Attitudes of Marriage in Chaucers the Canterbury Tales :: essays papers

Attitudes of Marriage in Chaucers the Canterbury Tales Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, demonstrate many different attitudes and perceptions towards marriage. Some of these ideas are very traditional, such as that illustrated in the Franklin’s Tale. On the other hand, other tales present a liberal view, such as the marriages portrayed in the Miller’s and The Wife of Bath’s tales. While several of these tales are rather comical, they do indeed depict the attitudes towards marriage at that time in history. D.W. Robertson, Jr. calls marriage "the solution to the problem of love, the force which directs the will which is in turn the source of moral action" (Robertson, 88). "Marriage in Chaucer’s time meant a union between spirit and flesh and was thus part of the marriage between Christ and the Church" (Bennett, 113). The Canterbury Tales show many abuses of this sacred bond, as will be discussed below. One example of corruption in marriage is The Miller’s Tale. This tale includes a lecherous clerk, a vain clerk, and an old man entangled in a web of deceit and adultery construed by a married women. It is obvious in this story that almost each of these characters show complete disregard to the institution of marriage. The two men, Nicholas and Absalon, both try to engage in adulterous affairs with Alison, the old man’s wife. Both of the men are guilty of trying to seduce Alison, which shows their indifference towards the sanctions and laws of marriage. Still Alison, who should be the wiser, also breaks the laws of marriage. She takes Nicholas because she wants to, just as she ignores Absalon because she wants to. Lines 104-109 of the Miller’s Tale show Alison’s blatant disrespect for her marriage to "Old John" and her planned deceit: "That she hir love hym graunted atte laste, And swoor hir ooth, by seint Thomas of Kent That she wol been at his commandmen t, Whan that she may hir leyser wel espie. Myn housbonde is so ful of jalousie That but ye wayte wel and been privee†¦" On the contrary, Alison’s husband loved her more than his own life, although he felt foolish for marrying her since she was so young and skittish. This, in turn, led him to keep a close watch on her whenever possible. The Miller’s main point in his story is that if a man obtains what he wants from God or from his wife, he won’t ask questions or become jealous.

Memo Letter Example

MEMO DATE: November 11, 2012 TO: Dr. Cheryl Powers, Instructor Business Communications, Minnesota School of Business FROM: Rhonda DeRosa Melissa Gelder Sherry Stevens Kayla Huberty Scott Miller Virtual Team, Business Communications SUBJECT: Unit 5 Assignment—Virtual Team Project Proposal Memo Our team met via conference call, this week, to discuss how we will successfully complete our project and resolve any conflicts that might arise. We also discussed which organizations we would each interview and agreed on a list of questions to ask our contacts at these organizations.The success of our project will depend on the contributions of every member. We will meet, via conference call, at 7:30 p. m. every Wednesday until our project is done. In between conference calls, we will communicate mostly via email. We decided that email was the best method, since we all have access to our email on our cell phones, so would get the information very quickly. We will also post to our group d iscussion board after our Wednesday night calls, to re-cap what was discussed and to have something to refer back to. In an effort to eliminate and resolve conflict we will all need to be responsible for â€Å"pulling our weight†. Related article: Team Building Memo ExamplesWe will do this by participating in the conference calls, regularly checking our email, and responding to any questions from the other team members. If a last-minute scheduling conflict occurs, we have each other’s phone numbers and we will call the other team members to inform them of the conflict. We will address and attempt to resolve conflicts within our team, before escalating to our instructor. Here is a list of the organizations that we have chosen, along with the contact person at the organization: Rhonda DeRosa: OGI Eyewear—Contact: Dan Liberman, Owner/President, Shelley Jacobs, Director of Corporate AffairsMelissa Gelder: Insert Company Name—Insert Contact Name and Title Sherry Stevens: Alexandra House—Contact: Liz Meyer, Project Manager Kayla Huberty: Insert Company Name—Insert Contact Name and Title Scott Miller: Insert Company Name—Insert Contact Name and Title Here is the list of quest ions that we are going to ask each of our organizations: 1. What types of teams/groups does your organization use? (Cross-functional, self-managed, virtual, project, etc. ) 2. What roles do team-members play? (Leader, note-taker, subject matter expert, etc. ) 3. Who decides how the roles are assigned (or do members volunteer)? . How do teams/groups contribute to the overall success of your organization? 5. What criteria do you use to determine whether a group/team is needed? 6. What are the characteristics of successful team players at your organization? 7. Do members of your organization participate on teams with members of other organizations? If so, what sort of roles do they play on those teams? 8. What are some of the obstacles your teams face and how do you overcome them? 9. How is team conflict handled and resolved? 10. What tools/methods do your teams use to communicate? (email, phone, face-to-face, virtual technologies, etc. 11. Which of these methods is most effective? Lea st effective? 12. How do you determine if a team/group is successful? 13. What is the role of volunteers on teams in your organization? 14. What training or team-building is provided for team members (and is this different for employees vs. volunteers)? 15. Can you share a success story involving a group or team in your organization? —possibly of a time where a team was able to achieve something above and beyond what was expected or a team achieved something that couldn’t have been achieved without the team.

