The Judgment of leaders Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Judgment of pioneers - Assignment Example Both the interior and outside cultural settings likewise assumes a significant job where associations strikingly the corporate world and common administration are progressively divided, and recognizing ambiguous and this has come about into adjustment and change in different ordinary ideas as to followership and initiative. The key explicit regular variables incorporate the ascent of authoritative emergency, moral issues, social issues, inspiration impacts and corporate embarrassments. These elements have made anxiety, initiative wanted and insufficiencies and accentuation on the inquiry of importance. Consequently the handy difficulties basic authority as a business and social practice has evoked different point of view of judgment from the devotees. These regular points of view are quite fixated on the supporters along these lines taking individual focused in this way the basic judgment depend on generalizing and gallant initiative. Subsequently the critical impact of the adherents is unidirectional spilling out of the pioneers to their supporters speaking to explicit viewpoint which remakes the various leveled subject-object relations. The pioneer supporter relationship speaks to broadly the collaborations and components between the free people. Followership and its critical on the initiative are significant on the grounds that the last can't exist without the other. In this way it is imperative to decide the pioneer driven concentration and how the supporters judge and understanding relationship of authority and its dynamic association. The main concern on how supporters judge pioneers is the way administration is shared and the leader’s judgment on their devotees. Pioneer Follower centrality Relational characteristics joining initiative followership eminently have huge impact on Followership judgment on their pioneers. This starts with the authority discernment to their relative adherents and to himself. This structures the establishment where the a dherents judge the pioneers in light of the fact that the self other observation impacts incredibly the supporters discernment. Strikingly with respect to this are the follower’s decisions that favor leaders’ force and authority over them. This is basic where the devotees show predominant theme and for this situation the adherents look agreeable and can be handily controlled even at the extraordinary closures (Oddenino, 2003). In associations and corporate world subordinates inside predominance theme feel mishandled however they can't do anything. The administrators and CEOs state that initiative is when agony caused is exhibited for viability to be accomplished. The subordinates inside strength theme judge their chiefs and administrators with the supposition of shared reliance thought in their associations just as the estimation of keeping up close to home poise (Weibler, 2011). The subordinates are cowed in their decisions in this way heads are probably going to get denied of precise and genuineness data. This fills self-ingestion and self-double dealing bringing about the fall of discretionary force. Oblivious obedience According to Ladkin (2010) in his investigation on hierarchical initiative gives that Groupthink is received by most supporters in making a decision about their pioneers. This is the place there understanding and agreement is far much significant than the arrangement, for this situation devotees embrace conceivable elective strategies in their decisions (Ladkin, 2010). This is regular in associations and

6 Tips for Negotiating the Salary You Want

6 Tips for Negotiating the Salary You Want You’ve found a new line of work offer. Smaller than expected wave in festivity of you! Aside from don’t compose your â€Å"I quit† email to your present supervisor right now. There’s still another progression before your new position is legitimate: the pay exchange. In your offer letter (or email, or call), there was likely a compensation sum in there some place. Recollect what we for the most part inform you regarding the meeting procedure? That you should hold off on examining cash and advantages until some other time all the while? All things considered, old buddy, that time is presently. Here are a few hints you can use to augment that procedure, and attempt to enhance an underlying offer.1. Be realistic.Know the market rate for your position. In the event that you didn’t do this before your meeting, do it currently (much obliged, Google!). You can check locales like Payscale.com and Salary.com to perceive what data is out there for individuals in your new situation, at your new organization, or potentially at different organizations. This will assist you with shaping a benchmark of what you can sensibly anticipate. You can go after higher, however on the off chance that you do that, ensure it’s on a similar scale. Without a doubt, you can try to achieve the impossible, however in the event that you request $500K and a marking reward Ferrari for work that midpoints $60K and may offer a Uber rebate, well†¦you will be snickered at, (best case scenario), or have your offer repealed (at worst).2. It’s alright to haggle†¦These days, managers expect there to be a touch of arrangement. Of course, a few people are so appreciative for the proposition for employment that they leave all necessary signatures, no inquiries posed. Be that as it may, it’s likewise normal for workers to pursue a more significant pay. It’s not close to home; the business comprehends that you’re simply attempting to get the most ideal result for yourself. When you get the underlying offer, react charitably with a thank you, and ensure you’re clear that you’d like some an opportunity to think about your compensation and benefits.3†¦but be nice.This is a discourse with your new manager, not an enemy. You need the tone to be as charming and commonly advantageous as conceivable in light of the fact that soon you will have a faculty document with them. Be affable in the entirety of your correspondence with them-and don’t let them overlook how high a need you put on being a solid match with their team.4. Don’t overlook benefits.Salary might be the most significant piece of a new position offer/acknowledgment, however it’s not by any means the only significant thing. Investigate the advantages bundle that joins the compensation. It very well may be a significant fallback arrangement on the off chance that they truly won’t squirm much on the compensati on itself. Would you be able to get extra get-away/individual days? Would you be able to include adaptable work-from-home time? The exchange ought to be viewed as a bundle arrangement, with less unmistakable advantages remembered for the primary concern as well.5. Have your ideas prepared to go.Salary exchange may follow rapidly after the bid for employment. When it begins, you don’t need to stall excessively. You ought to have the entirety of your data all set so you can keep the to and fro going throughout the following hardly any days.Chances are, you’re like all of us and not a tip top competitor whose agreement adventure can happen for a considerable length of time at once with the team’s front office. It’s to your greatest advantage and the company’s-to determine this as fast as conceivable to kick you off in your new job. To help keep things moving, ensure you have your selling focuses (Experience! Market rates for this position! A huge numb er of dollars in deals for your last organization!) all arranged in your mind (or far and away superior, in your note pad) with the goal that you can react rapidly and effectively.6. Realize when to overlap ‘em.There might be a point in the arrangement where the offered compensation just won’t work for you, and the organization is done ready to go higher. You should know early what your â€Å"no go† point is, and choose whether you despite everything need to push ahead with the activity at that not exactly perfect offer. On the off chance that you don’t, at that point it’s alright to leave the extend and return into the employment opportunity search process. On the off chance that you choose to feel free to acknowledge, in any event you realize that you’ve done all that you can do to gather up any cash left on the table.Throughout the procedure, regardless of whether you’re not getting the perfect compensation you have in your mind, do n’t get disheartened. You’ll have openings later to haggle for raises. Meanwhile, go out there, be certain, and get those bucks!

144 Genres and Subgenres for Fiction Writing

144 Genres and Subgenres for Fiction Writing From fantasy to westernâ€"and everything in betweenâ€"we cover the major genres and subgenres available to readers today. We also included a few links to books within that subgenre if you find one that catches your interest in particular. Happy reading!FantasyHorrorMysteryRomanceScience FictionThriller and SuspenseWesternFantasyPhoto by Artem Sapegin on UnsplashAlternate HistoryThis subgenre of fantasy offers a fictional account set within a real historical period, often with actual historical events included although rewritten to include some element of magic or fantasy. There are often what if scenarios that occur at important points in history and present outcomes that are different than whats on the historical record. Literary Examples: Jonathan Strange Mr Norrell, Wild Cards I, His Majestys DragonChildrens StoryThis subgenre of fantasy often offers a child protagonist who faces a struggle or possesses some unique ability. There are often mythical/fantastical creatures who both help and hinder the young protagonist. In these stories, which are intended for an audience that is not yet classified as Young Adult (YA), the themes are often life lessons such as overcoming adversity, working with others, finding allies, learning from your elders, or facing ones fear. Literary Examples: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, A Wrinkle in Time, The Phantom TollboothComedyThese stories are humorous and often set in fantasy worlds, and might include parodies of other more serious works. It is considered part of low fantasy (as opposed to high fantasy) but not all low fantasy is comedic in nature. Literary Examples: The Princess Bride, Small Gods, The Tough Guide to FantasylandContemporaryThis subgenre of fantasy is a fantasy story in a modern-day setting (or one that resembles contemporary times). It often contains magic but it is not obvious, or perhaps able to be explained logically. There is often an intersect between the real world and the fantastical one that in cludes magic or characters with paranormal abilities. Literary Examples: American Gods, Hounded, The Raven BoysDark FantasyThis subgenre is the darker side of fantasy, with added elements of horror, mystery, and/or an overall feeling of dread or gloom. A common element is supernatural occurrences with a dark and brooding tone. It is often contemporary Fantasy, with the major difference being horror elements included. Literary Examples: The Sandman: Book of Dreams, Gardens of the Moon, The Blade ItselfFairy TaleThis subgenre of fantasy is for stories told like fairy tales for adults or that are modern retellings of classic fairy tales. There is heavy use of motifs from fairy tale stories, particularly tropes from Grimms fairy tales. Literary Examples: Uprooted, Cinder, Ella EnchantedFantasy of MannersThis subgenre contains stories that rely heavily on the Comedy of Manners, which focuses on social commentary. Often taking place in an urban setting, this type of story will contain ver y little magic or fantastical creatures. Rather, it will focus on morality and social structures, particularly for women, sacrificing an elaborate plot in some cases to do so. Literary Examples: Shades of Milk and Honey, The Tropic of Serpents: A Memoir by Lady Trent, An Alchemy of Masques and MirrorsHeroicThis subgenre of fantasy contains heroic adventures in imaginary places. You will often find intricate plots and lineages in this subgenre, along with a protagonist who is often reluctant to be a champion and from humble beginnings. Literary Examples: The Legend of Deathwalker, The Crimson Queen, The Wolf of the NorthHigh FantasyThis subgenre contains fantasy set in a fictional world, with a focus on epic characters or settings. The distinction between high fantasy and low fantasy involves the world in which it takes place (the real world with magical elements for low fantasy). Literary Examples: The Fellowship of the Ring, A Game of Thrones, Crown of MidnightHistoricalFantasy set in a historical period, generally before the 20th century, with an added element of magic. Fantasy stories from legends focusing on Arthurian, Celtic, or Dark Ages historical timelines generally fall within this