Why Book Lovers and Word Lovers Should Love the Tony Awards

Why Book Lovers and Word Lovers Should Love the Tony Awards Tonight, for the 66th consecutive year, the American Theatre Wing will hand out its Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre. Some of you may already be planning to watch the Tonys, if only to see host NPH (who you just totally love from HIMYM!), but anyone who loves the written or spoken word also should have reason to care. At the Academy Awards, a writer has the chance to win a prize for his or her screenplay but can’t claim the same accolades that will go to, say, the nice lady who wins for Best Supporting Actress (who didn’t write a single bit of her own dialogue). However, at the Tonys, there is no prize for Best Playwright, only Best Play; the writer (along with the producers) is rewarded for the total piece of art he or she created, a recognition that the most vital element to any play is its script, its words. It’s a natural extension of how words are respected in the theatre. Whereas it’s the rare screenwriter that ever gets to see his work made into the same movie he envisioned, the very first right listed on the Dramatists Guild Bill of Rights reads: “No one (e.g., directors, actors, dramaturgs) can make changes, alterations, and/or omissions to your scriptâ€"including the text, title, and stage directionsâ€"without your consent.” It’s for this reason and others that I have always seen plays as literature that happens to come to life. A few years ago, for a book project (it’s called In Their Company: Portraits of American Playwrights, and, why yes, you can purchase it hereâ€"thanks for asking!), I had the unbelievable opportunity to interview dozens of the most gifted and prolific stage writers about why they do what they do. And their answers really got to the heart, I believe, of why so many of us love to read and write, as well. People who write plays for a living are a uniquely driven lot. Like so many other writers and artists, they describe their pursuit as less a choice and more a compulsion. However, in conversations, I was struck by how certain words came up time and again: connection, identification, inspiration, awareness, understanding, perspective, purpose, mission. Although the works they produce range from light comedy to stark tragedy to, literally, the absurd, I learned that one drive which unites them all is a search for truth â€" one truth, many truths, the truth â€" and a desire to spread it around. “We playwrights are all basically messianic,” says three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Albee. “We feel that we know truths that we damn well better share with other people. I say this basically as a joke, but I’m convinced that we wouldn’t write unless we felt the need to set people straight about certain things. Who writes about stuff that’s been settled, unless you’re just writing escapist shit? So I think we probably are trying to communicate our sense of how life really is lived as opposed to how it should be lived.” For writers on such a mission, playwriting is the natural outlet for a number of reasons: the medium allows the writer an opportunity to bring characters to life, literally, and to do so in front of other people, who will react immediately to what they see and hear. The substance of the form is language as it is spoken, or for that matter, unspoken. In that sense, at least according to those playwrights who have also written novels, short stories, essays, and even poetry, plays can often emerge more directly from the writer’s unconscious. Almost without exception, the playwrights I spoke to listed this among the reasons why they write: to find out what they have to say. “Writing a play is not a conscious choice, as if I have something to say and the people need to know that prison is bad and motherhood is serious business,” says Suzan-Lori Parks. “It’s not like that at all. It’s more like having a cold, having the flu, and writing the play is the only thing that’s going to get the flu out of your system. So you don’t really have a choice. You’re either going to live clogged up and stuffed up and stiff in relative discomfort like this, or you’re going to write it and feel a lot better. So that’s the choice.” It is also a celebration of words as they are spoken. Live theater gives playwrights the opportunity, unique among writers, to literally put words in people’s mouths. The late August Wilson pointed to his pivotal 1979 play Jitney as the first work in which he “took advantage of black speech.” He admitted he hadn’t respected the way in which African-Americans talk, believing that “in order to make art out of it, you had to change it.” But the revelation came when he noticed a simple quote he read in a pamphlet by the African nationalist Ahmed Sékou Touré: Language describes the idea of the one who speaks it. “I found that idea liberating and realized that there is nothing wrong with the way that black people talked,” Wilson told me. “Their language was simply describing the idea, and their way of speaking it was as valid as any other.” For Naomi Wallace, who grew up in Kentucky surrounded by people of varying backgrounds, the introduction, too, was through the special power of spoken words. “Even at a very young age what struck me was how inquisitive people were even in the most dire of circumstances â€" how philosophical, how inquiring they were of their own state in the world,” she says. “I started listening to language and learning from language, how people spoke and how they expressed their reality,” So, tonight, when Neil Patrick Harris goes into another comedy dance number about how disrespected Broadway has become compared to reality TV or the woes of CBS, the network that persists in broadcasting the Tonys despite the ratings, remember what’s really being celebrated: the continuing power of words to provoke, perplex, delight, and create some welcome drama in our everyday lives.

