Electrical Aplication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Electrical Aplication - Essay Example In a typical VCM plant these are initially reacted together to form an important process intermediate, ethylene dichloride (EDC). 2.) an EDC cracking unit, in which EDC is thermally decomposed into VCM and hydrogen chloride. The hydrogen chloride is recycled as feedstock to a further stage, the oxychlorination unit, while unconverted EDC is separated and recycled. The VCM is purified for use in PVC production. 3.) an oxychlorination unit, in which recycled hydrogen chloride is reacted with further ethylene feedstock in the presence of copper chloride catalyst and oxygen. This produces further quantities of EDC, while excess hydrogen is oxidised to form water. VCM is polymerised in large scale batch reactors in the presence of water, initiators (catalysts) and other additives. The suspended droplets of liquid monomer are progressively converted to solid or porous PVC particles, depending on grade. Unreacted VCM is stripped from the polymer, and water is separated by centrifuging. The polymer is then dried, typically in fluidised bed drying equipment. Suspension PVC is used for virtually all extrusion, injection moulding and film making processes. Individual grades are characterised by their melt flow properties and their suitability for rigid (unplasticised) or flexible (plasticised) applications. The polymerisation stage involves an emulsion of very fine droplets of VCM in water, and the process forms a stable emulsion, or latex, of polymer in water. After the removal of unreacted monomer, the water is removed by evaporation in spray drying equipment. PVC compounds are prepared by blending PVC resin with additives to give the required properties in the fabricated finished product. The additives, which include plasticisers, stabilisers, lubricants, fillers, impact modifiers and pigments, will make the PVC either flexible or rigid. In the calendering process, the PVC mixture is initially melted in the gap between two

The Basics of Interpersonal Relationships Essay Example for Free

The Basics of Interpersonal Relationships Essay After considering your request for advice on interpersonal communications I have come to the decision that the information I have learned in my communications class could be beneficial for a young, recently engaged couple. Addressing the most important points could be useful, especially now that you both have decided to take your relationship to the next level. I have learned in this class that having good communication skills benefits everyone and that it is particularly important in building a stronger and more successful marriage. Although we communicate without giving it much thought, not everyone has the proper skills to communicate well so I have selected five areas of interpersonal communication which I will pass on to you in this letter. The skills I consider to be most crucial in achieving a long and happy marriage are, principles and misconceptions, self-concept, gender and cultural differences, nonverbal communication and last but most importantly, listening. There are many communication skills necessary to ensure a successful relationship, and when it comes to effective interpersonal communications there are many aspects of communicating that we need to remember. Communication and the way we communicate is said to be what separates us from our animal cousins. It is defined as â€Å"a process by which we share ideas of information with other people† (cited in Sole, p.5). Whether it is verbal or nonverbal, communication is the most important aspect of building a lasting relationship. Principles and Misconceptions To begin with I would like to explain a little about the principles and misconceptions in terms of interpersonal communications. It is necessary to mention that â€Å"Communication is not simply the exchange of words and information; it is the means through which we share knowledge, thoughts, ideas, and feelings with other people†¦the way people connect with other people†¦and it is these interactions that create the meaning and richness of life† (Cited in Sole, preface). Linguists who have studied the basis of the human language believe that the human language uses symbols such as words, pictures or objects to represent something else. It has been agreed upon that certain communications symbols stand for certain sounds or written combination of letters to equate to a particular object (Sole, 2011). Because the meaning of a word can conger up different images for everyone it is crucial, that when communicating with others, that there is a shared understanding of the meaning of the words to eliminate any misconceptions for either the person speaking or the person listening. Improving your interpersonal verbal communication skills enables one to be better understood and results in fewer miscommunications. Let me stress at this time that it is imperative that you take the time to get feedback when having a conversation in  order to make sure that the other person understands exactly what you are saying. Although it has been thought that good communication skills between loved ones are strong, recent studies show that couples are often times no better at communicating with one another than they are with strangers. I recently read an article that was published in U.S. News World Report in January of 2011 on communication, as it pertains to close relationships. The outcome of a study done by professors Kenneth Savitsky and Nicholas Epley offers valid examples of common miscommunications with couples. . As the study co-author Epley points out â€Å"Our problem in communicating with friends and spouses is that we have an illusion of insight (Epley, 2011). Many of us tend to assume that those we care about will be able to interpret the information we are offering without needing clarification. Well, this does not always happen. Effectively translating and conveying information while being sensitive to other people’s feelings is a skill. Even though communicating is often times complex, with continuous practice we can avoid the misunderstandings that can lead to problems in our personal lives. Having affective interpersonal communication skills can be the beginning; the initial step for bot h of you toward a mutual understanding which can lead to a successful relationship (Sole, 2011). Another important aspect of interpersonal communication that I would like to share with you is that of self-concept, which can be described as a complicated process that involves our gaining self-awareness, or in simpler terms, self-concept has to do with how we see ourselves as well as how others see us. It develops as a child and with the proper guidance can develop into a healthy image of one’s self. On the other hand negativity can also affect how we see ourselves (Sole, 2011). A child who grows up with positive reinforcement is more likely to be a confident individual who possesses the ability to converse in a more effective manner. It is here that I would like to disclose to you some personal information that will show how vital self-concept is. I was the product of a broken home. Now, you may argue that this is not unusual, but you should keep in mind that I grew up in the sixties; divorce was not as common as it is today. I was raised by a verbally abusive mother and suffered for a number of years as a young adult from low self-esteem, and as I have learned from taking this class, low self-esteem leads to insecurity and a lack of confidence. I worked for years to reverse the damage that was done. I was well into my thirties before I had gained the confidence necessary to build a good relationship. Since the psychological concepts of self relates to interpersonal communications in many ways, this is a critical factor in communications, not only how it affects the way we interact with others, but how they interact with us. In the textbook, Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication written by Kathy Sole (2011), she notes that, not only is self-concept learned, it is changeable. It is developed through interaction with other. In other words, self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem not only define who we are, but govern relationship quality. Having a positive self-concept leads to positive self-image, this in turn ensures a more positive feeling of self-esteem (Sole, 2011). Gender and Cultural Differences From here we can start to access other problem areas that couples are confronted with such as gender and cultural differences. Gender and cultural differences is an area that many couples have difficulty with at one time or another. I am sure that you have noticed the diversity that exists when comparing the way men and women carry on a conversation. Even though we all want to connect to others there are distinct contrasts; not only is the language different between men and women but facial expression and body language are different as well. Words are interpreted differently. This can be said for cultural differences too. Generally speaking though, both men and women can be nurturing, sentimental and even aggressive. The afore mentioned emotions, as well as how we perceive each other and nonverbal communication, all go hand-in hand when striving to achieve effective interpersonal communications. Nonverbal communication It is surprising how much can be communicated without uttering a single word, or what is called nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication can relay a message through a frown, a cold stare, or even shrugging your shoulders. Nonverbal  communications (the process of communicating by sending wordless messages) can time and again lead to being misunderstood. Nonverbal communications encompasses not only body language, but facial expressions, and can even convey communications simply by how we choose to dress. Since very few gestures are universal, there is often times moments of awkwardness (Miczo, Segrin, Allspach , 2001). What we consider perfectly acceptable may offend a person from other cultures and some messages we send via nonverbal communication are done so unconsciously. When we use nonverbal communications we are substituting those gestures instead of using words and sometimes nonverbal messages are misunderstood (Sole, 2011). This type of communication is often times misinterpreted. For example, there was an instance when I was much younger that I found myself at a social gathering with not only friends, but people I had not yet met. It was at this function that one of the men in the group was telling us of an incident that he had recently experienced. Because I smiled and laughed in, what he considered to be, all of the appropriate places he took this to mean that I was interested in him. It was embarrassing for me because that was not the case; I was simply being a polite listener. So you can see from my experience, our nonverbal communication is as important as the words we choose in communicating with another individual or group of individuals. Remember that having an emotional discussion with someone and using the wrong hand gestures and/or facial expressions might cause a person to misinterpret or misunderstand what you are actually trying to convey to them. Listening Last but not least, and often times one of the most overlooked issue when discussing interpersonal communication, and what I feel to be the most important part of successful communication for couples, is listening. I am sure you have found yourself at times not giving your full attention when someone is speaking to you. A lack of motivation is often times the culprit. We all have a tendency to start thinking about other things if the speaker is not holding our attention, I am including myself, but to be a good listener ensures, that given all of the information, you will be able to offer a valid response. In order to relate to others it is important to listen to what they have to say. Even though we have been taught from childhood various skills such as reading and writing, one skill that is often overlooked is listening. Most of us feel that we are good listeners, but most of us are guilty of only hearing not listening. Listening is essential to the success of a compatible and long lasting relationship, but let me add that bad habits in regards to listening can be changed. Communication is the very means by which we share not only our ideas, but our thoughts and feelings with others In summing up the information that I have provided you with, it is my hope that the facts laid out in this letter will help you avoid the pitfalls of conversation that plague many couples. Remember Sam and Katie, that it is not how often you converse, but more the quality of your conversations with each other and that to be a good listener it is imperative that you make every attempt to give the conversation your full attention. It is  my hope that providing you both with information to build a lasting relationship through good communications will ensure a long and happy life together. Congratulations again to both of you. Keep in mind that there are other important aspects when it comes to communicating effectively, but I have shared with both of you essential information regarding what I consider to be five of the most significant areas that often effect good communication in a relationship. â€Å"Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions of affect other people.† -Jim Rohn, Author and motivational speaker (1930-2009),. Your friend, Billie References: Close relationships sometimes mask poor communication. (2011, January 24). U.S. News World,1. doi: 2270370592 Miczo, N., Segrin, C., Allspach, L. E. (2001). Relationship between nonverbal sensitivity, encoding, and relational satisfaction. Communication Reports, 14(1), 39-48. Retrieved July 28, 2012, from Research Library. Document ID: 72022836. Preston, P. (2005). Nonverbal communication: Do you really say what you mean? Journal of Healthcare Management, 50(2), 83-6. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Global. Document ID: 814698921 Schoenberg, N. (2011, January 17). Can we talk? Researcher talks about the role of communication in happy marriages. McClatchy-Tribune News Service. Retrieved from ProQuest Newsstand. Document ID: 2240370261 Sole, K., (2011). Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (https://content.ashford.edu) Sprecher, S., Hendrick, S. S. (2004, December). Self-disclosure in intimate relationships: Associations with individual and relationship characteristics over time. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(6), 857-877. doi:224670343

Queers :: essays research papers

In this age of liberation and relative morality it is no surprise that homosexuals have tried very hard to gain ground in the way of civil rights. Homosexuals say they want equal rights, and they want homosexual-marriages to be legalized. However, what they are asking for is not reasonable. They are humans; and therefore they already have the same rights as every other human living in America. What homosexuals want are special privileges and the acceptance of homosexuality as a natural alternative lifestyle, second, marriage is already clearly defined, and third because homosexuals already have the same rights, they want special privileges, and since homosexuality is not an innate quality they don’t deserve them. People who have been misinformed about what the homosexual agenda is think that homosexual marriage is natural and that it should be legalized. I however, am opposed to this because homosexuality is not a natural alternative lifestyle. First let’s define homose xuality. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, homosexuality is â€Å"having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex.† Men and women are obviously biologically different. â€Å"People of the same sex having intercourse goes against what is biologically natural† (Baird 114). Part of the homosexual agenda is to make people believe that homosexuals are the same as heterosexuals when it comes to engaging in sexual behavior. This is absolutely not true. In Michelangelo Signorile’s book Cassel’s Rawlings 2 Queer Companion, a dictionary of lesbian and gay life and culture, he describes some of the sexual activities that homosexuals practice. These includes â€Å"fisting, when one partner shoves his whole hand up the anus of the other partner† (Signorile 96). In the essay Homosexual Rights: What’s Wrong, written by Brad Hayton and John Eldrege, they stated that â€Å"The U.S. taxpayer-funded Mapplethorpe photos. . . portraying typi cal homosexual behavior: fisting, urinating into anothers mouth, and andomasochism. The average homosexual has 10-106 different partners per year--300-500 in a life time† (Hayton 2). How can this be compared to heterosexual intercourse? How is this natural? It isn’t; this type of sexual behavior- even if it were practiced by heterosexuals- cannot be considered natural, in fact there are many states that have anti-sodomy laws though not enforced. As part of their agenda homosexuals not only want these things to be accepted and protected by the government, they also want them to be taught in public school as part of the sex education curriculum.