subgenre. Literary Examples: On Stranger Tides, Grave Mercy, The Golem and the JinniLow FantasyA subgenre of fantasy depicting a realistic world, where magic is often present but not necessarily so. This is in contrast to High Fantasy, which occurs in a fictional world with magical elements present. The word low is in reference to the prominence of traditional fantasy elements within the work, rather than being a remark on the works quality. Literary Examples: The Indian in the Cupboard, Lies Ripped Open, Tigers DreamMagical RealismThis subgenre presents a world in which the mundane and magical exist together without conflict. It refers to magic or the supernatural that is presented in an otherwise real-world or mundane setting. Literary Examples: One Hundred Years of Solit ude, The House of the Spirits, The Night CircusMythicThis subgenre of fantasy draws heavily from myth to create a unique blend of fantasy and folklore. It often includes gods or goddesses as characters or could be a retelling of older myths set in a fantasy world or the real world. Mythic fantasy and urban fantasy often overlap, but Mythic fantasy includes many contemporary works in non-urban settings. Literary Examples: The Lightning Thief, The Mists of Avalon, The Sacred BandSuperheroThis subgenre includes characters who have superhuman abilities. Characteristics tropes are secret identities and crime fighting. The protagonist often displays superhuman strength or special abilities, creating a juxtaposition between normal humans and those with superhuman traits. Literary Examples: Steelheart, Renegades, VengefulSword and SorceryThis subgenre contains medieval-type adventures, with an element of romance that is often part of the story. Youre also likely to find magical characters o r supernatural factors involved in the plot. Common tropes are sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent adventures, along with elements of magic and the supernatural. Distinct from high fantasy, Sword and Sorcery tales focus mainly on personal battles rather than world-endangering matters. Literary Examples: The Hour of the Dragon, Reign of Madness, The Disappearance of Winters DaughterUrbanThis subgenre of fantasy involves magical elements that take place in an urban setting. Books in the subgenre of Urban Fantasy are set primarily in the real world and contain aspects of fantasy, such as the discovery of earthbound mythological creatures, coexistence or conflict between humans and paranormal beings, and other changes to city life. Settings are not necessarily futuristicâ€"they could also be historical settings, actual or imagined. Literary Examples: Moon Called, City of Bones, Vampire AcademyYoung AdultIn this subgenre of fantasy, a teenager is often the protagonist. There is usually magic involved, as well as companions to help the protagonist defeat a magical foe. Common tropes are dramatic character growth, magic elements, and unexpected interactions between magical elements and the real world that influence the protagonist to become an adult. Literary Examples: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, Six of Crows, The Wicked KingHorrorPhoto by oldskool photography on UnsplashBody HorrorThis subgenre of horror focuses on graphic, disturbing violations to the human body, including disfigurement and mutation. There are often themes of biological horror, organic horror or visceral horror in which there is unnatural graphic transformation, degeneration or destruction of the physical body. Literary Examples: Annihilation, The Girl With All the Gifts, The TroopComedyA subgenre that is a spoof or satire based on the typical conventions of horror. In such, it mixes horror/gore with dark humor. Comedy Horror is typically categorized into three types: bl ack comedy, parody, and spoof. Literary Examples: John Dies at the End, Bloodsucking Fiends, Pride and Prejudice and ZombiesCreepy KidsA subgenre where the children are often under the spell of evil or are born inherently evil, and turn against the adults in the story. They then become the antagonist of the story and often must be stopped by other children or adults in order for lives to be saved. Literary Examples: The Other, The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea, Such Small HandsExtreme HorrorA subgenre showing extreme and bloody violence, while focusing on gore and death. Also known as hardcore horror or splatterpunk, this genre contains stories that are the most violent, goriest, scariest ones on the market. Gore is highly detailed and nothing is left to the imagination of the reader. Literary Examples: The Angel of Vengeance: An Extreme Horror Novel, Teratologist, The Girl Next DoorGothicGothic horror is a subgenre involving mystery, castle ruins, the fall of the aristocr acy, spirits/hauntings, and madness. The varying locations in the house tend to be symbolic of the mental and emotional facets of its occupants. It often combines horror, death, and romance in the same tale. Literary Examples: Dracula, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wuthering HeightsHauntingsA subgenre within horror in which ghosts or demons haunt a particular house or another setting, such as the woods or near an ancient burial ground. The focus is often on righting some wrong that was committed in order to set the spirits free. Literary Examples: The Woman in Black, Ghost Story, The Haunting of Hill HouseHistoricalA story that takes place in a historical setting that includes elements of horror. These stories are often based on real-life events or historical eras, sometimes including fictional retellings of real historical figures or atrocities that occurred. The protagonist offers an alternative point of view to known history. Literary Examples: Twelve, The Terror, The Edinburgh Dea dLovecraftianA subgenre in which it is assumed aliens or otherworldly beings originally ruled our planet and will someday return to destroy all of humanity. It is fiction that emphasizes the cosmic horror of the unknown (or unknowable) more than gore or other elements of shock, and is named after American author H. P. Lovecraft (1890â€"1937), who was one of the first authors to explore the genre. Literary Examples: A Study in Emerald, Sherlock Holmes and the Shadwell Shadows, The Rhesus ChartMan-MadeA subgenre of horror in which man-made creations become a source of terror. In these stories, youll often find apocalyptic wastelands and mad scientists, with common tropes like terrible disease, rampant pollution, and mutated animals. Literary Examples: Feed, The Shrinking Man, Swan SongMonstersA subgenre in which non-human creatures hunt, kill and otherwise prey on humans. These creatures could come in the form of classic monsters/ mythological monsters, neo-monsters, small creatures, aliens, giant monsters, werewolves, vampires, or zombies. Literary Examples: The Mongrel, The Sorrows, Little Black SpotsMythicA subgenre in which ancient mythology and folklore play a large role in the story, particularly the darker, terrifying elements of it. One way in which mythic horror is distinguished from fantasy is that mythic horror often takes place in the human world as opposed to a fantastical realm. Literary Examples: The Selkie, The Djinn, The Queen of the DamnedOccultA subgenre of horror involving witchcraft, wizardry, esoteric brotherhoods, and communication with spirits. Other common themes and tropes are spiritualism, psychic phenomena, Voodoo, and characters who have mysterious or secret knowledge and power supposedly attainable only through magical or supernatural means. Literary Examples: A Discovery of Witches, The Mark, The Witches of New YorkPsychic AbilitiesA subgenre in which humans have psychic abilities. These could include reading minds, speaking with t he dead, seeing the past or future, or being able to move objects telepathically. This subgenre is often referred to as paranormal horror and shares crossover tropes with science fiction. However, in science fiction, these psychic abilities are generally explored in ways that are good, while in psychic abilities horror, psychic powers are a source of terror. Literary Examples: Carrie, A Stir of Echoes, HornsPsychologicalIn this subgenre, the characters mind becomes his or her own undoing, such as a serial killer. These stories often involve human fears, mental instability, and emotional insecurities. Psychological horror is often similar to supernatural and haunting subgenres, because the protagonist may be confusing the horrors plaguing their mind with something supernatural. You will often encounter an unreliable narrator in this genre. Literary Examples: American Psycho, Haunted, Diary Of A MadmanQuiet HorrorThis subgenre of horror offers a subtler form of fear, rather than expli cit gore or violence. Also known as soft horror, quiet horror most often contains a creeping sense of dread in which much of the violence is left to the readers imagination. Much of the horror presented is cerebral instead of gory. Literary Examples: The Yellow Wallpaper, The Hour of the Oxrun Dead, The NamelessYoung AdultA subgenre that does not have excessive gore and usually has a teenager protagonist. It could involve monsters, violent deaths, disturbing creatures, or slight gore. There are often coming-of-age issues present, such as autonomy from adults, friendships, young romance/sexuality, and rebellion. Literary Examples: Anna Dressed in Blood, Asylum, Rot RuinMysteryPhoto by Mari Lezhava on UnsplashAmateur SleuthThis subgenre usually involves a non-law enforcement character without ties to a detective or sleuthing agency who tries to solve a crime that has been committed against someone close to him or her. It is a subgenre of cozy mystery. Literary Examples: A Willing Mur der, Small Town Spin, Prose and ConsBumbling DetectiveA subgenre in which a character makes a lot of mistakes in solving a mystery, but manages to solve it anyway. There is usually a lot of comedy involved in the process and the protagonist misses important clues, making the process of solving the crime more difficult than it should be. Often, the plot is intricate. Literary Examples: The Spellman Files: Document #1, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: A Flavia de Luce Mystery, Heat WaveCaperA subgenre in which the protagonist(s) perpetrate the crime(s). There is usually humor and cleverness involved, along with a sense of adventure. The typical caper story involves thefts, swindles, or kidnappings perpetrated by the main characters and seen by the reader. The police investigation attempting to prevent or solve the crimes may also be chronicled, but it is not the primary focus of the story. Literary Examples: The Lies of Locke Lamora, Heist Society, The Hot RockChild in PerilA s ubgenre of mystery in which a child is kidnapped or disappears. Often, it is the childs parents (or other guardians) who come to the childs rescue. There is often great focus on the parents anguish and loss as they play a role in finding their child. While there may be violence, it is rarely seen or very understated if toward the child. Literary Examples: Home, The Couple Next Door, The Boy in the SuitcaseChildrens StoryA subgenre of mystery intended for a young audience who are not yet classified as young adult (typically 6 â€" 12 years old). There is usually a child protagonist who solves a mystery, often with the help of his/her friends. Violence is minimal if it exists at all, and there are often life lessons learned. Literary Examples: Three Times Lucky, The Secret of the Old Clock: Nancy Drew #1, The Westing GameCozyA subgenre often containing a bloodless crime and a victim that the audience has not developed empathy towards. The detective is almost always amateur, while sex a nd violence are downplayed. Often, the crime takes place in a small community where everyone knows each other. Literary Examples: The Golden Tresses of the Dead, Crewel and Unusual, Death by CommitteeCulinaryA subgenre in which a professional chef is involved, usually as the protagonist. Murder and/or other elements of crime are often combined with food and recipes. Common settings or themes include bakery/dessert, barbeque, chef, coffee/tea, cooking class, farm/orchard, cheese, chocolate, food clubs/critics, organic food, pizza, restaurants, and wine/vineyards. Literary Examples: Catering to Nobody, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, Prime CutDoctor DetectiveA subgenre of mystery in which a physician plays the role of a detective to solve a murder or crime. In these stories, physicians apply their own specialized scientific knowledge to solve crimes that cannot otherwise be solved by police officers or detectives. Literary Examples: Diagnosis Murder: The Dead Letter, The Doctor Digs a G rave, Blood DancingFurry SleuthA subgenre in which a dog or cat investigates a crime. It is most often told