Make an Inference Practice Questions

Want to master your reading comprehension? Practicing your inference skills is a great place to start, but if you are unsure how to make an inference at all (or what one even is), you might want to start with the  basics of inference  which will give you all of the  details that you need. If you are ready to go, go ahead and get started with these easy inference practice questions to hone your reading skills. The following inference questions provide a basic assessment of your comprehension of the skill. Printable PDFs: Inference Practice Questions 1 | Answers to Inference Practice Questions 1 Inference Practice Questions 1 Using your best inference strategies, make an inference about the following statements. The first two are done for you. I wouldnt eat after that two-year-old if I were you.Inference: The two-year-old probably did something gross to the food you were about to eat or has a cold and you could catch it. Something bad will happen to you if you eat  the food.  For Valentine’s Day, my fantastic neighbor gave his wife a poem that took him about two seconds to write. Sheesh.Inference: My neighbor is not very considerate since he didnt take his time writing the poem.A man ran after a retreating bus, waving his briefcase frantically.Inference:If she died, I wouldn’t go to her funeral.Inference:Jake almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella even though he would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.Inference:Hey! What happened to all the school construction money taken from the taxpayers? It paid for this toilet the money was flushed down.Inference:As you give a speech in front of a large audience, you reali ze that people are laughing behind their hands and pointing to the region below your waist.Inference:No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesnt break down, I’ll be back soon.Inference:A woman walks into a hospital clutching her abdomen and yelling at  her husband, who trails behind her carrying a large bag.Inference:Youre driving on the highway, listening to the radio, and a police officer pulls you over.Inference: Inference Practice 1 Suggested Answers 3. A man ran after a retreating bus, waving his briefcase frantically. Inference:  The man had to take that bus to work and he was running late. He wanted the bus driver to stop the bus so he could get on it. 4. If she died, I wouldn’t go to her funeral. Inference:  Im extremely angry with this woman for some major  reason,  because one of the worst things a person could do is to hate someone after they have passed away. 5. Jake almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella even though he would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning. Inference:  Jake heard that it was going to rain later in the day. 6. Hey! What happened to all the school construction money taken from the taxpayers? It paid for this toilet the money was flushed down. Inference:  The school district is wasting tax payers money. 7. As you give a speech in front of a large audience, you realize that people are laughing behind their hands and pointing to the region below your waist. Inference:  You forgot to zip up your fly or you have something on your pants. 8. No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesnt break down, I’ll be back soon. Inference:  The wife wants the husband to buy her a new car for her birthday. 9. A woman walks into a hospital clutching her abdomen and cursing out her husband, who trails behind her carrying a large bag. Inference:  The woman is in labor. 10. Youre driving on the highway, listening to the radio, and a police officer pulls you over. Inference:  Youve broken the law in some way while driving.

