Tuesday, November 26, 2019
How To Write A Process Essay, with Topics and Outline
How To Write A Process Essay, with Topics and Outline Writing a Process Essay Topics Outline example How to start How to write body How to conclude A process essay is a form of writing which explains how to do something. Some of the most common process essays are recipes that demonstrate how food should be prepared. In this type of paper, the reader should be able to follow the sequence and successfully achieve what you are explaining. A process essay serves to: Explain how something is done. It gives a sequence which should be followed to achieve a particular goal. Explain how something works. It tells someone how something is done, for example explaining how to plant a garden. This article gives tips to help the student on how to write a process essay. Topic Choice Choosing the topic for a perfect writing requires a lot of thought. It should be something you regularly do, or have had an experience with it/ this is because the reader should achieve the same results as you after following all the steps. Be specific about your topic. Decide whether you want to tell your readers how to do something or explain them how something works. In case you are stuck in choosing a good process essay topics for yourà task, there are some topics you can choose from: How to write a CV; How to grow a kitchen garden; How to cook a Spanish omelet; How to start a business; Preparing dinner for the in-laws; What to do when on a blind date; The process of saddling a horse; Steps to follow when operating a manual generator; The negotiation process; The grieving process; What to do to avoid procrastinating; Designing a tuxedo; Creating a design from scratch; The process of making a cocktail; How to tie a shoe; How to raise a healthy dog; How to file tax returns; The sedimentation process; How to organize a baby shower; How to pack light for the holidays. Commonà Structure Keep in mind that there are different outlines for a process essay as every process is different. For this reason, thesis may differ from time to time and may not always look alike. The example below does not have a conclusion as it doesnââ¬â¢t need one. Outline example: How to cook homemade dry cured bacon Ingredients: Pork belly cut 500g of plain salt 100g of brown sugar Handful of juniper berries A spring of fresh rosemary Handful of black peppercorns Four bay leaves Zest of an orange Process: Grind the pepper and juniper berries Combine all the dry ingredients apart from the orange zest Zest the orange onto the belly Rub into the meat and refrigerate for 24 hours Remove from fridge and flip the belly over Bacon can be cured anything from 3 days to a week. The longer it stays the saltier it becomes and lasts longer When finished, take it out and wash all the cure mixture. Pat it dry. Rinse all over with white vinegar to prevent mold from growing Wrap in cotton and keep it in the fridge. Remember to change the cloth weekly Serve on a sandwich and takeout How to startà a process essay The first step to writing a good process essay introduction when making an article on a process is to figure out what you want to write about. Having some previous knowledge on the topic ensures you to become more competent and research widely. Have a global structure- this helps you have a coherent sentence and flow of ideas. The process essay draft tells you whether your content will be enough and lets you know if you have the know-how on how to go about the topic. As people often want to know the origin of something, the introduction for a process essay should begin by giving a little background information about what you are writing. It helps the reader develop a sense of purpose for the article. The first step in a perfect essay writing is to ensure you have all the facts right. Tell the reader what the process is about beforehand. Next, let the reader know what they need to have before beginning the process. Have a checklist of all items needed by listing them. Give the time frame approximated. This is to help the reader be aware how long the task will take and manage their time well. Tips on writing the body (length, paragraphs, and transitions) Have knowledge and understanding of your topic. Do not write a subjects which will have no content. Show that you understand all specifics of what you are doing. The reader does not want to try something, then end up with negative results. Ensure that all the facts are accurate. Write in a sequence. The purpose of the essay is to give guidelines to follow. Ensure that you mark the steps in order. Do not mislead the reader by skipping processes. Explain every step clearly. Remember, every step will vary from the previous one in that some will be lengthier than others. Do not forget to account for the purpose of every action. The aim of this is to make the reader feel that they are learning. Do not make assumptions that they know why. When writing the body, you can use a diagrammatic representation of how it should look like and diagrams make it easier to understand and for the reader to see that they are using it right. The diagrams should be broken down as the steps go. If there are different methods of doing something, mention that to the reader and advice on why you chose the particular process. Give the reader a reason to believe that your process is the best by listing some advantages. How to conclude a process essay Like all other essays, conclsuionà is underrated. After the reader has followed the steps as directed by you, the result should be as stated. Focus on the main result of the process. Explain what the main results should be. If possible, insert a picture of the final result and explain to the reader what they can do with it. This makes the reader feel motivated like they have completed a challenge. Make your steps easy to follow. The reader should understand the process without struggling. This is achieved by using very simple language and short sentences. In conclusion, you might explain to the reader some of the challenges they might experience which will make them not get the desired outcome. Finalizing the task The final step in writing the conclusion for a process essay is proofreading. Proofread to correct spelling, punctuations, and other grammatical errors. Ensure the steps are well sequenced and there is no missing step. Check out for plagiarism. This is especially for processes that have been copied from the internet. There is various process writing help sites for when you get confused which give different tips for an assignmentà writing. Ensure that the process essay outlining followed as required. After following this tips in the handbook, your article is now ready for submission and presentation. Be prepared for criticism from your audience.
