How to Tell You Have Reached the Point of Burnout

How to Tell You Have Reached the Point of Burnout Stress Management Situational Stress Print Burnout Symptoms and Treatment By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on May 01, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on December 05, 2019 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living In This Article Table of Contents Expand Overview Signs and Symptoms Risk Factors Prevention and Treatment View All People who are struggling to cope with workplace stress may place themselves at high risk of burnout. Burnout can leave people feeling exhausted, empty, and unable to cope with the demands of life. Burnout may be accompanied by a variety of mental and physical health symptoms as well. If left unaddressed, burnout can make it difficult for an individual to function well in their daily life. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin What Is Burnout? The term “burnout” is a relatively new term, first coined in 1974 by Herbert Freudenberger, in his book, Burnout: The High Cost of High Achievement. He originally defined burnout as, “the extinction of motivation or incentive, especially where ones devotion to a cause or relationship fails to produce the desired results.” Burnout is a reaction to prolonged or chronic job stress and is characterized by three main dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism (less identification with the job), and feelings of reduced professional ability. More simply put, if you feel exhausted, start to hate your job, and begin to feel less capable at work, you are showing signs of burnout.?? The stress that contributes to burnout can come mainly from your job, but stress from your overall lifestyle can add to this stress. Personality traits and thought patterns, such as perfectionism and pessimism,  can contribute as well.?? Most people spend the majority of their waking hours working. And if you hate your job, dread going to work, and dont gain any satisfaction out of what youre doing, it can take a serious toll on your life.?? Signs and Symptoms While burnout isn’t a diagnosable psychological disorder, that doesnt mean it shouldnt be taken seriously. Here are some of the most common signs of burnout:?? Alienation from work-related activities: Individuals experiencing burnout view their jobs as increasingly stressful and frustrating. They may grow cynical about their working conditions and the people they work with. They may also emotionally distance themselves and begin to feel numb about their work.Physical symptoms: Chronic stress may lead to physical symptoms, like headaches and stomachaches or intestinal issues.Emotional exhaustion: Burnout causes people to feel drained, unable to cope, and tired. They often lack the energy to get their work done.Reduced performance: Burnout mainly affects everyday tasks at workâ€"or in the home when someones main job involves caring for family members. Individuals with burnout feel negative about tasks. They have difficulty concentrating and often lack creativity. It shares some similar symptoms of mental health conditions, such as depression. Individuals with depression experience negative feelings and thoughts about all aspects of life, not just at work. Depression symptoms may also include a loss of interest in things, feelings of hopelessness, cognitive and physical symptoms as well as thoughts of suicide.?? Individuals experiencing burnout may be at a higher risk of developing depression.?? What Are Your Rights When Youre Depressed? Risk Factors A high-stress job doesnt always lead to burnout. If stress is managed well, there may not be any ill-effects. But some individuals (and those in certain occupations) are at a higher risk than others. The 2019 National Physician Burnout, Depression, and Suicide Report found that 44 percent of physicians experience burnout. Their heavy workloads place individuals with certain personality characteristics and lifestyle features at a higher risk of burnout. Of course, its not just physicians who are burning out. Workers in every industry at every level are at potential risk. According to a 2018 report by Gallup, employee burnout has five main causes:?? Unreasonable time pressure. Employees who say they have enough time to do their work are 70 percent less likely to experience high burnout. Individuals who are not able to gain more time, such as paramedics and firefighters, are at a higher risk of burnout.Lack of communication and support from a manager. Manager support offers a psychological buffer against stress. Employees who feel strongly supported by their manager are 70 percent less likely to experience burnout on a regular basis.Lack of role clarity. Only 60 percent of workers know what is expected of them. When expectations are like moving targets, employees may become exhausted simply by trying to figure out what they are supposed to be doing.Unmanageable workload. When a workload feels unmanageable, even the most optimistic employees will feel hopeless. Feeling overwhelmed can quickly lead to burnout.Unfair treatment. Employees who feel they are treated unfairly at work are 2.3 times more likely to experience a high level of burnout. Unfair treatment may include things such as favoritism, unfair compensation, and mistreatment from a co-worker. Prevention and Treatment Although the term burnout suggests it may be a permanent condition, its reversible. An individual who is feeling burned out may need to make some changes to their work environment.?? Approaching the human resource department about problems in the workplace or talking to a supervisor about the issues could be helpful if they are invested in creating a healthier work environment. In some cases, a change in position or a new job altogether may be necessary to put an end to burnout. It can also be helpful to develop clear strategies that help you manage your stress. Self-care strategies, like eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercises, and engaging in healthy sleep habits may help reduce some of the effects of a high-stress job. A vacation may offer you some temporary relief too, but a week away from the office wont be enough to help you beat burnout. Regularly scheduled breaks from work, along with daily renewal exercises, can be key to helping you combat burnout. If you are experiencing burnout and youre having difficulty finding your way out, or you suspect that you may also have a mental health condition such as depression, seek professional treatment. Talking to a mental health professional may help you discover the strategies you need to feel your best. How Stress Can Cause Weight Gain