Arachne EC

Earache From Ovoid's Metamorphoses, Earache remains a relevant myth in all its forms. The Myth of Earache provides both a spiritual almost religious moral baseline as well as an origin for a common household creature. In the myth, Earache- a talented weaver, challenges the weaving skills of Palls (also known as Athena). Intrigued, Athena weaves her tapestry and â€Å"Earache weaves hers in reply'. (Book VI: 103-128, http:// Ovid. Lib. Virginia. Due/trans/Metamorphose. HTML). Even Athena has to admit that Earache is the greatest weaver and in anger ruins her tapestry.Earache in shame kills resell, and is resurrected by Athena to live her life as a spider so that she can continue to weave. (Book VI: 129-145) This myth serves several purposes specifically to Greek culture. Firstly, it reminds those who revere the Greek Gods; that they are not only all powerful but that they have the same nature as humans do. Athena is human in the sense that she is jealous of the work of Earache. She t hen returns from Jealousy to show Earache compassion and love by resurrecting her to weave forever. In a religious way is an example of the condemnation of suicide within organized religion.All religions address suicide differently, but nevertheless it is addressed. The other common theme being that those within religious stories that choose to challenge a God/ Goddess in any way, never come out triumphant. It reminds those reading that the Gods are all powerful and always will be. This myth also creates an origin story for the word â€Å"arachnid† for spiders, a household creature. This helps the myth survive and makes it relevant to cultures across the world including my own, linking something that everyone knows, and everyone has seen to an origin and a person.Suddenly, those scary eight-legged little monsters are a piece of a woman's soul. They weave for the woman that bore them. When a small child is about to squash the spider and their loved one stops them and tells the m the story of Earache. The creature that Earache is turned into, directly reflects her as a woman. Firstly, the talented weaver is resurrected as a creature that weaves to survive. Secondly, after she has hung herself to end her life, she is turned into a creature that hangs onto the material that extends her life. She must now live from the art that caused her to take her own life.Besides teaching readers an example of hubris, the story teaches the importance of not boasting. When Athena is warned of the young woman's challenge, she gives her a last chance to learn some humility. The woman continues to boast and ignores the ominous warning. The practical piece of this myth is that it would be, could be told to children because it teaches so many warnings. It is fairly easy to imagine the matriarch or patriarch of the family sitting down the small proud child and telling them the story of Earache, and letting their eyes brighten as they relate and understand the story in all its po wer and meaning.The reason most myths and stories remain in a culture is usually centric to religion. Nearly every culture on the planet has some form of organized religion. The reason that stories linked to religion carry on, opposed to others is that they draw people together. These ideologies are passed among family members, on through generations and create links between families. This is part of the reason that other stories, not religiously based do not survive. They remain in families, changing over time, never chronicled and decomposing slowly over time.Build a big enough religious following and your stories will live forever. I find many of these stories including Earache's fascinating but slightly dramatic. Killing yourself over a ripped tapestry is a bit over the top. The phrase â€Å"crying over spilt milk† comes to mind. I understand the stories purpose as a lesson but wonder whether there wasn't a less severe way to get the point across. This specific story will live on because its namesake creatures are a household critter. I wonder if people see spiders and think â€Å"if only Earache wouldn't have challenged Athena.

Discuss Ways in Which Edward Thomas Presents Memory in ‘Aspens’.

â€Å"Empty as sky, with every other sound No ceasing, calls there ghosts from their abode† Discuss ways in which Thomas presents memory in ‘Aspens’. In your answer, explore the effects of language, imagery and verse form, and consider how this poem relates to other poems by Thomas that you have studied. Memory is presented as either a way of life or a community of change, as demonstrated in ‘Aspens’, ‘Old Man’, ‘Aldestrop’. He does this through the variety of techniques such as change in form, use of imagery and alternations in the tone of each poem to explore memory.As well as this, Thomas explicates the devastation of emptiness due to the consequence of war, which is portrayed through the use of soft consonantal sounds or the use of sibilance to carry the silence through the poem as it does in the places described in each poem. Quatrain A, B, A, B combined with the iambic pentameter shows regularity in the stresses of the beat, which reflects the motion of the Aspens as they sway consistently in the breeze. Alternatively, the regularity in the rhythm could reflect the beat of the hammer of the Blacksmith’s, as mentioned in the second stanza to emphasise how the vignette was once active, busy and lively.This is also seen in the sonnet by Robert Frost, Acquainted with the Night, where iambic pentameter could have been used to reflect the constant depressive state the poet experienced at the time. This contrasts with another of Thomas’ poems, ‘Tears’, where his thoughts are disjointed and disorganised as he tries to recollect his memories. Thus the use of free verse and an 18 line stanza, unbroken, is appropriate as it reflects how he struggles to remember. Despite this, the whole stanza is in iambic pentameter but Thomas has used this technique in order to reflect what is going on in his memory.For example, the last 6 lines of the stanza regulate, as all are of the same lengt h, which expresses the formality of the soldiers marching and their systematic organisation. In comparison, ‘Old Man’ has an irregular structure and this use of free verse conveys Thomas’ uncertainty in dealing with the subject of memory. It would be deemed applicable to say that the struggle to reminisce is present in ‘Aldestrop’ as Thomas uses the hyphen at the end of the first line to show the pause in his recollection, as seen similarly and previously in the first line of ‘Tears’ as the use of two hyphens portrays Thomas’ thought process.The theme of emptiness is seen throughout Thomas’ poems. The wartime poet writes of his memory of livelihood and activity in villages, such as the one described in ‘Aspens’, and then how it begins to disappear as a result of war. This is shown as the village is left with a ‘lightless pane and footless road’ causing the village to appear as ‘empty as skyâ €™ and this simile gives a sense of vastness of the effects of the war, emphasising on the emptiness in the poem. Further, the mention of the ‘cross-roads to a ghostly room’ explicates that the village is so empty that it is leading nowhere.This metaphor is ironic as cross-roads are suggestively open gateways and a sense of choice in direction. However this connotation is altered as Thomas uses the metaphor ‘ghostly room’, to portray the vacant village and this is supported by the cross-roads as they lead to emptiness and isolation. This is also seen in ‘Old Man’ as the paradox ‘only an avenue, dark, nameless, without end’ gives a sense of no lead despite the fact that an avenue should lead somewhere. It is clear here that Thomas’ state of depression is reflected in this last line as the imagery conjures connotations of death, gloom and finality.The emptiness is also portrayed in ‘Aspens’ as Thomas describes the ‘ghosts from their abode’, which suggests he is referring to the ghostly memories of the village, comparing them to how things have changed. We also see emptiness in ‘Aldestrop’ as Thomas explains how the unexpected stop is ‘bare’. The reason for this could be because the train was not due to stop at Aldestrop; on the other hand it could indicate the effects of wartime, particularly desolation. Loss of memory is seen in many of Thomas’ poems through different ways.Edna Longley, critic, points out that the part of the mind that remembers is the same part of the mind that generates poetry- the subconscious and comments that in ‘Old Man’ ‘perhaps / thinking perhaps of nothing’ is a rhetorically cunning line break. The verb ‘think’ is central to the poem as is the verb ‘remember’. Particularly in ‘Old Man’ Thomas uses the metaphor ‘I have mislaid the key’ to p resent his attempt of recollecting his first memory of the plant, Lads-Love. He portrays this as tantalising as he can ‘think of nothing’ when sniffing the herb, which suggests he finds loss of memory as frustrating.This is shown from the anaphora of ‘no’ at the end of the poem as it rightly expresses that the more he tries to remember the less likely the memory will reappear, which further shows his frustration of struggling to regain his memory. Despite this, Thomas makes it clear that the memory brings him sentimentality and this is clearly important to him. He shows that although the smell of the bush is ‘bitter’ he admires the plant because it brings back memories of his daughter. In comparison, Thomas also mentions that names are important in ‘Aldestrop’ as ‘I remember Aldestrop -/ The name’ suggests that the name brings every detail for him.A sense of change in community is seen in various poems by Thomas, due t o the effects of war. Most specifically, ‘Aspens’ shows clearly how vibrant and animated the village was once before through the onomatopoeic sounds ‘clink, the hum, the roar’ as they reflect the vivacity that was once present before the war. This is contrasted as the silence is emphasised through the dominance of sibilance through ‘a silent smithy’ and ‘a silent inn’, which emphasises the hollow atmosphere.The silence is further shown by the sibilance in the penultimate line ‘ceaselessly, unreasonably grieves’, which allows the silence of the trees to continue through to the end of the poem. A sense of change is also seen in ‘Aldestrop’ as Thomas uses the metaphor of ‘all the birds’ to represent the people of England as they suffer from the effects of the war as a whole. The fact that Thomas mentions countryside towns such as Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire shows how much Thomas values tradit ional English scenery and therefore shows his devastation of the effects of war.Thomas uses lots of different techniques in order to portray memory through a communal change, emptiness and as a way of life. Through his language, structure and symbolism within his poems, the reader is able to understand Thomas’ thoughts about memory (those being that it is frustrating to have ‘mislaid the key’ and how memories can change over time) and relate their own experiences with Thomas’ due to his profound and truthful portrayal of memory.