from the animals point of view, depicting them as fully intelligent and able to communicate with each other. Most books that qualify as furry sleuth mysteries are subgenres of cozy mysteries in their tone. Literary Examples: Tail Gait, Downton Tabby, The Bark Before ChristmasHandicappedA subgenre in which the detective has some handicap that helps him/her solve a crime. For example, he or she might be blind, deaf, or unable to walk, but the handicap helps the main character see things from a different perspective in order to solve the mystery. Literary Examples: The Question of the Dead Mistress, For Whom the Minivan Rolls, The Question of the Felonious FriendHard-boiledA subgenre of mystery that usually contains overtly graphic violence and sex, and is often set in an urban setting that is gritty. Slang is often used and credit for the invention of the genre is often given to Dashiell Hammett (1894â€"1961), a former contributor to pulp magazines. Literary Examples: The Big Sleep, The Maltese Falcon, The Black DahliaHistoricalIn this subgenre, the detective is in a historical setting and must solve a crime there. Many authors of historical mysteries focus on particular eras or periods, such as Elizabethan England or Ancient China. Literary Examples: The Lost Girls of Paris, The Paragon Hotel, The Golden Tresses of the DeadHowdunitThis subgenre of mystery leaves no doubt who the perpetrator is. Rather, the story revolves around how the criminal is caught. These novels begin with the reader witnessing the murder, thus the plot revolves around how the perpetrator will be caught. Literary Examples: The Demolished Man, The Crossing, A Kiss Before DyingLegalA subgenre of mystery in which the protagonist is usually an attorney who solves the case on his/her own, while the police are unable to do so or are corrupt. The protagonists life is often at peril, as is the lives of his significant others or family. This subgenre also includes courtroom dramas. Literary Examples: The Runaway Jury, The Lincoln Lawyer, The Gods of GuiltLocked RoomAlso known as puzzle mysteries, this is a subgenre of mystery in which a crime is committed in a location that seems impossible to enter/exit without being noticed. The protagonist must use careful observation and extraordinary logic to solve the mystery. Edgar Allen Poe is considered to be the first writer in this subgenre with his 1841 short story The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Literary Examples: And Then There Were None, The Sign of Four, The Mystery of the Yellow RoomParanormalOften overlapping with fantasy, these stories contain traditional mystery tropes, with a strange crime or murder. However, a ghost or otherwise supernatural being is responsible for a crime. They are often part of the cozy mystery subgenre, without extensive gore or violence. Literary Examples: Final Shadows, Secondhand Spirits: A Witchcraft Mystery, Better Read Than DeadPolice ProceduralA subgenre of mystery in which police detectives (or a detective and team of technicians) catch a criminal. The point of view in this type of subgenre often switches back and forth between that of the detective(s) and that of the criminal(s). Serial killer mysteries are often included in this subgenre, as are forensic mysteries. Literary Examples: The Black Echo, Rules of Prey, Faceless KillersPrivate DetectiveA subgenre in which a private investigatorâ€"whether professional or amateurâ€"solves a crime or locates a missing person. This subgenre began around the same time as speculative fiction in the mid-nineteenth century and has remained extremely popular for mystery novels as a genre. Literary Examples: Career of Evil, G Is for Gumshoe, Maisie DobbsThird WorldWhile typically heavy on characterization, this subgenre of mystery shows a unique, foreign culture with culturally diverse characters. These stories can range from c ozy to hard-boiled, where the clues and action stem from the differences in the cultures. Literary Examples: Murder in Mesopotamia: A Hercule Poirot Mystery, The Perfect Murder, The Gigolo MurderWhodunitA subgenre in which the perpetrator of the crime or murder is discovered at the end to be one of the least likely characters. These stories are often complex and plot driven, allowing the audience the opportunity to engage in the same process of deduction as the protagonist throughout the investigation of a crime. Literary Examples: The Sentence is Death, Dead Girl Running, The CabinWoman in PerilA subgenre of mystery in which a woman is kidnapped (or in some other kind of trouble) and needs to be saved. A newer, feminist, and more modern take on this subgenre is a story that involves a woman being kidnapped (or becoming the victim of a crime) and saving herself through her own wit and action. Literary Examples: The Shining Girls, Kiss the Girls, RoomYoung AdultA subgenre in which a teenager is the protagonist and solves a crime or murder. Adults in these stories are generally unable to be of much help, corrupt, or ignore the help offered by the protagonist. There are often coming of age themes and violence is sometimes downplayed. Literary Examples: One of Us Is Lying, Pretty Little Liars, A Study in CharlotteRomancePhoto by freestocks.org on UnsplashBillionairesSteadily growing in popularity, this is a subgenre of romance focusing on a relationship with a wealthy and/or powerful lover. There is often an aspect of being a Cinderella story, and the woman is often of a lower socioeconomic class than the man.Writing Prompts: BillionairesLiterary Examples: Fifty Shades of Grey, The Marriage Bargain, Bared to YouComedyA subgenre of romance in which laughter and fun helps the couple overcome all emotional obstacles to finding love. There is often the theme of strangers who are perfect for each other finding love, or childhood sweethearts coming back together after h eartbreak and loss.Writing Prompts: ComedyLiterary Examples: Wallbanger, Can You Keep a Secret?, PerfectionContemporaryIn this subgenre, the story takes place in the present (post 1950) and is focused on complex plots and realistic situations of the time. For example, women in the contemporary romances written prior to 1970 usually quit working when they married or had children, while the female protagonists of contemporary novels written after 1970 usually maintain their career after marriage and children.Writing Prompts: ContemporaryLiterary Examples: We Shouldnt, Unmarriageable, Faking ItFantasy RomanceA subgenre in which the relationship between lovers occurs in a fantasy world that contains magic (and/or magic creatures). There is often adventure that occurs and common tropes such as time travel or superhuman abilities.Writing Prompts: Fantasy RomanceLiterary Examples: Sin Magic, White Stag, NightchaserGothicA subgenre of romance set in an old house or castle that is haunted, with some light horror/mystery elements present. Common tropes are family secrets, insanity, incest, and secrets hidden within the home. There is also often a woman in peril theme that is prevalent in this subgenre.Writing Prompts: GothicLiterary Examples: House of Shadows, Nocturne for a Widow, Mist of MidnightHistoricalA subgenre set before 1950 with realistic situations occurring between lovers (based on the time period). Many stories in this subgenre are set amongst real historical events, offering a parallel viewpoint to famous historical characters from the past. Common tropes are relationships across socioeconomic statuses and within feuding families. This subgenre has also been known as bodice rippers, famed for the female protagonists wearing corsets.Writing Prompts: HistoricalLiterary Examples: The Parisians, Duchess By Deception, Tempt Me with DiamondsHolidaysA subgenre of romance in which lovers meet or unite during the Christmas or Hanukkah season. Common tropes are fam ily, restoring past heartache, and returning to holiday tradition, as it was experienced in childhood.Writing Prompts: HolidaysLiterary Examples: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor, Unwrapping Her Perfect Match: A London Legends Christmas Romance, Baby, Its Cold OutsideInspirationalA subgenre of romance in which a religious or spiritual connection is an important part of a relationship. In these novels, there is a spiritual journey that the characters take that is an inherent part of their connection and romance. They can be set in any context or belief system.Writing Prompts: InspirationalLiterary Examples: What the Wind Knows, LASS: A Friends to Lovers Standalone Romance, Down a Country RoadMilitaryA subgenre of romance featuring military personnel. These novels usually include some action and/or suspense, and the hero or heroine (or both) are active duty or former military personnel. The subgenre also includes stories that are set on military bases or vessels.Writing Prompts: Militar yLiterary Examples: The Darkest Hour, The Unsung Hero, Whispers in the DarkParanormalIn this subgenre of romance, there is often a relationship with a supernatural being, such as a vampire, werewolf, demon, shapeshifter, angel, ghost, witch or other entity. This subgenre can also include settings that are science fiction or fantasy, or any world with extraordinary elements that are magical.Writing Prompts: ParanormalLiterary Examples: Summoned to Thirteenth Grave, Vengeance Road, Alphas Secret: A Bear Shifter MMA RomanceRegencyA subgenre set during the period of the British Regency (1811â€"1820) or early 19th century. They have their own unique plot and stylistic conventions, such as much intelligent, fast-paced dialogue between the protagonists without explicit sex. The plots often involve social activities such as carriage rides, morning calls, dinner parties, plays, operas, and balls, and marriages of convenience is a common trope.Writing Prompts: RegencyLiterary Examples: Not th e Dukes Darling, Beauty and the Baron: A Regency Fairy Tale Retelling, Ten Kisses to ScandalRomantic SuspenseA subgenre involving suspense or mystery elements that add to the romantic plot. While the focus of these stories is on the romance itself, they contain common tropes to mystery novels such as stalkers, crimes to be solved, kidnapping, or even murder.Writing Prompts: Romantic SuspenseLiterary Examples: A Merciful Fate, Moonlight Scandals: A de Vincent Novel, You Will SufferScience Fiction RomanceA subgenre that is set in the future and often involves aliens. In many cases, there is a romantic relationship between humans and aliens. There are also common tropes that are shared with science fiction, such as technological innovation, space exploration, and living on other planets/worlds.Writing Prompts: Science Fiction RomanceLiterary Examples: Nightchaser, Angies Gladiator: A SciFi Alien Romance, Rising From the DepthsSportsA subgenre of romance in which one or both of the love rs is involved with sports, such as a football player or race car driver. Much of the romantic interaction takes place during practicing or performing this sport, and there are often elements of action combined with romance.Writing Prompts: SportsLiterary Examples: Ruthless King, Overnight Sensation, Fired UpTime TravelA subgenre of romance in which a character travels through time to encounter his or her love interest. A recurring theme in this subgenre is the conflict of falling in love and making the decision to stay in the alternate time or return to the time the protagonist came from. Some time travel romance settings are set in present day, and the character travels to the past. In others, the character travels to the future.Writing Prompts: Time TravelLiterary Examples: Outlander, The Time Travelers Wife, A Knight in Shining ArmorWestern RomanceA subgenre of romance set in the Wild West (or West, if contemporary) and often with a cowboy/cowgirl as a main character. This subge nre contains both historical western romance and contemporary western romance novels. Historical western romance contains common tropes such as a wagon train journey, a bank robbery, a land war, a cattle drive, a saloon brawl, or a gunfight. Contemporary western romance novels are generally set near small towns with ranches, ranges, rodeos, and honky-tonks, and the protagonist rides a truck (in addition to a horse).Writing Prompts: Western RomanceLiterary Examples: The Texans Wager, Comanche Moon, Texas GloryYoung AdultA subgenre focusing on young adult or adolescent love interests. A common theme is the exploration of sexuality and the obstacles of young love, such as family/socioeconomic class pressure, academic pursuits, and/or competition. There is also a broad spectrum of relationship types in these novels, such as LGBTQ relationships.Writing Prompts: Young AdultLiterary Examples: King of Scars, Be The Girl, Even if I FallScience FictionPhoto by Filip Casey Horner on UnsplashAl iensA subgenre of science fiction in which