Literature Review Format Essay Example for Free

Literature Review Format Essay Literature Review This packet details the steps necessary to produce a literature review that may be required for work in various disciplines, including English, history and psychology. This packet is not intended to replace instructor guidelines and should not be used in that manner. The packet’s intended use is as a supplement to classroom instruction on assembling a literature review. Therefore, it contains only general information that must be tailored to fit specific guidelines as required by your discipline and by your instructor. This packet is subdivided into six sections: I. General Information States what a literature review is and what purpose it serves. II. Process Gives step-by-step instructions on how to get started on your literature review. III. Organization Explains the two most common ways of arranging information in a literature review. IV. Format Provides descriptions for two of the most common formats used in a literature review, the item to item comparison and contrast (Format A) and the criteria to criteria comparison and contrast (Format B). V. Checklist Allows appraisal of your completed literature review to assure that it follows all necessary guidelines. VI. Resources Lists helpful resources used to compile this packet so that you may obtain further information. General Information Definition Literature reviews can have two roles: In their first role, they function as a stand-alone paper. At other times they will actually be part of a larger research thesis. In this handout, literature reviews will be referred to in the stand-alone sense. As a stand-alone paper, literature reviews are multi-layered and are more formal and detailed than book reviews. As the author of a literature review, you must become familiar with a large amount of research on a specific topic. You will then develop your own thesis about the topic related to this research. After this, you will classify and critically analyze research on the topic by making a comparison between several different studies and by emphasizing how these studies and their comparison relate to your own thesis. In effect, a literature review is a paper that compiles, outlines and evaluates previously established research and relates it to your own thesis. It provides a context for readers as if they  Email at [emailprotected] edu University West, room 129 (361) 570-4288 were researching the topic on their own. Just from reading your paper, readers should be able to gain insight into the amount and quality of research on the topic. Your thesis and the literature reviewed serve several important functions within the paper: †¢ Your thesis creates a foundation for the literature review because it helps narrow the topic by providing a sense of direction; however, you will have to conduct some initial research and reading before deciding on an appropriate thesis. Your personal thesis may be a statement addressing some of the following situations: â€Å"why your research needs to be carried out, how you came to choose certain methodologies or theories to work with, how your work adds to the research already carried out† (Brightwell, G. and Shaw, J. , 1997-98), or it may present some other logical perspective. †¢ Reviewed literature is organized in a logical manner that best suits the topic of the review and the hypothesis of the literature (see Organization and Format). The selected method of organization and style of format should draw attention to similarities and differences among the reviewed literature; these similarities and differences are based on specific criteria you revealed in the literature review’s introduction. According to Brightwell and Shaw (1997-98), your goal in the body of the review â€Å". . . should be to evaluate and show relationships between the work already done (Is Researcher Y’s theory more convincing than Researcher X’s? Did Researcher X build on the work of Researcher Y?) and between this work and your own [thesis]. † Additional information on these topics can be found in the Organization and Format sections of this packet. Therefore, carefully planned organization is an essential part of any literature review. Purpose Although literature reviews may vary according to discipline, their overall goal is similar. A literature review serves as a compilation of the most significant sources on a subject and relates the findings of each of these sources in a rational manner while supporting the literature review author’s own thesis. A literature review establishes which sources are most relevant to its author’s point and which sources are most credible to the discipline at hand. In a literature review, the results of previous research are summarized, organized and evaluated. Discipline-Specificity A literature review’s organization, format, level of detail and citation style may vary according to discipline because different disciplines have different audiences. Examples here pertain to the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. †¢ Natural and social sciences The author of a literature review in the natural or social sciences must pay close attention to measurements, study populations and technical aspects of experimental findings. Typically, a portion of the natural or social sciences literature review is set aside for reviewing sources on the primary topic. Then, a comparative analysis or discussion section is used to analyze the similarities and differences among the sources, tying them in with the literature review author’s original thesis. †¢ Humanities The author of a literature review in the humanities usually does not set aside a special section for reviewing the sources; instead, citations may be found randomly throughout the paper. The literature being reviewed is arranged according to paragraphs based on the author’s points, which in turn, support the author’s thesis. The paper itself may not be called a literature review at all. It is more likely to be called a critical analysis. Remember that the best bet for determining what type of literature review is appropriate for your course is checking with the instructor prior to beginning research. Email at [emailprotected]hv. edu University West, room 129 (361) 570-4288 REVIEW 1. What is the purpose of a literature review? What is the connection between the author’s thesis and the literature being reviewed? 