Biography of Voltaire, French Enlightenment Writer

Born Franà §ois-Marie Arouet, Voltaire (November 21, 1694 – May 30, 1778) was a writer and philosopher of the French Enlightenment period. He was an incredibly prolific writer, advocating for civil freedoms and criticizing major institutions such as the Catholic Church. Fast Facts: Voltaire Full Name: Franà §ois-Marie ArouetOccupation: Writer, poet, and philosopherBorn: November 21, 1694 in Paris, FranceDied: May 30, 1778 in Paris, FranceParents: Franà §ois Arouet and Marie Marguerite DaumardKey Accomplishments: Voltaire published significant criticism of the French monarchy. His commentary on religious tolerance, historiographies, and civil liberties became a key component of Enlightenment thinking. Early Life Voltaire was the fifth child and fourth son of Franà §ois Arouet and his wife Marie Marguerite Daumard. The Arouet family had already lost two sons, Armand-Franà §ois and Robert, in infancy, and Voltaire (then Franà §ois-Marie) was nine years younger than his surviving brother, Armand, and seven years younger than his sole sister, Marguerite-Catherine. Franà §ois Arouet was a lawyer and a treasury official; their family was part of the French nobility, but at the lowest possible rank. Later in life, Voltaire claimed to be the illegitimate son of a higher-ranked nobleman by the name of Guà ©rin de Rochebrune. His early education came from the Jesuits at the Collà ¨ge Louis-le-Grand. From the age of ten until seventeen, Voltaire received classical instruction in Latin, rhetoric, and theology. Once he left school, he decided he wanted to become a writer, much to the dismay of his father, who wanted Voltaire to follow him into the law. Voltaire also continued learning outside the confines of formal education. He developed his writing talents and also became multilingual, attaining fluency in English, Italian, and Spanish in addition to his native French. First Career and Early Romance After leaving school, Voltaire moved to Paris. He pretended to be working as an assistant to a notary, theoretically as a stepping stone into the legal profession. In reality, though, he was actually spending most of his time writing poetry. After a time, his father found out the truth and sent him away from Paris to study law in Caen, Normandy. Di Nicolas de Largillià ¨re - Scan by User:Manfred Heyde, Pubblico dominio, Collegamento Even this did not deter Voltaire from continuing to write. He merely switched over from poetry to writing studies on history and essays. During this period, the witty style of writing and speaking that made Voltaire so popular first appeared in his work, and it endeared him to many of the higher-ranking nobles he spent time around. In 1713, with his father’s assistance, Voltaire began working at the Hague in the Netherlands as a secretary to the French ambassador, the marquis de Chà ¢teauneuf. While there, Voltaire had his earliest known romantic entanglement, falling in love with a Huguenot refugee, Catherine Olympe Dunoyer. Unfortunately, their connection was considered unsuitable and caused something of a scandal, so the marquis forced Voltaire to break it off and return to France. By this point, his political and legal career had all but been given up. Playwright and Government Critic Upon returning to Paris, Voltaire launched his writing career. Since his favorite topics were critiques of the government and satires of political figures, he landed in hot water pretty quickly. One early satire, which accused the Duke of Orleans of incest, even landed him in prison in the Bastille for nearly a year. Upon his release, however, his debut play (a take on the Oedipus myth) was produced, and it was a critical and commercial success. The Duke whom he had previously offended even presented him with a medal in recognition of the achievement. It was around this time that Franà §ois-Marie Arouet began going by the pseudonym Voltaire, under which he would publish most of his works. To this day, there’s much debate as to how he came up with the name. It may have its roots as an anagram or pun on his family name or several different nicknames. Voltaire reportedly adopted the name in 1718, after being released from the Bastille. After his release, he also struck up a new romance with a young widow, Marie-Marguerite de Rupelmonde. Unfortunately, Voltaire’s next works did not have nearly the same success as his first. His play Artà ©mire flopped so badly that even the text itself only survives in a few fragments, and when he tried to publish an epic poem about King Henry IV (the first Bourbon dynasty monarch), he couldn’t find a publisher in France. Instead, he and Rupelmonde journeyed to the Netherlands, where he secured a publisher in The Hague. Eventually, Voltaire convinced a French publisher to publish the poem, La Henriade, secretly. The poem was a success, as was his next play, which was performed at the wedding of Louis XV. Chateau de Cirey where Voltaire lived.  ©MDT52 In 1726, Voltaire became involved in a quarrel with a young nobleman who reportedly insulted Voltaire’s change of name. Voltaire challenged him to a duel, but the nobleman instead had Voltaire beaten, then arrested without a trial. He was, however, able to negotiate with authorities to be exiled to England rather than imprisoned at the Bastille again. English Exile As it turns out, Voltaire’s exile to England would change his entire outlook. He moved in the same circles as some of the leading figures of English society, thought, and culture, including Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and more. In particular, he became fascinated by the government of England in comparison with France: England was a constitutional monarchy, whereas France still lived under an absolute monarchy. The country also had greater freedoms of speech and religion, which would become a key component of Voltaire’s criticisms and writings. Voltaire was able to return to France after a little more than two years, though still banned from the court at Versailles. Thanks to participation in a plan to literally purchase the French lottery, along with an inheritance from his father, he quickly became incredibly