Bismarcks Role in german unification essays

Bismarcks Role in german unification essays What were the main characteristic features of the first Bismarckian Alliance system 1879-1883 During the 1870's in the aftermath of the creation of the German Empire, the main issues to vex the Great Powers were Austro-Russian rivalry in the Balkans, and German fear that such a rivalry might develop into a general conflict which could provide an outlet for French revanchism against Germany. The Russo-Turkish war of 1877-78 demonstrated that Austria and Russia could restrain their rivalry in the interests of the general peace; the disputes following the Treaty of San Stefano leading up to the 1878 Congress of Berlin demonstrated that such restraint was limited. The issue of the Balkans was to remain an area of concern for the European States up to and beyond the First World War, even though there was to be no further significant conflict involving the Great Powers between 1879 and 1914. Having lost Italy and Germany the Balkan region was the only remaining external sphere of influence for the Dual Monarchy, and Slavic Russia was dependent on the Bosporus Straits for her grain exports. Bismarck still feared the consequences of a great power conflict in the Balkans and hence aimed to build an alliance structure that provided more security than the loose and vague agreements of the early 1870's. Bismarck's first such structure, just as his second in the later 1880's, was built around a number of characteristics and it set the foundation for international relations in this period. One of the most striking characteristics about the system and the way it was constructed is that many of the decisions were dependant on Bismarck's insecurity and fear of a number of threats to Germany, many of which had little basis in fact, or what basis they had was provoked by the Chancellor's own actions. In 1879, for instance, faced with the imminent resignation of Andrassy from the Austrian foreign office, Bismarck illogically expected the appointmen...

Erp E-Commerce Essay Example

Erp E Erp E-Commerce Essay Erp E-Commerce Essay E-commdrce and ERP 1 Introduction: Traditional companies must embrace the Internet to survive, but, at the same time, pure Internet companies benefit from the assets and infrastructure of their â€Å"bricksand-mortar† counterparts. The blending of Internet technologies and traditional business concerns is impacting all industries and is really the latest phase in the ongoing evolution of business. Today, the Internet is driving the current industry goals of a five-day OTD cycle, global reach and personalization. However, without connecting order delivery, manufacturing, financial, human resources, and other back office systems to the Internet, even companies with long track records of innovation are not likely to succeed. The most successful companies will be those that leverage their investment in Web based technologies by implementing e-business solutions supported by sound existing infrastructures based on well-functioning ERP systems. Today companies need to forge tighter links up and down the supply chain, from raw materials to customers. Of late, companies have increasingly turned to the Internet and Web-based technologies to accomplish this. But what they have found is that without Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, sharing accurate information with their trading partners is impossible. Web-based technology puts life and breadth into ERP technology that is large, technologically cumbersome, and does not easily reveal its value. At the same time, ERP allows e-business to come into full flower, putting real substance behind that flashy web page. While ERP organizes information within the enterprise, e-business disseminates information far and wide. In short, ERP and e-business technologies supercharge each other. In light of the above, the objective of this paper is to: Present a framework for understanding e-business opportunities within the context of a traditional enterprise and its infrastructure. Examine the evolving relationship between E-Business and ERP, and to understand how companies are moving ahead to gain competitive advantage by using ERP to leverage and take advantage of the business opportunities opened up by the Internet and e-business. To examine and discuss the role of ERP today and in the context of new business models that are enabled by e-business and associated technologies 2 nd that represent the next step in organizational evolution – a step with potentially revolutionary impact. To understand the latest developments in this area – especially analyzing the new developments and product offerings of the major ERP software vendors and understand what the present ERP vendors should do to provide true value to users from their software offerings. To disc uss recent developments in the area of e-Supply Chain and Supply Chain integration and other technological developments. Understand the issues and challenges faced by organizations in moving to an ebusiness environment. This paper is broadly divided into the following sections: The evolving relationship between E-Business and ERP: Key developments Complementary Technologies of ERP and E-Business Software Provider Challenges Dominant Architecture in the ERP/E-Business Marriage Web Enabling ERP ERP and E-Commerce Portals Internet Procurement Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) E-Supply Chain and Supply Chain Integration Integrating the Supply Chain to reap the rewards: SCOR Model Moving to an e-business environment: Technology, Processes and People Other Technological Developments It is important to clearly define what we mean by ERP and what we mean by ebusiness. A formal definition for the same is provided here: ERP: ERP is a structured approach to optimizing a company’s internal value chain. The software, if fully installed across an entire enterprise, connects the components of the 3 enterprise through a logical transmission and sharing of common data with an integrated ERP1. ERP software, suites, or packages – provide companies with a set of integrated applications that manage the main business functions of an enterprise. The applications are linked via a common database that allows the various divisions of the company to share data. For example, customer information entered into an ERP system’s order entry application becomes instantly available to all business departments and applications connected to the system. Dozens of ERP software vendors compete for market share, the main among them being J. D. Edwards, Baan, Oracle, PeopleSoft, and SAP – a group of companies known as JBOPS. E-Business: Electronic business encompasses three stages: e-commerce, e-business, and e-partnering. The early stages of a company’s e-business activity are almost always focused on reaching the customer, the later stages on streamlining value-chain activities to deliver more value to the customer. E-commerce either leverages an Internet-based sales channel to enhance marketing and sell products or services, or leverages the Internet to make purchasing more efficient. E-commerce allows these purchases and sales transactions to occur with minimal disruption to organizational culture and business processes. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is one technology that has enabled B2B e-commerce for many years; however due to the technological developments and improvements like XML, today’s Web-based technologies can do away with the necessity for EDI. E-business improves business performance by using electronic information technologies and open standards to connect suppliers and customers at all steps along the value chain. E-partnering is an intense relationship between businesses that utilize ebusiness capabilities to create an environment for shared business improvements, mutual benefits, and joint rewards. E-partnering is a strategic, customer focused relationship in which companies work together to optimize an overall value chain. The evolving relationship between E-Business and ERP: Key developments: ERP is the latest in a number of manufacturing and financial information systems that have been devised since the late 1940s to streamline the information flow that Grant Norris, James R. Hurley, Kenneth M. Hartely, John R. Dunleavy and John D. Balls, â€Å"E-Business and ERP: Transforming the Enterprise†, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2000 1 4 parallels the physical flow of goods, from raw materials to finished products. The first steps in systematizing information flow around the manufacturing process were taken as early as the 1960s when material requirement planning software (MRP) became available. Later efforts were made to make these applications more robust and better able to generate information based on a more realistic set of assumptions. These efforts resulted in manufacturing resource planning (MRP II) software. Finally, in the 1990s, software developers created ERP software, a fuller â€Å"suite† of applications capable of linking all internal transactions. In the past couple of years, e-business has exploded on the scene, and today the Internet is positioned as the engine that will drive the future of business. While traditional production-management information systems (MRP, MRPII and ERP) have focused on the movement of information within an enterprise, Webbased technology facilitates the movement of information from business to business and from business to consumer, as well as from consumer to business and also from business to employees and from business to shareholders/partners. Figure 1 gives the principle connections required to conduct e-business. Business to consumer/ business Business to business Customers E-company Employees Suppliers Stakeholders Business to employee Business to shareholder/partner Figure 1: Principle Connections Required to Conduct E-business2 However, it is necessary to have an internal enterprise transaction engine, independent of the supplier-and customer-facing front ends, for any company large enough to be considered an enterprise. To date, the best of these internal transaction engines are driven by ERP software. The issue, then, is far more complex than the e2 Source: Ernst Young 5 business evangelists make it out to be. E-Business simply does not work without clean internal processes and data. Hence it is necessary for organizations to devote resources to both technologies that facilitate transaction processing and the communication capabilities of e-nabling technologies. Interactive relationships with Value-Chain Partners: Companies derive much competitive advantage today from their ability to relay information quickly through the value chain. The ability of each participant to retrieve information from a tightly integrated value chain and then to act on it results in greater value for customers. A company that combines ERP technology with Web-based technology looks something like Figure 2. E-Buy ERP E-Sell Figure 2: ERP and Web-based Technology Together Extend the Enterprise3 With the e-buy/ERP/e-sell enterprises extended across the value chain, companies can create tightly linked extended enterprises. Because information is more easily available using Web-based technology to connect both suppliers and customers, the opportunity exists for an enterprise to create new business strategies based on transforming a value chain into an integrated value network. ERP boosts E-Business Potential: Communicating with partners in the supply chain and with customers in the demand chain is not enough. In today’s business world, coordination is key. Business is working toward frictionless information flows, with information flowing to more places more easily. Web-based technology affords the enterprise the ability to get more information to more places more easily. ERP technology affords an enterprise, its business partners in the supply chain, and its Grant Norris, James R. Hurley, Kenneth M. Hartely, John R. Dunleavy and John D. Balls, â€Å"E-Business and ERP: Transforming the Enterprise†, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2000 3 6 customers in the demand chain the ability to coordinate the information they have and to determine how they present it to others. Complementary Technologies of ERP and E-Business: ERP and Internet technologies are rapidly coming together. ERP is the internal technological hub of a single enterprise. Web-based technology extends each enterprise’s internal information infrastructure into the external environment. While ERP technology supports current business strategy, e-business opens the door to new strategic opportunities. Today’s ERP systems, when fully installed as integrated suites, can be thought of as central repositories of internal corporate information. ERP software helps organizations to effectively and efficiently manage all their internal information resources to meet overall goals. On the other hand, Web-based technology provides connections via the Internet to a host of external parties. Figure 3 depicts how ERP and Internet/ Web-based technologies can come together and complement each other. Shareholders Customers Researchers Developers Financials Logistics ERP Suppliers Sales Mktg. Knowledge Management Manufacturing Outsourcing Service Providers Human Resources Advisors Internet Business Partners Distributors Figure 3: Complementary Technologies of ERP and E-Business 7 It should be noted that knowledge management is not associated with any one technology. Rather, it is depicted as a process that requires an organization to tap the data in all information channels and consolidate that information so that it is meaningful to the business. Software Provider Challenges4: ERP software providers face a number of challenges when reinventing themselves for e-business. Because ERP applications manage internal business transactions, they generate these assumptions about how business processes are managed: They are controlled by one organization Transactional information should be combined into large totals. Only certain people participate in specific processes. The fundamental design of traditional ERP systems thus inherently conflicts with the outwardly focused, interactive, event-driven model of e-business. E-business operates under these assumptions: Control of business processes can be shared or dispersed among many organizations People need access to small quantities of some transactional data in real time. Many people participate in a variety of processes. ERP software providers must overcome this core conflict in one of three ways: 1) They must redesign the interfaces, processes, and underlying architecture of their systems to operate in a three-tier, thin-client environment tailored for a variety of users who require flexibility. 