on Thomas Jefferson: A Controversial Man1785 Words   |  8 Pages Most people only know Thomas Jefferson as the third President of the United States but he was much more than that. Thomas Jefferson was a very controversial man. From his work as a Founding Father to the mysteries of his personal life, Americans continue to find him to be very intriguing. He challenged the way the government was run previously by the first two presidents and became an advocate for the people. This paper talks about Jefferson’s role as a leader during the creation of theRead MoreEssay William Wells Brown and the Jefferson and Hemings Scandal1773 Words   |  8 PagesWilliam Wells Brown and the Jefferson and Hemings Scandal William Wells Brown wrote Clotel or The Presidents Daughter, a (fiction) novel based on the rumors surrounding Thomas Jeffersons affair with Sally Hemings, his slave. Brown learned of the scandal while working in several antislavery activities following his escape from slavery in 1834. Brown wanted not only to improve the social status of blacks and to support abolition through his writing, but also to encourage his readers toRead MoreThe State Of Virginia By Thomas Jefferson1277 Words   |  6 PagesThomas Jefferson created two facades when it came to racism and slavery. Thomas Jefferson had a personal history with slavery and owning a plantation, but in certain instances he appeared to support equality like in his letter to Benjamin Banneker. Different texts like Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson with the related documents edited by David Waldstreicher, and Banneker and Jefferson Letter Exchange are examples of the hypocrisy committed by Jefferson. This conne cts to modern dayRead MoreThomas Jefferson s Influence On Modern Day Democracy1616 Words   |  7 PagesThomas Jefferson’s Influence on Modern Day Democracy and Racism Thomas Jefferson created two facades when it came to racism and slavery. Thomas Jefferson had a personal history with slavery and owning a plantation, but in certain instances he appeared to support equality like in his letter to Benjamin Banneker. Different texts like Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson with the related documents edited by David Waldstreicher, and Banneker and Jefferson Letter Exchange are examples ofRead MoreEssay on Interrogation of Freedom1785 Words   |  8 Pagesor state of being free as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.† Both are occasions of freedom, but when examining liberty, it can take numerous forms depending upon the source. Independence for a child may be that they no longer have to hold their mother’s hand or be under their parents’ rule. In particularly the mid 1700’s, freedom for a white land-owning male and an African-American slave were two utterly different ideas. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the