rich. In the early 1730s, he began publishing work that showed his clear English influences. His play Zaà ¯re was dedicated to his English friend Everard Fawkener and included praise of English culture and freedoms. He also published a collection of essays that praised British politics, attitudes towards religion and science, and arts and literature, called the  Letters Concerning the English Nation, in 1733 in London. The next year, it was published in French, landing Voltaire in hot water again. Because he did not get the approval of the official royal censor before publishing, and because the essays praised British religious freedom and human rights, the book was banned and Voltaire had to quickly flee from Par is. In 1733, Voltaire also met the most significant romantic partner of his life: Émilie, the Marquise du Chà ¢telet, a mathematician who was married to the Marquis du Chà ¢telet. Despite being 12 years younger than Voltaire (and married, and a mother), Émilie was very much an intellectual peer to Voltaire. They amassed a shared collection of over 20,000 books and spent time studying and performing experiments together, many of which were inspired by Voltaire’s admiration of Sir Isaac Newton. After the Letters scandal, Voltaire fled to the estate belonging to her husband. Voltaire paid to renovate the building, and her husband did not raise any fuss about the affair, which would continue for 16 years. Somewhat abashed by his multiple conflicts with the government, Voltaire began keeping a lower profile, although he continued his writing, now focused on history and science. The Marquise du Chà ¢telet contributed considerably alongside him, producing a definitive French translation of Newton’s Principia and writing reviews of Voltaire’s Newton-based work. Together, they were instrumental in introducing Newton’s work in France. They also developed some critical views on religion, with Voltaire publishing several texts that sharply criticized the establishment of state religions, religious intolerance, and even organized religion as a whole. Similarly, he railed against the style of histories and biographies of the past, suggesting they were filled with falsehoods and supernatural explanations and needed a fresh, more scientific and evidence-based approach to research. Connections in Prussia Frederick the Great, while he was still just the crown prince of Prussia, began a correspondence with Voltaire around 1736, but they did not meet in person until 1740. Despite their friendship, Voltaire still went to Frederick’s court in 1743 as a French spy to report back on Frederick’s intentions and capabilities with regards to the ongoing War of Austrian Succession. By the mid-1740s, Voltaire’s romance with the Marquise du Chà ¢telet had begun to wind down. He grew tired of spending nearly all his time at her estate, and both found new companionship. In Voltaire’s case, it was even more scandalous than their affair had been: he was attracted to, and later lived with, his own niece, Marie Louise Mignot. In 1749, the Marquise died in childbirth, and Voltaire moved to Prussia the following year. Circa 1751, Voltaire travelled to Prussia in 1750, on the invitation of Friedrich II and was a permanent resident of court for two years. Hulton Archive / Getty Images During the 1750s, Voltaire’s relationships in Prussia began to deteriorate. He was accused of theft and forgery relating to some bond investments, then had a feud with the president of the Berlin Academy of Sciences that ended with Voltaire writing a satire that angered Frederick the Great and resulted in the temporary destruction of their friendship. They would, however, reconcile in the 1760s. Geneva, Paris, and Final Years Forbidden by King Louis XV to return to Paris, Voltaire instead arrived in Geneva in 1755. He continued publishing, with major philosophical writings such as Candide, or Optimism, a satire of Leibnizs philosophy of optimistic determinism which would become Voltaire’s most famous work. Candide by VOLTAIRE, Francois-Marie Arouet - French philosopher, playwright and novelist. Title-page of Candide or Optimism. Culture Club / Getty Images Starting in 1762, Voltaire took up the causes of unjustly persecuted people, particularly those who were victims of religious persecution. Among his most notable causes was the case of Jean Calas, a Huguenot who was convicted of murdering his son for wanting to convert to Catholicism and tortured to death; his property was confiscated and his daughters forced into Catholic convents. Voltaire, along with others, strongly doubted his guilt and suspected a case of religious persecution. The conviction was overturned in 1765. Voltaire’s last year was still full of activity. In early 1778, he was initiated into Freemasonry, and historians dispute as to whether he did so at the urging of Benjamin Franklin or not. He also returned to Paris for the first time in a quarter century to see his latest play, Irene, open. He fell ill on the journey and believed himself to be on death’s doorstep, but recovered. Two months later, however, he became ill again and died on May 30, 1778. Accounts of his deathbed vary wildly, depending on the sources and their own opinions of Voltaire. His famous deathbed quote—in which a priest asked him to renounce Satan and he replied â€Å"Now is not the time for making new enemies!†Ã¢â‚¬â€is likely apocryphal and actually traced to a 19th-century joke that was attributed to Voltaire in the 20th century. Voltaire was formally denied a Christian burial because of his criticism of the Church, but his friends and family managed to secretly arrange a burial at the abbey of Scellià ¨res in Champagne. He left behind a complicated legacy. For instance, while he argued for religious tolerance, he also was one of the origins of Enlightenment-era anti-Semitism. He endorsed anti-slavery and anti-monarchical views, but disdained the idea of democracy as well. In the end, Voltaire’s texts became a key component of Enlightenment thinking, which has allowed his philosophy and writing to endure for centuries. Sources Pearson, Roger. Voltaire Almighty: A Life in Pursuit of Freedom. Bloomsbury, 2005.Pomeau, Renà © Henry. â€Å"Voltaire: French Philosopher and Author.† Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Voltaire.â€Å"Voltaire.† Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/voltaire/

The Alegorical Nature of O Captain! My Captain! by Walt...