Is Macbeth a machiavellian character - 1167 Words

...for how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought to be done, will rather learn to bring about his own ruin than his preservation.(Machiavelli 12) This is a quote from Machiavelli s The Prince. This is only one belief of Machiavelli, which, many great leaders have been known to use. Have you ever thought about a leader that possessed these qualities that was from a play? Shakespeare s character Macbeth represents the Machiavellian idea that a ruler should appear well in public, be smart and strong, and do what is necessary to hold onto power. Shakespeare used imagery, and metaphors to portray Macbeth this way because, although he dies in the end, Macbeth still used†¦show more content†¦(Machiavelli14) Machiavelli uses imagery/ symbolism to show animals being certain characteristics, the fox being wit and slyness, and the lion strength and bravery. Just as Machiavelli wrote, his rule applies to Macbeth s character in this quote. MACBETH Who can be wise, amazed, temp rate and furious, / Loyal and neutral in a moment? No man,/ Th expidition of my violent love/ Outran the pauser reason. Here lay Duncan,/ His silver skin laced with his golden blood,/ And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature/ For ruins wasteful entrance; there the murderers,/ Steeped in the colours of their trade, their daggers/ Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain/ That had a heart to love, and in hat heart/ Courage to make loves known. (2.3 105-115) As Machiavelli wrote Macbeth is showing this idea. He is using his wit to say he killed to guards out of violent love for the king. This quick witty response not only added to the trust from people around him, but also it stopped the guards from coming back to defend themselves, and challenge Macbeth. Macbeth used imagery of Duncan s body, which was so perfect and royal lying dead, still looking perfect and regal. Macbeth used this to make it seem that he loved King Duncan so much and he looked up so highly of him, he needed to kill the guards after what he they had done. Both Shakespeare and Machiavelli used imagery to show what a ruler needs in order toShow MoreRelatedMachiavellian Macbeth ? Essay1609 Words   |  7 Pages   Ã‚  While Macbeth exhibits certain Machiavellian characteristics, he does not heed Machiavellis advice regarding rulers who desire to obtain their principalities through crime, and through either the ignorance of, or disregard for, this advice, Macbeth cannot be considered Machiavellian. Hence it should be noted that in taking hold of a state, he who seizes it should examine all the offenses necessary for him to commit, and do them all at a stroke....For injuries must be done all togetherRead MoreEssay Macbeth776 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeare’s Macbeth, the main character, Macbeth, can be compared in many was to a Machiavellian prince. Macbeth’s ambition to be king and his desire for power are the basis of Machiavelli’s ideas, but when examined more closely we find many flaws in Macbeth’s character that Machiavelli warns will be destructive. Although Macbeth has many Machiavellian characteristics, Macbeth’s rise to power without true â€Å"fortune† or â€Å"virtue† leads him to his downfall. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The character of MacbethRead MoreMachiavelli ´s Principle in Macbeth by William Shakespeare Essay1648 Words   |  7 PagesTHESIS STATEMENT Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, applies the Machiavellian principles of how princes should properly conduct themselves which is directly applied through Duncan, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Malcolm. PURPOSE STATMENT Through analytic research, this paper will examine, as well as, compare and contrast the Machiavellian principles to the characters in Macbeth. 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Several supernatural apparitions throughout the play profoundly affect Macbeth and the evil forces eventually claim Macbeth and destroy his morals. Macbeth s ambition was driven by the prophecies of the three witches and unlike Banquo, he was willing to do anything to assure that they actually transpire. Macbeth is horrified at the notion of killing Duncan, hisRead MoreMichael Attenborough’s Macbeth at the Playhouse by Queensland Theatre Company1199 Words   |  5 Pages QUEENSLAND THEATRE COMPANY’S MACBETH: A CRITICAL REFLECTION Having been much anticipated, Michael Attenborough’s Macbeth was recently shown at the Playhouse by Queensland Theater performed by The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe as part of the Arts for all Queenslanders strategy instilled by Newman Government in 2013 (Walker, I. 2014. pg 3). With this in place it’s allowing renowned actors and directors to dazzle Queensland theatregoers with a new waveRead MoreDepartment 19 Villains1170 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Essay English Through the study of the three texts; Department 19 by Will Hill, ‘Macbeth’ the play and The Social Network by David Fincher, it is evident that literary villains are archetypes that often represent the evil side of human nature. One may argue that each villain has certain traits that allow the reader to be drawn to the terror and horror of their deeds yet also allow readers to reflect upon the society that has created such individuals. Authors stray their villains from the stereotypeRead MoreSimilarities Between Okonkwo And Things Fall Apart1242 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare’s Macbeth revolves around the main character of Macbeth, who plots out a Machiavellian scheme to become king of the realm. Upon becoming king Macbeth attempts to ward off any threat to his reign and succession by all means. In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo, the main character, equally does anything and everything to prove his valor. Though set in 11th century Scotland and 19th century Nigeria respectively, and portrayed through the main characters of Macbeth and Okonkwo, theRead MoreMacbeth As A Tyrant Essay1281 Words   |  6 PagesThe Downfall of a Tyrant Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1606, during the reign of James I, who was James IV of Scotland before he became the King of England. James I, was a sponsor of Shakespeare’s theatre, so it is clear that Shakespeare’s work was affected by James I’s sensitivities. Murder and intrigue was a part of the Scottish Reign when James was growing, and in fact, James’s father was murdered when he was just a baby. Macbeth tells the story of a Scottish general who, through prophecies receivedRead MoreThe Downfall of Macbeth by William Shakespeare1258 Words   |  5 Pages The play Macbeth is set around the rise and the fall of the protagonist, Macbeth. The audience perceives that there are a number of culprits that have caused his eventual down fall, such as Lady Macbeth, the three witches and Macbeth himself. We cannot ignore the thought that each of the factors has played a fairly notable role yet only one is truly responsible for setting off the tumultuous cycle of the play. Personally, when thinking over the causes and consequences I have come to a considered