Friday, November 22, 2019
The best night jobs you can work during the graveyard shift
The best night jobs you can work during the graveyard shift Not everyone is meant for a 9-to-5 life. Or maybe youââ¬â¢re looking for a side hustle to supplement your 9-to-5 life. Orâ⬠¦maybe youââ¬â¢re a vampire. Whatever the case may be, we donââ¬â¢t judge- and we have some of the best jobs out there for night owls. 1. Air Traffic ControllerThis is not your quiet, sit-back-and-read kind of night job. Itââ¬â¢s a ââ¬Å"pound that espresso, because you need to be on itâ⬠night job, one for people who can be organized and diligent at any hour of the day or night. Air traffic controllers are responsible for coordinating aircraft takeoffs and landings at airports and communicate directly with pilots about runway conditions, weather, and other issues that can impact a safe takeoff or landing.To score this job, youââ¬â¢ll need a bachelorââ¬â¢s degree, and to complete a Federal Aviation Administration training program. Because this is a highly specialized job that requires amazing attention to detail and the ability to stay calm under any conditions, itââ¬â¢s a lucrative one as well: the median salary is $122,950 per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.2. Paramedic/EMTSpeaking of jobs that require calm under pressure, paramedics and EMTs are high on that list as well. This is a job that can have you on call during any shift of the day, responding to emergency calls and helping people in a variety of medical or emergency situations.To become a paramedic/EMT, youââ¬â¢ll need an associateââ¬â¢s degree and/or a certificate from a paramedic-specific allied health programs (some require up to 1,200 hours for certification). All states require candidates to pass a national exam before they can be certified and ready to hit the streets. The median salary is $32,670 per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.3. Rideshare Service DriverWhile there arenââ¬â¢t quite as many people out and about at midnight as, say, 6 p.m., plenty of people still need to get around at all hours of the night- coming home f rom bars, clubs, working late, etc. Thatââ¬â¢s often where rideshare drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft come in.To become a rideshare driver, youââ¬â¢ll need a valid driverââ¬â¢s license and a decent vehicle, plus youââ¬â¢ll need to pass a background check. Rideshare drivers can make up to $30 an hour, depending on location and tips.4. Casino DealerIf youââ¬â¢ve ever been in a casino, you might have noticed theyââ¬â¢re not big on clocks- all the better to keep people gambling all night without realizing how late it is. That means casinos have staff on hand at all times of day or night, including the graveyard shifts. Dealers lead casino games (craps, blackjack, poker, and more) and handle money transactions on behalf of the casino. Not everyone lives near a casino, but if you do, it can be a good option for your night job.To become a casino dealer, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent, and may need to pass a background check (given that youââ¬â ¢ll be dealing with significant amounts of money). You should also have good math skills and attention to detail.5. Security GuardWhen you think of a night job, this might be the one that comes to mind. Security guards are responsible for making sure that premises are secure all night long, even if no one else is there. Depending on the company, it can be a very low-stress night job, letting you multitask with schoolwork, reading, or other activities that let you keep an eye on whatââ¬â¢s going on.To become a security guard, youââ¬â¢ll need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, plus receive on-the-job training. You may also need to be trained in handling weapons, depending on the job.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
European Environmental Agency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