Explication of â€Å"O Captain! My Captain!† â€Å"O Captain! My Captain!† is one of the most popular poems ever written by Walt Whitman. Upon the initial reading of this poem, one may perceive the poem to be about a loyal captain who leads his crew on a treacherous, but successful, voyage which ends in devastation. If interpreted literally this is the poem’s only meaning, but for those who look further there is an underlying story behind the words of Whitman. Whitman uses multiple literary elements throughout this poem in order to unmask the story of Abraham Lincoln’s journey and ultimate death as a result of the Civil War and his fight to end slavery. The title of the poem, â€Å"O Captain! My Captain!† , insinuates that the poem will be centered†¦show more content†¦The speaker states, â€Å"Rise up – for you the flag is flung- for you the bugle trills† (line 10). This is interpreted as the ending of the war due to the pat riotic symbolism of the flag which stands for freedom and also victory. Within this stanza, the importance of the captain is now extended from just the speaker to all those who await the ship’s arrival. This is demonstrated as the speaker states, â€Å"For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning† (lines 11-12). The joyful tone of the stanza ceases towards the end as an unexpected downfall of emotions begins. Whitman uses repetition in lines 15 and 16 when he states â€Å"It is some dream that on the deck, / You’ve fallen cold and dead† (lines 15-16). This serves as a disturbing reminder that the figure which was most significant to the entire situation is no longer alive. The depressing realization of the captain’s death is evident and seen most within the last stanza as the tone changes from that of triumph and elation to heartbreak and grief. This is shown through Whitman’s use of imagery as the speaker states, â€Å"My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, / My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will† (lines 17-18). This provides a detailed description of the lifeless captain as he lies on the deck. The following lines describe the successfulness of the mission as the captain has led his crew to safety after accomplishing the goals which were set. This alteration in tone

President John Kennedy Was a Great President Free Essays

â€Å"The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been† (Henry). This quote from Henry Kissinger is a representation of the Kennedy term in office. President Kennedy took the world to a whole new level; he succeeded in many tasks in his short time as president. We will write a custom essay sample on President John Kennedy Was a Great President or any similar topic only for you Order Now John F. Kennedy was great president because of his involvements in the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Space Race, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Peace Corps. On October 22, 1962, President John F.  Kennedy â€Å"informed the world† that the Soviets were building secretive missile bases in Cuba, very close to Florida. President Kennedy decided to take the peaceful route in handling is major crisis. As President, his first move was to talk to Premier Nikita Khrushchev and demand the removal of all missile bases, and â€Å"deadly content† in Cuba. Secondly, President Kennedy had â€Å"U. S. forces around the world†¦placed on alert. More than 100,000 troops deployed to Florida for a possible invasion of Cuba. Additional naval vessels were ordered to the Caribbean. B-52s loaded with nuclear weapons were in the air at all times. † (The World). He ordered a naval quarantine/blockade on Cuba to prevent Russian ships from bringing additional missile and construction materials to the island (Goldman). Because of President John Kennedy’s strong efforts to prevent this huge nuclear war, two main things came out of it. One of which is the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. On August 5, 1963, the United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This treaty â€Å"prohibits nuclear weapons tests or other nuclear explosions under water, in the atmosphere, or in outer space, allows underground nuclear tests as long as no radioactive debris falls outside the boundaries of the nation conducting the test, and pledges signatories to work towards complete disarmament, an end to the armaments race, and an end to the contamination of the environment by radioactive substances. † (Nuclear). Also, because President John Kennedy decided to take the peaceful route to settling this dispute, he prevented a huge nuclear war from happening, maybe even another World War. Premier Nikita Khrushchev described it as, â€Å"The two most powerful nations had been squared off against each other, each with its finger on the button. † (Nuclear). If this other World War or massive nuclear war would have occurred, just think of where we would be today. â€Å"The founding of the Peace Corps is one of President John F. Kennedy’s most enduring legacies. † (Founding). As soon as President Kennedy became the President, he vowed to help Americans be â€Å"active citizens. † One of his first moves in office was to create the Peace Corps. The way he came up with this idea of the Peace Corps was when he spoke to students at the University of Michigan during a campaign speech and challenged them to live and work in other countries to dedicate â€Å"themselves to the cause of peace and development. † (Peace). The main purpose for this was so â€Å"Americans can volunteer to work anywhere in the world where assistance is needed. † (John F. Kennedy, the 35th). This answers President Kennedy’s call to â€Å"ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. † (Founding). President John Kennedy was very involved in the Peace Corps. He got to know all of the volunteers very well. Peace Corps volunteers became known as â€Å"Kennedy’s Kids† because if the special bond President Kennedy felt with them. Volunteers in the Peace Corps â€Å"help people of interest countries meet their needs for trained