The Difference Between Society And Culture - 1831 Words

Society and culture have always played a big role in people’s life. All societies differ from one to another; each one has its own cultural practices, values, beliefs, mores, traditions, etc. It is important to distinguish the difference between society and culture. Society is where a group of individuals interact with others; while culture is the way these individuals live life. Both, society and culture also vary from country to country; for example, education in China is not the same as USA. China has been recognized by its higher standards of education; children are well known for exceeding in school at their very young age in science and mathematics subjects. Chinese parents and schools also teach their kids to respect and continue their cultural practices and legacy. Nevertheless, in America, there is not much effort from schools to teach children history or culture since it is a multicultural country. As it is known, family is the basic unit of a society. Cultural pract ices are passed from generation to generation through the family. Parents teach their children to distinguish what is right or wrong based on their cultural perspective. In two short stories, â€Å"Two Kinds† by Amy Tan and â€Å"Salvation† by Langston Hughes, both authors talk about how cultural practices affected the life of two kids. In â€Å"Two Kinds,† Tan talks about how important was for Jing-Mei’s mother that her daughter became a prodigy without forgetting Chinese culture. In the other short story,Show MoreRelatedSimilarities And Differences Between Cultures And Societies902 Words   |  4 Pagessimilarities and differences between cultures and societies is what makes the world like it is today. Cultures developed independently, but as time went on and communication technology evolved, people began to share their culture’s ideas on religion, political philosophy, and medicinal practices. Cultures started to feed off of and evolve from one another, as highlighted in the similarities in ideals across the world. Not all countries adopted the same ideas though, as evident by the many differences in culturesRead MoreThe Barriers Between Cultures, Patterns, And The Differences Amongst Society1647 Words   |  7 PagesThe barriers between cultures, variations in communication patterns, and the differences amongst society all factor down to one thing, religion. Religion is vastly universal. It encompasses a wide variety of sub-sectors, as it houses many diverse types of religions, each with varying beliefs, ideals, rituals, and languages. Religion is a way of life, it brings people together. It evokes a new way of thinking, feeling, and understanding the complexity of life. The specific role religion plays in anRead MoreDiscuss the Similarities and Differences Between Any Two Societies. in Your Answer, Make Reference to the Role of Cultures, Norms, Values and Inequality in Social Organization.1201 Words   |  5 PagesV B radley Word Count 1099 Discuss the similarities and differences between any TWO societies. In your answer, make reference to the role of cultures, norms, values and inequality in social organization. There are many similarities and differences between the cultures of Japan and Britain, this essay will look at some of these including religion, education, norms, values and inequalities in their social organizations. According to Google’s public data there are 127, 817, 277 people living inRead MoreCollectivism : A Different Brain Pattern Known As Collectivism1257 Words   |  6 Pagesvery clear difference has emerged between different societies. This goes beyond the varying dress, food, and laws that are in difference cultures. It also penetrates the mindset of the people. In some cultures, such as China, there is a different brain pattern known as collectivism. In a study done by Zhu and Others (2007), participants used a different part of the brain to think about their mothers (Meyers ___, 42). Simply put, collectivism is a society where family or a society comes beforeRead MoreCultural Differences Between Different Regions Of The World Essay1261 Words   |  6 Pag escountry, of it containing all the components of their culture including work, school, food, social interaction, and more. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of culture, work, allows a platform for the most interaction between different cultures. In the work world, it is a given that due to diversity, collaboration between people of different cultures will happen. Whether it is because of a diverse staff of employees, business being conducted between two countries, etc.†¦. understanding the differentRead MoreA Long Way Gone : Memoirs Of A Boy Soldier1352 Words   |  6 Pageskeys to survive in this society. It plays an important role in our society. The book, A long way gone: Memoirs of a boy soldier, describes several cross cultural issues. This book is based on the true story of Ishamel Beah, who was solder in Republic of Sierra Leone. During his life time, he face a number of cultural shocks and tried to adapt each situation. Through story of his life, we can recogn ize some cultural differences and similarities between his central culture, Sierra Leon, and other individuals/groupsRead MoreThe War On Drugs By Richard Nixon1684 Words   |  7 Pagessystems have an impact on this part of society’s life. The War on Drugs has contributed the cross cultural differences to the modern globalized world. Studying cross cultural differences, it would be acceptable to analyze two different cultures: American, which represent West (not in geographic, but in cultural