European Environmental Agency - Essay Example We are a main information source for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public" (p.1). The agency works towards reaching its primary goals in the following ways; "By providing a wide range of information and assessments of: The state of the environment and trends, Pressures on the environment and the driving forces behind them, Policies and their effectiveness and Outlooks/scenarios," (EEA, 1995-2008 p.1). Further promotion of the works of the group come with, "The European Environmental Agency (EEA) Scientific Committee has called for the suspension of the EU target of 10% biofuels use in transportation by 2020, and is recommending a new, comprehending scientific study on the environmental risks and benefits of biofuels," Further elaborating that, "The Scientific Committee assists the management board and executive director of the EEA by providing scientific advice and delivering professional opinions on any scientific matter in the areas of work undertaken by the Agency. The committee comprises 20 independent scientists from 15 EEA member countries, covering a variety of environmental fields," (Green Car Congress 2008, p.1). Each individual organization has a listing of primary responsibilities that are the primary focus for the organization, as well as the body of memb
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
How to Ride a Bike Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
How to Ride a Bike - Essay Example When I started to learn how to ride a bike, I found out that this was not an easy thing to do. What was most instrumental at keeping me away from learning how to ride a bike was the fact that I had seen my neighbor, who was of my age; fall off from the bike and going astray. This was such a bad moment for me that made me realize it could be something that is filled with wrath and destruction. I understood that it would be a gigantic act on my part to make both ends meet, and to finally learn how to ride a bike, which would essentially mean going out of my way and exploring new heights of unattainable proportions. My conditioning was therefore dependent on how the neighbor fell off from the bike and broke her leg. She was hospitalized for a couple of days where she received 10 stitches on her ankle. I felt aggrieved for her and completely disapproved of the kids who rode a bike. I had decided for my own self that this was something that I could not do. However, things changed as I was given confidence by my peers. The learning came about when I realized that I need to ride a bike to enjoy my lifeââ¬â¢s domains and to get in close company with my friends. I saw that all of them were riding their respective bikes and going from one place to another. So I resolved to learn it in order to move ahead with my life. This helped me create a sense of fear that I was about to undergo something which was unique, completely novel and new for me. The positive reinforcement was in the manner that I could have gained the positives out of the related equations while the negative reinforcement came about with the fear that I had to live with, during the initial stages of the learning process of riding a bike. The positives and negatives had to be balanced with one another so that I could attain success within the relevant ranks. The element of reward and that of the punishment came out in the open for me to understand and contemplate with the passage of time. I realized that if I learnt to ride a bike, it would be a reward in its own right and if I feared as to how I would have done it, it would be a punishment for my entire life because I would then have to remember and recall that I was not ready and willing to take a risk at an important stage in my life, which is indeed the childhood. The mere fact that I would have to be walking while my other friends are riding their bikes is such a feeling that would keep haunting me back and forth, and hence the reward under such realms would be to move one step ahead and learn the basics related with riding a bike. Therefore, reward and punishment are significant pointers for my entirety as I aim to discern how riding a bike would change my respective courses of action and allow me to get a straight on idea with the learning that I will acquire all this while. It is important that a child should know the rewards and punishments before he decides to learn something new, either on his own or through assistance of others.