workers†, they help others understand the Americas better, and also to help people of America understand those of other countries. In the 1960s, the Peace Corps was immensely popular because of his campaign speech at the college, which encouraged newly graduated college students to join and help around the world. From that point in time, the Peace Corps continue to grow. Today, more than 195,000 volunteers have served in over â€Å"139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation. † (Peace) Today’s world is a lot different compared to the world in the 1960s. The Peace Corps continually change with the times. People still volunteer as much, and even more than they did in the 1960s. Issues in other countries have severed over time, but because of the Peace Corps, people can help lessen this severe issue. The last effect of President Kennedy’s involvement is that because volunteers traveled around the world, we now know more about others’ cultures and traditions. The volunteers of the Peace Corps would live in different host countries, and adapt to their surroundings. They would learn multiple traditions and witness many cultural practices. When volunteers would return home, they would share their many experiences with family and friends, thus causing it to be spread and learned throughout the world. In the late 1950s, the Space Race was initiated when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial Earth satellite. From that point on, the Soviet Union and United States faced off to be the first country to land on the moon. President Kennedy feared that if the United States were not the first to land on the moon, that everyone would see them as a weak country that is â€Å"behind communist Russia† (Mills), and he did not want that image for his country. On May 25, 1961, President Kennedy submitted the lunar landing program to congress (Mills). In a meeting between President Kennedy, vice president Johnson, and Premier Khrushchev, they all decided that conquering space was a huge ordeal. Both countries wanted to show their military strength and scientific superiority. Premier Khrushchev wanted to show that communist technology was superior. According to President Kennedy, â€Å"No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space. And none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish† (Mills). Without President Kennedy’s persistent thrive to enter space, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Before his time, space travel was just a dream. Sadly, on November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas for a NASA meeting of some sort. His vice president, Lyndon B. Johnson, however, carried on his â€Å"lunar landing† wish. Finally, in 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon, thus ending the space race between Russia and the United States. Landing on the moon was the story of the century. According to a Jefferson City, MO newspaper, â€Å"the walk on the moon, although viewed via television, still seems like a chapter from Jules Verne’s fantasies. If] the moon-walk not been televised, we believe there would be many in the world who still would be doubting† (Mills). The placement of the flag on the moon was an unforgettable sight- one which will be long remembered by man, especially the grateful and proud Americans. In President Kennedy’s campaign for president, he promised â€Å"executive, moral, and legislative leadership to combat racial discrimination† (John F. Kennedy John). One of his first actions was to appoint many African Americans into office. One of which was Thurgood Marshall, a federal judge, and he directed the NAACP. Because of all of this, African Americans felt as if they actually had â€Å"friends† in the justice department. In May of 1961, the Kennedy Administration sent officials to protect Martin Luther King, Jr. from a mob during the â€Å"freedom rides† (John F. Kennedy John). His Civil Rights Address was a turning point for the country, and this also meant that President Kennedy could potentially lose the south and his 1964 election, or it would â€Å"dead lock congress† (John F. Kennedy John). Everything that President Kennedy did for this Civil Rights Movement helped change the course of discrimination in the world. He put a stop to public display of discrimination by passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which also attempted to deal with the problem of African Americans being denied the right to vote in the South. Also, his brave Civil rights Address, which could have cost him his election, moved an immense amount of people. It changes their minds on the topic of discrimination, and in today’s world, discrimination is very slim. In all of these events in history, President Kennedy changed the world for a better. From preventing a huge nuclear war from happening, to stopping discrimination; President Kennedy is the definition of a great president. How to cite President John Kennedy Was a Great President, Essay examples

Evolution of square dancing Essay Example For Students

Evolution of square dancing Essay What do the words square dance mean to you? For most they bring on images of red barns full of men in cowboy hats and women in gingham dresses skipping along as a fiddler plays and the cows and horses look on. These dances are often thought of as a thing of the 1930s or something we see in movies such as Oklahoma. However, the form we know of today has far outgrown that stigma. Square dancing is popular across the world and is performed by all ages. Square dance groups attend conferences, clinics, and competitions year round. There are also many magazines and newsletters devoted to the people addicted to this dance. The square dance, four couples in a set who are led by a caller through a variety of maneuvers and formations1 , has gone through many changes over the past centuries. Originally, it is believed to have come from the longways, or contra, dance. Performed as two parallel lines of dancers it was shortened later to form what is now known as square dancing. The