2) ERP software suppliers must learn to use a new set of Web-based technologies and incorporate Web-based features into their software offerings. 3) They must make their transactional systems more compatible with front-office applications – a difficult task because core ERP software operates differently from ERP extensions. ERP systems providers must reconcile and integrate their 4 Erin Callaway, â€Å"ERP – The Next Generation†, Computer Technology Research Corp. 8 isparate data models and execution engines, which may require separating the ERP extensions from the central ERP database. Appendix 1 provides a summary and evaluation of the various offerings of the major ERP vendors. Domina nt Architecture in the ERP/E-Business Marriage: As ERP and e-business technologies compete for dominance in the future, companies constructing their systems architectures can choose between two main options: a more fully integrated ERP system that adds robust customer relationship management (CRM) and supply-chain management (SCM) modules, as well as Web-based interfaces with outside entities; or a best-in-breed portfolio-assembly model. A multi-vendor system gives a company the opportunity to purchase the best in class of each functional module. However, implementing this solution may mean increased costs and a need for greater resources. A single-vendor, packaged solution may ease the implementation but may also sacrifice functionally and features available in any particular area. Many vendors of ERP and e-business solutions are using Internet portals to combine both options. Through a single portal, a user can enter a universe of integrated solutions to myriad problems. The concept of portals is discussed in detail, in the section on portals – appearing later in this report. Web Enabling ERP: ERP software providers often begin Web enabling their products by making them accessible via a Web browser. Web enabling an application is significantly different from reengineering it to leverage Internet technology. However. ERP software vendors must go beyond Web enabling their products. This is discussed in detail further. Modern ERP systems were constructed to operate in a Client-Server computing environment, where the application is distributed between a server that 9 manages the application, business, and database and a fat client, which is the client PC that performs the application processing to interact with data in the database. The advent of Web browser enabled users to access the ERP system remotely without requiring the fat client-side application. ERP software providers supply this remote access through their own technologies or through multi-user application server software such as Citrix WinFrame, which allows users to run Windows applications from any client with any type of connectivity – a modem, Internet, intranet, or wide area network (WAN) connection, for example – on any hardware platform. Such an arrangement of the Client-Sever Architecture of Web-enabled ERP software is shown in Figure 4. Data Flow Database Business logic Application logic Web client Extraction tool removes interface from ERP system Server Figure 4: Client-Sever Architecture of Web-enabled ERP software To compete with next-generation, Web-based software, ERP providers must add more than a Web browser interface to their packages. They must rebuild the extended products that the Internet makes possible. They need to provide: Quick, simple reconfiguration of business processes Intuitive interfaces that require no training 10 Real-time or near real-time data access Interactive and collaborative features such as real-time chat and white boarding, which is the ability to electronically sketch out ideas or pictures for real-time interaction Real-time analysis Open access to any internal or external user N-tier Architecture: Adding a browser interface to an ERP system does not enable any extended functions because the Client-Sever architecture of the product is not changed. Vendors must rebuild their software to provide next-generation e-business capabilities. Using a multi-tiered architecture – often referred to as an n-tier architecture – distributes the applications across a thin front end, a Web server, an application server, and a database. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 5. Client accesses middle layer Database Thin client Web server Figure 5: N-tier Architecture Application Server SAP’s Business Framework Architecture exemplifies such an n-tier extended ERP system. 11 Following are some of the main benefits of an n-tiered architecture: The application can be designed to access only certain pieces of data from the ERP system, enabling safe operation by a range of external users. The application’s performance, availability, and response time improve because users do not directly access the ERP system. Developers can redesign the application interface to present data and functions in a simple, more logical manner. The application is more scalable and reliable because of techniques that can be used in the Web application server, such as process clustering, load balancing, and high-availability failover. Some of the user benefits include: faster implementation, faster response to process and organizational change, flexible software use, improved system maintenance, simpler integration with other software, tighter integration with supply chain partners, faster introduction of new applications, improved scalability and less exposure to technol ogical change. N-tiered based ERP systems are suited for best e-business, allowing companies that have already purchased ERP systems to leverage their investment. In the following sections of this report, we now go on to look at the recent developments in this field of ERP systems, as they apply to e-business. ERP and E-commerce: Software vendors including ERP vendors are trying to position themselves as ebusiness companies by providing e-commerce software. These software providers and 12 ERP vendors are moving to capitalize on the growing e-commerce frenzy by facilitating their customers’ needs to buy and sell online. E-commerce software and back-end systems, including ERP software, must be integrated for companies to manage the fulfillment process seamlessly. Back-end integration helps companies track the transactions they conduct on the Web. Companies can then coordinate the data they collect from online transactions with information they gather from other channels, such as telephone, traditional retail stores, and in-person interactions. Integrating e-commerce sites with back-office systems allows companies to present an organized, professional image to their trading partners and customers. Tight integration enables the company to recognize online customers because their histories, including data gathered from other channels, reside in one location – thus enabling the company to provide superior and improved customer service. Providing this continuity is critical for e-business success. Without it, customers loose their sense of security and trust when conducting business on a Web site; they cannot be sure the company is effectively managing its information. ERP Software Vendor offerings: As of today, there are a number of ERP systems vendors who are providing e-commerce applications too. The e-commerce application demand is too high and the core ERP application market is too slow for ERP suppliers not to integrate e-commerce applications into their packages. E-commerce products vary between ERP vendors. Some vendors are developing their own applications, while others are partnering with third party ecommerce software providers. Most ERP software providers currently focus on six types of e-commerce applications: B2B selling, B2C storefronts, Commerce engines, Selfservice applications, Internet based procurement and Portals. ERP applications for B2B selling allow business partners to check order status, pay bills, and initiate orders to replenish inventory. B2C storefront applications enable 13 companies to create retail-like Web sites with features such as catalogs and shopping carts. Commerce engines (also known as e-commerce servers) separate ctivity that occurs on a Web site from the back-end systems. This critical process protects internal systems from security breaches and usage spikes that can interrupt important transactions. Self-service applications allow users to access information or transactions that would typically require additional assistance – like obtaining pu rchase orders, checking inventory levels, checking order status, etc. Out of these, Internet based procurement and Portals are by far the most important and promising and hence are discussed in detail in the later sections of this report. Appendix 2 provides a detailed list about the e-commerce product offerings from leading ERP software vendors. ERP software vendors need to overcome a number of obstacles, before they can prove to be experts in this field. Some of these obstacles include: ERP systems take a specific approach to business planning that does not necessarily apply to e-commerce. ERP systems are fundamentally transaction-oriented systems designed to process numbers and automate internal business processes. E-commerce is an externally driven model. Implemented ERP systems are typically rigid and difficult to change. Ecommerce requires total flexibility. ERP software was designed in the Client-Server era. E-commerce must be Internet based. ERP software providers are burdened with market perceptions that they are and will remain back-office vendors. 14 ERP system providers are latecomers to the e-commerce arena. Many new, next-generation competitors already have far more e-commerce expertise. The functionality and sophistication of e-commerce products currently being released by ERP software providers are often two or more versions behind existing products. Some ERP software providers will succeed with their e-commerce initiatives. Some ERP players will fail at the challenging transition from back to front-office software supplier. The strategies and products itself being offered by these ERP vendors will change rapidly during the coming few years. Hence buyers need to carefully examine their options before selecting an e-commerce software provider. Portals: A portal is a Web site that houses a collection of information related to a specific theme or topic and provides visitors with access to related services and information sources. Portals also typically include the ability to conduct transactions5. Figure 6 describes how Portals provide web access to collections of information. Vertical hub Web portal Internet Legacy applications Marketplaces Business partner applications ERP Figure 6: Portals Provide Web access to collections of information 5 Erin Callaway, â€Å"ERP – The Next Generation†, Computer Technology Research Corp. 15 Portals and Business: Today many business portals are being designed and launched for business applications. Today, ERP software providers are designing their portals primarily for business users. Many companies are becoming interested in businessoriented portals because of their potential benefits, which range from simplifying information access to streamlining business processes to sharing information across otherwise functionally and geographically disparate parts of the company. 