Saturday, November 16, 2019
History according to the Male Historian Essay Example for Free
History according to the Male Historian Essay Gender plays a very important role in the definition of history. Male historians are often presented as scientific thinkers. But the truth is that they merely perpetuate religious, ethnocentric or class-based versions of the past under the guise of neutrality. Female historians, on the other hand, are usually dismissed as propagators of amateur or irrelevant historical accounts. This observation most likely stemmed from their preference to study domains such as the lives of queens and other accomplished women, as well as manners, mores and everyday life. The accounts of Marco Polo and Ibn Khaldun are two evidences of historyââ¬â¢s male-oriented nature. Their versions hail men and or patriarchal values as the agents of change in a given society. Such a pro-male stance is no longer surprising ââ¬â history as a discipline has traditionally been regarded as a male preserve. Apart from the proliferation of male historians, focus is given on men and male-dominated spheres such as war, politics and industry. Inside the Middle Kingdom Marco Polo was a Christian Venetian merchant who traveled to and lived in Yuan China from 1271 to 1292. His accounts of his travels and experiences in China offered Europeans a firsthand view of Asian lands, turning him into one of the most famous Western medieval travelers. Furthermore, the works of Marco Polo aroused fascination with Asian trade. Traders and cartographers used these as a guide to be able to come up with their own routes to the East. Marco Polo, however, grossly misunderstood several aspects of life in Yuan China. For one, he conjured a very paternalistic image of Mongol ruler Kublai Khan. In addition, Marco Polo came up with a superficial description of the city of Kin-sai. His observations on the way of life of the cityââ¬â¢s inhabitants clearly lacked further analysis, if not overly romanticized. The Grand Khan Marco Polo regarded Kublai Khan as a benevolent leader who brought prosperity and stability to Yuan China. The city of Kanbalu (present-day Beijing), for instance, possessed an opulence which ââ¬Å"(was) greater than the mind can comprehend. â⬠Its dwellers lived in handsome houses and stately buildings in the suburbs. The capital, meanwhile, was groaning with merchandise. At least a thousand pack-horses would go there everyday to unload raw silk, which would then be used to manufacture market items such as gold tissues and silk cloth. Kublai Khan lived even more luxuriously than his subjects in Kanbalu. Marco Polo wrote of an instance in which Khan threw a feast which lasted for three days. Merchants and other important personalities attended this banquet in the hopes of securing Khanââ¬â¢s favor for their respective endeavors. The guests were treated to a fare which included overflowing amounts of game animals, raisins, fish, fruits and Greek partridges, as well as wine and horse and camel milk. As they ate and drank, Khanââ¬â¢s acrobats entertained them with juggling acts, magic tricks and amazing feats of contortion. Kin-sai: A Cautionary Tale Marco Polo described Kin-sai as a ââ¬Å"noble and magnificent city. â⬠Its facilities ââ¬â extensive streets and canals, spacious marketplaces, numerous bridges ââ¬â rendered it a modern veneer for the standards of its time. Kin-saiââ¬â¢s markets sold a wide variety of goods, including meats, fruits, fishes, herbs, spices, drugs, trinkets and pearls. These bazaars are constantly full due to the cityââ¬â¢s capacious stone warehouses, which are frequented by merchants from India and other countries. Marco Polo attributed Kin-saiââ¬â¢s prosperity to the rule of Khan. The former described the cityââ¬â¢s previous ruler as a morally decadent individual who preferred hunting and orgies over administering to the needs of his people. His negligence of his duties reared its ugly head when the Khan was easily able to conquer Kin-sai. Marco Polo then concluded that Khan brought peace and stability to Kin-sai by controlling the licentiousness of its citizenry. Behind the Myth. What Marco Polo did not know was that the Chinese people resented the existence of the Yuan Dynasty primarily because of its Mongolian origin. Furthermore, the Yuan Dynasty marginalized the Han Chinese in the latterââ¬â¢s own country. Only Mongols and other foreigners were allowed to assume government positions. Neither was the Han Chinese permitted to engage in external trade and or learn other languages. While Marco Poloââ¬â¢s account of Kin-sai was merely a romantic tableau, its realistic descriptions of Yuan China can be interpreted in two ways. The tragic end of the cityââ¬â¢s former ruler is