contra dance can be found in seventeenth century Spanish dances that consist of the crossing of two columns and early English country-dance, two circles that return to their original lines. These dances were passed down through the generations and were merely memorized, but in 1650, the steps were written out. However, the body formations were not entirely explained, so many past steps are not known. The tradition of calling the dances did not come until later. During the eighteenth century, religious groups rallied against dance, calling it devilish. Early Puritans, however, showed evidence of loving it. One English author, John Bunyon, said all good people dance, from the angels down. .2 The acceptance of dancing varied from preacher to preacher and upon acceptance a dance master would announce to the town that dance classes would be held for the people for the next couple of days. Dance masters traveled the country fostering the growth of the dance, reaching out to people that would have never been exposed to such things. Upon a military alliance with France following the Revolution, French dance masters came to America introducing variations of their contra dance that had been shortened to line dances with four couples. These became known as quadrilles- a forerunner of American Square Dance.3 An anti-British sentiment caused the quadrilles to grow in popularity due to the Americans insistence on not supporting any English dances. In 18 48, the West brought forth another new type of dance called a cotillion. These consisted of a square formation that was led by a fiddler who called, or gave a series of directions, to the dancers. So began the start of what we now know to be modern square dancing. The breakdown of the modern square dance begins with the four major subdivisions: the introduction, the main figure, breaks, and the final terminating movement. In the introduction, the dancers in each set all move at the same time and these moves are interchangeable for almost any square dance. The second part, the main figure, consists of the bulk of the dance- a series of maneuvers. Dancers may have one couple perform a figure or the females may dance in unison and then the males. These are usually done four times. The breaks, or trimmings, are put in between each main figure and like the introduction, are often interchangeable. The breaks allow the dancers a slight break before continuing. For the final part of the dan ce, known as the terminating movement, the dancers perform together and the caller usually decides upon its content. The formation of a square dance is composed of four couples standing on the sides of a hollow square, facing toward the center.4 Each of the couples stand on one side of the square. The man stands to the left of the female. Some basic terms that are used when referring to the formation are couple, set, station, head and side. A couple means two persons who are partners in the dance.5 A set is a group of four couples that dance together. The station is each couples position in the set. Couples that stand at first and third are known as the head whereas those at second and fourth are the side couples. From these basic formations, the dance becomes more complex as other techniques are introduced. In order to participate in square dances of today, dancers must learn a set of basic movements and techniques. These movements are one or two word commands such as the ladies ch ain or wheel around 6 that are the basics for the dance. By knowing these maneuvers the dancers will be in the positions necessary for the next call. Each step compliments the other so that the dance will go smoothly and without error. There are five skill levels attached to square dancers depending on the movements and techniques they know. The first, the Basic Plateau, covers the first forty-nine basic movements and is estimated to take ten two and a half-hour lessons to achieve. Extended basics come next, followed by Mainstream, which has eighty-five basics. The fourth level, Plus Movements, is a step above Mainstream. Some dancers reach the Advanced Plateau or Challenge Plateau, the highest accomplishment. To make a square dance complete a good caller must lead the group. There are many different techniques to calling. Each one helps the dancers through the different figures and patterns allowing the dance to run perfectly. The easiest call is known as the command call, where th e caller simply calls out each command and then waits until the next one. This type often accompanies hoedowns due to the type of music used. Patter calls are command calls with an extra excitement to them. Between the commands, meaningless, funny words are added in to spice it up. Another type of call is the singing calls. A well-known song is used with the calls substituted in for the original words. This type of technique limits the flexibility of the callers phrasing because only certain words can be inserted into each song. Hash calling changes the methods of patter calling by switching the commands where the dancers do not anticipate it. This requires an experienced caller as well as experienced dancers who can keep up with the constant changes in the routine. Death Of Salesman (4885 words) Essay6. Harris, Jane A., Dance A While. New York: Macmillan 7. Greene, Hank. Square and Folk Dancing: A Complete Guide for Students, Teachers and Callers. New York: Harper and Row,Bibliography:BibliographyBrown, Don. 1999. What is Square Dance? Online: http://members.aol.com/drbrown770/whatis.htm. Greene, Hank. Square and Folk Dancing: A Complete Guide for Students, Teachers and Callers. New York: Harper and Row, Publishers, Inc., 1984. Harris, Jane A., Dance A While. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1988. Kraus, Richard G., Square Dances of Today. New York: A.S. Barnes and Co., 1950. McBride, George and Joyce. 1999. Whats a 50/50 Anniversary? Online:http://www.dosido.com/asd/february99/cover.shtml. Shaw, Lloyd. Cowboy Dances. Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1941.