The Debate On Nuclear Weapons - 1616 Words

Opening Arguments (Gerald Ferguson) Due to the severity and danger of nuclear weapons, it is very important for nations to have some sort of regulation with regard to the nuclear program and more specifically their nuclear weapons program. After the first nuclear bomb was created by the U.S. nations states that followed the U.S. with the creation of a nuclear bomb seek to justify their creation of the nuclear. There are many reasons why a nation state will create a nuclear bomb but the key issue here is why and how nations states should be regulated with regard to nuclear weapons development. If Iran is considered a potentially hostile regime based on the perspective of western allies it would be logical to attempt to negotiate with them so that their nuclear program can have some type of regulation rather than no regulation at all or striving to strong arm them from developing their nuclear program and possibly a nuclear weapons program. History of Nuclear Weapons Program According to an article posted in the Huffington Post on January 9, 2012, there are nine countries with nuclear weapons. The countries with nuclear weapons are as follows: United States (1945), the Soviet Union (1949), the United Kingdom (1952), France (1960), China (1964), India (1974), Pakistan (1998) and North Korea (2006) and Israel. The Huffington Post also reports that five of the members of the UN Security Council have nuclear weapons (Russia, the U.S., France, China and the United Kingdom).Show MoreRelatedThe Nuclear Debate On Nuclear Weapons3995 Words   |  16 Pages The Nuclear Debate Joe Archbold POL433 11-4-2014 Abstract Beginning in 1945 with the detonation of nuclear weapons, the international system has been an ever-changing climate regarding nuclear weapons. Beginning with the 40 year deterrence of nuclear force during the cold-war and continuing up until the present day. 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Since 1945, many world leaders have established forms of defense known as nuclear weapons that have the technology and capability to completely annihilate designated regions of the earth. Originally a plan for defense, the creation of nuclear arms has primarily turned into a show of military strength and superiority with little regard towards the preservationRead MoreA Proposal for the International Elimination of Nuclear Weapons1543 Words   |  7 Pagesset out a model of the Nuclear Weapons Convention (NWC) in 1997. The model underwent revision and reforms in 2007. The text puts a proposal that international law completely eliminates and bans the use of nuclear weapons. The proposal has general support from the international system. Over the years, security at the international level has faced opposition when it comes to the disarmament of nuclear weapons. 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Although in 1982, the Soviet Union declared its intention of a no first use policy but it did not really stop them from deploying and upgrading their weapons. For this condition to hold, it would entail sweeping and substantial changes to US and Russian nuclear deployments, withRead MoreBanishment of Nuclear Weapons1192 Words   |  5 Pagescatastrophe† (Krieger 4). The debate over the moral and life threatening potential of nuclear weapons has been in question since the first bomb was detonated almost eight decades ago. Nuclear weapons seem rightly owned by the world’s superpowers in order to ensure protection, yet it is feared that nuclear weapons are the horrible remnant of the Cold War that may still potentially cause unilateral destruction. It has been propos ed by several benevolent world powers, that nuclear weapons should be banned fromRead MoreIs The Movie Fail Safe?938 Words   |  4 Pagestechnology has increased concern about whether humans had command over the use of nuclear weapons or can control nuclear weapons. With respect to this statement the research question for this article is the movie Fail Safe more fact than fiction? How plausible is accidental nuclear war? The movie Fail Safe describes these fears by displaying technology doomsday situation where an error by a computer causes a nuclear bomber group to be deployed against Moscow. Along with describing issues with respectRead MoreNuclear Proliferation Is The Global Spread Of Nuclear Weapons And Technology1748 Words   |  7 PagesNuclear proliferation is the global spread of nuclear weapons and technology. At the end of World War II, the spread of nuclear weapons was happening at an accelerated rate. Countries like the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, France, and China were developing nuclear weapons against the wishes of the United States. In an attempt to stop proliferation, a group of scientists peacefully protested the development of nuclear weapons by sending a petition to the United Nations. The United Nation agreed thatRead MoreNuclear Test B Taking Forward Multilateral Nuclear Weapons1651 Words   |  7 Pages Nuclear Test Ban Taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations. A. Introduction Talking of the nuclear test ban under international regime the first thing that ticks the mind is the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) which is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 10, 1996 but has not entered into force