a possible warning against excessive indulgence in worldly pleasures. It must be noted that during Marco Poloââ¬â¢s time, the nobles of the West were notorious for living lavish lifestyles while the commoners starved. He is therefore warning Western monarchs that they will share the same fate with the former ruler of Kin-sai if they donââ¬â¢t mend their ways. Another probable construal is that Kin-sai is a reflection of what the West really intends to do with China. Marco Poloââ¬â¢s focus on the cityââ¬â¢s courtesans and the promiscuous way of life of its former ruler can be a means of fetishizing the East. Portraying China as an exotic location can increase Western expeditions to the country both for trade and for converting more people to Christianity. But what Marco Polo probably did not understand was that in Kin-sai, the practice of polygamy was considered acceptable. In ancient societies, polygamy was used as a means of replenishing the population after it has been reduced by wars and other calamities. From the Desert to the Desert Ibn Khaldun was a North African statesman, scholar and historian who traveled to various parts of the Arab world. In his journeys, he was able to make observations on the geopolitical climate during his period. These observations eventually became the basis for his ideas in the fields of historiography, sociology and economics. The Muqaddimah was the compilation of these concepts. Although The Muqaddimah was actually a reflection on 14th-century Arab politics, it has striking parallelisms with modern-day Arab geopolitics. For one, self-reliance is seen as more desirable than the unity and conformity being espoused by an established dynasty. Furthermore, luxury and interaction with strangers (foreigners) are regarded as the causes of corruption. The strong emphasis of The Muqaddimah on independence which already borders on isolationism was probably intended to make it more appealing to male than female audiences. The Bedouins In The Muqaddimah, Ibn Khaldun began his discussion on human civilization by describing Bedouin life. He believed that the Bedouins are the models of strength and self-reliance, as they focus ââ¬Å"only (in) the necessities of life and not (in) luxuries or anything, causing, or calling for, desires and pleasures. â⬠Furthermore, the Bedouins live according to the principle of asabiya (ââ¬Å"group feelingâ⬠). Asabiya refers to a higher form of unity ââ¬â it espouses ââ¬Å"the cohesive force of the group (which seeks) power through conquest. â⬠The Dynasty Ibn Khaldun was quick to clarify that the dynasty was not without asabiya ââ¬â royal authority cannot be established and function without the group (society). But he also pointed out that the asabiya being practiced by the dynasty was a weaker form of the principle. This was because most dynasties were based in the city ââ¬â a venue of luxury products and a thriving intellectual life, as well as specialization and diversification of labor. For a dynasty to thrive in the city, the army must shoulder the expenses of the royal family. Doing so, in turn, means greater taxes from the commoners. Another detrimental effect of luxury is interaction with foreigners ââ¬â people during Ibn Khaldunââ¬â¢s time were able to obtain luxury items only from foreign merchants. Interrelating with outsiders would result in the inhabitants of the city acquiring values that contrast sharply against asabiya. It would come to a point that succeeding generations would have already forgotten the Bedouin values of independence and resilience ââ¬â values on which a dynasty is supposed to be based. When that time comes, the dynasty would start to break down. Behind the Myth. Ibn Khaldun overly romanticized the Bedouins. While it is true that the latter is strong and independent, it is because it has to acquire these traits in order to survive. The Bedouins are a nomadic tribe that roams the deserts of the Middle East. Given the scarcity of resources in the desert, they have to be hardy in order to last. These traits of the Bedouins, however, are not without negative effects. In order to compete with scarce resources, Bedouin tribes constantly wage war with one another. In addition, they observe the practice of burying female infants in the sand. Because females ultimately leave their families to get married, the Bedouins consider feeding and rearing them a waste of already scarce resources. In sharp contrast, inhabitants of the city do not have to worry as much when it comes to their daily sustenance. Thus, they have more time to pursue other endeavors, such as education, arts and the sciences. The influx of new ideas may have also prompted them to change social institutions and or policies that they consider to