American Music and Culture Jazz Dance free essay sample

Jazz Dance Jazz dance, is defined as any dance to jazz accompaniments, composed of a profusion of forms. Jazz dance paralleled the birth and spread of Jazz itself from roots in black American society and was popularized in ballrooms by the big bands of the swing era (1 sass and ass). It radically altered the style of American and European stage and social dance in the 20th century. The term is sometimes used more narrowly to describe popular stage dance (except tap dance) and Jazz-derived or Jazz-influenced forms of modern dance.It excludes social dances lacking Jazz accompaniment he rumba and other Latin-American dances. The original steps were exemplified out In the plantations, and Jazz dance itself came about as a crossbreed of American culture, European Gigs and the music and movement were tradition of the African slaves. Jazz music obviously inspired some of the first documented Jazz dance choreography, and this further adds to the rich and diverse history of Jazz dance. We will write a custom essay sample on American Music and Culture : Jazz Dance or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Europe lent elegance to the technique; Africa gave it Its movement and rhythm, and America allowed it to have the exposure and growing popularity that has sustained it as a cherished dance style today. Jazz dance developed from both 19th- and 20th- century stage dance and traditional black social dances and their white ballroom offshoots. On the stage, minstrel show performers In the 19th century developed tap dancing from a combination of Irish jigging, English clog dancing, and African rhythmic stamping.Tap dance and such social dances as the cakewalk and shuffle became popular vaudeville acts and appeared in Broadway revues and musical comedies as these replaced vaudeville early In the 20th century. In addition, comedy, specialty, and character dances to Jazz rhythms became standard stage routines. By the sass elements of Jazz dance had appeared in modern dance and in motion picture choreography. The History of Jazz Dance During the early sasss we find more and more blacks performing outside of the narrow stereotype of the minstrel show. Again the traveling shows spread the music and dance culture of black people far and wide.In addition to the spreading of culture, there was another important aspect to the events taking place: it was the beginning of the musical theatre. The black musical revue offered comedians, singers and dancers an opportunity to perform without making fun of their race. Out of such performances, one became aware of new dance developments: cakewalks, grinds, comedy dance, etc. Another important factor in this discussion on the historical development of modern jazz dance is always the constant dance involvement and development in the everyday lives of black people.Dance has always been a part of the expression of black people in church, at social gatherings, etc. Probably the social or vernacular dance, as Stearns calls it, is more important than any one particular form that evolved out of it. So as the dance of the musical revue evolved, it was erectly associated with and tied to the everyday dance of the people. Prior to 1900 there were such black shows as The South Before the War, The Creole Show, Oriental America, etc. Many of the dance movements associated with jazz dance can be traced across the Atlantic.Once in the new country, the African slaves continued to use dance as a means of self-expression and an emotional outlet, despite being forbidden to dance by their owners. Until the mid sass, the term Jazz dance often referred to tap dance, because tap dancing (set to Jazz music) was the main performance dance of the era. During the later Jazz age, popular forms of Jazz dance were the Cakewalk, Black Bottom, Charleston, Jitterbug, Boogie Woozier, Swing dancing and the related Lindy Hop. Although the stage popularized certain social dances, many others were transmitted mainly in social gatherings. The dances that gave rise to social forms of Jazz dance developed from rural slave dances. In both early dances and 20th-century Jazz dances, there is a noticeable continuity of dance elements and motions. The eagle rock and the slow drag (late 19th century) as well as the Charleston and the Jitterbug have elements in common with certain Caribbean ND African dances.In addition, the slow drag contributed to the fish of the sass; the ring shout, which survived from the 18th into the 20th century. After the sass, pioneers such as Katherine Dunham took the essence of Caribbean traditional dance and made it into a performing art. With the growing domination of other forms of entertainment music, Jazz dance evolved on Broadway into the new, smooth style that is taught today and known as Modern Jazz, while tap dance branched off to follow its own, separate evolutionary path. The performance style of Jazz dance was popularized to a large extent by Bob Fosse work, which is exemplified by Broadway shows such as Chicago, Cabaret, Damn Yankees, and The Pajama Game. Modern Jazz dance continues to be an essential element of musical theatre, and it can often be seen in music videos and competitive dance. Jazz Dance Techniques Throughout its history, Jazz dance has developed in parallel to popular music. This pattern of development has resulted in a few elements of movement key to the dance style, the most important being that Jazz is they physical embodiment of the popular music of a given time.An example of this is that during a down time of Jazz dancing from 1945-1954, when big bands and dance halls were declining, the vernacular of the dance followed less Jazz music and leaned more toward rock and roll, creating moves like The Monkey and The Jerk Syncopated rhythm is a common characteristic in Jazz music that was adapted to Jazz dance in the early twentieth c entury and has remained a significant characteristic Isolations are a quality of movement that were introduced to Jazz dance by Katherine Dunham.Improvisation was an important element in early forms