sense), and Japan, which is one of the largest and widely known East culture. First of all, it must be noticed that for these research comparative method have been used. â€Å"The comparativeRead MoreCultural Competency: Trasforming Conflict into Unity1540 Words   |  6 PagesUnited States of America is infamous for being a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities. The diversity in America is great and in theory is an amazing asset to this nation. However, as a society we tend to allow our differences to segregate us and alienate those who are different. By not embracing the diversity among us, many complications are created. For instance, as a result of an inability to respect other cultures, prejudice, discrimination, and tragic violence often occur. PeopleRead MoreCultural Differences Of The Workplace1046 Words   |  5 PagesCultural Differences in the Workplace Anyone who has traveled to a foreign country can tell you stories about traditions or cultural differences that are not familiar to them. By understanding these cultural differences in the work environment, leaders can get the most out a diverse workforce and be better equipped to compete in today’s global economy. To show how this can be done an overview of the research done by Professor Geert Hofstede will be discussed, followed by the examination of the differencesRead MoreGender Stereotypes And Gender Roles1076 Words   |  5 Pagesgender norms, though there are some recurrent patterns between many cultures. For most recurrent patterns there is a culture who does not abide by those gender norms. There is typically many good reasons for each recurrent pattern that makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint. There is also a significant difference in the way men and women are treated. This is caused by many things, from location to physical requirement. There is differences from the occupations they may have, to the punishments

Awesome, Such a Wonderful Word Essay - 619 Words

Awesome - Such a Wonderful Word There are multitudes of words in the English language. Some of these words are precisely defined, some have multiple meanings, and some are token words used to emphasize or elaborate ideas. For example, the number of definitions for the token word awesome is limited only to the imagination of the user. One Sunday afternoon I sat watching a basketball game. The Chicago Bulls were playing the L.A. Lakers. Michael Jordan, a star player for the Bulls, drove his way down court like a man with a mission. Jordans approach to the basket was flawless, and with a twist of his hips and a jump into the air, he catapulted himself across the floor and dramatically slammed the ball through the hoop.†¦show more content†¦I knew the time for second thoughts was well behind me as the first of the cars reached the pinnacle of the hill. When the train finally descended, it picked up speed with incredible pace. My stomach seemed to be looking for a good place to hide as it crept up behind my rib cage. The only screams I could hear were coming from my mind; my hands lunged for something like anchors from a mighty ship. The descent was like a fall in a nightmare, but I was wide awake. My eyes were closed much too tightly to see the bottom of this mountainous cliff, but I knew it must end. Just then, I felt something pull me down deep into the seat as the train took a more horizontal direction. The hills were much more tame here and I was relieved, hoping for no more similar experiences. As we decelerated through the last turn and came to the end, the brakes yanked the train to a halt. My mind made a feeble attempt to organize all this information to a stable thought, but all I could think was awesome. These ways of describing awesome manifest themselves in physical sights and sensations. Awesome can also be refined and used to illustrate abstract ideas (ideas that might go beyond comprehension or definite boundaries). The topic of space has fascinated many people through the centuries. Scientists collect data on it and develop theories on stars, planets, and the origin of the universe. Philosophers basically take this same informationShow MoreRelatedEssay On New Web893 Words   |  4 Pageswill give it a wonderful strikethrough. In no way like striking things on a schedule, right? You can make another rundown and include the custom URL as your New Tab page. I would likewise prescribe marking into it with Google, since that will give you a chance to visit Minimalist.com from any gadget and raise your rundown. 3. Wonderful HQ (Web): Windows-Like Tiles for Your Browser: On the off chance that you adored the look of Windows Phones Live Tiles, at that point Awesome HQ is for you.Read MoreBeing An Orientation Leader Is A Important Leadership Position At North Carolina State University878 Words   |  4 Pagesposition at North Carolina State University because an orientation leader gives the first impression of what incoming students can expect from the student body. Leadership is embodied in every facet of one’s demeanor. The three Ted Talks: Learning to be Awesome at Anything You Do, Including Being a Leader by Tasha Eurich, Everyday Leadership by Drew Dudley, Want to Sound like a Leader? Start by Saying your Name Right by Laura Sicola; relate to orientation in various ways. During orientation the three mostRead MoreWe Have A Good Day1414 Words   |  6 Pagespower, but when I say, â€Å"I’m sorry† they are powerless. They can be your best friend, or your worst enemy, your chance at happiness, or the door to Hell. There are no right words when you need them, but plenty when you should just shut up. They