From Communism to Democracy Essay - 924 Words

From Communism to Democracy More than half a decade has passed since the sweeping political events of 1989 and 1990 in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. On December 26, 1991, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ceased to exist . In its place are the Russian federation and 14 independent countries. The impact of this change was felt across the globe, from European countries with close economic ties with the USSR to countries as far away as Cuba and Algeria. The former republics experienced the hardest time in their existence, and entered a new period of their history. Independence meant a new life for people, but not many of them expected the results. At the time sovereignty was not†¦show more content†¦Everybody had a decent standard of living disregarding skills, efforts, and jobs. Such a practice usually does not promote competition, which is the base for progress. In that situation, industry did not experience development, and quality standards were lower than the ones required by the world market. The system lead to many problems after the segregation of the Union. Since the introduction of economic reform and the transition to a free market economy, many people have plunged into poverty. Another fact of the present stagnation in Eastern Europe is the bankruptcy of the industry. Plants and factories stopped their production. The former USSR covered 8.6 million square miles, making it a good ground for a large internal market. All the goods produced in the former republics could be realized there. After the union broke down, the absence of such a market was an important cessation for the development of the industry. Producers could not sell their products to anyone, and they did not have the investments needed to restore their resources. In the same time, the former systems economy was created in a certain way, to accommodate the presence of other republics. So, when there was a necessity to make something, all the nations were involved in the process. An example may be the production of cars. Different regions were responsible for a certain element of the whole machine. A country produced steel; another one had tires; the third oneShow MoreRelatedWhy Democracy is the Best Form of Government Essay1172 Words   |  5 Pagesremained structured and cohesive. As humanity advanced, governments obligingly followed. Although there have been hiccups from the ancient times to modern day, one type of government, democracy, has proven to be the most effective and adaptive. As quoted by Winston Churchill, democracy is the best form of government that has existed. This is true because the heart of democracy is reliant, dependent, and thrives on the populaces desires; which gives them the ability for maintaining the right to chooseRead MoreKarl Marx And Friedrich Engels1626 Words   |  7 Pagesbourgeoisie, communism and democracy, and final capitalism and socialism. However, since the times of Marx and Engel communism has been slowly dying. With the rise of capitalism and democracy has come the fall of communism and socialism. Why is that? Well when most people hear the term communism and socialism they quickly assume that it’s a system based on shar ing and giving up one’s complete control of one’s own property to the state. Which is against Western thoughts and ideals like democracy. HoweverRead MoreThe End Of World War Two And The United States1411 Words   |  6 PagesThe end of World War Two saw Russia and the United States as world powers, each with totally different views on how the new world should be governed.The Cold War was a fight between Communism and Capitalism; only one method could prevail. Communism, was the notion that through a class war all would become equal, all property owned publicly and each person paid equally. On the opposite end of the spectrum lay Capitalism where there is an economic and political system of a country’s trade and industryRead MoreLiberalism, Communism, And Social Democracy736 Words   |  3 PagesThe three political ideologies I will discuss in this paper are Liberalism, Communism, and Social Democracy. These ideologies emerged in the 19th century and are views on society and the way in which it is governed. Liberalism, Communism, and Social Democracy are social, political, and economic doctrines. They share many differences, big and small, but these differences contribute to their overall objective of the betterment of society. How they choose to implement and lead towards that goal is whatRead More Democracy: An Analysis Essay1358 Words   |  6 Pagesonce remarked that â€Å"democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried†. In agreement with his statement, this paper will examine the problems of democratic governments using specific examples, and compare it to the failure of fascist governments in Nazi Germany and Italy and communist governments in the Soviet Union and China. Theoretically, democracy is a stable form of government where power is in the hands of the people. In a democracy, people have the libertyRead MoreA Comparative Analysis Of On Property Owning Democracy 1404 Words   |  6 Pages12, 2015 Final Essay Essay Question # 6 Property Owning Democracy: A Comparative Analysis to Marxian Communism John Rawls is an American political philosopher, born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. His work contributed towards a better understanding of justice as fairness and author of the book that bears the same title. In his manuscript, Justice as Fairness, Rawls introduces a new political philosophy known as property owning democracy. When analyzing his work he descries the tenants of thisRead MoreDemocracy, Peace, And The Well Being Of Citizens1405 Words   |  6 PagesDemocracy represents freedom, peace, and the well-being of citizens As Secretary of the State, a member of the President’s Cabinet and National Security Council, the President should promote western democracy to other countries because the more countries become a democracy more peace will be created for the world. In other words, this will display the meaning of the Democratic Peace Theory. As a matter of fact, this creates less problems and threats for the U.S such as fewer enemies and potentialRead MoreThe Cold War Between Communism And Communism1382 Words   |  6 Pagesto â€Å"lead the rest of the world to a future of international cooperation, expanding democracy, and ever-increasing living standards (Give me Liberty P952).† They wanted to express the idea of equality, civil rights, and the freedom to the world, and hoped to build an easier world for democracy and capitalism. However, Soviet Union, which was the only power that could rival the United States, claimed that communism could make the world more organized and ordered. Both countries hoped to expend theirRead MoreWhy Did The Us Gain Power Essay725 Words   |  3 PagesAfter World War II, a state of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union took place from 1945 to 1991. Although these two nations had previously fought as allies their relationship quickly took a turn for the worst when the argument had risen over whether communism or democracy was the right way of government. The Soviet Union was determined to spread communism all over the world but The United States did everything in their power to try and stop it. Over the course of the Cold WarRead MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union1338 Words   |  6 PagesContaining Communism After the end of World War II, there had been an emergence of two world superpowers the United States and the Soviet Union who would be drawn into a Cold War that was a silent battle that raged on from 1945 to 1991. Which had started when the Soviet Union’s leader, Joseph Stalin, had started the spread of communism throughout Europe and Asia. At the time the majority of the world was either democratic or independent while only a handful of countries were communist; however all