6 Marketplace Portals: Many ERP providers have created portals where their customers can access extensive lists of goods and service suppliers. The ERP software supplier aggregates – either directly or through partners – a large collection of companies that sell products and services and enables their customers to buy from them. Large ERP vendors, including SAP and Oracle, are strong proponents of this approach. They believe that their extensive customer bases will attract a significant number of sellers to the market. mySAP. com is the SAP marketplace portal. The mySAP. om marketplace which supports online catalogs, auctions, and spot-buying, is divided into 22 interest communities à ¢â‚¬â€œ including Automotive, Banking, Business Technology, Chemicals, Complex Manufacturing, Engineering and Construction, Forest Products, Health Care, High Technology, Human Resources, Insurance, Metals, Oil and Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Public Sector, Retail, Service Providers, Telecommunications, Training and Utilities. mySAP. com also enables companies to participate in collaborative transactions with their trading partners. The corresponding Oracle Marketplace Portal is Oracle Exchange. The Corporate/ Desktop Portal: Portals can also be used to give employees easy access to the typically disparate and disconnected business systems they need to complete their jobs. Via desktop or enterprise portals, which are also referred to as David Essex, â€Å"Get into Web Portals†, Computerworld (15th March 1999) [Online]. Available: informationweek. com 6 16 corporate portals, employees can access both internal and external software and systems. Desktop portals are Web-based interfaces that give users access to all the disparate applications through one screen on their PC. Many ERP providers are designing enterprise portals. For example, mySAP. com includes a desktop portal component called mySAP. com Workplaces. This desktop portal provides SAP R/3 users with a single Web-based point of entry to job-related software and information, including mySAP. om Marketplace, applications in SAP R/3, and applications on other systems. The Vertical Hub: Vertical hub portals target specific groups of companies in the same industry. Unlike marketplace portals, which offer more generic commerce services, vertical hubs such as PlasticsNet. com, ChemNet, and Vert icalNet. com provide services, transactions, and other content tailored to the needs of a specific industry. Few ERP providers currently provide industry-specific portals, but some like SAP have announced intentions to do so. Portals and ERP: Why are ERP software providers developing portals? It is mainly because â€Å"They want to control the desktop. If customers can be convinced to use ERP systems as the main entry point into all other applications and information sources, ERP vendors will achieve that goal. The Business Case for Portals: Enterprise portals facilitate accessing a variety of internal and external applications and information sources. In a traditional client-server environment, users must sign onto the system many times to access different applications. An entire application may need to be loaded onto their computers, even though they may use only a small portion of that software. Employees are limited to applications that run in a client-server or windows computi ng environment and in addition to that, they can use only applications and databases that exist within he physical location of their company. Maintaining desktop environments is also expensive and cumbersome because individual applications must be installed on each machine. 17 Enterprise portals, on the other hand, allow users to access both internal and external applications and information sources simultaneously via a single, customized, browser-based interface to meet their specific needs. Enterprise portals are easier to maintain because they deliver applications to multiple users via a centrally located server, accessing only those specific components of particular applications related to their jobs. Linking Portals to ERP Systems: Companies require an Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) tool or framework to connect the disparate systems they want to access via their portals. EAI tools are necessary as long as companies create portals that access both ERP software and external systems, even if they use portals offered by their ERP software provider. Figure 7 illustrates this. Also data integration capabilities will be required to gather data from structured and unstructured data sources. Legacy Systems ERP External Systems Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) layer Web portal Figure 7: Using Integration Software (EAI) to link Portals to ERP. 18 Internet Procurement: In addition to e-commerce and portals, ERP software providers are expanding into the areas of Internet-based procurement. Traditional ERP software includes purchasing functions that allow users to create P. O. s and requisitions, receive invoices, and log spending, for example. Because of their design, however, traditional ERP systems made a single administrator or set of administrators responsible for the entire purchasing function, requiring every employee with purchasing requests to funnel through that channel. Next-generation ERP systems manage purchasing differently. By using Internet technology and leveraging the component-based architectures of newer software, many ERP package vendors are opening the purchasing function, making it easier for employees to participate in the purchasing process. This is illustrated in figure 8. Employee searches online catalog Employee submits online requisition The Web Employee Requisition is automatically routed and approved Goods are sent directly to buyer Purchase order is sent automatically Figure 8: Internet and Component Technology Opens the Purchasing process 19 Internet-based procurement enables companies to reduce spending by efficiently managing their purchasing habits, leveraging their total spending power, and lowering the number of suppliers in the chain. Potential savings are tremendous – often in tens of thousands of dollars. Internet-based procurement systems give the purchaser control over the shopping by providing access to online catalogs, which may be buyer managed, seller managed or third party managed. ERP software providers may use one or a combination of these catalog management tools. In an Internet-based procurement system, once a requisition is approved, Internet procurement systems automatically generates the P. O. and the P. O. is sent to the supplier, whose address and account information reside in the ERP system. Sophisticated systems also enable the buyer to receive goods at his/her desk rather than at a general receiving bay, allowing the buyer to record the delivery in the procurement system. The entire process occurs without involving an administrator. Some Internet procurement systems, such as Oracle Strategic Procurement, combine data and analysis about supplier performance, including their history of quality and ontime delivery, in the routing and approval process to facilitate informed decisions. ERP software suppliers that offer or plan to offer Internet procurement applications include American Software, Baan, Epicor Software, Great Plains Software, IFS Industrial and Financial Systems, JBA International, J. D. Edwards, Lawson Software, Made2Manage systems, Navison Software, Oracle, PeopleSoft, and SAP. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS): APS applications are decision-support systems designed to develop an optimization plan for a production line, plant, or overall supply chain. They receive 20 process data from other databases and transaction-based applications such as ERP systems. APS system functionality ranges from strategic (network optimization) and tactical (supply planning) to operational (line scheduling). Most APS systems use mathematical algorithms (such as linear programming) to identify optimal solutions to complex planning problems that are bound by such constraints as materials, labor or capacity resources. APS systems are particularly well suited to solving the challenges associated with supply-chain management for three reasons: 1. They focus on critical constraints such as machine capacity 2. They provide modeling to run different scenarios and â€Å"what-if† analyses. 3. They highlight exceptions and recommend a course of action. Why are APS Systems needed? : The combination of globalization, shorter product life cycles, and greater product variation makes it more important than ever that companies maximize the effectiveness of their supply chains. While ERP systems have within them the ability to integrate the information flows within supply-chain activities, ERP planning logic is based on the logic of manufacturing resource planning (MRP II). APS software provides a better way of managing supply-chain activity information flows. ERP software developed based on MRP and MRP II systems have a number of drawbacks – some of them being that they are based on a set of faulty assumptions: that all customers, products, and materials are equally important; that lead times are fixed; that all resources are infinite; and that all elements of the supply chain will deliver the required quantity on the required date. Simply put, these systems did not deal with the reality of the production environment. Also these systems are conducted as a batch process, typically taking hours to run. What does APS provide? : APS tools help to do away with most of these drawbacks. 21 While the purpose of APS systems is similar to that of any other planning software – to deliver 100 percent service to customers while minimizing costs to the company – they distinguish themselves from ERP planning software in that they allow managers to manipulate the supply chain in real time. The software provides value in three main areas: 1. Constraint-based planning 2. Real-time processing 3. Integration APS tools are provided by specialty software companies like Manugustics, i2 Technologies, Chesapeake, and Red Pepper (purchased in 1999 by PeopleSoft). Companies using APS software have reduced inventory between 20 and 70 percent, lowered cost by up to 12 percent, and trimmed capital by up to 15 percent and have also increased sales substantially due to increased customer service. ERP and APS: Now that companies’ information technology organizations are finished with the Y2K and European monetary union work, optimizing the supply chain will become the next area to explore to gain competitive advantage. The ERP companies are aware of this, and they are aware that to date APS providers have far better solutions than theirs. It is believed that some of these ERP vendors will from alliances with APS software providers, such as the alliance between Oracle and Manugustics. Others may go ahead and purchase APS providers and integrate the APS software into their portfolio of ERP modules. Earlier in the section on â€Å"Interactive relationships with Value-Chain Partners† we saw how information is more easily available using Web-based technology to connect both suppliers and customers, and how this creates the opportunity for an enterprise to create new business strategies based on transforming a value chain into an integrated value network. This concept is discussed in detail in the following sections. 22 E-Supply Chain and Supply Chain Integration: Today, many companies are missing out on significant cost savings and revenue opportunities by focusing only on the customer-facing applications of e-business rather than the improvements that an integrated electronic supply chain (e-supply chain) can bring to day-to-day enterprise wide operations. The backend integration of customer applications, so critical to the overall success of the application, is too often overlooked. Regardless of whether a company produces and delivers a physical product or service, it has a value chain. Broadly, a company’s value chain consists of product planning, procurement, manufacturing, order fulfillment, and service and support. What is common to all industries is the power of Web-based technologies to significantly change the status quo by providing a mechanism that further integrates the value chain. A highly integrated value chain creates greater value for the end customer by delivering products and services more efficiently and effectively. Within the industry value chain, the group of companies that carry out each step in creating and delivering the product is called the supply chain. E-Supply Chain: Electronic supply chain management (e-SCM) is the collaborative use of technology to enhance business-to-business processes and improve speed, agility, real-time control and customer satisfaction. Not about technology alone, e-SCM is about cultural change and changes in management policies, performance metrics, business processes, and organizational structures across the supply chain. Information visibility across the supply chain can become a substitute for inventory; therefore, information must be managed as inventory is managed today – with strict policies, discipline, and daily monitoring. Integrating the supply chain more tightly, both within a company and across an extended enterprise made up of suppliers, trading partners, logistics providers, and the distribution channel, is the vision implied in the snapshot of the e-business panorama, value chain integration. Figure 9 illustrates the flow of information to and from customers and suppliers, with the enterprise as the hub. 23 Suppliers Production Materials Manufacturing Process Enterprise OrderFulfillment Process Delivered Orders Customers Forecast Requirements Planning Processes Customer Forecast Returns Repairs Purchase Requirements Procurement Process Order Capture Process Customer Orders Design Requirements Support Process Design Requirements Settlements Settlements Figure 9: Enterprise Process Flow At the core of value-chain integration is visibility, access, and timeliness. Essentially, value-chain integration allows real-time synchronization of supply and demand. The enabler to support an organization in its efforts to become part of an extended