extraterrestrial beings are encountered by humans. These encounters can range from romantic to traumatic, and common themes are communication, fear of the other, intergalactic war, and a greater sense of ones place in the universe.Writing Prompts: AliensLiterary Examples: Galactic Pot-Healer, Foreigner: 10th Anniversary Edition, The MountAlternate HistoryIn this subgenre of science fiction, the world as we know it is different due to alternate events taking place in history. There is often what if scenarios that occur at important points in history and present outcomes that are different than whats on historical record.Writing Prompts: Alternate HistoryLiterary Examples: The Man in the High Castle, 11/22/63, The Red GardenAlternate/Parallel UniverseA subgenre in which there is another reality co-existing with the present reality. These stories are typically about traveling to parallel worlds or universes that are either vastly different fro m our own, or very recognizable. There is a connection with this subgenre and the time travel subgenre, as well.Writing Prompts: Alternate/Parallel UniverseLiterary Examples: Zero World, The Gods Themselves, The Long EarthApocalyptic/Post-ApocalypticA subgenre in which a world disaster has occurred, such as a pandemic virus or nuclear holocaust. Common themes in this subgenre are community, destruction of ecosystems, pandemic viruses, survival, human nature, and dystopian societies.Writing Prompts: Apocalyptic/Post-ApocalypticLiterary Examples: Wool, CyberStorm, The RoadBiopunkA subgenre of science fiction in which there is use of biotechnology, genetic manipulation, and/or eugenics that occur in the near future. The subgenre stems from cyberpunk but focuses on the implications of biotechnology rather than information technology. Common themes are bio-hackers, biotech mega-corporations, and oppressive government agencies that manipulate human DNA. The examination of bio-engineering is often a dark one.Writing Prompts: BiopunkLiterary Examples: Unwind, The Dervish House, LeviathanChildrens StoryA subgenre of science fiction written for younger audiences, with protagonists who are early adolescents or younger. Coming of age scenarios are often present. Science fiction themes such as aliens, advanced technology, and dystopian societies are often common, but violence and other adult themes are downplayed.Writing Prompts: Childrens StoryLiterary Examples: The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet, Aliens for Breakfast: A Stepping Stone Book, Whales on Stilts!ColonizationA subgenre in which humans (or other lifeforms) move to a distant area or world and create a new settlement. Humans may start a colony for various reasons such as the Earths overpopulation, an uninhabitable Earth, the discovery of other worlds, acquisition of resources, or threat of human extinction.Writing Prompts: ColonizationLiterary Examples: Last and First Men: A Story of the near and far fut ure, The Word for World is Forest, The Moon is a Harsh MistressComedyThis subgenre contains a lot of humor and satirization of science fiction tropes, with a tendency toward a pessimistic view of humanity. There is often mockery of social conventions. This is a rather small subgenre of science fiction that is more common in short stories than novels and frequently seen in movies.Writing Prompts: ComedyLiterary Examples: Stainless Steel Rat Omnibus, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Finders Keepers: The Definitive EditionCyberpunkA subgenre of science fiction in which man and machine are combined, either literally or metaphorically, and there are multiple forms of virtual reality. The Earth is typically the setting for cyberpunk stories, but it is immersed in a cyber world. Common themes are the exploration of the relationship between humans and computers, often in a dark and bleak world, as well as cybernetics, prosthetics, cyborgs, and the internet.Writing Prompts: CyberpunkLite rary Examples: Neuromancer, Snow Crash, SoftwareDying EarthA subgenre in which the Earth is dying. Stories in this subgenre often take place at the end of the Earths existence, thus occurring in the future. Common themes are fatality, reflection, lost innocence, idealism, entropy, exhaustion of resources, and hope. Settings in these stories are often barren and sterile, with a fading sun. There is overlap with this subgenre and apocalyptic fiction.Writing Prompts: Dying EarthLiterary Examples: The Time Machine, Zothique, Tales of the Dying EarthDystopiaA subgenre of science fiction in which the world has become the opposite of a utopia and the protagonist must liberate himself/herself (or an entire community) from it. Common themes are a police state, overwhelming poverty, government control, and lack of personal freedom. Stories in this subgenre often include deep social control and exploration of what we fear will happen in the future of humanity.Writing Prompts: DystopiaLiterary Examples: Fahrenheit 451, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, A Clockwork OrangeGalactic EmpireIn this subgenre, there is an empire that spans galaxies. The story usually takes place in the capital of the empire and often includes elements of dystopian science fiction. The protagonist is often a member of the empires military forces.Writing Prompts: Galactic EmpireLiterary Examples: Constitution: Book 1 of The Legacy Fleet Series, Bloodline: Star Wars, Darkest Hour: Liberation War Book 1Generation ShipA subgenre of science fiction in which there is a prolonged voyage on a spaceship and the original occupants have passed away, leaving their descendants to remain or find another place to live. As the ship journeys across the universe, generations have lived and died onboard, and social change often occurs. There is often an advanced ecosystem onboard and usually, the ship will have a destination, such as a distant planet to colonize.Writing Prompts: Generation ShipLiterary Examples: Orphans of the Sky, Captive Universe, Promised LandHard Science FictionA subgenre in which there is extreme scientific details, and less focus on characters or settings. This is a subgenre that concentrates on relating stories from a correct scientific perspective with great attention to technological detail. These stories often include details from hard sciences, with some speculative technology incorporated.Writing Prompts: Hard Science FictionLiterary Examples: Ringworld, The Martian, Dragons EggImmortalityA subgenre in which there are beings who have lived (and continue to live) infinitely. The focus of this subgenre is eternal life, either as a blessing that is full of limitless opportunity, or the end of change that is full of boredom and stagnation.Writing Prompts: ImmortalityLiterary Examples: After Many a Summer Dies the Swan, The Boat of a Million Years, Methuselahs ChildrenLost WorldsA subgenre of science fiction in which there is a voyage to unknown or isolated places s uch as islands, continents, jungles, or worlds, resulting in a discovery of some wonder or ancient technology. These stories usually contain elements of adventure, and the worlds visited are usually isolated from our own world, containing their own history and unique geography.Writing Prompts: Lost WorldsLiterary Examples: Journey to the Center of the Earth, A Princess of Mars, Lost HorizonMilitaryA subgenre in which there is interstellar or interplanetary armed conflict. Military values such as bravery, sacrifice, duty, and camaraderie are common themes, and the protagonist is typically a soldier. Military science fiction often features futuristic technology and weapons, with the setting being outer space or on a different planet.Writing Prompts: MilitaryLiterary Examples: Enders Game, Starship Troopers, Old Mans WarMind TransferA subgenre of science fiction in which a human consciousness is downloaded into a computer or transferred to another human brain. This can occur in several ways: via computer, some kind of psychic power, alien technology, physical brain transplantation, etc., and the transfer can be temporary or permanent. Often, the process destroys the original or copies are made.Writing Prompts: Mind TransferLiterary Examples: The World of Null-A, Kiln People, Lord of LightMundane Science FictionA subgenre that is set in the very near future, with believable use of technology that is currently available or could realistically be available in the near future. These stories favor scientific realities, such as biotechnology and environmental change, and are set on Earth.Writing Prompts: Mundane Science FictionLiterary Examples: Interzone, Schismatrix Plus, The Beast With Nine Billion FeetMythicA subgenre of science fiction in which the story is inspired by, or closely imitates, myth and folklore. The story may be a complete retelling of a popular myth or could just draw from tropes and themes that are common in mythology. There is a variable level of real science, since myth has fantastical elements.Writing Prompts: MythicLiterary Examples: Rendezvous with Rama, The Queen of Air and Darkness, PerelandraNanopunkA subgenre similar to cyberpunk in which the use of nanotechnology is explored, along with its effects on human lives. The nanopunk world is one in which the theoretical premise of nanotech is a reality, and it is well integrated with our world and human existence.Writing Prompts: NanopunkLiterary Examples: Tech Heaven, The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Ladys Illustrated Primer, PreyRobots/A.I.A subgenre in which there are robotics and AI. This subgenre is generally focused on one of three mentalities: pro-robot, anti-robot, or ambivalence. In a pro-robot plot, robots are benevolent. In an anti-robot plot, there is generally confrontation with robots, androids or AI. In an ambivalent plot, robots are useful but there is some anxiety about them.Writing Prompts: Robots/A.I.Literary Examples: Tik-Tok, The Silver Eggheads, Men, Mar tians and MachinesScience FantasyIn this subgenre, there are elements of fantasy, but with the use of advanced technology (making it lean more toward science fiction). These stories show a magical futuristic world, leaning toward soft science. These stories can also contain science that is so well develop that it appears to be magic, and/or characters who possess abilities through scientific technology that seem to be magical.Writing Prompts: Science FantasyLiterary Examples: A Game of Universe, The Family Tree, The Dragonriders of PernScience HorrorA subgenre of science fiction in which there are also elements of horror. Often, these stories include themes such as medical research resulting in new diseases, aliens attempting to kill humans, artificial intelligence that revolts against its maker(s), or atomic bombs and technology that results in human destruction.Writing Prompts: Science HorrorLiterary Examples: Infected, The Hunger, The SandmanSlipstreamA subgenre with elements of the surreal and postmodern themes. It crosses the genres of literary fiction and speculative fiction, including science fiction, fantasy or both. Slipstream is often defined as fantastical, illogical, surreal, and jarring.Writing Prompts: SlipstreamLiterary Examples: The Bridge, Breakfast of Champions, White NoiseSoft Science FictionA subgenre with less focus on science and more focus on characters. These stories usually deal with the soft sciences and social sciences, and are more concerned with human activity and affairs than scientific detail.Writing Prompts: Soft Science FictionLiterary Examples: Babel-17, Riverworld, The Left Hand of DarknessSpace ExplorationA subgenre of science fiction in which there is exploration of outer space, and great detail is given concerning the voyage. Some of these stories pose space exploration to be a logical step for humanity, while others use it as a necessity for the survival of the species. In general, these stories focus on the faults and fr ailties of humanity.Writing Prompts: Space ExplorationLiterary Examples: Constitution: Book 1 of the Legacy Fleet Trilogy, Titanborn, Rift: The Resistance Book OneSpace OperaA subgenre of science fiction in which there is swashbuckling action and epic, panoramic settings. These stories often contain over-the-top characters, themes, and plots. There is usually a romantic and/or melodramatic approach to storytelling, and the plot contains a lot of adventure. The plot doesnt always stay true to the accepted laws of science, mathematics, or the nature of space as we know it.Writing Prompts: Space OperaLiterary Examples: The Foundation Series, Hyperion, The Ender QuartetSpyFiA subgenre of science fiction in which there is espionage, high-tech duels, and over-the-top gadgets. There is less focus on the science behind the gadgets as what can be done with them. The plot often focuses on the glamour, adventure, and daring attitude of spies (think, James