Ancient Chinese Innovations Free Essays

Ancient Chinese Innovations Jennifer E Strayer University Humanities 111 Ancient Chinese Innovations The ancient Chinese culture has probably contributed more to the advancement of humans than any other. In China’s long history they have shown us many extremely important inventions. In the modern world we take a lot of these innovations for granted even though we use many of them on a daily basis. We will write a custom essay sample on Ancient Chinese Innovations or any similar topic only for you Order Now I have often wondered who invented many items I use and it surprised me to find out that most things I use and quite possibly cannot live without were invented in ancient China. What would we do if paper had not been invented we may still be etching on stone and bones? Cai Lun successfully invented the very first batch of paper using fish nets and tree bark around 105 BCE. The invention of toilet paper would not have been possible without making paper first. Navigation was made easier with the invention of the compass. Would marinara sauce taste as good if it were not covering pasta or ravioli? Pasta was invented around 300 BCE, nearly 2000 years before the Italian or the Arabs. Would the wars of the world ended the way they did without gunpowder? Around 850 CE, Chinese alchemist discovered gunpowder while searching for immortality. Many historical records and books might not have been made if it were not for the ease of moveable-type printing, which allowed for mass production of written material. Earthquake detection is another invention that many might not have lived without it. The early seismograph created during the Han dynasty around 132 CE used a pendulum to alert for a coming earthquake. While it is not known who first invented the sundial, the first mechanical clock was an important innovation by the ancient Chinese. Clark, 2009; Laudan, 2000; University C. , n. d; Unknown, Top 10 greatest inventions of ancient China, 2007) I think the four most innovative inventions given to us by China are the compass, toilet paper, moveable-type printing and the sundial. The magnetic compass was first made somewhere between 221-206 BCE during the Qin dynasty. The original use was in fortune telling until it was discovered that it was better used at pointing out real directions. Originally used as padding or packing material n the second century BCE, the early Chinese writers mention using toilet paper as we do today as early as 589 BCE. The Chinese invented Woodblock printing over 2,000 years ago. Bi Sheng invented moveable clay type printing from which all later printing methods were developed from. The world’s first clock was invented by Yi Xing, a Buddhist monk and mathematician, his clock operated by having water drip onto a wheel that made a revolution every 24 hours. Hundreds of years later Su Song, an astronomer and mechanist, created what we know as the ancestor of the modern clock. Bellis, n. d; University C. , n. d; Unknown, Top 10 greatest inventions of ancient China, 2007) Our modern world was created on the foundation of these innovations, they have been improved upon and upgraded over the centuries but the basic ideas remain the same. If there were one of these inventions that I simply w ould not want to live without it would have to be toilet paper. While water was the common way to cleanse after each trip to the bathroom, the convenience and ease of using toilet paper had travelers to China commenting about people’s cleanliness as early as 851 CE. In any natural disaster one key thing is sanitation; toilet paper is much more sanitary than using your hand and some water. A few months ago I saw a documentary called No Impact Man, where Colin Beaven, his wife and daughter, took part in a yearlong experiment to see if they could go that long and not impact the environment. One of the experiments was if they could go a year without using toilet paper. They did it, using cloth instead, just like cloth diapers, wash and reuse. While I know now that I could survive without toilet paper, I simply would not want to. Rowles, 2010) Works Cited Barsoum, D. M. (2006, December 18). Solving the Mysteries of the Pyramids. Retrieved January 23, 2012, from Department of Materials Science Engineering: http://www. materials. drexel. edu/News/Item/? i=948 Bellis, M. (n. d). The Compass and other Magnetic Innovations. Retrieved February 25, 2012, from inventors. About. com: http://inventors. about. com/od/cstartinventions/a/Compass. htm Clark, J. ( 2009, March 9). Top 10 Ancient Chinese Inventions. Retrieved February 17, 2012, from HowStuffWorks. com: How to cite Ancient Chinese Innovations, Essay examples