The Y Greene A Quiet, But Not Silent Hero - 1269 Words

Cheryll Y Greene: A Quiet, but not Silent Hero History is not about events that have transpired, it is about those events that have been recorded. The first people who author history are reporters, who’s job it is to keep the masses informed of current events. The second authors of history are the historians, who weave together threads of information in order to produce a tapestry of narratives used to illustrate what has occurred. However, as recent events pass into history there are people who are at these watersheds. Such individuals provide a priceless window into these events. One such person is Cheryll Y Greene. Who while is best known for her work on the PBS documentary â€Å"Malcolm X: Make it plain† also worked on a number of other major projects about both the history of others and her own personal experiences as a woman of color in her time in a way that is accessible to people from a variety of backgrounds. Greene’s first major breakthrough into the p opular view was her contributions to Essence magazine, whose target audience was African-American women between the ages of eighteen and forty-nine years old. Greene used this platform along with other contributors and editors to provide a platform to empower the magazine’s targeted demographic. One of the many articles she authored is an interview with June Jordan and Angela Davis. Later on, Greene worked as an executive editor for seven years from 1983-1990. fifteen years after Greene’s departure from essence theShow MoreRelatedDissertation Proposal on Managing Diversity of Workforce18916 Words   |  76 Pagesbest practices) are essential in managing a multi-generational workforce (i.e., independent variable). Only Generation X (1961-1981) and Millennial (1982-2000) who have been employed by an intelligence agency will be included in this research. The Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers were not included in the study because the emphasis of the research is plac ed on the younger more diverse work force. Several research questions will be answered to achieve the stated purpose of this research. By applyingRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pagesnutrition. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, of fancier houses but broken homes. These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet to kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom. (Moorehead, n.d.) This book is built on the presumption that developing management skills—that is, the skills needed to manage one’s own life as well as relationships

