3 More Misplaced Modifiers

3 More Misplaced Modifiers 3 More Misplaced Modifiers 3 More Misplaced Modifiers By Mark Nichol Additional information must be placed carefully in a sentence to ensure that it is associated with the correct part of the sentence. Here are three sentences with misplaced modifiers, plus discussions and revisions. 1. â€Å"John Smith was the school’s first Lombardi Award winner in 1979, given to college football’s best lineman.† This sentence implies that John Smith was the first of two or more teammates to win the Lombardi Award in 1979, and that 1979 was given to college football’s best lineman. However, the award is given to only one student-athlete each year, and â€Å"given to college football’s best lineman† modifies â€Å"Lombardi Award,† not 1979 (and not winner, so â€Å"in 1979† cannot be shifted to the end of the sentence without further modification of the sentence). This revision correctly places the modifying phrase and alters the verb phrase to allow â€Å"in 1979† to follow the parenthetical description of the award: â€Å"John Smith won USC’s first Lombardi Award, given to college football’s best lineman, in 1979.† 2. â€Å"The superintendent spoke about a Nazi-themed assignment given to students at a news conference.† According to this statement, the students were given the assignment at a news conference. To clarify that the assignment was discussed, not assigned, at the conference, the reference to the conference should begin the sentence: â€Å"At a news conference, the superintendent spoke about a Nazi-themed assignment given to students.† 3. â€Å"Hydrogen and oxygen do not need an enzyme to create water because of their perfect valence electron pairing.† The part of the sentence starting with because modifies the rest of the sentence. But the location of the modifying phrase sets up the possibility that the discussion will have a â€Å"not because [this], but because [that]† structure. For a clear reading of the sentence, start with the modifying phrase: â€Å"Because of their perfect valence electron pairing, hydrogen and oxygen do not need an enzyme to create water.† 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 Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely?Five Spelling Rules for "Silent Final E"Rite, Write, Right, Wright

The eNotes Blog Feats of Greatness, Feet of Clay Authors, Flaws, and the People Behind theStories

Feats of Greatness, Feet of Clay Authors, Flaws, and the People Behind theStories (Orson Scott Card poses at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, in 2008.  Wikimedia Commons/ Nihonjoe) Just because someones a member of an ethnic minority doesnt mean theyre not a nasty small-minded little jerk.† ~ Terry Pratchett, from  Feet of Clay   There is a reason I frequently shy away from reading biographies:   people suck.   Even the  best people  suck.   If you want to go on admiring someone, dont know them personally.   The art, of course, speaks for itself.   It need not be burdened by the shortcomings of its creator.   But (at least for me) it is difficult to separate the two once you know.   You cannot, as the saying goes,  unsee  something. Today, a lot of people, including myself, were surprised to learn that beloved science fiction writer Orson Scott Card (Enders Game)  is an anti-gay activist, and has been for a very long time.   In 2008, he wrote that marriage has only one definition, and any government that attempts to change it is my mortal enemy. I will act to destroy that government and bring it down.    Responding to the Supreme Court decision on the topic of gay marriage, Card told  Entertainment Weekly  Ã‚  it will be interesting to see whether the victorious proponents of gay marriage will show tolerance toward those who disagreed with them when the issue was still in dispute. Hmmmm. interesting that someone who is against tolerance wants to see how people with tolerance respond. I dont like knowing this about the author.   I wish I did not know it. I do not like knowing that two of my favorite history writers,   Stephen Ambrose (Band of Brothers),  and Doris Kearns Goodwin (The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys)  have both plagiarized large portions of their work. I really dont like knowing that Harold Bloom  (The Anxiety of Influence)  Ã‚  probably had sexually inappropriate contact with one of his graduate students, the now-widely published feminist author Naomi Wolf (The   Beauty Myth).   For those of you who dont know, Bloom closely resembles Jabba the Hutt and Wolf (boy, would she hate  this)  Princess Leia in the gold bikini.   Talk about something you cant unsee. Spolier alert:   The list is endless.   I dont care to know that Bing Crosby beat his children. One of my friends recently told me she was on a flight with Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage and that he was a drunken ass to the flight attendants.   Dang. Of course, I will still read books written by people I find problematic and watch movies starring   real-life jerks.   But, for me, those authors and actors never again can hold quite the same place in my heart. And that makes me sad.