enterprise, e-SCM requires companies to develop collaborative business systems and processes that can span across multiple enterprise boundaries. The e-supply chain consists of six components: Supply-chain replenishmentwhich encompasses the integrated production and distribution processes that utilize real-time demand and strategic partner alignment to improve customer responsiveness. Collaborative Planning – which requires buyers and sellers to develop a single shared forecast of demand and plan of supply to support this demand, and to update it regularly; Collaborative Product Development- which involves the use of product-design and product-development techniques across multiple companies, u sing e-business; E-Logistics – which is the use of Web-based technologies to support the warehouse and transportation management processes; 24 Internet Procurement and Web Portals – which have been discussed in detail in earlier sections of this report. So the next question is: How exactly would an e-Supply Chain work? A model of such a concept of E-Supply Chain is given in Figure 10. Company â€Å"A† Intranet/ ERP System Secured Link Shared Data Extranet Company â€Å"B† Intranet/ ERP System INTERNET PUBLIC ACCESS INTERNET Figure 10 – Model of an E-Supply Chain Here is how the E-Supply Chain would ideally operate. Consider that company B is a major retailer having a retail chain network across the country and company A is one of its major suppliers. When a consumer purchase occurs at company B, the data is fed to the retail chain’s ERP system. The retail chain (company B) then moves the updated demand data to the Extranet. At this time the critical data is automatically fed into the company A’s ERP system. This system runs and makes the appropriate quantity and schedule adjustments. The key output is copied to the extranet set up between company A and its suppliers. This data might include updated Inventory snapshots as well as updated forecasted demand and orders for materials. Based on the data company A’s suppliers see on the extranet, they automatically replenish company A’s Inventory and adjust their own ERP gross requirements to meet demands. The end result is the realtime update of demands from the consumer to the raw material supplier. Thus the E- 25 Supply Chain creates a seamless environment that stretches from customers right through to suppliers. Hence with the E-Supply Chain, organizations will be able to manage the supply chain to achieve the right balance of customer responsiveness and low inventory levels with an aggressive cycle time. As can be seen, there is tremendous scope and a great opportunity for ERP in the operation of an e-Supply Chain. In fact this is where companies and major ERP vendors are moving and this is where the true value of ERP lies. Trading partners who have invested in ERP are particularly well suited to leverage e-business investments to achieve true value-chain integration. Integrating the Supply Chain to reap the rewards: SCOR Model: No discussion on e-Supply Chain will be complete without the discussion of the SCOR Model. The Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) Model was developed and endorsed by the Supply Chain Council (SCC). The SCOR Model includes7: All customer interactions, from order entry through the paid invoice. All physical material transactions, from the supplier’s supplier to the customer’s customer, including equipment, supplies, spare parts, bulk product, software, etc. All market interactions, from the understanding of aggregate demand to the fulfillment of each order. The four distinct processes for the SCOR model are source, make, deliver, and plan. The supply chain configuration is driven by: â€Å"Deliver† channels, inventory deployment, and products. â€Å"Make† production sites and methods â€Å"Source† locations and products â€Å"Plan† levels of aggregation and information sources. Carol A. Ptak and Eli Schragenheim, â€Å"ERP – Tools, Techniques and Applications for Integrating the Supply Chain. †, St. Lucie Press/ APICS. 7 26 The real results from supply chain management come from the integration of processes throughout the entire supply chain from the supplier’s supplier to the customer’s customer – as has been illustrated by Figure 11. Figure 11: Integration of processes throughout the entire supply chain8 The big return on ERP investment and the future revenue and profit growth come from integrating the enterprise to its entire supply chain. Technology will continue to develop that will enhance and speed the information linkages. Some companies have decided that they wish to implement only a supply chain software system and not implement the supporting ERP management processes. This is like building a house on quick sand. Without adequate control of the internal processes, an integrated supply chain is truly only as strong as its weakest link. The integration of the supply chain is an area where the speed and accessibility of technology will make a large impact. This technology can include EDI, E-commerce, Internet, or a variety of other possibilities. However, without the accurate data feeding this technology and robust business processes supporting the strategy, the risk is that the same bad information will be the result. A complete system includes both planning and execution management. This is the point where ERP can be so effective as a tool. The fact remains, plans will change but to fail to plan is planning to fail. The planning side of the integrated system uses soft data. Changes and variability are expected events. The more quickly an enterprise can 8 Supply Chain Council Inc. [Online]. Available: supply-chain. org/ 27 react; the less cost is incurred by the operation. This is where a robust and reliable ERP system could be of immense value. Moving to an e-business environment: Technology, Processes and People: Moving to an e-business environment involves a major organizational change. Like those major business initiatives, e-business forces change to occur to three corporate domains – technology, processes, and people – at both a strategic and an operational level. Figure 12 illustrates where within these domains and levels all of the various issues fall when a company engages in a comprehensive e-business effort. Impact on Business Technology Enterprise Architecture Supplier Partnership Role of the Integrator Process Ownership Design Enterprise-wide (End to End) People Change Management Strategic Loose/ Tight Controls Outsourcing Executive Sponsorship and Support Aligning on Conditions of satisfaction Overarching Objectives Recruitment Retention Alignment Operational Knowledge Transfer Budgets Product Selection Product Support Implementation/ Installations Budgets Security and Data Integrity Change Control Implementation/ Support Fluidity Budgets Level of Difficulty/ Time to Resolve Figure 12: ERP/ E-Business Organizational Issues – Domain and Level Matrix9 Strategic Issues: Technology: Strategic technological issues are, for the most part, similar to the issues that face any company implementing ERP. An optimal system architecture for a Grant Norris, James R. Hurley, Kenneth M. Hartely, John R. Dunleavy and John D. Balls, â€Å"E-Business and ERP: Transforming the Enterprise†, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2000 9 28 particular enterprise is the first order of the day. Technology should not be allowed to drive the enterprise: rather, technology should fit the enterprise by meeting certain â€Å"conditions of satisfaction† with regard to scalability, flexibility and cost. A winning technology strategy requires a strong and enduring partnership with key hardware and software suppliers. The integrator’s role extends beyond managing technology to managing process and people issues as well. Process: Engaging effectively in e-business may require engineering new processes or reengineering old ones. Each process must have an enterprise-wide owner, accountable for the process’s performance, the budget to execute the process, and the quality of all process deliverables. A well-established and understood process to quickly resolve conflicts is also necessary. People: People can and often do effectively block the success of major technology integration efforts. People barriers remain unchanged – and in some instances are heightened – by the Internet. The ability to manage change is a litmus test for any form of business success. And as in any change and implementation process, executive sponsorship is the key. Operational Issues: Operational Issues revolve around getting e-business initiatives up and running in a timely fashion, adhering to budgets, and maintaining downfield vision. Technology: In this area, one needs to manage a number of operational concerns including: Product selection, defining product support requirements, defining performance expectations, coordinating the implementation schedule, ensuring good budget planning and ensuring security and data integrity. Process: At the operational level, process concerns include meeting the objectives and timeliness determined at the strategic level for engineering or reengineering the feeder processes that build up to create the end-to-end processes. People: At the operational level, the typical problems faced by managers include: organizational scope, change complexity, political resistance, cultural change and change capability. Other Technological Developments: One Key area of improvement in the existing technologies is the use of XML. XML is a subset of the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) that has been optimized for web delivery. A vendor-neutral, industry standard, XML was defined by the 29 World Wide Web consortium to ensure that structured data will be uniform and independent of applications. With the explosive growth of internet protocol (IP) networks and other types of connectivity for virtually every kind of business communications, extensible markup language (XML) is gaining an increasing share of the technological spotlight as a powerful tool that is facilitating this profound paradigm shift. XML is the universal language for web data, enabling developers the power to deliver to the desktop, structured data from a wide and ever-increasing range of applications for local computation and presentation. It also serves as an ideal format for server-to-server transfer of structured data. Because XML provides a uniform method for describing and exchanging structured data, it promises to fully leverage the wealth of information resident on networks around the world. XML’s ability – the description of structured data in an open text based format delivered using the standard HTTP protocol or various other transports simplifies the exchange and application of data across the web, in particular and between loosely coupled applications in general. Conclusion: To date, e-business is still an integrated modular architecture. ERP vendors are all banking on portals to one extent or another. They see this strategy, as well as that of offering alternative models of providing ERP – through outsourcing or ASP relationships – as an opportunity to continue gaining either installed base or renters, and to continue their growth. If companies want to connect with each other, to pass robust information back and forth and make their extra-enterprise relationships more efficient and effective, they will need to settle on a language, grammar and syntax for data. Those ERP software providers that develop the most open systems, which make it easier for companies to work together, will be the winners. E-business requires tight collaboration among trading partners, but most ERP systems are not yet technically prepared to facilitate this. Today, ERP vendors are at different stages in transforming themselves for the Web-enabled world. No single application will provide or create competitive advantage. Currently, an integration of vendor-supplied ERP, decision support tools, middleware, customer development, and Web sites among trading partner communities are all required to achieve the promised benefits of e-business. 30 On the technology front, there is increasing use of XML technology to build true business networks and to bridge the gaps that users encounter when using the technology to link business partners over the Internet. However, the bottom line is that, companies best positioned to succeed at ebusiness are those that have solid business infrastructures utilizing ERP-based software and capabilities. 31 References 1. Grant Norris, James R. Hurley, Kenneth M. Hartely, John R. Dunleavy and John D. Balls, â€Å"E-Business and ERP: Transforming the Enterprise†, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2000 2. 3. Ernst Young [Online]. Available: ey. com Erin Callaway, â€Å"ERP – The Next Generation†, Computer Technology Research Corp. 4. David Essex, â€Å"Get into Web Portals†, Computerworld (15th March 1999) [Online]. Available: informationweek. com 5. Carol A. Ptak and Eli Schragenheim, â€Å"ERP – Tools, Techniques and Applications for Integrating the Supply Chain. †, St. Lucie Press/ APICS. 