be obsolete and or inefficient. Indeed, The Muqaddimah shows the enduring conflict between the patriarchal values of conformity and permanence and change and modernity. Conclusion Historical accounts of male historians are scientific only in the sense that they relieve the past in terms of religious, ethnocentric or class-based ways of thinking. Consequently, they end up misrepresenting certain ideas and or romanticize concepts that are actually detrimental to society to begin with. Marco Polo, for instance, portrayed Kublai Khan as a ruler which brought peace and stability to China. But the truth was that the Yuan Dynasty was an imperialist rule ââ¬â it expanded itself by invading China and marginalizing the Han Chinese. Ibn Khaldun, meanwhile, adhered strongly to the Bedouin values of hardiness and self-reliance. But these values could likewise promote conformity and absolutist thinking, which, in turn, could result in groups which view violence as the only way to attain their objectives. When female historians write about the lives of queens, manners and everyday life, it is not because they want to come up with irrelevant accounts of the past.Rather, they simply want to show how seemingly unimportant persons, events and or ideas are the ones that make a bigger impact on society as a whole. References Barnes and Noble. (2009). The Travels of Marco Polo: Forewords Introductions. Retrieved January 30, 2009, from http://search. barnesandnoble. com/The-Travels-of- Marco-Polo/Marco-Polo/e/9780760765890 Chowdhry, S. DinarStandard. (2006, October 4). Ibn Khaldunââ¬â¢s Philosophy of Management and Work ââ¬â Excerpts from the Muqaddimah. Retrieved January 30, 2009, from http://dinarstandard. com/management/IbnKhaldun_Mgmt100206. htm Lach, D. F. (1994). Asia in the Making of Europe. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. MNSU. edu. (n. d. ). Yuan Dynasty. Retrieved January 29, 2009, from http://www. mnsu. edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/later_imperial_china/yuan. html On Distance. (2006, October 16). The Desert and the City. Retrieved January 30, 2009, from http://woodeneyes. wordpress. com/category/ibn-khaldun/ Polo, M. (1997). The Travels of Marco Polo (Benjamin Colbert, Trans. ). Wordsworth: Wade UK. (n. d. ). Smith, B. G. (1998). The Gender of History: Men, Women and Historical Practice. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
The sandinista Revolution Essay -- essays research papers
During the forty-three year Somoza dictatorship a revolution was proved inevitable. During the period of the Somoza regime many conflicts between the government and the people arose. Some of these conflicts were mainly with the National Guard, but in 1978 conflicts hit its climax. In 1978, Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, a salient newspaper editor and leader to the Somoza opposition was assassinated; it is believed that by one of Somozaââ¬â¢s business man. This mans death gave a deep feeling of commotion throughout the country, establishing a nation wide strike against the Somoza government. The National Guard responded to the attacks by assassinating many civilians and violating many others rights. On August 1978, a Sandinista Commando (headed by Eden Pastora) seized control of the national palace,...
Monday, November 11, 2019
Isaac Asimov Essay
Isaac Asimov, the pre-eminent popular-science writer of the day and for more than 40 years one of the best and best-known writers of science fiction, died yesterday at New York University Hospital. He was 72 years old and lived in Manhattan. He died of heart and kidney failure, said his brother, Stanley. Mr. Asimov was amazingly prolific, writing nearly 500 books on a wide range of subjects, from works for preschoolers to college textbooks. He was perhaps best known for his science fiction and was a pioneer in elevating the genre from pulp-magazine adventure to a more intellectual level that dealt with sociology, history, mathematics and science. But he also wrote mysteries, as well as critically acclaimed books about the Bible, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, limericks, humor, Shakespeare, Gilbert and Sullivan, ancient and modern history, and many other subjects. Mr. Asimovââ¬â¢s first book, ââ¬Å"Pebble in the Skyâ⬠(Ballantine), a science-fiction novel, was published in 1950. His first 100 books took him 237 months, or almost 20 years, until October 1969, to write. His second 100, a milestone he reached in March 1979, took 113 months, or about 9 1/2 years ââ¬â a rate of more than 10 books a year. His third 100 took only 69 months, until December 1984, or less than 6 years. ââ¬Å"Writing is more fun than ever,â⬠he said in a 1984 interview. ââ¬Å"The longer I write, the easier it gets.