2. What discipline will your literature review be classified in? Process 1. Find several articles that deal with your research topic. Sometimes it is helpful to review the bibliography of one of the first scholarly sources that you encounter and compare it to the bibliographies of other sources on the topic. If the same source is listed within several of these bibliographies, it is probably a fundamental, credible source that will aid you in your review. 2. Before you begin reviewing literature, realize that you are looking to accomplish two things: A. Defining your research problem/thesis (examples: finding a flaw in research, continuing previous research, etc . . . B. Reading and evaluating significant works that are relevant to your research problem. You will be conducting Steps A and B simultaneously because the two form a circular pattern. As you read related sources (Step B), you define your problem, and as you define your problem (Step A) you will more easily be able to decide what material is relevant enough to be worthy of reading (Step B). 3. Once you begin reviewing, make an entry with complete bibliographical information and comments for each work that you are going to include in the review. 4. Compare the articles by evaluating the similarities and differences among them. This will be the initial stage in the formulation of your thesis. 5. Form a thesis that is clearly written and can be logically supported by the literature you will include in your review. 6. View the articles briefly again and jot down any notes that seem to relate to your thesis. 7. Decide which organizational pattern and format are best for the topic of your review. 8. Construct an appropriate outline for the literature review. 9. Write an introduction that introduces the topic, reveals your thesis statement, and arranges key issues. 10. Organize and write the body of your paper according to the appropriate format: topical or chronological. 11. Write a conclusion that reconciles similarities and differences on the topic and reemphasizes the criteria used to arrive at this conclusion. 12. Complete the final draft of the literature review. Email at [emailprotected] edu University West, room 129 (361) 570-4288 13. Check over the final draft for grammar and punctuation errors. 14. Use the checklist provided here to make sure that all parts of the literature review are addressed and focused. Establishing a Critical Response for a Literature Review You may find this section helpful at Steps 3, 4 and 5 of the process. When reviewing your sources, explore the following areas to help develop your critical response: What is the purpose of the research or work? What research or literary methods are used? How do the major concepts operate? In a research study, how accurate are the measurements? In a literary work, is the author’s position objective or biased? What are the different interpretations of the results of the study or of the literary work itself? REVIEW 1. What do you consider to be the most crucial step(s) in the process of your literature review? Why? Justify your response(s). Organization A literature review can be arranged either topically or chronologically. Topical organization occurs in reviews where previous research being evaluated is divided into segments with each one representing a part of some larger issue. In a topical review, the author begins by describing the characteristics of research shared by several studies and then moves on to analyze their similarities and differences. For more information, see the example below. Example The organization of a literature review begins in the introduction. For example, in the introduction of a literature review about the effect of seating arrangements on peer tutoring communication, you would first introduce the topic and what your literature review will attempt to assess: †¦Writing centers can set the table for collaborative tutoring sessions through a careful consideration of spatial arrangement . . . Then state what angle is going to be explored: †¦These studies will be used to support the author’s claims that spatial arrangement is instrumental in encouraging collaborative environments in the writing center†¦ Then, arrange key issues that will be addressed in this review by answering questions that you have personally developed and are tailored to fit your topic. In the introduction, give the audience a clear picture of how you will organize your paper: Email at [emailprotected] edu University West, room 129 (361) 570-4288 In the following, I1 first review some relevant research concerning spatial arrangement and then discuss some recommended and alternate seating arrangements to encourage a collaborative environment in the writing center. Finally, I include some other considerations. In the body of this literature review, you would organize the information topically around each point (or question) that you asked yourself: -Research Review -Recommended Spatial Arrangement -Alternative Spatial Arrangement -Other Considerations. Then, write a conclusion that explains the significance of your findings: †¦While the seating arrangements outlined above are generally a good ‘setting’ for peer tutoring sessions, we should remember that each tutoring session is unique. Not all students will be