6. Supply Chain Council Inc. [Online]. Available: supply-chain. org 32 Appendix 1 Key product offerings of the major ERP vendors: Vendor Baan Core ERP Product BaanERP Platforms Unix Key Vertical Markets Manufacturer of aerospace and defense equipment, automotive supplies, consumer packaged goods, electronics, engineering and construction goods, forestry products, heavy equipment, primary metals, semiconductor s, and specialty chemicals Wholesalers Architectural and engineering firms Construction companies Distributors Education General business Government Manufacturers Extended Applications Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Sales Force Automation (SFA) Customer Relationshi p Manageme nt (CRM) Ecommerce Procureme nt Selfservice10 Portal is planned APS Ecommerce Portal Procureme nt Selfservice J. D. Edwards One Worl d Worl d AS/400 Window s NT Unix 10 Self-service applications allow users to access information or transactions that would typically require additional assistance – like obtaining purchase orders, checking inventory levels, checking order status, etc. 33 Oracle Oracle Applications Window s NT Unix PeopleSo ft PeopleSoft AS/400 Window s NT Unix f automotive supplies, chemicals, consumer packaged goods, electronics, industrial and fabricated equipment, and pharmaceutica ls Mining operations Not-for-profit organizations Real estate agencies Utilities and energy providers After-market service providers Communicatio ns companies Educational institutions Energy providers Financial service s firms Government Health care providers Manufacturers of consumer packaged goods, industrial equipment, and pharmaceutica ls Retailers Communicatio ns companies Federal government APS Business Intelligence (BI) CRM Ecommerce Procureme nt Selfservice Portals SFA APS BI CRM E- 34 SAP R/3 AS/400 Window s NT Unix Financial service firms Health care providers Higher education institutions Manufacturers of consumer packaged goods and high-tech electronics Public sector operations Retailers Service providers Transportation companies Utility providers Banks Engineering and construction firms Health care providers Insurance companies Manufacturers of aerospace and defense equipment, automotive supplies, chemicals, consumer packaged goods, hightech equipment, oil and gas, and pharmaceutica ls Media companies Mills Public sector commerce Procureme nt Selfservice SFA Portal is planned APS BI CRM Ecommerce Portal Procureme nt Selfservice SFA 35 rganizations Real estate firms Retailers Service providers Telecom companies Transportation companies Utility providers Appendix 2 E-commerce product offerings from leading ERP software vendors11 Company/ Software Vendor American Software Baan Cincom Systems Epicor Software Fourth Shift Great Plains Intuitive Systems JBA J. D. Edwards Lawson S oftware Macola Made2Manage Navision Oracle PeopleSoft PivoPoint PowerCerv QAD 11 B2C Storefront X X Commerce Engine X X Self-service applications X X X X X X X B2B selling X X X X X X X X X Internet based Procurement X X Portal X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

5 Steps to Write a Great Analytical Essay

5 Steps to Write a Great Analytical Essay SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Do you need to write an analytical essay for school? What sets this kind of essay apart from other types, and what must you include when you write your own analytical essay? In this guide, we break down the process of writing an analytical essay by explaining the key factors your essay needs to have, providing you with an outline to help you structure your essay, and analyzing a complete analytical essay example so you can see what a finished essay looks like. What Is an Analytical Essay? Before you begin writing an analytical essay, you must know what this type of essay is and what it includes. Analytical essays analyze something, often (but not always) a piece of writing or a film. An analytical essay is more than just a synopsis of the issue though; in this type of essay you need to go beyond surface-level analysis and look at what the key arguments/points of this issue are and why. If you’re writing an analytical essay about a piece of writing, you’ll look into how the text was written and why the author chose to write it that way. Instead of summarizing, an analytical essay typically takes a narrower focus and looks at areas such as major themes in the work, how the author constructed and supported their argument, how the essay usedliterary devices to enhance its messages, etc. While you certainly want people to agree with what you’ve written, unlike with persuasive and argumentative essays, your main purpose when writing an analytical essay isn’t to try to convert readers to your side of the issue. Therefore, you won’t be using strong persuasive language like you would in those essay types. Rather, your goal is to have enough analysis and examples that the strength of your argument is clear to readers. Besides typical essay components like an introduction and conclusion, a good analytical essay will include: A thesis that states your main argument Analysis that relates back to your thesis and supports it Examples to support your analysis and allow a more in-depth look at the issue In the rest of this article, we’ll explain how to include each of these in your analytical essay. How to Structure Your Analytical Essay Analytical essays are structured similarly to many other essays you’ve written, with an introduction (including a thesis), several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Below is an outline you can follow when structuring your essay, and in the next section we go into more detail on how to write an analytical essay. Introduction Your introduction will begin with some sort of attention-grabbing sentence to get your audience interested, then you’ll give a few sentences setting up the topic so that readers have some context, and you’ll end with your thesis statement. Your introduction will include: A hook Brief background information explaining the issue/text Your thesis Body Paragraphs Your analytical essay will typically have three or four body paragraphs, each covering a different point of analysis. Begin each body paragraph with a sentence that sets up the main point you’ll be discussing. Then you’ll give some analysis on that point, backing it up with evidence to support your claim. Continue analyzing and giving evidence for your analysis until you’re out of strong points for the topic. At the end of each body paragraph, you may choose to have a transition sentence that sets up what the next paragraph will be about, but this isn’t required.Body paragraphs will include: Introductory sentence explaining what you’ll cover in the paragraph (sort of like a mini-thesis) Analysis point Evidence (either passages from the text or data/facts) that supports the analysis (Repeat analysis and evidence until you run out of examples) Conclusion You won’t be making any new points in your conclusion; at this point you’re just reiterating key points you’ve already made and wrapping things up. Begin by rephrasing your thesis and summarizing the main points you made in the essay. Someone who reads just your conclusion should be able to come away with a basic idea of what your essay was about and how it was structured. After this, you may choose to make some final concluding thoughts, potentially by connecting your essay topic to larger issues to show why it’s important. A conclusion will include: Paraphrase of thesis Summary of key points of analysis Final concluding thought(s) 5 Steps for Writing an Analytical Essay Follow these five tips to break down writing an analytical essay into manageable steps. By the end, you’ll have a fully-crafted analytical essay with both in-depth analysis and enough evidence to support your argument. All of these steps use the completed analytical essay in the next section as an example. #1: Pick a Topic You may have already had a topic assigned to you, and if that’s the case, you can skip this step. However, if you haven’t, or if the topic you’ve been assigned is broad enough that you still need to narrow it down, then you’ll need to decide on a topic for yourself. Choosing the right topic can mean the difference between an analytical essay that’s easy to research (and gets you a good grade) and one that takes hours just to find a few decent points to analyze Before you decide on an analytical essay topic, do a bit of research to make sure you have enough examples to support your analysis. If you choose a topic that’s too narrow, you’ll struggle to find enough to write about. For example, say your teacher assigns you to write an analytical essay about the theme in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath of exposing injustices against migrants. For it to be an analytical essay, you can’t just recount the injustices characters in the book faced; that’s only a summary and doesn’t include analysis. You need tochoose a topic that allows you to analyze the theme. One of the best ways to explore a theme is to analyze how the author made his/her argument. One example here is that Steinbeck used literary devices in the intercalary chapters (short chapters that didn’t relate to the plot or contain the main characters of the book) to show what life was like for migrants as a whole during the Dust Bowl. You could write about how Steinbeck used literary devices throughout the whole book, but, in the essay below, I chose to just focus on the intercalary chapters since they gave me enough examples. Having a narrower focus will nearly always result ina tighter and more convincing essay (and can make compiling examples less overwhelming). #2: Write a Thesis Statement Your thesis statement is the most important sentence of your essay; a reader should be able to read just your thesis and understand what the entire essay is about and what you’ll be analyzing. When you begin writing, remember that each sentence in your analytical essay should relate back to your thesis In the analytical essay example below, the thesis is the final sentence of the first paragraph (the traditional spot for it). The thesis is: â€Å"In The Grapes of Wrath’s intercalary chapters, John Steinbeck employs a variety of literary devices and stylistic choices to better expose the injustices committed against migrants in the 1930s.† So what will this essay analyze? How Steinbeck used literary devices in the intercalary chapters to show how rough migrants could have it. Crystal clear. #3: Do Research to Find Your Main Points This is where you determine the bulk of your analysisthe information that makes your essay an analytical essay. My preferred method is to list every idea that I can think of, then research each of those and use the three or four strongest ones for your essay. Weaker points may be those that don’t relate back to the thesis, that you don’t have much analysis to discuss, or that you can’t find good examples for. A good rule of thumb is to have one body paragraph per main point This essay has four main points, each of which analyzes a different literary device Steinbeck uses to better illustrate how difficult life was for migrants during the Dust Bowl. The four literary devices and their impact on the book are: Lack of individual names in intercalary chapters to illustrate the scope of the problem Parallels to the Bible to induce sympathy for the migrants Non-showy, often grammatically-incorrect language so the migrants are more realistic and relatable to readers Nature-related metaphors to affect the mood of the writing and reflect the plight of the migrants #4: Find Excerpts or Evidence to Support Your Analysis Now that you have your main points, you need to back them up. If you’re writing a paper about a text or film, use passages/clips from it as your main source of evidence. If you’re writing about something else, your evidence can come from a variety of sources, such as surveys, experiments, quotes from knowledgeable sources etc. Any evidence that would work for a regular research paper works here. In this example, I quoted multiple passages from The Grapes of Wrathin each paragraph to support my argument. You should be able to back up every claim you make with evidence in order to have a strong essay. #5: Put It All Together Now it's time to begin writing your essay, if you haven’t already. Create an introductory paragraph that ends with the thesis, make a body paragraph for each of your main points, including both analysis and evidence to back up your claims, and wrap it all up with a conclusion that recaps your thesis and main points and potentially explains the big picture importance of the topic. Analytical Essay Example + Analysis So that you can see for yourself what a completed analytical essay looks like, here’s an essay I wrote back in my high school days. It’s followed by analysis of how I structured my essay, what its strengths are, and how it could be improved. Essay American author Rita Mae Brown stated, â€Å"Language exerts hidden power, like a moon on the tides.