Bond), including romantic interludes w ith beautiful women.Writing Prompts: SpyFiLiterary Examples: The Baroness: Sonic Slave, Crown of Slaves, Call for the Dead: A George Smiley NovelSteampunkA subgenre of that is generally set in Victorian times, with the use of steam power as advanced technology. There is minimal scientific detail and the gadgets are often best described as retro-futuristic. These stories contain a sort of reimagining of the capabilities of modern technology through a Victorian lens, and create an alternate history.Writing Prompts: SteampunkLiterary Examples: The Anubis Gates, Homunculus: The Adventures of Langdon St Ives, The Difference EngineTime TravelIn this subgenre of science fiction, the main characters travel through time. Sometimes, this can mean the character(s) move to a point in time that is in the future; sometimes, they can travel to a point in time that is the past. There is also a trend in these novels for characters to move to travel to parallel or alternate universes in an unknown ti me.Writing Prompts: Time TravelLiterary Examples: A Sound of Thunder, Guardians of Time, The Time MachineUtopiaA subgenre in which humanity lives in a utopia and technology has removed societys problems. In many of these stories, war and sickness have been done away with, often through advanced technology. There is often much discussion of social implications and exploration of social sciences, approaching topics such as: What does a Utopia look like? Is one persons Utopia the same as anothers?Writing Prompts: UtopiaLiterary Examples: The Giver, The Dispossessed, Childhoods EndYoung AdultA subgenre of science fiction created for an adolescent or young adult audience in which the protagonist is of the same age range. There is often budding romance within a dystopian society, and the protagonist faces coming-of-age issues such as autonomy, rebellion, survival without adults, etc.Writing Prompts: Young AdultLiterary Examples: Dragon Pearl, The Similars, The DisastersThriller and Suspen sePhoto by Sammie Vasquez on UnsplashActionA subgenre in which there is much physical action, and the protagonist must fight for his or her survival or to save the victim of a crime or kidnapping. In many cases, the protagonist is a current or former member of the armed forces, special forces, or other government agency. Villains are often internationally located and the hunt for them often occurs across borders. Literary Examples: The Killer Collective, The Cleaner, Freedom RoadComedyA subgenre of thriller suspense in which there is dark humor surrounding espionage and organize crime. Protagonists often having biting wit while being involved in adventurous activities related to solving a crime or thwarting the evil plans of secret societies. Literary Examples: The Rook, Horrorstör, Crocodile on the SandbankConspiracyA subgenre of thriller suspense in which a protagonist must face (and defeat) a large, powerful organization or entity to stop a killer or halt a destructive plot. T hese stories often have protagonists who are scholars, journalists or amateur investigators who play a role in toppling secret societies or conspiracies. Common themes are rumors, lies, propaganda, secret histories, and counter-propaganda. Literary Examples: Betrayal, Mosaic: Breakthrough, The Atlantis Gene: A ThrillerCrimeIn this subgenre, the protagonist confronts a major crime plot, such as a murder, kidnapping, or theft. These stories often begin with a protagonist, who is going about his or her daily life, before becoming involved in a crime (either as a victim or helping the victim). He or she then uses wit and specialty knowledge to help solve the crime, with or without the help of authorities. Literary Examples: Connections in Death: An Eve Dallas Novel, The Wedding Guest: An Alex Delaware Novel, A Merciful FateDisasterA subgenre of thriller suspense in which the protagonist is up against a major natural disaster that he or she must escape or stop. Disasters could include n atural disasters, such as earthquakes, meteor strikes or tsunamis; or man-made disasters, such as nuclear explosions, cyber-attacks closing down infrastructure, or a biological weapon. Literary Examples: The Virus, The Last Tribe, QuakeEspionageA subgenre in which there are secret agents. These stories are often set during war time. Often, the agent goes rogue to uncover corruption among his or her peers. Common themes include rivalries and intrigues between the major powers, corruption within modern intelligence agencies, rogue states, international criminal organizations, global terrorist networks, maritime piracy and technological sabotage. Literary Examples: The Killer Collective, Betrayal, The CleanerForensicA subgenre in which forensic scientists play a major role in solving a crime. Common themes include finding evidence at a crime scene, blood splatter, DNA, bones, fingerprints, or other forensic details. There is usually a race against the clock to catch the perpetrator bef ore someone else dies or another major crime is committed. Literary Examples: Scarpetta, Body of Evidence, Break No BonesHistoricalA subgenre of thriller suspense set in a historical time period that includes details about the era. Real historical figures are often included in the plot, or encountered through a fictional characters point of view. These stories often concern real historical mysteries, documents, or conspiracies but offer an alternate reality connected to them. Some novels in this genre go back and forth between present-day characters and the historical events or documents they are discovering/researching. Literary Examples: A Discovery of Witches, Crucible: A Thriller, The Road Beyond RuinLegalIn this subgenre, the plot centers on legal dilemmas or courtroom dramas. The protagonist is usually an attorney who encounters danger and solves the crime, while the police are unable to do so or are corrupt. The protagonists life is often at peril, as is the lives of his sig nificant others or family. Literary Examples: An Innocent Client, The Rule of Law, In Good FaithMedicalA subgenre of thriller suspense in which the protagonist is in the medical field (or closely tied to it) and must use his or her knowledge of medicine to solve a mystery, cure a virus, halt or pandemic, or catch the perpetrator of a medical-related crime. Often, the story takes place among medical settings and the details that eventually bring the perpetrator to justice (or lead to a cure for a deadly virus) involve medical research or specific medical knowledge. Literary Examples: Blow Fly: A Scarpetta Novel, A Case of Need: A Suspense Thriller, Phantom LimbMilitaryA subgenre in which the protagonist is in the military (or former military) and must use his or her training to solve a mystery or crime. The subgenre also includes stories that are set on military bases or vessels. Common themes are brotherhood, avenging wrongs, protecting family members of servicemembers or former se rvicemembers, cartel interaction, and rogue militias. Literary Examples: The Trident Deception, The Karma Booth, PersuaderMystery ThrillerA subgenre of thriller suspense and mystery, in which there is a ticking clock or mystery that the protagonist must solve before time runs out. This subgenre is different than a regular mystery in that it is fast-paced and the protagonist is generally on the run or racing against the clock to solve the crime or find a solution. Literary Examples: An Anonymous Girl, Two Can Keep a Secret, The Au PairPoliticalA subgenre in which the protagonist is connected with the government (usually low-level at the beginning) and must solve a crime or dilemma involving international relations. These stories are usually about a political power struggle, and can involve national or international political scenarios. Common themes are political corruption, terrorism, and warfare. This subgenre often overlaps with the conspiracy thriller subgenre. Literary Examples : Justice Redeemed, Duty and Honor, Target: Alex CrossPsychologicalA subgenre of thriller suspense in which the protagonist becomes involved in a situation that threatens his/her sanity or mental state. These stories often emphasize the unstable or delusional psychological states of its characters, and is told through the viewpoint of psychologically stressed characters. There is a combination of tropes from mystery, drama, and action. Literary Examples: The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, Behind Closed DoorsReligiousA subgenre of thriller suspense in which a religious artifact or sect-held secret is discovered, and different groups (some secret) vie for control. These stories utilize the history and myths of religion, and the protagonist generally has an in-depth knowledge or experience with religious training and/or upbringing. Literary Examples: The Da Vinci Code, The Blood Gospel: The Order of the Sanguines Series, SanctusParanormalA subgenre of thriller suspense in which there are elements of the paranormal and some characters display supernatural abilities. Otherworldly elements that are introduced are usually as an antagonistic force, but the plot line and feel are distinctly that of a thriller. Literary Examples: Daughters of the Lake, The Rise of Magicks: Chronicles of The One, The ShiningTechnothrillerA subgenre in which there is cutting-edge technology that either empowers or threatens the protagonist. This is a hybrid genre drawing on tropes from science fiction, thrillers, spy fiction, and action novels. There are technical details concerning technology and the mechanics of various disciplines (espionage, martial arts, politics). There is often a focus on military action. Literary Examples: Jurassic Park, Daemon, The MartianYoung AdultA subgenre of thriller suspense in which the protagonist is a young adult or adolescent. There are often coming of age lessons to be learned, such as loneliness, romantic interactions, and survival without adults. Friends, companions, and/or romantic interests often help the protagonist solve the problem or escape the villain, and adventurous, nail-biting chase scenes are the norm. Literary Examples: One of Us is Lying, Theres Someone Inside Your House, I Hunt KillersWesternPhoto by Eric Welch on UnsplashBounty HuntersA subgenre of western in which there is a morally ambiguous protagonist who hunts criminals to receive a bounty. Common themes include the construction of a railroad or a telegraph line on the wild frontier, ranchers protecting their family ranch from rustlers or large landowners or who build a ranch empire, revenge stories, and outlaw gang plots. Literary Examples: The Bounty Hunters: A Classic Tale of Frontier Law, Bounty Hunter, Broadway BountyCattle DriveA subgenre in which there a long journey the protagonist must make to move a herd of cattle. There are often life lessons learned along the way and friendships formed, as well as potential for romance. Literary Examples: The Chuckwagon Trail, The Daybreakers: The Sacketts, The Last Cattle DriveChildrens StoryA subgenre created for children that contains western tropes. The typical audience of these stories are children, ages 7 through 12, and western tropes are present but presented in an acceptable form for younger children to read. Common themes are friendships, autonomy, adventure, and relationships with wildlife and nature. Literary Examples: Leroy Ninker Saddles Up: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, By The Great Horn Spoon!, Old YellerComedyA subgenre of western in which there is humor, satire, or parody of traditional Western tropes. Common themes include cowboys or sharpshooters who dont know how to shoot or ride a horse, or drunken cowboys whose antics are entertaining to their compatriots. Literary Examples: Anything For Billy, Hey, Cowboy, Wanna Get Lucky?, How the West Was LostGold RushA subgenre in which the protagonist is on a quest for riches, usually in the form of found gold. These protagonist s and plotlines were immortalized in the 1860s by authors Bret Harte and Mark Twain, while the California gold rush was in full swing. Literary Examples: Calico Palace, Daughter of Fortune, Walk On Earth a StrangerGunfightersA subgenre of western in which the protagonist must go up against an antagonist in gun battle. The protagonist and antagonist are often experts in pistols, and each tends to own a special weapon whose reputation precedes it. The climax of these stories is a final gun battle with specific sportsman rules, usually taking place in an agreed-upon setting and with a crowd watching. Literary Examples: Shane, The Autumn of the Gun, The Dawn of FuryLand RushA subgenre of western in which settlers must travel to and claim land that is available for homesteading, usually in Oklahoma or surrounding states. Common themes are survival within harsh elements, wild animals, benevolent and unfriendly