Christopher Columbus and the Definition of America as...

It should be said that Christopher Columbus was responsible for the discovery of what he thought the new lands could provide rather than the discovery of the ‘New World’. Since most of his ventures landed him and his followers to lands that were inhabited by people, who were favorable to trade, where culture, politics, and religion had been established, his discoveries were really a way of supporting his model for self-good. I will analyze the paper by Beatriz Bodmer â€Å"Christopher Columbus and the Definition of America as Booty†, to argue that despite Columbus’s quest for discovery, he did so with preconceived ideas that he would use to his benefit of convincing others of what he discovered and how these discoveries would benefit him.†¦show more content†¦During future voyages, Columbus approached his explorations of his own preconceived ideas, ideas filled with distorting the facts, reducing and ignoring what was actually present (Bodmer,2 0). It was easy for Columbus to maintain such significances, since cultural and scientific findings could be taken as theoretical beliefs, which were inconsistent with empirical findings and through his own irrational writings he believed to be the promised one, sent to render divine intervention. This belief of this was energized by the writing of Las Casas, who states that Columbus’s mission as a discoverer and evangelizer was part of a divine plan that was determined long before birth (Bodmer, 20). During the days of Columbus, to be an instrument of Divine Providence, meant that he had prestige and credibility making him nearly infallible, which in Columbus’s own statement, saw himself as an instrument of divine will and that everything he does is protected by God (Bodmer, 21). This ideology will lead to his weaken role as an instrument of knowledge and explains Columbus’s imaginary conception of how he would view the new lands to fit his preconceived models (Bodmer, 22) When Columbus was on the island of Cuba, he had changed his mind about it being Cipangu, only to replace his earlier conclusion with another, than identify the island as Cathay (Bodmer, 24). This would be

Writing Skills An Tool For Proper Communication Essay

Waner (1995) states that, most of business communication faculty believes that gathering important information scientifically and organize those information in written document is significant process in the workplace. Every profession needs proper communication skills such writing skills. Technicians and software developers write instructional manuals for users and doctors are required to write reports for patients. Technology has made everyone in the workplace to be a writer. All fields require a person to write emails and other forms of communication documents to fellow workers and managers. Writing has to be a more visible skill for any person in the workplace because it is an essential tool for proper communication (Lentz 2013, p.475). Writing skills reflects a person’s ability and character because when one sends an email or other written documents, it goes out there for people to read (Guffey Loewy 2010, pp.106-107). A person’s ability of written communication in creases one s reputation and success in business (Roach Anderson 2007, p41). According to Lentz (2013), effective writing skill is essential because it provides more values to employers in workplace and makes project or task looks more professional than those whose writing skills are considered as poor. Due to these significant effects of effective writing skills, this essay will argues that, professional writing skills still important in workplace even short form communication is often used in theseShow MoreRelatedThe Self Assessment Test ( Bethel University, 2014 )908 Words   |  4 PagesThe self assessment test are a powerful tool to gain knowledge about ourselves. It helps us draw a clear picture of our strengths and weaknesses. In taking a self assessment test I learn something new about myself each time. I find things I need to improve on, as well as areas that I have enhanced in (Bethel University, 2014). 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Biology Investigation Free Essays