† Applying rhetoric well has been the goal of countless writers throughout history. Effective use of language in literature has had the ability to affect people for generations. John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, is an instance of an enduring piece of writing that contains compelling and powerful language. The Grapes of Wrath details the journey of the Joad family as they migrate west after being thrown off their land. The Joads must deal with a severe lack of basic necessities and unjustified hatred towards them even after they arrive in California. Steinbeck uses his intercalary chapters to express his view points and describe the difficulties and indignities migrants had to face. Powerful language is a crucial aspect in getting people to understand the author’s beliefs. In The Grapes of Wrath’s intercalary chapters, John Steinbeck employs a vari ety of literary devices and stylistic choices to better expose the plight of migrants in the 1930s. One way Steinbeck illustrates the connections all migrant people possessed and the struggles they faced is by refraining from using specific titles and names in his intercalary chapters. While The Grapes of Wrath focuses on the Joad family, the intercalary chapters show that all migrants share the same struggles and triumphs as the Joads. No individual names are used in these chapters; instead the people are referred to as part of a group. Steinbeck writes, â€Å"Frantic men pounded on the doors of the doctors; and the doctors were busy. And sad men left word at country stores for the coroner to send a car,† (555). By using generic terms, Steinbeck shows how the migrants are all linked because they have gone through the same experiences. The grievances committed against one family were committed against thousands of other families; the abuse extends far beyond what the Joads experienced. The Grapes of Wrath frequently refers to the importance of coming together; how, when peop le connect with others their power and influence multiplies immensely. Throughout the novel, the goal of the migrants, the key to their triumph, has been to unite. While their plans are repeatedly frustrated by the government and police, Steinbeck’s intercalary chapters provide a way for the migrants to relate to one another because they have encountered the same experiences. Hundreds of thousands of migrants fled to the promised land of California, but Steinbeck was aware that numbers alone were impersonal and lacked the passion he desired to spread. Steinbeck created the intercalary chapters to show the massive numbers of people suffering, and he created the Joad family to evoke compassion from readers. Because readers come to sympathize with the Joads, they become more sensitive to the struggles of migrants in general. However, John Steinbeck frequently made clear that the Joads were not an isolated incident; they were not unique. Their struggles and triumphs were part of something greater. Refraining from specific names in his intercalary chapters allows Steinbeck to show the vastness of the atrocities committed against migrants. Steinbeck also creates significant parallels to the Bible in his intercalary chapters in order to enhance his writing and characters. By using simple sentences and stylized writing, Steinbeck evokes Biblical passages. The migrants despair, â€Å"No work till spring. No work,† (556). Short, direct sentences help to better convey the desperateness of the migrants’ situation. Throughout his novel, John Steinbeck makes connections to the Bible through his characters and storyline. Jim Casy’s allusions to Christ and the cycle of drought and flooding are clear biblical references. By choosing to relate The Grapes of Wrath to the Bible, Steinbeck’s characters become greater than themselves. Starving migrants become more than destitute vagrants; they are now the chosen people escaping to the promised land. When a forgotten man dies alone and unnoticed, it becomes a tragedy. Steinbeck writes, â€Å"If [the migrants] were shot at, they did not run, but splashed sul lenly away; and if they were hit, they sank tiredly in the mud,† (556). Injustices committed against the migrants become greater because they are seen as children of God through Steinbeck’s choice of language. Referencing the Bible strengthens Steinbeck’s novel and purpose: to create understanding for the dispossessed. It is easy for people to feel disdain for shabby vagabonds, but connecting them to such a fundamental aspect of Christianity induces sympathy from readers who might have otherwise disregarded the migrants as so many other people did. The simple, uneducated dialogue Steinbeck employs also helps to create a more honest and meaningful representation of the migrants, and it makes the migrants more relatable to readers. Steinbeck chooses to accurately represent the language of the migrants in order to more clearly illustrate their lives and make them seem more like real paper than just characters in a book. The migrants lament, â€Å"They ain’t gonna be no kinda work for three months,† (555). There are multiple grammatical errors in that single sentence, but it vividly conveys the despair the migrants felt better than a technically perfect sentence would. The Grapes of Wrath is intended to show the severe difficulties facing the migrants so Steinbeck employs a clear, pragmatic style of writing. Steinbeck shows the harsh, truthful realities of the migrants’ lives and he would be hypocritical if he chose to give the migrants a more refined voice and not portray them with all their shortcomings. The depiction of the migrants as imperfect through their language also makes them easier to relate to. Steinbeck’s primary audience was the middle class, the less affluent of society. Repeatedly in The Grapes of Wrath, the wealthy make it obvious that they scorn the plight of the migrants. The wealthy, not bad luck or natural disasters, were the prominent cause of the suffering of migrant families such as the Joads. Thus, Steinbeck turns to the less prosperous for support in his novel. When referring to the superior living conditions barnyard animals have, the migrants remark, â€Å"Them’s horses-we’re men,† (556). The perfect simplicity of this quote expresses the absurdness of the migrants’ situation better than any flowery expression could. In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck uses metaphors, particularly about nature, in order to illustrate the mood and the overall plight of migrants. Throughout most of the book, the land is described as dusty, barren, and dead. Towards the end, however; floods come and the landscape begins to change. At the end of chapter twenty-nine, Steinbeck describes a hill after the floods saying, â€Å"Tiny points of grass came through the earth, and in a few days the hills were pale green with the beginning year,† (556). This description offers a stark contrast from the earlier passages which were filled with despair and destruction. Steinbeck’s tone from the beginning of the chapter changes drastically. Early in the chapter, Steinbeck had used heavy imagery in order to convey the destruction caused by the rain, â€Å"The streams and the little rivers edged up to the bank sides and worked at willows and tree roots, bent the willows deep in the current, cut out the roots of cott onwoods and brought down the trees,† (553). However, at the end of the chapter the rain has caused new life to grow in California. The new grass becomes a metaphor representing hope. When the migrants are at a loss over how they will survive the winter, the grass offers reassurance. The story of the migrants in the intercalary chapters parallels that of the Joads. At the end of the novel, the family is breaking apart and has been forced to flee their home. However, both the book and final intercalary chapter end on a hopeful note after so much suffering has occurred. The grass metaphor strengthens Steinbeck’s message because it offers a tangible example of hope. Through his language Steinbeck’s themes become apparent at the end of the novel. Steinbeck affirms that persistence, even when problems appear insurmountable, leads to success. These metaphors help to strengthen Steinbeck’s themes in The Grapes of Wrath because they provide a more memorable way to recall important messages. John Steinbeck’s language choices help to intensify his writing in his intercalary chapters and allow him to more clearly show how difficult life for migrants could be. Refraining from using specific names and terms allows Steinbeck to show that many thousands of migrants suffered through the same wrongs. Imitating the style of the Bible strengthens Steinbeck’s characters and connects them to the Bible, perhaps the most famous book in history. When Steinbeck writes in the imperfect dialogue of the migrants, he creates a more accurate portrayal and makes the migrants easier to relate to for a less affluent audience. Metaphors, particularly relating to nature, strengthen the themes in The Grapes of Wrath by enhancing the mood Steinbeck wants readers to feel at different points in the book. Overall, the intercalary chapters that Steinbeck includes improve his novel by making it more memorable and reinforcing the themes Steinbeck embraces throughout the novel. Exemplary sty listic devices further persuade readers of John Steinbeck’s personal beliefs. Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath to bring to light cruelties against migrants, and by using literary devices effectively, he continuously reminds readers of his purpose. Steinbeck’s impressive language choices in his intercalary chapters advance the entire novel and help to create a classic work of literature that people still are able to relate to today. Analysis This essay sticks pretty closely to the standard analytical essay outline. It starts with an introduction, where I chose to use a quote to start off the essay. (This became my favorite way to start essays in high school because, if I wasn’t sure what to say, I could outsource the work and find a quote that related to what I’d be writing about.) The quote in this essay doesn’t relate to the themes I’m discussing quite as much as it could, but it’s still a slightly different way to start an essay and can intrigue readers. I then give a bit of background on The Grapes of Wrath and its themes before ending the intro paragraph with my thesis: that Steinbeck used literary devices in intercalary chapters to show how rough migrants had it. Each of my four body paragraphs is formatted in roughly the same way: an intro sentence that explains what I’ll be discussing, analysis of that main point, and at least two quotes from the book as evidence. My conclusion restates my thesis, summarizes each of four points I discussed in my body paragraphs, and ends the essay by briefly discussing how Steinbeck’s writing helped introduce a world of readers to the injustices migrants experienced during the dust bowl. What does this analytical essay example do well? For starters, it contains everything that a strong analytical essay should, and it makes that easy to find. The thesis clearly lays out what the essay will be about, the first sentence of each of the body paragraph introduces the topic it’ll cover, and the conclusion neatly recaps all the main points. Within each of the body paragraphs, there’s analysis along with multiple excerpts from the book in order to add legitimacy to my points. Additionally, the essay does a good job of taking an in-depth look at the issue introduced in the thesis. Four ways Steinbeck used literary devices are discussed, and for each of the examples are given and analysis is provided so readers can understand why Steinbeck included those devices and how they helped shaped how readers viewed migrants and their plight. Where could this essay be improved? I believe the weakest body paragraph is the third one, the one that discusses how Steinbeck used plain, grammatically incorrect language to both accurately depict the migrants and make them more relatable to readers. The paragraph tries to touch on both of those reasons and ends up being somewhat unfocused as a result. It would have been better for it to focus on just one of those reasons (likely how it made the migrants more relatable) in order to be clearer and more effective. It’s a good example of how adding more ideas to an essay often doesn’t make it better if they don’t work with the rest of what you’re writing. This essay also could explain the excerpts that are included more and how they relate to the points being made. Sometimes they’re just dropped in the essay with the expectation that the readers will make the connection between the example and the analysis. This is perhaps especially true in the seco nd body paragraph, the one that discusses similarities to Biblical passages. Additional analysis of the quotes would have strengthened it. Summary: How to Write an Analytical Essay What is an analytical essay? A critical analytical essay analyzes a topic, often a text or film. The analysis paper uses evidence to support the argument, such as excerpts from the piece of writing. All analytical papers include a thesis, analysis of the topic, and evidence to support that analysis. When developing an analytical essay outline and writing your essay, follow these five steps: #1: Choose a topic #2: Write your thesis #3: Decide on your main points #4: Gather evidence to support your analysis #5: Put it all together Reading analytical essay examples can also give you a better sense of how to structure your essay and what to include in it. What's Next? Learning about different writing styles in school?There are four main writing styles, and it's important to understand each of them. Learn about them in our guide to writing styles, complete with examples. Writing a research paper for school but not sure what to write about?Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you. Literary devices can both be used to enhance your writing and communication. Check out this list of 31 literary devices to learn more! Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Christine Sarikas About the Author Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. 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