comfortable with a side-by-side spatial arrangement at a round table. Tutors should be perceptive of and receptive to students who may have other spatial needs†¦ Chronological organization occurs when a review is organized in time order and is most often used when a historical context is needed for discussing a topic from its beginning to its current state; chronological organization is  especially helpful when discussing inactive periods and shifts in perspective on a given topic. Example The organization of a literature review begins in the introduction. For example, in the introduction of a literature review entitled Development of Social Science Research on Attitudes Towards Gender in America, you would first introduce the topic and what your review hopes to assess: †¦This literature review will assess the development of research designed to uncover gender attitudes in America during the latter part of the 20th Century†¦ Then state what angle is going to be explored: .. As research progressed throughout the 20th century, the methods that social scientists use for measuring these attitudes developed and changed as well†¦ Then, chronologically arrange issues that will be addressed in this review: Gender stereotypes still exist today, and varying attitudes can be traced over the past fifty years. Survey instruments used to gather data on these varying attitudes have also changed drastically over the course of time. In the body of this literature review, you would organize the information chronologically, adressing each point (or question) that is being asked for a particular time period: -Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1950’s -Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1960’s -Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1970’s -Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1980’s -Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1990’s -Current Advancements Always clear the use of I with your instructor. An alternative to this would be the use of third person wording, such as â€Å"This paper reviews some relevant research concerning spatial arrangement and then discusses some recommended and alternate seating arrangements to encourage a collaborative environment in the writing center. † 1 Email at [emailprotected] edu University West, room 129 (361) 570-4288 Then, write a conclusion that explains the significance of your findings: Although the survey instruments used in the 1950’s and 1960’s developed an obvious bias when surveying Americans regarding gender attitudes, the 1970’s brought about great change. Today social scientists are more careful than ever about testing the quality of a survey instrument before using it on the general public. Format There are also two suggested formats for composing your literature review. Format A is used when comparing several studies that have similar hypothesis but different findings. Each piece of research is summarized individually. Format A is good for reviews with a small number of entries; however, this format may confuse the audience when used with a large number of reviews because descriptions of so many studies may get in the way of the analysis. Keep in mind that each piece of research usually will not receive equal attention in the review. Format A Outline I. Introduction consists of four parts that are usually discussed in one paragraph. a. Identify the general topic being discussed. b. Mention trends published about the topic. c. State thesis establishing the reason for writing the literature review. d. Explain criteria by giving a description of each of the criteria used in evaluating the literature review and rationalizing its organization II. Literature reviewed section is divided up according to study. a. First study is summarized and discussed. b. Second study is summarized and discussed. c. Third study is summarized and discussed. III. Comparative analysis acknowledges the similarities and differences between studies. a. Similarities (if any) among the studies are evaluated and discussed. b. Differences (if any) among the studies are evaluated and discussed. IV. Conclusion/Summary effectively wraps up the review. a. Summarize points of comparison or contrast among the works based on Section III of your review. b. Provide insight of relationship between the topic of the review and a larger area of study such as a specific discipline or profession Format B  organizes the literature review according to similarities and differences among research rather than by literature studied. In a review organized according to Format B, little background information on the literature being reviewed is given outright. Instead, it is worked into the body paragraphs of the sections on similarities and differences. The conclusion then uses these two sections (similarities and differences) to tie in points of comparison and contrast between the works. Format B better suits papers that are topically organized. Format B is outlined below. Email at [emailprotected] edu University West, room 129 (361) 570-4288 Format B Outline I. Introduction consists of four parts usually discussed in one paragraph. a. Identify the general topic being discussed. b. Mention trends published about the topic. c. State thesis establishing the reason for writing the literature review. d. Explain criteria by giving a description of each of the criteria used in evaluating the literature review and rationalizing its organization II. Similiarities within the research are discussed. a.  