roll off your tongue like a roller coaster that just wont stop. Words are everything, words are everywhere. They are the â€Å"I love you† before bed. They are the â€Å"screw you† after a fight. They are the â€Å" drive slow† and the â€Å"wear your seatbelt†. They are the â€Å"leaveRead MoreDiscovering Time For Practice Can Be Troublesome And Debilitating970 Words   |  4 Pagessound suppers you permit your body to develop to its maximum capacity and keep the majority of the harming substances far from your body. By expanding the quality you put into your eating routine, you build you re mindfulness and begin to see the word in a superior light than already likened. The world will begin to unravel its natural products for you; in this manner, you can appreciate the juices that go with the gloriousness of keeping yourself to a higher standard. Experiences into yourselfRead MoreHow Can Your Learning Partner Help You754 Words   |  4 PagesUnit 6 Discussion 2 Question 1: How can your learning partner help you in the process? The biggest problem is communicating and even more in front of a roomful of people. Many quoted that practice makes perfect, but the key word is practice. I have several cohorts that check on my progress, and help out a lot with understanding the lesson plan. I have one special cohort, we speak to each other often. There are some things that cannot be changed, such as the character or personality of a person.Read MoreAnalysis Of William Blake s The Lamb 994 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Blake is inspired to write this poem in which the central purpose or theme is to identify who the Lamb is and its origins, by formulating a series of questions, and to describe its characteristics and personality by portraying its awesome attributes. The World English Dictionary defines Lamb as: â€Å"1. A young, immature sheep, especially under a year old and without permanent teeth; 2. Somebody who is meek, gentle, and mild, especially a baby or a small child; 3. Someone who is easily deceivedRead MorePersonal Note On The Car Ride Home758 Words   |  4 Pagescomputer. The computer is seeming to drown out my words. A few seconds later my mother finally gives a response. â€Å"Hi!† â€Å"How are you?† â€Å"Good!† â€Å"How are you?† â€Å"Good.† she replies in a upbeat tone. â€Å"How was your weekend?† she asks. â€Å"Good how was you’res?† â€Å"Wonderful...wonderful just I wasn’t home very much.† â€Å"What did you guys do?† my mom asks shortly after stating how â€Å"wonderful† her weekend was. â€Å"Uh†¦ we went climbing.† Read MoreThe Person And Work Of The Holy Spirit Essay1579 Words   |  7 Pagesindividual comes to faith in Christ he or she is not left alone to battle the struggles of sin, lead people to Jesus, experience heartache and sorrow, find God’s will, or live a life that is pleasing and honoring to the Lord. No, Christians are given an awesome gift that cannot be purchased or earned. Believers are blessed with the gift of a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 14:16, â€Å" And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.†(ESV) Sadly, manyRead MoreEssay On Showcasing1152 Words   |  5 Pagesshowcasing your business? Do you even perceive what it takes to create the astounding articles that influence it to appear? Pleasantly, there are different contemplations which are vital to the way, and understanding what theyre will help you to put an awesome technique to work for you. Test these tips out first to see exactly w hat you ought to consider. When composing imitation for offshoot promoting and showcasing articles, you need to save your sentences fast and reachable. Saving each sentence underRead MoreHow Writing Is A Skill That Anyone Can Be Good1161 Words   |  5 PagesWriting is a skill that anyone can become good at. Our creativity and imagination is used with our vocabulary to create a story which we completely control. Fantasy, Science-Fiction, Mystery, Thriller and Romance; They all begin the same way, with a few words on a piece of paper and an active mind. Writing is an evolutionary process. The experience we gain changes the way we write over time; basic and fragmented to complex and eloquent. Motivation is what pushes us to keep writing about what we feel is

Curfews Essay Research Paper Curfews and other free essay sample

Curfews Essay, Research Paper Curfews, and other Limits: Many Parents set up regulations, and other boundaries in which their teens must follow. These regulations are normally placed over their teens to command, protect, and learn their adolescent. Even though most parents mean good, and some regulations are necessary it? s easy to overpower teens with ordinances. First of all teens are non traveling to follow all of the regulations, and secondly there are some things that certain teens will non make with, or without a specific regulation on that topic. For illustration, there are many teens who would neer utilize drugs, but by puting a regulation on this, the adolescent might non experience trust worthy, and might be more likely to seek drugs. This is non ever the instance though, some teens need every regulation stated, or they might prove your patients. Parents should retrieve that they know heir teenager best, and they need to put regulations harmonizing to their ain adolescent. We will write a custom essay sample on Curfews Essay Research Paper Curfews and other or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Drugs and other illegal things are frequently a job with certain teens, but some teens will neer seek drugs. Adolescents will turn to drugs for replies to jobs. To avoid holding jobs