The Red Badge Essays - Salem Witch Trials, Tituba, Abigail Williams

The Red Badge The Crucible John Harran Question # 5 April 04, 2001 English: 2 There was a real evil that stalked Salem in 1692. However, it had nothing to do with Witchcraft or Satan. The evil that stalked Salem in 1692 was a characteristic that existed in the the past. It is also a characteristic of the present and will probably exist in the future. This evil characteristic in society is power. Many leaders, as well as everyday people crave power. Miller wrote this play in the 1950`s when communism was a major threat to many Americans as well as much of the world. Millions of People feared Communism because of the power it can have on peoples lives. In the play The Crucible a young women named Abigail Williams thinks she has the power to condemn anyone she wants. Abigail blames Tituba (who is another young women in Salem) of using witchcraft to enchant two girls into a coma-like state. Abigail realizes she has this power after Tituba confessed to being under the control of Satan. As Abigail feels she now has this power, she admits she is under the control of Satan. Abigail then starts naming names of people in Salem who follow the Devil. Power existed in society in the past. An another example of how an over abundance of power is evil would be the Reign of Adolf Hitler. Hitler, who was a powerful dictator in Germany, tried to take over all of Europe. Power usually begins when one person or a group of people see an open opportunity to advance and when they do so they become overwhelmed with power. In Hitlers case, he saw that he had the power to control all of Germany. Therefore, he thought he would have the power to control all of Europe. The evil known as power feeds off of greed. An example of escalating power would be when Abigail Williams saw that she had condemned one women (Tituba) and she began to condemn many women by accusing them on Witchcraft. Fear is a real evil, it works by causing people to be terrified of people of things. During the 1600`s many people who settled into America feared the power of God. They were afraid if they sinned they would go to hell. Was there a real evil stalking Salem in 1692? It is really a matter of opinion as to what the actual evil was. However, most people who have read The Crucible will tell you that there was something evil going on in Salem at that time whether it be physical or spiritual. The fact that people were killed unnecessarily is evil itself. Philosophy