Review of Literature- Annotated Bibliography Assignment

Review of Literature- Annotated Bibliography - Assignment Example R. R. Tolkien’s writing style and inspiration. In a quest to examine the kinds of scholarly works inspired by Tolkien’s novels especially ‘The Hobbit’, I have selected five articles that used different perspectives in the treatment of the book and its contents. I do not intend to review Tolkien’s work but I want to present through this article the vast ways scholar’s like us have examined the book. The five articles were evaluated for the theories that they presented the manner in which these theories were revealed, and my own experience in reading the texts. The purpose for the analysis is to better appreciate the different perspectives that one can use to understand a work and the complexities in the themes and messages that can be derived from any form of literature which includes even fantasy novels and children’s books. Baptizing the Imagination: The Fantastic as the Subversion of Fundamentalism By Mara E. Donaldson The first artic le we will examine is one by Mara E. Donaldson. Fundamentalism can exists for many topics or ideologies like capitalism, communism, racism, and socialism, however, fundamentalists is are more recognized as fanatics of different religions – imposing that theirs is the only way to salvation while those that oppose are evil incarnate. As implied by the title, Donaldson’s take on The Hobbit juxtaposes two ideologies Openness against Fundamentalism especially with regards to religion. She presents that the fantasy world that Tolkien creates in ‘The Hobbit’ is a defiance of earlier interpretations of the book as allusions to religion. Religious fundamentalists interpreted the existence of a clear cut boundary between good and evil in the book as a reference to the existence of absolute good and absolute evil in the real world. However, Donaldson argues that instead of interpreting the book with a fundamentalists’ point of view, a reader is encouraged to b e critical and open. Though J. R. R. Tolkien is a devout roman catholic, it does not mean that his writings should be interpreted with a Christian point-of-view only. Though Tolkien himself said that many of his inspirations are from religious text, he also ascribed to the belief that mythology is the divine echo of truth and truth must be sought and not just blindly followed. The Politics of Fantasy: The Hobbit and Fascism by Peter E. Firchow To those familiar with ‘The Hobbit’ and the different races in middle earth, it is close to preposterous for someone to associate fascism to hobbits. Hobbits bear about themselves a natural, in-born, innocence that makes them highly incorruptible. Yet, the essay of Peter Firchow suggests otherwise – well, not so much as to explicitly label hobbits as fascists but to specifically point out that there are certain themes in ‘The Hobbit’ and the Lord of the Rings that endorses fascism or more appropriately fascist tendency (Firchow, p.15). Firchow’s discourse was inspired by the work of Robert Plank on the second to the last chapter of The Return of the King, wherein he (Robert Plank) contemplated on whether the Wizard Saruman and his minions should or could be seen as fascists or communists. Firchow applied this concept in analysing the actions of the characters in ‘The Hobbit’, especially the actual hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Firchow was consistent with Plank in not taking the trouble to categorically find a definition of fascism that can incorporate beings in the nature of hobbits but he (Firchow) focused more on

The Real Experience of Kidney Donors Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 40

The Real Experience of Kidney Donors - Assignment Example 2. The statement of the problem in the article highlights the essence of exploring the experiences of the live kidney donors and understanding them in order to offer strategies that utilize the experiences optimally. 3. The significance of the study is that it highlights the real experience that kidney donors face and seeks ways through which kidney donors and potential kidney donors can develop a positive attitude towards kidney donation. 4. Although the article does not have a distinct literature review section, the literature in the introduction and the methods section offer a comprehensive review about kidney donation and its effects on the donors and the possible ways in which more people can be encouraged to donate their kidneys. Even if some of the literatures are old, they give a comprehensive analysis of the problem, data analysis and provide a conclusion that is up to date with the current trends of surgery. For instance, Glaser and Straus(1967) offer one of the best interview analysis by utilizing the constant method of analysis. The literature also includes the latest publications that offer the current research trends and analysis. For instance, Recart et al(2005) talk about modern strategies that can be used to fast-track recovery after surgery. It can be concluded that the literature used is comprehensive and conclusive as it covers all aspects of kidney donation such as the physical and psychological ef fects and tries to seek for ways of encouraging more people to donate kidneys. 5. The methodology employed is qualitative in nature. This is because the respondents were interviewed in order to establish their views about kidney donations. By using the survey research design to explore people’s perception of the subject matter (kidney donation), it is easier to understand the major constraints and establish modalities that are essential in overcoming these constraints. For instance, this research established that the major constraints are psychological and physical effects of kidney donation and so the constraints can be overcome by educating the potential donors.  