Biology Investigation Aim: to investigate the effects of light and gravity on the growth of sunflower seeds. Background Info: Tropism is directional movement in response to a directional stimulus eg light or gravity. Plants are not able to relocate if they happen to start growing where conditions are nor perfect but they can alter their growth towards more favorable conditions. We will write a custom essay sample on Biology Investigation or any similar topic only for you Order Now Plants respond to light (phototropism) where the stems grow towards the light and the roots grow away from the light. They also respond to gravity (geotropism) where the stems grow away from the ground and the roots grow towards the ground. Tropisms are controlled by auxins – a family of hormones that promote (and sometimes inhibit) growth. Sunflower seeds need regular watering in order to provide sufficient nutrients and ensure healthy and efficient growth. Hypothesis: I hypothesise that whatever orientation the seed is placed in, the shoot will always be positively phototropic and the root will always be positively geotropic, due to the basic laws of tropism. Risk Assessment: Hazard| Risk| Precautions/Disposal| Test tube breakage| Glass may cause injury to eyes or skin. | Be cautious when handling test tube; wear safety equipment such as safety glasses and gloves. Place in glass bin. | Puncturing boxes with scissors| Scissors may injure someone if there is an accident. | Assign somebody to hold the box steadily while they are being punctured. | Using forceps| May injure skin. | Hold forceps steady and try to avoid contact with skin. | Equipment: Geotropism * 4x large test tube * 4x filter paper * 4x sunflower seed * 1x test tube rack Phototropism * 1x cardboard box * 4x sunflower seed * 1x pair of scissors * 1x forceps * 4x test tube * 4x filter paper * 1x test tube rack Variables: Geotropism * Independent variable: orientation of sunflower seed Dependant variable: direction of growth of sunflower seed shoot and root * Constant variables: the test tube in which the seeds are kept, the place the test tube rack sits, the orientation of each seed Phototropism * Independent variable: orientation of sunflower seed, place of light source * Dependant variable: direction of growth of sunflower seed shoot and root * Constant variables: the box in which the seeds are kept, the place the box sits, the orientation of each seed, the materials used (filter paper, large test tube, test tube rack) Experimental Control: Geotropism One of the test tubes was set up with a sunflower seed and the shoot facing up, the natural orientation. Phototropism A cardboard box was set up with hole punctures in the top and sides to allow light to get to the plants from all directions. Method: Geotropism * Collect equipment * Set up 4 large test tubes in a test tube rack and label them A, B, C and D. * Soak the 4 filter papers under water * Roll up one filter paper and place in test tube A, along with the sunflower seed shoot facing up to be the control. * Repeat step 4 but with test tube B, with the sunflower seed shoot facing down. Repeat step 4 but with test tube C, with the sunflower seed shoot facing right. * Repeat step 4 but with test tube D, with the sunflower seed shoot facing left. 1. Place in an area with adequate natural light 2. Water every day for 5 days, taking observations on the direction and length of growth on the seeds. Phototropism 1. Collect equipment 1. Set up 4 large test tubes in a test tube rack 1. So ak the 4 filter papers in water 1. Roll up filter paper and place in test tubes, along with the sunflower seeds with all shoots facing upward. 1. Label 3 cardboard boxes as 1. control, 2. eft, 3. right 1. Puncture 10 holes in both sides and the top of box 1 2. Puncture 10 holes in the left side of box 2 3. Puncture 10 holes in the right side of box3 4. Place a test tube rack in each box 5. Place in an area with adequate natural light 6. Water every day for 5 days, taking observations on the direction and length of growth on the seeds. Discussion During the experiment, it was observed that sunflower seed shoots, regardless of their orientation, will almost always grow towards the light. Likewise, the root of the seeds will almost always grow towards the ground. This trend is due to the auxins in the plant, hormones that promote growth. When a seed is placed sideways, unnaturally, the auxins in the plant stimulate growth in the shoot to still curve upward towards the light, and in the root to curve downward towards the ground. The accuracy of this experiment was sound. The equipment used was the same for all groups and was reasonably suitable to the experiment as it allowed easily observable results, for example the glass test tubes allowed us to watch our seeds grow each day. However, watering the plants was not undertaken every day, affecting the overall accuracy. Having a specific required amount of water to water the plants each day would have been beneficial to the accuracy of the experiment. The reliability of this experiment was poor. Most observations were not consistent. In many geotropism experiments, there were shoots that did not curve all the way down to the ground. This could have been due to the limited space they had between the glass of the test tube and the filter paper. The validity of this experiment was also poor. The constant variables were not very well controlled; the place in which the apparatus was set up changed, which meant different environmental conditions for the plants. The weather also changed every day, especially on Saturday when it was 41 degrees. This would have had an impact on the growth of the plants, and a burnt filter paper was observed, which could have been a result of the hot weather. The significant rise in temperature should have been predicted prior to the end of the school week so a more controlled environment could be created for the plants to have a consistent area to thrive in. To improve the accuracy and reliability of this experiment, a clearer and more specific method should be undertaken and a better set up of apparatus should be hought up to give the seeds more room to grow. However, the aim of investigating the effects of light and gravity on the growth of sunflower seeds was answered. This experiment is beneficial to society as it may assist gardeners, florists, other biologists etc in growing plants efficiently. Conclusion: Based on observations, our hypothesis of the shoot always being positively phototropic and the root being positively geotropic was supported, bringing us to the conclusion that light and gravity have a major impact on the growth of sunflower seeds no matter what the orientation. This is controlled by the auxins that respond to the light and gravity, promoting growth in the shoot of the seed to grow toward the light, and the root of the seed to grow toward the ground. Bibliography: Kimball, J W 2011,  Tropisms, viewed 27 November, 2012,  http://users. rcn. com/jkimball. ma. ultranet/BiologyPages/T/Tropisms. html  . Unknown, 2001,  Plant Hormones, viewed 27 November, 2012,  http://www. biology-online. org/3/5_plant_hormones. htm  . How to cite Biology Investigation, Essay examples