with your adolescent, spend clip with them and speak to them. In covering with a adolescent who has taken illegal drugs, you as a parent demand to seek to understand why you teen has committed the offense. Merely when you understand the kid, so you can give the appropriate penalty. Another of import factor in subject is to do certain that the adolescent understands why what they have done is incorrect, and demo them Bible to explicate it. If a kid does non cognize why what they have done is bad, they will probably make it once more. A parent needs to do certain that their regulations do non belie each other. It is easy to curtail one bad influence, and non another. Many parents feel that they need to whom their adolescent bents out with because of their friends # 8217 ; linguistic communication, and general behaviour. This is frequently the wise thing to make, but if you restrict this, but still let your adolescent to cuss or watch improper films, and Television the limitation of certain friends will merely confound your adolescent . Curfews are frequently needed to forestall teens from acquiring into problem tardily at dark. A curfew should somewhat vary depending on where the adolescent are, what they are making, what they are be aftering for the followers forenoon, and who they are with. If your adolescent is with responsible grownups whom you know, a curfew should depend upon programs for the undermentioned forenoon if there are any. When your adolescent is with his friends a curfew should depend upon how trusty your adolescent is. If your adolescent has broken curfew regulations in the yesteryear, so an earlier than usual curfew would be sensible, but if your adolescent does non hold a bad record and if they are trustworthy they should be given more freedom, and take their sentiments into context when giving a curfew. Some well behaved teens can be given about full duty when comes to curfews. Curfews are normally most necessary for dating. Parents can non ever give their adolescent permission to remain out all dark on a day of the month. Teenss can acquire into excessively much problem when on a day of the month tardily at dark particularly if they have a auto. It is best for a parent to do wise determinations based on each person adolescent. When a adolescent takes a auto the adolescent should hold a duty to take attention of the auto, and esteem other drivers. Some parents find it effectual to necessitate their adolescent to assist pay for gas, plus insurance, or purchase their ain auto, and wage for it themselves. This manner the adolescent feels a sense of ownership, and is more responsible for what is theirs. Teenss frequently spend many hours on the telephone. I used to pass a batch of clip on the phone. One solution to this job is to acquire a separate telephone line for the teens in your house, or at least a separate telephone line for the computing machine. When puting up regulations and ordinances the best things to make are do certain your adolescent understands the grounds for the regulation, retrieve to follow God? s criterions when doing regulations, and be just. Proverbs 24:3,4 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established ; By knowledge the suites are filled With all cherished and pleasant wealths.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using an External and Internal Evaluator in an Evaluation Essay Example

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using an External and Internal Evaluator in an Evaluation Paper This essay is an attempt to describe the advantages and disadvantages of using an external and internal evaluator in an evaluation. The author will propose an internal evaluator for a functional literacy program. The structure of the essay will start by defining programme evaluation and the background of evaluation, and then give advantages and disadvantages of using external or internal evaluator in an evaluation. This essay will then propose one evaluator for a functional literacy program and give reasons for choosing such an evaluator. The essay will conclude by giving the authors personal opinion on the matter above. Evaluation is the process of collecting and/or using information for the purposes of determining the value and worth of the subject of the evaluation process (Birley Morel 1998). Australian Development Cooperation (2009) has expanded the definition by stating that programme evaluation is the systematic and objective assessment of an on-going or completed project, programme or policy its design, implementation and results. Other authors like Mbozi, (2007) defined evaluation as a systematic assessment of the worth or merit of some project. The aim is to determine the relevance and fulfilment f objectives, development efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability. In general, the purpose of your evaluation should be to establish the outcomes or value of the program you are providing and to find ways to improve the program (House, 1993). The process of evaluation is considered to be a relatively recent phenomenon. However, planned evaluation has been documented as dating as far back as 2200BC, Shadish, Cook Letish, (1991). We will write a custom essay sample on The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using an External and Internal Evaluator in an Evaluation specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using an External and Internal Evaluator in an Evaluation specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using an External and Internal Evaluator in an Evaluation specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Evaluation became particularly relevant in the U. S. in the 1960s during the period of the Great Society social programs associated with the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. It is argued in Letish, (1991) that for programme evaluation to take place there must be an evaluator. A programme evaluator is said in Letish (1991) as a person who systematically assesses the process and outcomes of a program with the intent of furthering its development and improvement on a programme. Its clearly stated in international standards of evaluators number 1. 