natives, competing/feuding families or gangs, and making the land hospitable to growing food and sustaining life. Literary Examples: Jolines Redemption, Gabriels Atonement, Sarahs SurrenderLawmenA subgenre of western in which the protagonist is a lawman who must help bring order to a town on the frontier. The protagonist is often escaping a violent or tragic past and has often lost family or loved ones to frontier violence. Common themes are saloon brawls, gambling, outsiders, outlaws, and romance with a local resident. Literary Examples: Lonesome Dove, Deadmans Fury, BowdrieMountain MenA subgenre in which the stalwart, lonely protagonist roams the mountain ranges of the West. Common themes are survival against harsh elements of nature, loneliness, civilization vs. the wilderness, and feuding families. Literary Examples: Power of the Mountain Man, The Last Mountain Man, Revenge of the Mountain ManOutlawsA subgenre of western in which there are colorful villains. It usually involves train robberies, bank robberies, or some other form of criminal activity taking place in the West. There is a certain moral ambiguity to protagonists, making them loveable bad guys or villains with a heart. There is generally a romantic interest who is in a likewise unsavory career, such as a prostitute or barmaid. Literary Examples: Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West, Three-Ten to Yuma and Other Stories, I Rode With Jesse JamesPrairie SettlementIn this subgenre, the protagonist must play a role in settling on the vast plains of the Midwest, usually facing harsh weather and circumstances. Common themes are benevolent or unfriendly natives, surviving harsh winters, finding sustenance in difficult conditions, and a budding romance with other settlers (particularly widows or widowers who are on their own). Literary Examples: Prarie Justice, Prairie Crossing: A Novel of the West, West Winds of WyomingRevengeA subgenre of western in which a protagonist endures and survives a massacre or some other horrible event, and must find those who are responsi ble for it to achieve justice. In many cases, the protagonist is seeking justice for loved ones or family members who have been murdered. There is a sense of righteous anger and common themes are retribution, justice, personal peace, and loyalty. Literary Examples: Cades Revenge, Montana Revenge, The Revenant: A Novel of RevengeWagon TrainA subgenre of western in which there is a journey taken by pioneers from the East looking to settle in the West. These tales are of an epic nature and often include drama such as budding romance and feuds between travelers. Literary Examples: Raveled Ends of Sky: Women of the West Novels, A Long Way to Go, SawbonesYoung AdultA subgenre in which the protagonist is an adolescent or young adult, and comes of age as the story progresses. These stories are intended for an adolescent or young adult audience and contain themes such as friendship, young love, escape from adult or responsible influence, and rebellion. Literary Examples: Vengeance Road, Unde r a Painted Sky, Gunslinger Girl

Understanding Mass Media and Mass Communication

Mass media refers to the technologies used as channels for a small group of people to communicate with a larger number of people. The concept was first addressed during the Progressive Era of the 1920s, as a response to new opportunities for elites to reach large audiences via the mass media of the time: newspapers, radio, and film. Indeed, the three forms of traditional mass media today are still the same: print (newspapers, books, magazines), broadcast (television, radio), and cinema (movies and documentaries).  Ã‚   But in the 1920s, mass media referred not just to the number of people such communication reached, but rather to the uniform consumption and anonymity of the audiences. Uniformity and anonymity are characteristics which no longer fit the way people seek out, consume, and manipulate information into their daily lives. Those new media are called alternative media or mass self-communication. Key Takeaways: Mass Media Mass media as an idea was created in the 1920s.There are three major forms of traditional mass media: print, broadcast, and cinema. New forms are being created constantly.The internet has changed the nature of mass media by creating consumers who control and even create media of their own, and producers who can more easily track consumer responses.Being a smart consumer of media means exposing yourself to a variety of points of view, so that you can become more adept at recognizing subtle and not subtle forms of propaganda and bias. Mass Communication   Mass media are the transport forms of mass communication, which can be defined as the dissemination of messages widely, rapidly, and continuously to large and diverse audiences in an attempt to influence them in some way.   Five distinct stages of mass communication exist, according to American communication scholars Melvin DeFleur and Everette Dennis:   Professional communicators create various types of messages for presentation to individuals.The messages are disseminated in a quick and continuous manner through some form of mechanical media.The messages are received by a vast and diverse audience.The audience interprets these messages and gives them meaning.The audience is influenced or changed in some manner.   There are six widely acknowledged intended effects for mass media. The two best known are commercial advertising and political campaigns. Public service announcements have been developed to influence people on health issues such as smoking cessation or HIV testing. Mass media has been used (by the Nazi party in Germany in the 1920s, for example) to indoctrinate people in terms of government ideology. And mass media use sporting events such as the World Series, the World Cup Soccer, Wimbledon, and the Super Bowl, to act as a ritual event that users participate in. Measuring the Effects of Mass Media   Research on the impacts of mass media began in the 1920s and 1930s, with the rise of muckraking journalism—elites became concerned about the effects of investigative reporting in magazines such as McClures on political decision-making. Mass media became a prominent focus of study in the 1950s after television became widely available, and academic departments dedicated to communication studies were created. These early studies investigated the cognitive, emotional, attitudinal, and behavioral effects of media on both children and adults; in the 1990s, researchers began to use those earlier studies to draw up theories concerning the use of media today. In the 1970s theorists such as Marshall McLuhan and Irving J. Rein warned that media critics needed to watch how media affects people. Today, this remains a key concern; much attention has been paid, for example, to the impact on the 2016 election of false messaging distributed on social media. But the myriad forms of mass communication available today have also encouraged some  researchers to begin to investigate what people do with media. The Move to Mass Self-Communication Traditional mass media are push technologies: that is to say, producers create the objects and distribute them (push it) to consumers who are largely anonymous to the producer. The only input consumers have in traditional mass media is to decide whether to consume it—if they should buy the book or go to the movie: undoubtedly those decisions have always been significant to what got published or aired.   However, in the 1980s, consumers began to transition to pull technology: while the content may still be created by (elite) producers, users are now free to select what they wish to consume. Further, users can now repackage and create new content (such as mashups on YouTube or reviews on personal blog sites). The users are often explicitly identified in the process, and their choices may have immediate, if not necessarily conscious, impact on what information and advertising they are presented with going forward.   With the widespread availability of the internet and the development of social media, communication consumption has a decidedly personal character, which the Spanish sociologist Manuel Castells calls mass self-communication. Mass self-communication means that the content is still created by the producers, and the distribution is made available to a large number of people, those who choose to read or consume the information. Today, users pick and choose media content to suit their needs, whether those needs were the intent of the producers or not.   Computer-Mediated Communication The study of mass media is a fast-moving target. People have studied computer-mediated communication since the technology first became available in the 1970s. Early studies focused on teleconferencing, and how interactions between large groups of strangers differ from interactions with known partners. Other studies were concerned with whether communication methods lacking nonverbal cues could influence the meaning and quality of social interactions. Today, people have access to both text-based and visual information, so those studies are no longer useful.   The immense growth in social applications since the start of Web 2.0 (also known as Participatory or Social Web) has made huge changes. Information is now distributed in many directions and methods, and audiences can vary from one person to many thousands. In addition, everyone with an internet connection can be a content creator and media source.   Blurring the Lines Between Producers and Consumers Mass self-communication can potentially reach a global audience, but it is self-generated in content, self-directed in its mission, and typically focuses on self-related information. Sociologist Alvin Toffler created the now-obsolete term of prosumers to describe users who are almost simultaneously consumers and producers—for example, reading and commenting on online content, or reading and replying to Twitter posts. The increases in the number of transactions that now occur between consumer and producer create what some have called an expression effect. Interactions also now cross-media streams, such as Social TV, where people use hashtags while watching a sports game or a television program in order to simultaneously read and converse with hundreds of other viewers on social media. Politics and the Media   One focus of mass communication research has been on the role that media plays in the democratic process. On the one hand, media provides a way for predominantly rational voters to obtain information about their political choices. That likely introduces some systematic biases, in that not every voter is interested in social media, and politicians may choose to work on the wrong issues and perhaps pander to an active set of users who may not be in their constituencies. But by and large, the fact that voters can learn about candidates independently is predominantly positive.   On the other hand, media can be leveraged for propaganda, which exploits cognitive errors that people are prone to make. By using the techniques of agenda-setting, priming, and framing, the producers of media can manipulate voters to act against their own best interests. Propaganda Techniques in Mass Media   Some types of propaganda that have been recognized in mass media include: Agenda-Setting: Aggressive media coverage of an issue can make people believe an insignificant issue is important. Similarly, media coverage may underplay an important issue.Priming: People evaluate politicians based on the issues covered in the press.Framing: How an issue is characterized in news reports can influence how it is understood by the receivers; involves the selective inclusion or omission of facts (bias). Sources DeFleur, Melvin L., and Everette E. Dennis. Understanding Mass Communication. (Fifth Edition, 1991). Houghton Mifflin: New York.  Donnerstein, Edward. Mass Media, General View. Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace, Conflict (Second Edition). Ed. Kurtz, Lester. Oxford: Academic Press, 2008. 1184-92. Print.Gershon, Ilana. Language and the Newness of Media. Annual Review of Anthropology 46.1 (2017): 15-31. Print.Pennington, Robert. Mass Media Content as Cultural Theory. The Social Science Journal 49.1 (2012): 98-107. Print.Pinto, Sebastià ¡n, Pablo Balenzuela, and Claudio O. Dorso. Setting the Agenda: Different Strategies of a Mass Media in a Model of Cultural Dissemination. Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications 458 (2016): 378-90. Print.Rosenberry, J., Vicker, L. A. (2017). Applied Mass Communication Theory. New York: Routledge.Strà ¶mberg, David. Media and Politics. Annual Review of Economics 7.1 (2015): 173-205. Print.Valkenburg, Patti M., Jochen Peter, and Joseph B. Walther. Media Effects: Theory and Research. Annual Review of Psychology 67.1 (2016): 315-38. Print.