First similarity among research is discussed. b. Second similarity among research is discussed. c. Third similiarity among research is discussed. III. Differences in the research are discussed. a. First difference between research is discussed b. Second difference between research is discussed c. Third difference between research is discussed IV. Conclusion/Summary a. Summarize points of comparison or contrast between the works. b. Provide insight into relationship between the topic of the literature and a larger area of study such as a specific discipline or profession. The most important thing to remember when organizing a literature review is that it is not a list summarizing one work after another. The review should be organized into sections according to theme that are set apart by subject-related headings. REVIEW 1. Which format have you chosen for your literature review? Why? A Literature Review Checklist: Did I . . . . . . ? ? Establish a valid thesis based on the examined research ? State this thesis clearly in my introduction ? Define unfamiliar terms ? Incorporate background information to define the problem ? Begin each entry in the review with a complete bibliographical reference ? List and describe the hypothesis/thesis in each work reviewed Email at [emailprotected] edu University West, room 129 (361) 570-4288 ? Describe the outcome of the work or the research ? Develop and incorporate my own comments, including response to the research, similarities and differences among literature reviewed, and reservations regarding author’s methods or conclusions ? Avoid overquoting ? Check for grammar and punctuation errors ? Correctly cite all references in uniform documentation style Resources Brightwell, G.  and Shaw, J. (1997-98). Writing up research. Retrieved August 20, 2002 from Languages and Educational Development at the Asian Institute of Technology’s Web page at http://www. languages. ait. ac. th/EL21OPEN. HTM Central Queensland University Library. (2000). The literature review. Retrieved July 22, 2003 from http://www. library. cqu. edu. au/litreviewpages/ Cuba, L. (2002). A short guide to writing about social science. New York: Addison-Wesley Publishers. Leibensperger, S. (2003). Setting the table: Encouraging collaborative environments with spatial arrangement in the writing center. Unpublished literature review. Northern Arizona University. (1999). Electronic textbook A blast from the past: Your literature review. Retrieved May 30, 2002 from http://jan. ucc. nau. edu/~mid/edr720/class/literature/blast/reading21-1. html Taylor, D. , Procter, M. (2001). The literature review: A few tips on conducting it. Retrieved June 17, 2002 from http://www. utoronto. ca/writing/litrev. html Trinder, L. (2002). Appendix. The literature review. Retrieved August 27, 2003 http://www. uea. ac. uk/~w071/teaching/ppf/Appendix%20Lit%20Review. pdf The University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center. (2001). Academic writing: Reviews of literature. Retrieved May 30, 2002 from http://www. wisc. edu/writing/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature. html *In traditional APA style, this section would be entitled â€Å"References† and would be listed on a separate page double-spaced. Due to space constraints in this packet, it has been formatted differently. Copyright 2003 by the Academic Center and the University of Houston-Victoria. Created 2003 by Candice Chovanec-Melzow. Email at [emailprotected] edu University West, room 129 (361) 570-4288.

Polishness of Polish Art. Essays -- Art, Żmijewski’s Art

In polish art after year 2000 there is a lot more interest in history, especially topics related to World War II, Holocaust , Polish-German and Polis-Jewish relations as well as modern history like PRL times and libertanian impulse . Interest about history in Polish Art is not a new phenomenon. The early postwar art was related to war time trauma. But in art after year 2000 new occurance can be observed: interest in concrete historical facts is less important than questioning about history, about how it is constructed, what is is used for, how it is used, as well as how history is mixed with fiction and how it functions in our vision. This creative idea about construction of historical facts and its use in todays reality can be specify as a dehistoricize (in analogy to term deconstructure) in Izabela Kowalczyk’s opinion (Kowalczyk, 2008). She argue that art of dehistoricize shows up as an alive discourse, which is taking place – paradocsycally – now. As Jacques Derrida indicated, prefix de- may mean an appeal to genesis and not destruction (Magliola, 1984 :89) as is the case of art of dehistoricizing and the process of constructing history itself. „Art of dehistoricizing makes history alive, recalling ghosts of the pastâ€Å" (Kowalczyk, 2008). The basis of it is what is happenning now (art piece, exhibition) and the result of what happened are historical facts. This act of dehistoricizing art is a contrast to what dominated polish art scene in early nineties. Critical art was focusing on the study of entanglement entity, the experience of corporal punishment, on the problems of another, or the ubiquity of power in Michel Foucault’s understanding (Foucault, 2000). He is inscribing nature of history between freedom and control, whic... ...ybrid, mutant, bound intimately with life and death, with time and eternity, enveloped in a Mobius strip of the collective and the individual,...â€Å" (Nora, 1989:20). So I understand through this, that process of lieux de memoire, the fragments of history are assigned into the postmemory of the author and the viewer. As Ewa DomaÅ„ska is pointing into individual memory in collective memory of symbols, icons, cultural and historical toposes, which were replicated and preserved in the social conciousness, through it;s constant reproduction in encyclopedias, handbooks, newspapers, films, etc. Exactly through those icons, our society sees past, they are becoming memory markers, and where they are recalled through our memory they straight away relate to solid events (DomaÅ„ska, 2006). Thus Spiegelman’s father personal memories are no longer personal, they become collective.

Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 8

â€Å"Succubus.† Dante's laconic voice was the last thing I'd expected to hear when my phone rang the next day. I'd forgotten that I'd left him my number. My surprise quickly gave way to eagerness. Maybe he'd found something for me. No energy loss had occurred after the auction, but then, I hadn't taken a victim either. It wasn't much to go on, but that small pattern Dante had pointed out was still a place to start, and I hoped he'd have more to offer now. â€Å"Hey! What's up?† I sat down on the couch. I'd been getting ready to go out with Seth later, applying makeup the old-fashioned way in order to conserve shape-shifting energy. I'd need to cash in on my auction date sooner rather than later to get some power back. There was a pause from the other end of the line before Dante spoke again. â€Å"I've been thinking†¦I've been thinking we're going about all of this the wrong way.† Very unexpected. â€Å"Really?† â€Å"Yeah. I wasn't taking it seriously, so I understand why you were getting pissed off.† Hearing him admit how he'd been blowing my problems off wasn't exactly cheering, but I appreciated his honesty. â€Å"Well†¦it's okay. I'm just glad we can maybe figure something out now. I'm getting anxious.† â€Å"Me too.† More silence, then I heard him take a deep breath. â€Å"So, have you ever been to El Gaucho?† The reference to one of Seattle's downtown steakhouses was such a non sequitur that I couldn't respond for several seconds. When I did speak, it wasn't very articulate. â€Å"What?† â€Å"It's a restaurant. Down on First – â€Å" â€Å"Yeah, yeah. I know what it is. What's it have to do with the dreams?† â€Å"Dreams? What are you talking about?† â€Å"What are you – oh, Jesus Christ. Are you asking me out?† â€Å"Of course I am. What the fuck would El Gaucho have to do with those dreams?† I groaned. â€Å"I can't believe this. I actually thought you had something useful for me.† â€Å"I'm trying to be nice here! Look, the dreams are a lost cause, but we aren't. You were right when you said I was being sleazy and treating you like you were cheap. So give me a break! I'm trying to have sex with you the right way.† I found this even freakier than when Dante had suggested the place with the happy hour beer. â€Å"I don't want to have sex with you, okay? I want your help with my problems. And how many times do I have to tell you that I have a boyfriend?† â€Å"As many times as you want. I just don't buy that that's a real relationship. Particularly after you sold yourself for seventeen-hundred dollars last night.† â€Å"How do you know about that?† â€Å"It was in the paper.† â€Å"That date doesn't count.† â€Å"Can a date with me not count?† â€Å"No! For the last time, I have a boyfriend. I'm going out with him tonight.† â€Å"To El Gaucho?† I hung up. I was working my hair over with a curling iron later on when I heard knocking at my front door. Walking toward the living room, I felt immortal signatures on the other side. Fortunately, there was nothing musky or slimy here. These were familiar and welcome. Of course, they weren't exactly welcome tonight. â€Å"What are you guys doing here?† I asked, opening the door to admit Peter, Cody, and Hugh. My three stooges. The dwarves to my Snow White. â€Å"And why do you always show up when I'm about to go out?† Like always, they made themselves comfortable in my living room without any further invitation. Cody handed me a slip that had been stuck to the door from my building's office manager, saying I had a package. I made a mental note to pick it up the next time the office was open. â€Å"We're going over to that place that makes the unholy margaritas,† he said. â€Å"Thought we'd stop by and see if you wanted to go.† â€Å"And here you are, ungrateful and mean,† said Peter. He glanced around the living room. â€Å"I don't see a Christmas tree here.† Hugh was eyeing my red-silk robe. â€Å"You going out in that?† â€Å"Of course not. I'm just getting ready, that's all.† The three of them exchanged looks. â€Å"Is it business or Seth?† asked Hugh. â€Å"Seth.† â€Å"Damn it,† swore Peter. He pulled some crumpled money out of his pocket and handed it to Hugh. â€Å"You guys bet on my love life?† â€Å"Yeah,† said Hugh. â€Å"All the time. You should see the stakes we've got riding on when you and Seth are finally going to sleep together.† â€Å"Well, keep 'em riding, cowboy. It's not going to happen.