2 about the Evaluators Credibility that the person conducting an evaluation should be both trustworthy and competent to perform the evaluation, so that the evaluation findings achieve maximum credibility and acceptance. In this case here are two types of evaluators, internal and external. An internal evaluator is a program staff or worker who conducts program evaluation on behalf of the program. The whole evaluation is an intervention condu cted by a unit/and or individuals reporting to the management of the donor, partner, or implementing organization. An external evaluator is a person or persons who conduct an evaluation of a program from outside the program and they are not part of the program being evaluated. Other writers like Kushner, (2000) have added that external evaluation is an intervention conducted by entities and/or individuals outside the donor and Implementing agencies. I ne advantages 0T Internal evaluators accor01ng to Newman, Brown, (1996) are immense which includes having better overall knowledge of the program and also possess more informal knowledge of the program because they operate within. Farther more internal evaluators have less threatening from management of fellow staff because they are already familiar with every staff. Allowances for evaluators are proved less costly compared to external evaluators. The disadvantages for hiring an internal evaluator include being less objective in conducting an evaluation and may be more preoccupied with other activities of the rogram. Its also known fact that internal evaluators do not give complete attention to evaluation because their income will not be affected. Other writers like Dolley, (1994) have included that internal evaluators do not have adequately training as an evaluator. On the other hand the advantages of the external evaluator in Newman, Brown, (1996) include being more objective to the process because they need to meet those objectives and offers new perspectives of approaching the evaluation process. The external evaluators have different angles to observe the evaluation process and they criticize management if necessary. External evaluator is dedicated to greater amount of time to the evaluation process and attention compared to internal evaluators. In most cases external evaluators have greater expertise and evaluation brain to do the evaluation properly compared to internal evaluators who are sometimes accountants or office managers. The disadvantage of external evaluators includes high costs to pay and known fact that they may require more time for the contract to be signed or negotiations. Its been proved that external evaluators are unfamiliar with program staff, the program culture and they sometimes create nxiety among program staff about being evaluated by others. Its also possible that external evaluators may be unfamiliar with organization policies, such that certain constraints affecting the program might be overlooked. But when it comes to functional illiteracy program, functional literacy is imprecisely defined differently from nation to nation, and study to study. Functionally illiterate is whereby persons can read and possibly write simple sentences with a limited vocabulary, but cannot read or writes well enough to deal with the everyday requirements of life in their own society. An organisation wishes to evaluate functional literacy programs can request the service of a staff member or hire someone outside the organisation. A wide literature focuses on evaluation as a means of improving organisational performance in the business, government programs and the community projects. In this case therefore evaluation is a tool or means of improving functional literacy programs performance in providing literacy and show impact in the community where the service is being provided. The aim is to confirm a place for evaluation as an integral aspect or essential part of performance improvement (Love, 1991). The best method of sourcing a suitable evaluator for literacy program will need to be assessed in each case Knowledge of program and literacy operations. Most evaluators stress the importance of gathering detailed knowledge about the functional literacy program being evaluated in order to ensure that the evaluation reflects the program and its context. Posavac and Carey (1997) note that stakeholders where literacy programs are conducted are far more likely to give recommendations a respectful hearing if they feel the evaluation team understood the population served, the school housing the rogram, tne literacy program ItselT, ana tne star sucn unaerstan01ng cannot De gained by brief meetings. This means that internal evaluators have an advantage over external evaluators since they work in the environment in which the program operates and may have been personally involved in some part of the program planning (Weiss 1972). The following are the other reasons of choosing internal evaluator for an evaluation of a functional literacy program. The internal evaluators are very familiar with the work of functional