The Search For Self-Acceptance in the Color Purple by...

If any woman had to answer if she ever had trouble accepting herself, the response would be yes. According to Susan David, â€Å"All healthy human beings have an inner stream of thoughts and feelings that include criticism, doubt, and fear† (125-128). Depending on the person Alice Walker has as the recipients of Celie’s and Nettie’s letters, the text alters. The Color Purple is about a girl named Celie, who grows up in the south during the early 1920’s, surrounded by racism, sexism, and abuse from her father and husband. Alice Walker wrote The Color Purple in epistolary style and it traces Celie’s journey of finding her identity and path of finally accepting herself. On her journey she encounters a couple of women including one named Shug†¦show more content†¦It all I can do not cry. i make myself wood. I say to myself, Celie, your a tree. Thats how come I know trees fear man (Walker 23). Mr.___, who is a violent, controlling husband, treat s Celie as a child and causes her to believe she is powerless. As a result of these tragic events, Celie writes to an unknown audience, resembling her unknown identity. In the beginning, the only person she can talk to is God. She writes her first letters to God shortly after her so-called father raped her. Each one of the letters is short, choppy and has a similar rhythm. The patterns found in her letters symbolize her state of mind; she feels depressed and weak. Celie does not think of her letters as anything else than just that, as written documents saying the things she wishes to tell the recipients she cannot speak to in person†, making God the person she has always wished to communicate with (Boynukara). Her letters in the beginning are also mostly written to God and not signed off, illustrating her lack of identity. Her conception of God is a â€Å"Big and old and tall and graybearded and white. He wear white robes and go barefooted† (Walker 195). Celie’s first letter proves that she has a low self-confidence when she writes, Dear God, I am fourteen years old. I am I have always been a good girl. Maybe you can give me a sign letting me know what is happening to me. (1). According to Janoff Bulman, â€Å"cognitive strategy used to makeShow MoreRelatedDouble Discrimination Exposed in The Color Purple Essay953 Words   |  4 Pages discrimination, demoralization, subjugation and hatred, especially colored women.nbsp; Black women have had to face unbelievable odds at obtaining self-assurance. nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;African-American woman have had to deal with being black and female, a double-edged sword.nbsp; In her novel, The Color Purple, author Alice Walker introduces southern black female characters that not only faced slavery, but sexism, racism and oppression.nbsp; Through a series of letters, mostlyRead MoreThe Color Purple By Alice Walker1495 Words   |  6 PagesThe Color Purple, is a novel written by the American author Alice Walker. The novel won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and is also regarded to be her most successful piece of work. It has developed into an award winning film and was recently made into a Broadway play. 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Basic Skills Test Free Essays

While growing up we have ideas about what we want to do with our life when we graduate from high school. These decisions include: going to college, picking a major, and figuring out where you want to go after college. I wanted to go to Western Illinois University and declare a major in the elementary education program because Western Illinois has a good teacher education program. We will write a custom essay sample on Basic Skills Test or any similar topic only for you Order Now I always wanted to become a teacher since I was a little girl, because my first grade teacher has inspired me to become a wonderful educator. One of the requirements for education majors is to take the Illinois certification test, which is the Basic Skills test. The Basic Skills test is a certified test that is composed in variety of subjects that an educator needs to know before getting a teacher’s certificate. In order to be approved for teaching in the state of Illinois, you must pass this test. Furthermore, should the Basic Skills be considered a requirement into the education program? According to the Chicago Sun-Times, in 2010 Linda Tomlinson, Assistant Superintendent at the State Board of Education, said, â€Å"some would-be teachers have failed the current test at least 20 times†. However, recent changes now give teaching candidates only five chances to pass (Rossi Rosalind, Chicago Sun Times). I know now that I was not the only one who did not pass the Basic Skills test the first time. Whenever I hear how important this test is from my advisor and even from other education majors around me, I get nervous. Testing is required of candidates seeking an Illinois teaching license since 1988. The only way I can continue in education next semester is to pass the test. After reading this article, I am afraid I won’t be able to major in education anymore because of lack of test-taking skills. I’m not a good test taker because of test anxiety which includes time, forgetting the information, and getting nervous before the big test. If I fail the Basic Skills test a third time, I might have to consider changing my major. I do not want to change my major, because I know I would enjoy teaching very much. If you do not pass the test after five times, you are not allowed to teach in the state of Illinois. According to the Chicago Tribune, in 2011 an unknown â€Å"reporter† said; â€Å"No, we’re not rooting for aspiring educators to fail. But we are rooting to see only the best candidates become teachers† (Chicago Tribune). As a future educator, I am opposed to this idea that college students are not becoming teachers because they are failing the Basic Skills. The statistics that updated each year from different universities are losing students who want to become future educators. Taking the Basic Skills test for future educators is harder than you think it would be; because you need to have the knowledge of a future educator when taking this type of state assessment. Most college students have to make a decision about backup plans after realizing that they didn’t pass the test. It would be disappointment knowing that you worked hard, you are halfway through college, and now you can’t continue with your major. I think that the state board of education should rethink the testing procedures because there is more to teaching than just being able to pass the test. For example, future educators can get observed by their work of teaching, have an interview process about the literacy of teaching, and many other kinds of processes that could be established in a college setting to prepare students to become excellent educators. The Basic Skills is one of the most important tests that future educators have seen, taken, or studied for. As a first time test-taker, our job is to research what the test is all about, what is the Basic Skills? More importantly, what is a test? Some people can say that a test is a series of questions that tests our knowledge; or a test can be defined, â€Å"as a particular process or method for trying or assessing (â€Å"Oxford English Dictionary†). † The Basic Skills is a test where you get certification to teach in the state of Illinois. The test considers four different sub sections reading, language arts, mathematics, and writing (Illinois Leisure Testing System). The results I’ve heard from my advisor, and researching some statistics from other Illinois school; there are many future educators who have failed the Basic Skills. Because of that, they are out of the teacher education program. The teacher education program is based on a series of tasks that are required to be pass before moving onto the next level (Jeanne Gage, Advisor). Some of the tasks to be considered are: passing major course classes in college, writing a reflective paper, and aving test taking skills. Returning to the certification process, I ask myself what is certification? Is there a certification just like the Basic Skills? Certification means â€Å"an official document attesting a certain fact, in particular† (Oxford English Dictionary). There are many different types of certification from ownership, achievement, and marriages. For the Basic Skills it’s considered an achievement certification. Teacher certification is known as â€Å"document of proof† that a teacher can use to become a teacher in a school setting. Anyone can take this test and get a teaching certification. You may think that a certification can be easy, as it seems; but not a certification that requires testing abilities and some college classwork. Just like taking your driver’s test to get your license to drive, the teaching certification requires a series of test questions relating to a common course setting and some basic skill methods you learned in school. You may wonder if any other profession has a similar test like the educators do. Lets take a future college student who wants to become a lawyer and what kind of test that he or she would have to take. In research, if a student wants to become a lawyer in the state of his or her choice. The student must take the Bar examination to become a certified lawyer. What is a Bar examination? The Bar examination is a rigid test of knowledge in all fields of law (Illinois State Bar Association). Just like the Basic Skills for educators, the future lawyers have to prepare in a similar fashion to future educators. The difference is the educator is tested in reading, language arts, math, and writing; while the lawyer has to know the different aspects of law that exist today. Another example is a college student who wants to get into the nursing program. All students who want to become a nurse have to take the HESI exam in order to be certified as a nurse. What is the HESI exam? The Health Education Systems Inc. is a timed, computerized test that consists of six academic exams: reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, grammar, basic math skills, biology and anatomy, and physiology (TMCC). This test is similar to the Basic Skills, but has only two extra subjects that need to be taken. No matter if you’re an educator, a lawyer, or a nursing major there is a test for every type of career that is required to be passed. In the beginning of my research, I have found that many future educators have not passed the Basic Skills. When I thought about how these future educators have not completed the Basic Skills; there should be an alternative process and still become an educator. What would be the opposite of a certificate? I have found no answer to this question: but, in my opinion an optional choice for certification for educators should be this. They should be able to pass all major college courses with a B or above. If a student can be able to get all of their classes passed with this requirement, they can be able to teach after college. Why is the Basic Skills the best way to certify our future educators? Is the state board making the best choice for every future educator? The Basic Skills is the best way to certify our future educators so that each individual should be able to understand the concepts when put into a classroom full of students. Without taking this test, the future educators won’t know what is supposed to be taught when it comes to teaching. For example, if a future educator hasn’t looked at the test, they wouldn’t be able to understand the concepts that are being tested. The state board is making the best choice to have future educators take this test; they need to know if they are the best educators. If we had poor educators, then how would our future students be able to learn their basic skills the correct way? How does the Basic Skills test accomplish its goals? According to the Oxford English Dictionary the definitions of accomplish is known â€Å"as achieve or complete successfully. Oxford English Dictionary)† The purpose of this test is to have future educators be able to accomplish the main standards in Illinois. As of October-December of 2012 only 31 percent out of 3,153 test takers have passed the Basic Skills (Illinois State Board of Education). It is a disappointment that we can’t get more than 31 percent to pass this test. In more depth, from September 2008-August 2011 at Western Illinois University 1,823 students have attempted the test; with having 1,777 students passed the test. But, at Eastern Illinois University 3,910 students have attempted; 3,773 have passed the test (Illinois State Board of Education). Since we don’t want any future educators to fail the Basic Skills, we don’t want to bring down the teacher rate in the near