of Jazz dance, as it is an important element of Jazz music. A low center of gravity and high level of energy are other important identifying characteristics of Jazz dance. Jazz, tap and musical theatrical dance are cousins. These forms of dance are tied to everyday music, songs and rhythms. Jazz dance involves a range of lively, often sensuous body movement and percussion techniques, with a mix of tap steps, social dances and ballet. New forms of Jazz dance developed with new music, such as the Charleston, swing, rock and roll, and the Caribbean reggae.Other elements of Jazz dance are less moon and are the stabilization of their respective choreographers one such example are the inverted limbs and hunched-over posture of Bob Fosse. Fosse was an American actor, dancer, musical theater choreographer, director, screen- choreography, as well as one for direction. He was nominated for an Academy Award four times, winning for his direction of Cabaret (beating Francis Ford Copula for The Godfather). His third wife, Broadway legend Gwen Verdure, helped to define and perfect his unique and distinct style simply referred to today as Fosse. . Jazz Dance Pioneers and African Americans Katherine Dunham was an anthropologist fascinated by dances of the Caribbean. She researched them and then devised her own style of dance and teaching methods. She went on to dance on Broadway and to form her own school. Her school in New York was very influential in the sass and her technique of pelvic and spine isolations is now a part of almost every Jazz class. Jerome Robbins was the greatest Broadway Jazz choreographer of our time. He dealt with action, humor and adolescent themes in his Broadway musicals and films.He choreographed Fancy Free and Wisest Story among others. His choreography was powerful and appealed to huge audiences. His influence on Broadway is still felt today. Gus Giordano has received many awards for his outstanding lifetime contribution to Jazz dance. He has been involved in all facets of dance: dancer, teacher, choreographer, author, and founder of Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Center in Chicago. Giordano book, Anthology of American Jazz Dance , was the first book of its kind and was instrumental in helping turn the study of Jazz dance into a respectable and important American dance form. Gus has been involved in dance for T. V. , film, stage and commercials. His companys current goals are to seek out talented new choreographers and dancers and highlight their work. Also to educate, as well as create, an awareness of Jazz dance as a true artistic expression of American life, both nationally and internationally. Major Events of Jazz Dance and Jazz Dance Today In 1931, when the New Negro Art Theatre presented a recital which included a suite of interpretive dances based on Southern spirituals, old limitations were defied and a precedent was established. A pioneer black dancer in the interpretive field, Himself Winfield, was the moving spirit behind the program. The suite dealt with an area of black life which had never before been presented through dance on the stage. The subject matter and approach of the dance went beyond the scope of the black dance tradition and in doing so the suite set a precedent for future interpretive presentations of black music and dance. Vaudeville, or the variety show, was initially a European tradition of traveling performers moving from town to town with their skits, songs and dances.In America, this provided opportunity for a range of popular entertainers to thrive, such as Bill Bespangles Robinson a black tap dancer. Show angers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers blended flowing ballet movements with more abrupt rhythmic movements of Jazz. Concert Jazz dance developed as a revue or series of separate Jazz dance productions. Musical comedy/theatre evolved from variety shows. Themes, story lines and chorus work developed into the musical theatre we know today. Agnes De Mille, who choreographed Oklahoma, elevated the Today, Jazz dance is present in many different forms and venues.

Fibonacci and Nature essays

Fibonacci and Nature essays The math project topic Eddy and I have chosen is the Fibonacci Sequence and it's relation to nature. The Sequence is very popular and involves many aspects of life including animals, plants and other educational purposes. The topic is extremely interesting and will change the way students look at everyday things by considering Fibonacci and his famous numbering system. The Fibonacci Sequence is a series of numbers first created in 1202 by Leonardo Fibonacci. It is a relatively simple series, but it's ramifications and applications are practically limitless. It has fascinated mathematicians for over 700 years, and nearly everyone who has worked with it has added a new tidbit of information to the Fibonacci puzzle. The mathematics of the Sequence is a constantly expanding branch of number theory, with more and more people being drawn into the complex subleties of Fibonacci's legacy. The Sequence works by taking the last two numbers in the sequence and adding them to form the next number in the sequence. Thus, if we start with "0" and "1" and add them, we find the third Fibonacci number, which is 1(i.e., 0 + 1 = 1). Each successive number is found in the exact same manner. Therefore, the fourth number would be 2(i.e., 1 + 1 = 2) and the fifth number would be 3(i.e., 1 + 2 + 3). The Sequence will then continue in this manner... 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89...... In the year 1202, Fibonacci became interested in the reproduction of rabbits. He created an imaginary set of ideal conditions under which rabbits could breed, and posed the question, "How many pairs of rabbits will there be a year from now?". The ideal set of conditions was as follows: 1. You begin with one male and one female rabbit. These rabbits have just been born. 2. A rabbit will reach sexual maturity after one month. 3. The gestation period of a rabbit is one month. 4. Once it has reached sexual maturity, a female rabbit will give birth...