literacy, its culture, the aims and objectives which someone from outside the functional literacy may not understand. Generally these works assume that evaluation for program improvement is conducted by internal evaluators, more specifically, by managers. A good example is said in Globerson, et al. (1991). Defining middle management as an endangered species, Globerson et al. (1991) offer a new role for middle managers as internal planners and evaluators who can exercise organisational control and improve performance of schools. These managers should be able to evaluate performance by using specific performance criteria, measuring actual results, and comparing the results with expectations (Globerson et al. 991). Its the best away of self-correcting and much less threatening than external evaluation. This may make it easier for those involved to accept findings and criticisms and may misunderstand what you want from the evaluation and may not give what you need. It also helps in planning, setting teaching standards, measurement of student results and comparison with other programs which rests on the unstated assumption that only management is involved. Similar works include Love (1991), Sluyter (1998) and Czarnecki (1999) who generally assume that managers rely on internal evaluators for measurement. Therefore internal evaluation is very clearly a management activity. Sluyter (1998) presumes that internal evaluators should measure indicators of quality and stability for performance improvement (Sluyter, 1998) while Goldberg and Sifonis (1994) presume that monitoring and evaluation processes such as surveys, class activity- based, overall pass trend and benchmarking will be carried out by internal evaluators. As part of school organisation, internal evaluators have first-hand knowledge of the organisations philosophy, policies, procedures, personnel and management. This allows selection of evaluation methods tailored to the reality of he organization (Love 1991). As well as detailed knowledge about the program being evaluated, it may also be useful in some cases for the evaluator to have an understanding of cultural and political factors that affect the operating environment of the organisation being evaluated (Braskamp et al. 1987). In the case of a university, this might be sensitivity to university politics (Shapiro Blackwell 1987) while in the case of a religious institution it might be the need to be attuned to the uniqueness of the particular group (Faase PuJdak 1987). Evaluation does not record, but rather creates reality. Because of the subjectivity of the values involved, there is no reason to suppose that internal or external evaluators would be any more or less likely to share the values or reality of the people involved in the evaluation. The individuals employed by an organisation are substantially more likely to share Value systems with each other than outsiders. Value systems are complex and made up of factors including culture, upbringing, experience and education. Objectivity should be a overtime (Cummings et al. 1988) and prepare the ground for acceptance and utlllsatlon 0T Tactor In selectlng Internal. Utlllsatlon 0T evaluatlon Is a Key Issue Tor many practitioners (Posavac Carey 1997; Patton 1997). Some argue that an internal evaluator is better placed to understand the environment and prepare findings in the style most likely to be used (Shapiro Blackwell 1987). An internal evaluator can also build credibility evaluation results (G unn 1987. Love (1991). Because internal evaluators know the all corners of the program, they are able to see ways that the evaluation can make a difference and promote the use of evaluation findings over the longer term (Weiss 1972). Dissemination of results is also an important issue for valuators (Rossi Freeman 1982). Cronbach et al. (1981) point out that a successful evaluation must do more than Just amass good data, timely communications should distribute information to the persons rightfully concerned, and those hearers should take the information into their thinking. All evaluators should be aware of communication issues. This factor should not favour internal evaluators or external ones. Finally, the availability of an internal evaluator could be seen as an investment that an organisation makes in an enduring corporate resource that is useful in a number of contexts (Love 1991). Whether this is a reasonable investment will depend on the size of the organisation and its likely future evaluation needs. The argument for building staff capacity may be a strong factor in some cases but may make no sense for an organisation that is only going to conduct one evaluation per decade. Ultimately, the Great House of evaluation should have room for both internal and external evaluators if it wishes to continue to grow. The essay concludes therefore that the evaluation remains critical regardless which evaluator undertakes the process of evaluation advantages and disadvantages that both play independent oles in program evaluation. In schools especially functional literacy programs mentioned above, its arguably that internal evaluators play more part in sharping not only the picture of a functional literacy program, but also helps to develop a continuous improvement process of the program. References Australian Development Cooperation, (2009). Guidelines for Project and Programme Evaluations. Vienna: Austrian Development Agency. Birley, M. and Morel, N. 1998. A practical guide to academic research. London: Kogan Page Braskamp, LA, Brandenburg, DC Ory, JC. (1987). 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