Repealing the Jones Act Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Repealing the Jones Act - Research Paper Example This historical act can be found in Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. The act professed that goods & passengers transported by water between US ports must be done in US made ships, owned by US populace & crewed by US citizens. The Jones Act also provided sailors with supplementary rights, including the facility to look for reparation from the crew, captain, or ship owner in the case of an injury. The Jones Act generally deals with ‘cabotage’ (i.e. coastal shipping) & requires that all goods transported by water amid US ports be carried in US flag ships, constructed in the united states, owned by US populace , crewed by US people & US permanent inhabitants. This unique act was framed with the purpose of sustaining the US merchant marine industry, but agricultural welfare by and large opposed it for the reason that, they contended it raised the expenditure of shipping their commodities, making them less competitive against foreign sources. The great Gulf oil spill raised serious questions on the implications of this draconian act. The oil which had been squandering & demolishing aqua habitat could not be stopped for the sole reason of the legal bindings of this law. The US alone never possessed the arsenal of cleaning up this catastrophic mess. Yet, it remained reluctant when foreign nations repeatedly suggested utilizing their ships to meet this disaster. Thus, 2 010 witnessed this cruel drama while the endangered ecological equilibrium slowly drifted into the abyss of oblivion. This implied that foreign owned, built, & manned vessels could not assist in the oil spill cleanup mess unless of course President Barrack Hussein Obama waived or altered the Jones act. During the Katrina storms, the former president Bush decided to waive the laws of Jones act as a requirement of national emergency. But Obama opted to remain frigid & witness the blunders rather than becoming pro active & deciding according to the needs of the hour.

Maos Last Dancer Essay

Maos Last Dancer Essay Li Cunxin, is one of the best male ballet dancers in the world. He has shown great courage, ambition and determination throughout his entire life. He excelled in the gruelling ballet training at the Beijing Dance Academy, made his way to be one of the premier dancers with the Houston Ballet for 16 years before moving on to another career as a stockbroker and today, he resides in Australia while travelling around the world as a motivational speaker. Li was born into a very poor family in 1961 in Qingdao in China which was then a communist country led by Mao. He lived in a very small town with twenty of his relatives. His family struggled to stay alive, living close to starvation daily, but because of the familys love for each other and their determination to live, they try very hard to survive each day. Lis childhood is filled with love and affection from his family. It was always in Lis mind that he wanted to be able to do something to help his family. He knew that ballet would be his familys best opportunity to escape the bitter poverty in his rural home in China. Sure enough, he was chosen to become a ballet dancer. Li then began his journey in becoming one of the best dancers in the world. His family is always there to support him on every decision he made, giving him full support, love and encouragement. At the age of eleven, Li began his training at the Beijing Dance Academy from 5:30 am to 9 pm for 6 days a week. No matter how much he suffered during the training, he never thought of giving up. He realised that dancing is his passion and it motivated him to give his 100% effort in dancing. Li would wake up at 5 in the morning when everyone is still sleeping and hop up and down the stairs to build the strength of his leg as well as his stamina. At night he would practice his turns by the candlelight. As much as he wanted to live a better life, he had never forgotten about his family that he left behind. Lis determination has steered him onto the path of success that helped him break free from his communist homeland. After 7 years of harsh training at the Beijing Dance Academy, Li had become a self disciplined and a student with great determination. He received a golden opportunity to study dance in America through a student exchange program under Maos regime. He was later offered a contract as a soloist with the Houston Ballet and danced for the company for 16 years. He was regarded as one of the best dancers in the world. In three international ballet competitions, he won silver and a bronze medal at three international ballet competitions and he performed with some of the best ballet companies in the world. Here are some quotes and principles that Li stands firm on which have led to his success in dance. Dance is the ultimate combination of discipline and freedom. Discipline is the foundation to become totally free and creative. If youre free without a foundation then you could go off the rails. His self determination, dedication and the willingness to work hard and always behave positively to achieve his goal is his approach to success and to dance. In the official site of Li Cunxin, here are the testimonials that document his influence on the development of dance. According to Australian Friendly Societies Association (AFSA), Without a doubt one of the most powerful and invigorating presentations I have seen. The AFSA are extremely impressed by Lis impact, style, personable nature and overall attitude. What makes me think that Li is impressive is in the sense of his style and movement in dance which are strong and defined which is beyond ethereal with his emotional conveyance. His dances are one of the dances that are hard to forget. I believe that his approach to dance is one of commitment and focus. From his attitude and behaviour, it can motivate us as dancers to keep in mind that we can do it as long as we stay determined. Lis film, Maos Last Dancer, is an amazing true story based on the extraordinary pathway he had to go through to become a famous dancer. Lis success is not just as a dancer, he succeeded in lighting for the true human ideal. The film Maos last dancer explores the struggle for two freedoms: personal choice and artistic expression. On the surface, this true story concerns the struggle between the eastern and western ideologies. While some people view his choices as heroic, others see him as a traitor to his homeland. In my point of view, Li left his family behind in Beijing to U.S and began to not only see the world for the first time, but also found his passion in dance. Going even deeper, viewers will see his struggle for creative freedom the ability to say, do, and dance what he feels as an artist. This is how he has made an influence in dance. I believe that it is true; he gives every dancer mental motivation and hope to achieve a goal by reminding us not to waste every single mome nt of our dancing journey. Other than that, Li likes to take on challenges. He requested to enter the America International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, the equivalent of the Olympics for ballet dancers and he achieved a silver medal. I wanted to get a sense of how my dancing stood up to international standards. (Li, 292). Li always had a positive attitude towards dance. He had to constantly confront and overcome his self-doubt and insecurities; even when he was locked up in the Chinese Consulate in Houston for 21 hours, which is one of the most famous and controversial defection in the U.S history. The FBI and also the then Vice  president George W.Bush was called in resulting in a tension with the Chinese Consulate. The world waited for 21 hours to see what fate has for Li. Li walked out after 21 hours into the streets of Texas and never looked back ever since. These are what people admire about him the most. We have to find our own direction in dance; our own style by dancing from our heart and soul. Nowadays, the hard work and dedication towards dance that Li has are rarely seen. We can truly see that Lis story is a true fairytale about a boy who had a dream to become the best ballet dancer in the world. His view on dance training is one of determination and hard work because it provided a path for him to break free of communist China and take him around the world as a professional dancer. To prove the validity of the story above, here are the substantial evidences on his personal thoughts about his life in China. When Li was in America, he told himself that he was the fish and China is the pond. From this metaphor we can see how Li felt about China as a fish cannot exist anywhere else other than its pond so like the fish, Li thought he would not be able to live out of China. From what we can see from his life experience, the approach that Li took towards dance is full of determination, courage, discipline and the passion to be one of the best dancers in the world. His sheer discipline and the need for him to lift his family out of poverty drove him to achieve beyond his limit. Work Cited Elias, Debbie Lynn. Maos Last Dancer. 20 August 2010. Tonight at the Movies. . FAQs, Career. Li Cunxin Dancer, Stockbroker and Author of Maos Last Dancer. 2010. . Determination and Defection. TripAtlas.com. 2010. . Li, Cunxin. Maos Last Dancer. Offical Site of Li Cunxin. N.p., 2005. Web. 23 Aug 2010. . Li, Cunxin. Maos Last Dancer. Australia: Sheena Dewan, 2003.