† I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall near my TV. â€Å"Of course, Niphon's trying pretty hard to make it happen. Is he in on the bet?† â€Å"Not yet. What's he doing?† asked Cody. I told them about the offer Niphon had made for Seth's soul. To my surprise, they didn't share my shock and outrage. â€Å"I don't know,† said Hugh slowly. â€Å"I've kind of thought about that before.† I gaped. â€Å"Thought about what before? Buying Seth's soul?† â€Å"Sure. It's what I do, and hey, if it'd help you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Oh dear lord.† â€Å"But if you decide to do it,† said Hugh warningly, â€Å"come to me first. I can beat any offer Niphon makes.† â€Å"If you broker the deal, you're disqualified for the bet,† warned Peter. â€Å"Hey!† cried Hugh. â€Å"That's not right.† â€Å"Sure it is. You'd have an unfair advantage – â€Å" â€Å"Christ. Be quiet, all of you. I can't believe you guys are seriously talking about buying my boyfriend's – â€Å" A new signature swept through to us. A scent liked candied apples. Warm honey on the skin. â€Å"Tawny,† we all said in unison. I opened the door, and Tawny threw herself into my arms, bawling. I yelped and tried not to fall over. â€Å"Oh, Georgina,† she sobbed, mascara running in black rivers down her cheeks. â€Å"I'm never going to do it. Never ever ever.† I tried to pull out of her Amazonian embrace. â€Å"There, there,† I said weakly. â€Å"I'm sure you will.† Sniffling, she stepped away and ran a hand over her eyes, making the mascara situation even worse. â€Å"No, I can't. I've tried and tried†¦nothing works.† I glanced over at the guys. They were all looking at me expectantly, like I should be able to explain how one succubus couldn't get laid. I doubted anyone could, though. â€Å"Okay,† I said at last. â€Å"Calm down, and we'll get to the bottom of it. But first, pull yourself together. You're a mess.† â€Å"I can't,† she wailed. â€Å"You're thinking like a human,† I chastised. â€Å"You can shape-shift that makeup mess away.† â€Å"No,† she said more adamantly. â€Å"You don't understand. I can't.† I stared at her, puzzled, then I understood. It was nearly impossible to see, but a faint shimmer was fading in and out around her body. She was having trouble holding this form. Her energy was so low that she was losing her shape-shifting power. â€Å"Whoa,† I said. I'd never seen a succubus that bad. I'd been that low once, but it had been after engaging in a major battle of shape-shifting. Tears started welling up in her eyes again. â€Å"What's going to happen? What if I run out and – † On and on she went. I sighed. There is a moment in every girl's life when she must choose between the lesser of evils. When you're a succubus, those moments come quite often. And right now, I had to choose. I could risk Niphon never leaving town or I could kiss Tawny. Lesser of evils. Standing on my tiptoes, I pressed my lips to hers and cut off her babbling. Her lips tasted like bubble gum, probably from the lip gloss. It wasn't a big kiss or anything – barely any tongue – but it was enough. A surge of power poured out of me and into her. Breaking the kiss, I stepped away and looked at her. Her form had stabilized. Meanwhile, I was now down even more in my own energy, but nowhere near the low she'd just experienced. Her blue eyes widened to an impossible size. â€Å"How†¦what was that?† â€Å"A kiss,† I said dryly. â€Å"Something you've apparently got to learn about too.† Seeing her still-stunned look, I shook my head. â€Å"We're vessels for power and life, Tawny. Usually, it passes into our bodies, but sometimes it can be transferred out to other creatures. Succubi and incubi can share it with each other. What I just gave you should keep you going a little longer.† â€Å"I don't know,† said Cody suddenly. â€Å"I think you should give her some more, just to be safe.† Tawny touched her lips, like she could still feel my kiss. â€Å"Wow.† Her form shifted, and the mascara mess vanished. Her normal, eerily perfect face reappeared. I sat down on the arm of the couch, near Peter. â€Å"Okay. Now let's figure out how in the world this is even possible. What happened to Nick the auctioneer? You guys seemed pretty close last night.† â€Å"Well,† she mumbled, staring down at her feet. â€Å"That kind of fell apart.† â€Å"How could it fall apart? He was drooling all over you!† â€Å"Yeah, but he had to stay and close up there, so we couldn't go out last night. I left without him. Today, I called to set up a date, and he said he didn't want to. That he was cool just giving the money to charity and not to bother with anything else.