future. The question that we should think about is, should we keep the Basic Skills test or have another option into getting a certification in the State of Illinois? People may wonder if this Basic Skills test has a cost. There is a fee that requires to be paid in order to take the Basic Skills. For example, the Basic Skills test costs about $120 and each different sub section costs about $99. If one future educator has not passed any of the sub sections, they are required to repay $120. If another future educator only passed three of the sub sections, they only have to pay $99 (Illinois Leisure Testing System). I think that it’s ridiculous because we future educators can’t afford these prices, and we cannot afford to buy another examination test. With the economy being a problem in our society, how are we supposed to take a test that costs too much money? This is considered one issue about the Basic Skills and should be reconsidered for future educators. Throughout many generations, a future educator has been through many different processes of becoming a teacher. Recently, to get into the education program, future educators have to take the Basic Skills test to be determined if they are considered an educator. My question I like to consider, how did past future educators become certify as educators? Did they have to take the Basic Skills many years ago? Did they have a whole different certification process compare to what we have today? From my research, I’ve found out many interesting facts on how future educators were certify in past. New Jersey examinees had to take a written examination and receive a high rating in order to get certified in 1983. New Jersey educators would have to write a long essay on what they would be considered for the teaching job; skills, ability, lesson planning, etc. Other than taking the written portion they also accept the state examination that is considered the basic skills; the only difference compared to 1983 is they only had a writing portion instead of multiple assessments and know that they are willing to take the step up in the classroom management developmental process. It’s considered as a student’s choice in New Jersey whether these future educators want to take a huge writing portion and also decide to take the Basic Skills as an optional choice. Another state that I found interesting in the same period is known as the sunny state of Florida. In this journal a debate was in progress on whether the basic skills should be determined as a minimum competency scoring level or have a more higher education and pass a type of GED test that can be require for a certification. Since testing was huge in Florida, college students had the option to become educators but they were the ones to determine their future. This journal has been dated back in 1983 when there was a debate on whether future educators should have an option of choosing a simple exam compare to more of a challenging exam (Florida’s Minimum Competency Program: A Survey of Teacher’s Options). In this journal there are some evaluations charts that show the results of what the future educators consider as a new requirement. For example, â€Å"the Minimum Competency approach will probably result in minimum skills becoming maximum skills†; voters of education majors have marked this type of debate as 37. % agreement, 16% neither, and 46. 3% disagreement. (Florida’s Minimum Competency Program: A Survey of Teachers’ Opinions) The vote and other ballots have determined efficiency on how teaching requirements could be changed in 1983 (Florida Minimum Competency Program). These ratings/charts can be found on this journal if you need more information on how the voting process has worked and an explanat ion on each debate. California, a state providing a large portion of the nations educators, recently had a survey attempting to better understand how educators are assessed. Most of these cases came from interviews, standardized tests, and most importantly how they contributed in a classroom setting (Teacher’s Perspective on Competency-Based Testing). With the different types of observations that were made among the future educators and their observers; the information that was given by the observer, are put into a chart to determined the typical requirements for a California teaching license. Some of the information presented in these charts are what scores each observer have, the percentage of determination, and lastly if they are qualified for the teaching certificate. There is also more information on how the certification process and even some recommendations that can be used for future educators in 1991 (Teacher’s Perspective on Competency-Based Testing). In the state of Illinois there are requirements for a teacher certification from 1919. If you were to become an educator, you had to follow a credit system that is given to you at the beginning of your application fee. A credit system is the based amount of points that you will receive after completing each task. Indeed, back in 1919 you were supposed to fill out an application and pay a small fee in order to begin your application into the field of education. There are also certain sub-sections that are require to be accomplished in order to receive a certification. For example, 35 points for successful teaching, 30 points for attending at the annual institute, 8 points for attending eight one-hour at the superintendent board of education meetings, and there is also many other requirements that are needed to receive the points towards a teacher certificate (Certification of Teachers in Illinois). In my opinion, getting a teacher certification seems pretty easy when you lived back in 1919; because you only have to follow a credit system and not take any kind of assessments that is presented in Illinois today. Most importantly I wish that this could be a permanent option instead of taking the basic skills test for the state of Illinois. No matter what state you’re determined to live in, there is a certain way that there will be a certification test for any future educator. As of today, all fifty states including the state of Illinois are required to take the Basic Skills test in order to become certified as an Illinois teacher. A question to be considered should it be easy to become a teacher? Or would many college students have to rethink of a new major before coming into college? The Basic Skills test is a required test taken by students wanting to become educators. The Basic Skills test is an examination that consists of reading, language arts, math, and writing. These future educators would have to take this examination before moving on into their method courses. In most research, students have failed the Basic Skills test the first time they took it (JSTOR, Google, ERIC). For example, only 31 percent of all test takers have passed while the other 69 percent are still struggling in the state of Illinois (Illinois State Board of Education). There are many resources online including: Illinois Leisure Testing, Test Prep Review, and also some other University websites that can help students to prepare for the Basic Skills. I’ve used all of these websites to help me get some preparations done for the big test date and they are very helpful. There are also preparation classes that are offered in selected universities taught by professors involved in education. Some classes includes: introduction to the Basic Skills, classes for each of the sub section of the test, and just some classes that have tutors who already passed the Basic Skills to help other students. Western Illinois University offers these classes each semester along with Eastern Illinois University, University of Illinois Champaign, and University Illinois Chicago. Recently, the Illinois state board of education allows you to take the ACT instead of the Basic Skills. There are also preparation classes that are offered around the community and online just for the ACT. Taking down some evaluations of future educators, they say that these prep classes work because they have passed the test with the extra help. Many of these resources can help students become more familiar with the test and also have a refresher on many of the subjects that being tested in each of the examinations. Many future educators have failed the Basic Skills and have to decide what to do to not make the same mistakes. Recently, there are many different types of online preparation including study guides, helpful hints, and a practice test to help future educators can get more practice with the test format, or even on a single sub section that he or she needs more help on. These preparation courses are huge among students who want to become educators after graduation. Many of these programs include: Pearson and Stanford Excellence. These companies have come up with completed study guides and some helpful tips when it comes to test day. Google is also another source to look up preparation materials for the test; and it’s very helpful for those who are in danger to pass the test. Cost is considered another reason why many future educators are frustrated over the examination. Do you remember when I mentioned how much a test cost for potential new educator; it costs more than buying a week worth of groceries if you think of it. Many institutions are working on making free preparation classes for students who are in need of practice for the Basic Skills. This semester at Western Illinois University, the education department has taken time to ask many professors to coordinate free preparation classes for students in need of math, reading, and language arts. Not only Western Illinois University has to offer these preparation classes, but many other institutions including: Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, and University of Illinois in Champaign. These universities have taken their time to offer classes that can help future educators pass the Basic Skills before moving on into the next step of the career. Besides all of the preparation courses that are offered at institutions, I have taken some time to look at some of the other states in our country regarding about the Basic Skills. California has a policy that students can take an alternative procedure of the Basic Skills and still get into the teacher education program. This policy is considered of having an early alternative admission plan; where students can still take most of their classes and get a low score on their examination (Coping with the CBEST: Alternative and Inclusive Approaches). Unfortunately, as of today this process has been removed from the California State Board of Education; because the State Board has decided to become familiar with a Basic Skills test just like all of the states are doing for their teacher requirements. In my opinion I wish that this process would take over the new requirements for becoming an educator; because if students would like to take classes early and remove their scores from the system. They will be able to get their teacher certification within a breeze of time. Recently in the state of Illinois, the State Board of Education has approved n alternative test arrangement for students who do not want to take the Basic Skills. Every student should know when applying for colleges during their senior year of high school, they have to take the ACT. But, educators can retake their ACT and pass it with a 22 to bypass the Basic Skills. Another option includes the SAT and educators would have to get a score of 1030. Both of these examin ations are required to be less than ten years old from the test date and must include the writing portion of the examination (Illinois Administrative Rule Change). This portion of the certification process can help students who had a hard time with the Basic Skills and be able to take the examinations for less than half the cost of the Basic Skills. The Basic Skills test is a require examination that students have to take before they are educators. In this essay alone, I have found many interesting facts regarding to the Basic Skills within the state of Illinois and even a few other states. Including some of the history, facts, and solutions about this examination. I also hope that this work will help not only myself, but for future educators that are willing to go into the teacher education program. The only way to be able to succeed in the teacher education program is to be able to prepare future educators with this examination. Especially with the solutions I provided in this essay, it should be very helpful to many college students not only around the state of Illinois; but the other 49 states that are involved in this process. The Basic Skills is a required examination, and it’s one of the most important steps in the teaching career. How to cite Basic Skills Test, Papers