student :: essays research papers

Energy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Four Source of Energy: Chemical, Solar, Mechanical, and Nuclear Energy is used in every aspect of our lives, from power for transportation, to heat and light in dwelling and working areas, to the manufacture of good of all kinds. The development of science and civilization is closely linked to the availability and development of energy in useful forms. In this paper I am going to show four extremely vital forms of energy that we humans use everyday, and without which we could not enjoy the luxuries of life; like watching T.V., playing on the computer, and tracking the weather.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first type of vitally important energy is Chemical. It utilizes the energy release from chemical reaction. The energy is both release and absorbed by the elements involve in a chemical reaction, but no lose occur in the molecular weight of the elements. Even thought this is true, the physical properties may change. Take for instance, the decomposition of water. In its molecules, each of which consist of one atom of oxygen and two of hydrogen, are broken down; the hydrogen atoms combine in pairs, and the oxygen atoms form oxygen molecules. The two new molecules now have two different properties from the water molecules they came from. Water, for example, does not burn nor does it support combustions, but the new hydrogen molecule is now flammable and the oxygen is combustion supportive, both of which can be used to obtain useful forms of energy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The reactions, just like the one mentioned above, can be classified by the characteristics of the particular reaction. As anyone could observe we, the people of this world have many different forms of reactions to obtain the energy we desire. This chemical energy is pretty the base of all other forms of energy, or at least a big part of them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We can use the reaction from nuclear fusion or fission to obtain energy. We can use the steam from water to get energy. There are ways in which use the elements and the properties of their reaction to obtain energy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A type of energy that work is another form of chemical energy, but deserves its own individual respect, is the above-mentioned nuclear energy. With the development of nuclear energy in the early 20th century came available another incredibly great source of energy. It uses the heat from the nuclear energy and converts it into electricity. The nuclear is stored in the nucleus of an atom and is released though fission, fusion, or radioactivity.