Free Essays on HRM Strategies

Company Background and Introduction Based in Oak Brook, Illinois, McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s Corporation is a family-oriented fast-food restaurant company. Since 1950s, McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s has revolutionized the fast-food business and has become one of the best and most well-known restaurant in the world. It serves 46 million customers at more than 30,000 restaurants in 119 countries everyday. In 1948, brothers Dick and Mac McDonald ran a drive-in restaurant with limited menu in San Bernardino, California. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a 52-year-old milkshake machine salesman, visited the restaurant and became amazed how great it was. He convinced the McDonald brothers to let him sell McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s franchises. Kroc opened his first McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955. The McDonald brothers sold the company to Kroc for $2.7 million in 1961. Besides doing business, McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s did some charities to give back to the communities. In 1974 the company opened the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The main purpose of Ronald McDonald House was to provide temporary housing for families of critically ill children who needed to stay in hospitals. Today, Ronald McDonald House Charities operate more than 200 houses in 19 countries. Strength Product Strategy From the original McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s restaurant operated by brothers Dick and Mac in San Bernardino, California in 1948, there were only nine items on the menu: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, three types of soft drinks, milk, coffee, potato chips, and pies. Soon French fries and milkshakes were added. In 1968 McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s restaurants began serving the Big Mac, a two-patty burger that became the company ¡Ã‚ ¦s flagship product and it was developed by Jim Delligatti who operated a dozen stores in Pittsburgh by the late 1960s. In 1973 McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s began serving breakfast. By the late 1980s, one-fourth of Americans who ate breakfast away from home did so at McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s. Also in... Free Essays on HRM Strategies Free Essays on HRM Strategies Company Background and Introduction Based in Oak Brook, Illinois, McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s Corporation is a family-oriented fast-food restaurant company. Since 1950s, McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s has revolutionized the fast-food business and has become one of the best and most well-known restaurant in the world. It serves 46 million customers at more than 30,000 restaurants in 119 countries everyday. In 1948, brothers Dick and Mac McDonald ran a drive-in restaurant with limited menu in San Bernardino, California. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a 52-year-old milkshake machine salesman, visited the restaurant and became amazed how great it was. He convinced the McDonald brothers to let him sell McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s franchises. Kroc opened his first McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955. The McDonald brothers sold the company to Kroc for $2.7 million in 1961. Besides doing business, McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s did some charities to give back to the communities. In 1974 the company opened the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The main purpose of Ronald McDonald House was to provide temporary housing for families of critically ill children who needed to stay in hospitals. Today, Ronald McDonald House Charities operate more than 200 houses in 19 countries. Strength Product Strategy From the original McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s restaurant operated by brothers Dick and Mac in San Bernardino, California in 1948, there were only nine items on the menu: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, three types of soft drinks, milk, coffee, potato chips, and pies. Soon French fries and milkshakes were added. In 1968 McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s restaurants began serving the Big Mac, a two-patty burger that became the company ¡Ã‚ ¦s flagship product and it was developed by Jim Delligatti who operated a dozen stores in Pittsburgh by the late 1960s. In 1973 McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s began serving breakfast. By the late 1980s, one-fourth of Americans who ate breakfast away from home did so at McDonald ¡Ã‚ ¦s. Also in...

Pros and Cons of Various High School Diploma Tracks

Pros and Cons of Various High School Diploma Tracks Diploma types vary from school to school, although in most states, decisions about diploma requirements are made by state education officials. Students should speak with parents and counselors and think carefully before deciding which type of diploma is best for them. Ideally, students should decide on a curriculum before starting their freshman year, although it is sometimes possible to switch. In most cases, students are not â€Å"locked in† to a certain diploma track once they start on one. Students may start out on a track that becomes too demanding and switch to a new track at some point. But be warned! Switching tracks can be dangerous. Students who switch tracks often run the risk of overlooking a class requirement until late in their curriculum. This can lead to (yikes) summer school or (worse) late graduation. The type of diploma a student chooses will affect his or her future choices. For instance, students who choose to complete a vocational or technical prep diploma will be somewhat limited in their options after high school. In most cases, this type of degree prepares students for entering the workplace or enrolling in a technical college. Many colleges require the completion of a college prep diploma as an admission requirement. If you have your heart set on a big university from your home state, be sure to check the minimum admission requirement and plan your diploma track accordingly. More selective colleges like to see that students have completed a more rigorous curriculum than the one required in a general college prep diploma, and those colleges may require an honors diploma (or seal), an advanced college prep diploma, or an International Baccalaureate diploma. Similar types of diplomas may have different names from state to state. For instance, some high schools offer a general diploma. Other school systems may call the same diploma type an academic diploma, a standard diploma, or a local diploma. This type of diploma gives students greater flexibility in choosing courses, but it might limit the student’s choices for post-secondary options. Unless the student chooses courses very carefully, the general diploma probably won’t meet the minimum requirements of many selective colleges. But there is an exception to every rule! Not all colleges use diplomas as a deciding factor when they consider students for acceptance. Many private colleges will accept general diplomas and even technical diplomas. Private colleges can set their own standards, since they do not have to follow state mandates. Common Diploma Types Technical/Vocational Students must complete a combination of academic courses and vocational or technical courses. General Student must complete a certain number of credits and maintain a minimum GPA. College Prep Students must complete a state-mandated curriculum and maintain a certain GPA. Honors College Prep Students must complete a state-mandated curriculum that is complemented by additional rigorous coursework. Students must achieve a high academic level and maintain a certain GPA. International Baccalaureate Students must complete a specific two-year international curriculum to meet standards set by The International Baccalaureate Organization. This challenging curriculum is normally completed in the final two years of high school by qualified students who have completed a highly academic pre-baccalaureate curriculum.