Atomic Bomb Alperovitz Essay - 2382 Words

Why did the Truman Administration decide to drop the atomic bombs on Japan in 1945? There has been much debate as to why Truman elected to drop the atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the summer of 1945. Historians have long debated the true purpose to which the atomic bombs were designed to fulfil upon there deployment. The Alperovitz thesis of the 1960 was accepted for many years. The thesis revolved around the idea that the atomic weapons were deployed as diplomatic tools to intimidate the Soviet Union. Like many revisionist historians this essay will oppose the thesis of Alperovitz, and in doing so, attempt to understand why it was that the Truman administration decided to drop the atomic weapons on Japan in the summer of†¦show more content†¦Japanese officers high and low had been ready to fight till the death because surrender was considered dishonourable.[6] To ensure that the fighting in the Pacific was completely nullified Truman had to destroy the Japanese will to fight. As Bonnet illustrates ‘winning the conflict was not only contin gent on removing the opponent’s material capacity to resist, but also, its psychological capacity to resist.[7]Trumans diary entries suggests that he understood that the Japanese defeat by invasion, would not necessarily guarantee the defeat of the Japanese throughout the entirety of the Pacific theatre, as his entry from August 6th suggests: ‘That its power may be an overwhelming influence towards peace.[8] Clearly, Truman understood that Japan had to be defeated psychologically as well as militarily if their defeat was to be ensured throughout the Pacific theatre of war. It was therefore paramount that Truman used the Atomic weapons to ensure the sustainability of peace in the Pacific and thus ensure that no more American lives would be lost. It was this aspect of the Atomic weapons deployment which was perhaps most attractive to Truman when he was considering how to bring about the defeat of the Japanese in June 1945. Truman did have other alternatives to the Atomic weapons by 1945; one such alternative to the Atomic weapons was to adjust the surrender terms to the Japanese. Another argument brought forward by Alperovitz in his thesis is the decision of theShow MoreRelatedThe Atomic Bomb Of Japan1548 Words   |  7 PagesIt is true to say that the Japanese deserved to have two atomic bombs dropped on two industrial cities in the span of just around three days? Is it also true to say that is was alright for thousands of innocent Japanese lives to be sacrificed for the sake of showing the power of the United States to the then Soviet Union? Is the use of the atomic bomb something that can be justified even after it have killed and has a lasting effect on certain lands in Japan? This cannot be justified because of theRead MoreThe Bombing Of Hiroshima And Nagasaki1174 Words   |  5 Pageswhether it was necessary or morally right to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. Depending upon whose side of the ar gument you have heard causes one to question whether this was a morally right or wrong decision that was made. Serious reconciliation is needed due to this event, and both sides of the argument need to be strongly considered (Shin, 663). There are various possibilities the United States had greater reasoning that pushed them to drop the bombs and view their decision as morally right. On theRead MoreTruman Decision5419 Words   |  22 PagesTruman Decision President Harry S. Truman decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan is perhaps the most controversial act of policy in United States history. One of the many different reasons given for the use of this weapon was the shock effect it would produce in the Japanese foreign policy circle. While the shock of the Japanese will be discussed later, it is important to note that it had a similar effect on the west. This shock effect has caused countless authors to speculate as to the motivationRead MoreThe Morality of the U.S. Bombing Hiroshima1348 Words   |  6 PagesThe Morality of the U.S. Bombing Hiroshima On August 6 and 9, 1945, the only atomic bombs ever used in warfare were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The mass destruction and numerous deaths caused by those bombs ultimately put an end to World War II. Was this the only way to end the war, however? Could this killing of innocent Japanese citizens had been avoided and the war still ended quickly. This paper will go into this controversial topic.Read MoreEssay Pres, Truman Atomic Bomb Decision1421 Words   |  6 PagesPresident Trumans Decision to drop the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki During World War II the war in Europe ended after the unconditional German surrender at General Eisenhowers Headquarters in Reims, France, May 7, 1945. After the unconditional German surrender in Europe the war shifted to Asia and the Pacific. As the war continued against Japan the Allied forces captured islands such as Iwo Jima and Okinaawa close to Japan brought the Japanese homeland within range of naval and airRead MoreThe Dropping Of The Atomic Bomb On Hiroshima3031 Words   |  13 PagesThe dropping of the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945 and Nagasaki on August 9th, 1945 was the first and last time the weapon has been used to date; the atomic explosions exposed the true potential of nuclear warfare whilst also highlighting the global superiority that America possessed at the conclusion of World War II. On August 6th, 1945 â€Å"Little Boy†, a uranium atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in an effort by the United States (U.S.) and backed by the Soviet Union, the British andRead MoreEssay On The Atomic Bomb910 Words   |  4 PagesIt has been just over seven decades since the destructive atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. These bombs were the first of its kind-weapons of mass destruction. There are many points-of-view or opinions about whether or not the bombs should have been used. As always there are two sides to each story; those who are for a cause and those who are against. In this paper, I will discuss the two opposing points-of-view, as well as my own opinion on which argument I find most compelling. During WorldRead MoreThe Dropping Of The Atomic Bomb On Japan Essay2238 Words   |  9 Pagesrelation to the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan? (Intro 1—Context/Cover) The dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945 and Nagasaki on August 9th, 1945 was the first and last time the weapon has been used to date; the atomic explosions exposed the true potential of nuclear warfare whilst also highlighting the global superiority that America possessed at the conclusion of World War II. On August 6th 1945 â€Å"Little Boy†, a uranium atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in an effortRead MoreThe atomic bomb was first used by the Americans against Japan to end the war. The Americans500 Words   |  2 PagesThe atomic bomb was first used by the Americans against Japan to end the war. The Americans believed that this would end the war as well as giving them a post war diplomatic advantage over the Soviet Union. Instead, the atomic bomb used in World War 2 shifted postwar policies that inadvertently resulted in the Cold War. As Germany fell to the allies, postwar negotiations began. Roosevelt had been clear two fundamentals at Yalta. First, he believed the Nazi state should be eliminated â€Å"as a seriousRead MoreThe Nuclear Bombing On World War II Essay2204 Words   |  9 Pagesto allow for an analysis of the circumstances during the war and commentary of the decision to drop the bomb after the war ended. The first source which will be evaluated is Minutes of Meeting Held at the White House on Monday, 18 June 1945 at 1530. The origin of the source is important because it is a primary source that reveals the discussions that would affect whether or not the atomic bomb would be dropped. The meeting included high ranking military officers that were knowledgeable of how an

Summary Of Destiny Decided By Chance By Yabut - 1576 Words

Destiny Decided by Chance By Yabut, Alden An individual s destiny is controlled by many factors and events. The individual can have great hold over destiny, allowing the person a strong force in what happens in their life. On the others hand, there are also multiple factors that could affect a person s destiny. One such factor is significant event within a person’s life. Whether it is war, turmoil within a country, a loss of life, or a big move significant events have a strong sway if determining an individual s destiny. As the change a person’s mindset, emotions and how impartial an individual chooses to be. Elieazer Wiesel, The Man in the Foreground, and my personal life experiences portray the impact that significant events have in determining an individual’s destiny. In the literary memoir Night, Elie Wiesel describes how significant events play an important role in determining his own destiny. Elie Wiesel’s hunger for God is the force that moves him throughout life. It is the reason for his rising up in the morning and his last thought before he lays to rest. In the day Elie Wiesel is a student of the Talmud and at night he searches and prays for a person to Teach him Kabbalah, the traditional Jewish mysticism. One day his prayers are answered in the form of a man named Moishe the Beadle. Moishe is a homeless man. But, unlike the other less fortunate individuals, Moishe is held in high esteems by the townsfolk of Sighet, Elie and Moishe’s town of residence.