† â€Å"He said that?† I asked incredulously. I eyed her suspiciously. â€Å"What did you say to him beforehand?† â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"Did you just call and ask him out right away?† â€Å"Well, no†¦we made small talk. Not that it did much good. He seemed kind of bored by the end.† Surprise, surprise. Tawny didn't strike me as the world's greatest conversationalist. I could only imagine what she must have babbled about to scare him off. â€Å"Okay,† I said, disappointed. Nick had seemed like a sure thing. â€Å"Maybe you shouldn't, like, talk to them. What about the strip club job? Did you follow up on that?† She jerked her head up and looked like she might cry again. â€Å"I tried! They said I wasn't qualified.† Even the guys couldn't stay out of this now. â€Å"How can you not qualify for a job as a stripper?† asked Cody. â€Å"Yeah, don't you just have to take off your clothes?† asked Hugh. â€Å"They said I couldn't dance,† she explained. We all stared. â€Å"Okay†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I wondered if maybe I should have read the mentor's handbook after all. â€Å"Let's see it.† â€Å"See what?† â€Å"You. Dancing.† Tawny looked around the room in terror. â€Å"Here?† she squeaked. â€Å"In front of all of you?† â€Å"If you can't take your clothes off in front of your friends,† said Peter, â€Å"who can you take them off in front of?† I elbowed him. â€Å"I can't,† she whispered. â€Å"Tawny,† I barked. My voice held the authority of a drill sergeant. She jumped. â€Å"I am not making out with you until the end of time. You want to do this, then you've got to work for it. Now, take off your clothes.† â€Å"Oh,† said Hugh. â€Å"I've waited ten years to hear you say that to another woman.† I found my stereo remote and turned it on. â€Å"Tainted Love† started playing. â€Å"I can't strip to the eighties!† â€Å"Tawny!† With a terrified look in my direction, she moved to the center of the living room. At first, she just kind of stood there, and then, slowly, she tried to step in time to the music. I say tried because she was so off the beat, it was astonishing. I don't think I could have been that out of sync if I'd tried. Finally, she gave up moving her feet at all and simply focused on her upper body, swaying her arms and torso slightly. It was the most awkward, uncomfortable spectacle I'd ever seen. At last, she decided she'd â€Å"danced† enough and began removing her clothing. She apparently couldn't multitask, however, and gave up all pretenses of moving to the music. Instead, she stood still and started unbuttoning her zebra-print blouse. Her fingers fumbled on the third button down, and it took her almost thirty seconds to unfasten it. â€Å"Stop, please stop,† I said, turning off the music. â€Å"Your goal is to take years off people's lives, but not like this.† â€Å"Was I bad?† she asked. â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"You were terrible.† She stuck her lower lip out in a pout. â€Å"Oh, come on,† said Cody, ever the kindly one in our group. â€Å"That's kind of mean.† â€Å"Hey, I'm supposed to be a teacher, not a friend.† â€Å"The School of Georgina is a harsh one,† intoned Peter solemnly. â€Å"It's not that easy,† Tawny said, looking at me accusingly. â€Å"If you really are my teacher, then show me how to do it.† Four faces watched me expectantly. I started to protest, then remembered that helping Tawny meant Niphon would leave Seattle that much faster. Getting up off the couch arm, I took her place in the center of the room. â€Å"Okay, first off, you're missing two things. One, listen to the music and move with it. There's a beat. Find it. Move your feet and your body – your whole body – to it. Become part of it.† Tawny's blank look told me I was getting too esoteric for her. â€Å"Then, when it comes time to take off your clothes, remember that you're not doing it to be practical. You're doing it for someone else. Make it dramatic. Make it artful.† I turned the stereo on and clicked to the next track on my mix CD. It was â€Å"Iron Man.† â€Å"Hey!† Tawny said. â€Å"How come you get metal?† â€Å"Not even you can strip to Ozzy,† scoffed Hugh. I gave him a sidelong glance. â€Å"I can strip to anything, baby.