â⬠He once explained how he came to write ââ¬Å"Asimovââ¬â¢s Guide to Shakespeareâ⬠(Crown). It began, he said, with a book called ââ¬Å"Words of Science.â⬠â⬠ââ¬ËScienceââ¬â¢ led to ââ¬ËWords on the Map,ââ¬â¢ â⬠he remarked, ââ¬Å"which took me to ââ¬ËThe Greeks,ââ¬â¢ which led me to ââ¬ËThe Roman Republic,ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThe Roman Empire,ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThe Egyptians,ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThe Near East,ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThe Dark Ages,ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThe Shaping of Englandââ¬â¢ and then ââ¬ËWords From History.ââ¬â¢ It was an easy jump to ââ¬ËWords in Genesis,ââ¬â¢ which brought on ââ¬ËWords From the Exodus.ââ¬â¢ That led me to ââ¬ËAsimovââ¬â¢s Guide to the Old Testament,ââ¬â¢ and then ââ¬ËThe New Testament.ââ¬â¢ So what was left except Shakespeare?â⬠His usual routine was to awake at 6 A.M., sit down at the typewriter by 7:30 and work until 10 P.M. In ââ¬Å"In Memory Yet Green,â⬠the first volume of his autobiography, published in 1979, he explained how he became a compulsive writer. His Russian-born father owned a succession of candy stores in Brooklyn that were open from 6 A.M. to 1 A.M. seven days a week. Young Isaac got up at 6 oââ¬â¢clock every morning to deliver papers and rushed home from school to help out in the store every afternoon. If he was even a few minutes late, his father yelled at him for being a folyack, Yiddish for sluggard. Even more than 50 years later, he wrote: ââ¬Å"It is a point of pride with me that though I have an alarm cloc k, I never set it, but get up at 6 A.M. anyway. I am still showing my father Iââ¬â¢m not a folyack.â⬠He Learns to Read, Then Teaches Sister Isaac Asimov was born Jan. 2, 1920, in the Soviet Union, near Smolensk, the son of Judah and Anna Rachel Berman Asimov. He was brought to the United States in 1923 and was naturalized in 1928. He taught himself to read before he was 5 years old, using the signs on his Brooklyn street. A couple of years later, with a little help from his father, he taught himself to read Yiddish. When he was 7, he taught his younger sister to read. He skipped several grades and received a high-school diploma when he was 15. After discovering science fiction on the magazine rack in his fatherââ¬â¢s store ââ¬â and overcoming his fatherââ¬â¢s objections to fanciful subject matter ââ¬â he tried writing science fiction himself and sold his first story when he was 18. The story, ââ¬Å"Marooned Off Vesta,â⬠ran in the October 1938 issue of Amazing Stories. Three years later, in 1941, he sold a story called ââ¬Å"Nightfallâ⬠to Astounding Science Fiction, then the top magazine in the field. It was edited by John W. Campbell Jr., whose ability to find talented writers was largely responsible for what is considered the Golden Age of science fiction in the 1930ââ¬â¢s and 40ââ¬â¢s. Almost 30 years after ââ¬Å"Nightfallâ⬠was published, the Science Fiction Writers of America voted it the best science-fiction short story ever written. Astounding Science paid a cent a word, Mr. Asimov once recalled. ââ¬Å"So for a 12,000-word story I expected $120. I got a check for $150 and thought Mr. Campbell had made a mistake.â⬠But when Mr. Asimov called to tell him, ââ¬Å"he said the story had seemed so good to him he gave me a bonus of one-quarter cent a word.â⬠Mr. Asimov graduated from Columbia University in 1939 with a bachelor of science degree, and earned an M.A. in 1941 and a Ph.D. in chemistry there in 1948. The next year, he accepted an offer from Boston Universityââ¬â¢s School of Medicine to teach biochemistry. ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t feel impelled to tell them that Iââ¬â¢d never had any biochemistry,â⬠he recalled in a 1969 interview. ââ¬Å"By 1951 I was writing a textbook on biochemistry, and I finally realized the only thing I really wanted to be was a writer.â⬠He was made an associate professor of biochemistry in 1955 and a professor in 1979, although he stopped teaching in 1958 and only occasionally went back to the university to lecture. A Science Fiction Of Verve and Clarity Mr. Asimovââ¬â¢s science-fiction novels and stories won many awards: five Hugos, given by the fans, and three Nebula Awards, given by his fellow writers. His ââ¬Å"Foundation Trilogyâ⬠(all published by Doubleday) ââ¬â which takes place in a future galactic empire and consists of ââ¬Å"Foundationâ⬠(1951), ââ¬Å"Foundation and Empireâ⬠(1952) and ââ¬Å"Second Founda tionâ⬠(1953) ââ¬â was given a Hugo in 1966 as Best All-Time Science-Fiction Series. Among his nonfiction works, ââ¬Å"Asimovââ¬â¢s New Guide to Scienceâ⬠is considered one of the best books about science for the layman. Reviewing ââ¬Å"Foundationââ¬â¢s Edgeâ⬠(Doubleday), a sequel to the trilogy and the first of Mr. Asimovââ¬â¢s books to make the New York Times best-seller list, the critic Gerald Jonas said in The New York Times Book Review in 1982: ââ¬Å"He writes much better than he did 33 years ago ââ¬â yet he has lost none of the verve he brought to this series when he and the galaxy were much younger. What more could one ask?