The Importance of Reference and Cite free essay sample

In the United Kingdom, referencing plays a very important part of higher education. Students are not judged on their own ideas but on the quality of their research, reading, and the ability to establish a discussion to answer a specific question. If they use someone else’s idea in their assignment (by using their own words or making a quotation), they must cite and reference the source. Foreign students who come studying in Britain may be surprised by this working method. The importance of citation and referencing in all academic submission will be discussed in the first part of this essay. Then, the essential characteristics of the Harvard system of referencing will be described. The main reason for referencing is to avoid plagiarism. Northedge (2005) defines plagiarism as the act of using somebody else’s words as your own, without acknowledgement. Indeed, in the academic environment, if students do not give credit to the original source while they reformulate the idea of another person, it is seen as a form of cheating. We will write a custom essay sample on The Importance of Reference and Cite or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Referencing is anchored in the culture of the United Kingdom: it is as important in an academic as in a social or a political context. Hampden, Turner and Trompenaars (2000), cited by Neville (2010) demonstrate that in individualistic cultures (such as Britain), copyrights are more respected than in countries characterized by collectivism. Ideas and words, as Bailey (2011, p25) explains, are seen as a â€Å"private property belonging to the person who first wrote them†. In other words, cite and reference the work of a person is a form of acknowledgement and respect for his work. Citations and referencing are not used merely to avoid plagiarism. They also guarantee the authority of an argument (Neville 2010). When referencing is correctly done, it proves to the reader that the student has read widely on a topic and is knowledgeable about it. Moreover, referencing allows readers to develop their own knowledge. Indeed, they can easily refer to the reference list to find a source or argument that they want to know more about (Redman 2001; Neville 2010). On the other hand, Dee, Bell and Peacock (2010) assert that references are useful to support arguments you want to make. Personal opinions are not expected in assignments; they have no credibility. In fact, the discussion s based on what the student identify as important in what her sources have written about the issue. Moreover, Neville (2010), Creme and Lea (2008) all argue that only the person who write the assignment decide which direction, perspective to take (the ideas presented, the conclusion reached, etc). For example, with the same subject, two essays can be totally different because the students have completely different views and do not develop the same arguments. In other words, the student’s own point of view emerges in the course of her essay. The University of Bristol (undated) consider that most writers and students employ the Harvard system, which is one of the most popular systems of referencing currently used in the United Kingdom and America. In this system, a distinction must be made between citation and referencing. Citations are used within the text, every time that someone else’s idea or work is mentioned (this applies for paraphrases, summaries or quotations). In the Harvard system, the author’s surname and the year of publication are given, in brackets, in the main body of the written assignment. Redman 2001; Dee Bell and Peacock 2010). In every paragraph (except in the introduction and the conclusion), one citation at least should appear. Cruden (2011) considers that there are two main ways to cite: â€Å"author prominent† (the student starts his sentence with a citation) and â€Å"information prominent† (the citation is at the end of the sentence). However, the â€Å"author promin ent† is more effective because the writer is more involved in the text, which makes the argument more persuasive. Referencing is given in a reference list, at the end of the assignment. This list contains full details of all the sources cited and it’s organized alphabetically by author. In the Harvard system, after the author’s surname and initial, references include the date of the publication, the title (in italic), details of the place of publication and publisher. (Redman 2001; Dee, Bell and Peacock 2010). In addition, the page numbers also need to be recorded if the student is quoting from a specific chapter or in a journal article. Electronic references follow similar principle but must also include the date of access. Creme and Lea (2008) assert that all the references in the list must have the same format. However, oral presentations have different approaches to the expression of citation. References to the literature must of course be made and cited during the presentation. These references should also appear at the end of the presentation (last slide) respecting the Harvard system (Cruden 2011). In the British culture, unattributed productions, whether written or oral, rarely have their place. Citations are mainly useful to supports personal ideas and to transmit knowledge. If students do not recognize the sources, they steal the person who writes it.