† I started moving. For me, there was no thought required at all. I'd been a dancer since my mortal days. I loved it. There was no music. There was no me. We were the same being. My body flowed to its melody and rhythm, every one of my movements graceful and sensual. I didn't even pay attention to my friends. I just let myself get lost in the dance. I didn't have much on to begin with. I had panties and a bra underneath the robe, but I intended to leave them on. I was close to my friends but not that close. But, I made the most out of taking off the robe, letting my hands slide over my silk-covered body. I slowly untied the sash, drawing the experience out, and finally let it slip to the floor. I took my heels off with equal deliberateness. Literally never missing a beat, I told Tawny, â€Å"When you've got this down, we'll move onto lap dances.† I moved over to where Hugh sat on the loveseat and positioned my legs so that I straddled him while barely touching him. A stripper's art. I ran my fingers through my hair, my body still rippling like a ribbon. â€Å"Hey, big spender,† I said. He looked appreciative but more amused than anything else. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a one dollar bill. â€Å"Hugh,† I said. â€Å"Don't insult me.† With a sigh, he produced a five and tucked it underneath my bra strap. â€Å"Hey, Seth,† Cody suddenly said. I looked up and saw Seth standing in the doorway. When Tawny had come barreling through, I'd left the door ajar. A look of comic bemusement was on his face. â€Å"Hey,† he said, studying me. â€Å"So†¦you're paying for dinner?† I crawled off Hugh's lap and pulled the five out of my strap. â€Å"Only if you want to go to Taco Bell.† Cody handed me a twenty. â€Å"Make it a Red Lobster.† My friends got up and moved toward the door, and I assured a distraught Tawny that I'd think of something to help her. Giving up any more attempts at manually getting ready, I shape-shifted into jeans, low boots, and another cashmere sweater. A three-quarter-length gray wool coat covered it all. I grinned at Seth, who was shaking his head ruefully. Compared to the other things he knew I did, an impromptu striptease was pretty low-key. â€Å"And you thought I didn't earn my keep.† â€Å"No comment,† he said, taking hold of my hand.

The Conflict Between The Middle East And Christianity

The world now is facing a set of significant problems. I believe that there are three main International threats to global stability, the rapid rise of extremism, international disputes over territories, and corruption. Solutions to these issues facing humankind are compulsory to avoid some expected consequence. No more than two years ago people thought of Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda organisation if we mentioned the nightmare, extremism. Instead, nowadays the new forces of evil would be the ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. ISIS originates from Al-Qaeda in Iraq. I think that the occur of ISIS is under expectation. It has been a long history of the religion conflict between the Islamism in the middle east and†¦show more content†¦Firstly, here are some ambitious events showing that ISIS is threatening the world security and order. On November 13th, 2015, the Islamic State killed more than 100 people at several locations in Paris. On October 31st, 2015, 224 people died when a Russian jetliner crashes after leaving Egypt s Sinai Peninsula, and ISIS claimed their responsibility. On March 20th, 2015, 137 death were caused by suicide bombers attack two mosques in Yemen. Except the casualty, their violence behaviours also aroused fear and chaos across the world . As a result, these terror attacks had changed the way of our lives. According to Hedley Bull (1995), one of the most fundamental goals of the anarchical society is upholding the independence of member states, maintaining peace, and helping to secure the normative foundations of all social life, which includes the limitation of violence (Jackson, 2013). To save the world basic human values, security, order and justice, those countries in power must weaken if not topple these dangerous radicals from their pedestals. The United States need to start a legal battle as the state is supposed to ensure the value of security and protect their citizens. Other than that, another solution for the extremism is to wait until either the world vital energy is not petrol oil anymore, or the oil resources in the middle east run out. However, it will probably take a long time for this solution. If the United Nation is not able to get rid of the extremism in a