â⬠ââ¬Å"Foundationââ¬â¢s Edgeâ⬠won a Hugo in 1983 as the best science-fiction novel of the year. In recent years, Mr. Asimov wrote ââ¬Å"Foundation and Earthâ⬠(1986) and ââ¬Å"Prelude to Foundationâ⬠(1988). A final novel, ââ¬Å"Forward the Foundation,â⬠is to be published by Bantam Books later this year. Mr. Asimov himself made no great claims for his work. ââ¬Å"I make no effor t to write poetically or in a high literary style,â⬠he said in 1984. ââ¬Å"I try only to write clearly and I have the very good fortune to think clearly so that the writing comes out as I think, in satisfactory shape.â⬠ââ¬Å"I never read Hemingway or Fitzgerald or Joyce or Kafka,â⬠he once wrote. ââ¬Å"To this day I am a stranger to 20th-century fiction and poetry, and I have no doubt that it shows in my writing.â⬠No Typist or Agent, And No Airplanes He wrote his first drafts on his typewriter, and short articles and final drafts on a word processor, and he rewrote everything only once. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not out of conceit,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"But I have lots of stuff Iââ¬â¢m committed to write and if I linger lovingly I wonââ¬â¢t be able to write at all.â⬠Not everything, however, fell into place easily. He once did a childrenââ¬â¢s book in a day, but the Shakespeare book took two years. The book he considered his favorite, ââ¬Å"Murder at the A.B.A.â⬠(1976), a mystery novel in which he himself was a character, took seven weeks; ââ¬Å"The Gods Themselvesâ⬠(1972), a science-fiction novel that won both the Hugo and the Nebula awards, took seven months. ââ¬Å"I do all my own typing, my own research, answer my own mail,â⬠Mr. Asimov once said. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t even have a literary agent. This way there are no arguments, no instructions, no misunderstandings. I work every day. Sunday is my best day: no mail, no telephones. Writing is my only interest. Even speaking is an interruption.â⬠Although he wrote about space travel through countless universes and light years, Mr. Asimov himself refused to fly. ââ¬Å"Isaac says that he loves to fly into space and span the galaxies,â⬠the editor Ben Bova once remarked. ââ¬Å"But only in his imagination.â⬠Among Mr. Asimovââ¬â¢s other well-known science-fiction works were ââ¬Å"I, Robotâ⬠(1950), in which he invented his famous Three Laws of Robotics, which govern the relation of robots to their human masters: robots may not injure a human or, by inaction, allow a human to be harmed; robots must obey humansââ¬â¢ orders unless doing so conflicts with the fir st law; robots must protect their own existence unless doing so conflicts with the first two laws. Robot and galactic-empire themes eventually expanded and intertwined in 14 novels. Secret of Success: Itââ¬â¢s All in the Genes He also wrote many nonfiction works and magazine articles on a wide range of subjects and was the editorial director of a magazine named after him ââ¬â Isaac Asimovââ¬â¢s Science Fiction Magazine ââ¬â for which he wrote the editorials in each issue. He received the James T. Grady Award of the American Chemical Society in 1965 and the American Association for the Advancement of Science-Westinghouse Science Writing Award in 1967. Recently Mr. Asimov said he had had a prostate operation and was cutting back on his writing. He suspended his monthly column in Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine, to which he had contributed some 400 columns and articles over 33 years. Writing 10 or more books a year was standard procedure for Mr. Asimov, and he continued his busy pace after a heart attack in 1977 and triple bypass surgery in 1983. ââ¬Å"I have been fortunate to be born with a restless and efficient brain, with a capacity for clear thought and an ability to put that thought into words,â⬠he once remarked. ââ¬Å"None of this is to my credit. I am the beneficiary of a lucky break in the genetic sweepstakes.â⬠Mr. Asimov once told an interviewer about sadly contemplating death and the end of conscious thought. But, he said, he cheered himself with the thought that ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t have to worry about that, because there isnââ¬â¢t an idea Iââ¬â¢ve ever had that I havenââ¬â¢t put down on paper.ââ¬
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