How To Improve Your GMAT Essay

How To Improve Your GMAT Essay The GMAT has one 30-minute essay: the Analysis of an Argument prompt. It has a pretty basic formula, and yes, were going to walk you right through it. Instead of arguing your belief, you will actually critique another authors point. However, this essay still requires the classic, 5-paragraph setup. In the first paragraph, youll need to take a stance that the authors argument is either logical or illogical. Next, you will use 3-4 paragraphs of points to confirm your stance. Finally, youll put together a strong conclusion to sum it all up. Example prompt:The Awesome Energy Riders have become an extremely popular toy line for the ACME Co. Management. Hollywood Pictures thinks that this success will translate to the silver screen and has bought the rights of the Awesome Energy Riders to make four pictures. Directions:Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion. Before you jump into writing, try to come up with 3-4 high-level reasons why this argument is logical or illogical. Below you will find a very solid guide for writing your essay. In fact, this could be used for nearly any Analysis of an Argument essay. First paragraph Firmly state if you find the argument logical or illogical. For example: The argument to produce four Awesome Energy Riders pictures is very poorly reasoned. Based on the information given, it is nearly possible to conclude that the toy lines success will translate into film success especially the success of four films. Second paragraph Remember that you are not arguing whether or not these films will be successful (although that can come into play), but rather you are arguing if the prompt given can determine if the films will be successful. In this paragraph, you could make the point that the prompt makes false assumptions, the most obvious of which is the assumption that toy success leads to film success. You could write about how the G.I. Joe toy line was one of the most successful and popular toy lines, but the movie was a gigantic flop. Additionally, many popular toy lines are derived from movies (like Disney films), but rarely do Hollywood studios base films off of toys. Toy Story is a prime example because the toys were derived from the film and not vice versa, which led to success on both fronts. The prompt falsely assumes that the success can translate, but previous history indicates it will not. Additionally, make sure to understand the distinction between examples and points.This argument makes false assumptions, is a point. The unsuccessful G.I. Joe film is an example to support that point. Make sure you have a couple of examples to support each point you make. Sure, you could write an entire 5-paragraph essay outlining G.I. Joe in one paragraph, Toy Story in another, and a third, similar example in the next one to all support the false assumption point. However, thats not nearly as creative as having 3-4 legitimate points and examples to prove all of them each of which prove that the prompt is illogical. Third paragraph The argument ignores critical factors. For instance, if James Cameron is writing this film and it has a $500 million budget and star-studded cast featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Natalie Portman, it may likely be successful. Yet, the argument given completely ignores any film production details, which can determine success. The argument also ignores its intended audience. It can be assumed these toys are popular with children, but how often do children make decisions to go to movies? Also, will these movies be appropriate for kids? These factors need to be considered. Fourth paragraph The argument is based on emotional, not rational appeals, which makes it even more illogical. It does state that these toys are extremely popular; however, how long have they been popular? Most toys are only popular for a short period of time. The most popular toys are always the hottest, latest, must-have item, and toy manufacturers know that. So, they aggressively try to squeeze every dollar they can out of them before the fad is over, and the Hollywood studio is trying to ride this fad while its hot but it wont be hot for long, and they are letting their emotions impact sound business decisions. Fifth paragraph Now, just wrap it all up. Make a conclusion statement that this argument is illogical because it makes false assumptions, ignores critical factors, and bases decisions on emotional appeals.

What is your learning style

What is your learning style 0SHARESShare The ancient command by Socrates and Plato to ‘Know Thyself’ extends to the modern world too, especially in the field of education. It is important to know your own learning style so that you can use it with better precision to increase learning abilities. The three accepted styles of learning are those of auditory learning, kin esthetic and visual. Most of us accept the audio form of learning when we attend lectures in school and class. Although this is the most common form of teaching and learning only a fraction of the students can pay enough attention to retain all that is spoken. Most students’ minds begin to wander after a few minutes of listening and many are prone to sleeping in class. It becomes necessary to add visual aids to hold the attention of students. If you find yourself paying attention only when some material is shown to corroborate the subject being studied then your style of learning is certainly visual. It is thus common to have blackboards and whiteboards in class to give a visual aspect to the audible speech of the teacher. The third kind of learning is done through the sense of touch or tactile style of learning. This will surely be your forte if you prefer to work in a hands-on environment. Perhaps you love to touch things in the laboratory and add an additional dimension by smelling them. Maybe you are comfortable with taking apart mechanical gadgets and then putting them together again. In this case it is certain that your style of learning can be categorized as being kin esthetic or tactile. Having discovered your favorite style of learning with experience it is best to sharpen your learning skills by attending classes and learning subjects which you feel are well adapted to your learning style. The most preferred style is that of visual learning. Research shows that 65 percent of people prefer this style. Only 5 percent go for the tactile style of learning while the remaining 30 percent are comfortable with an audio style of learning. Your learning style will also determine your future career. You should collaborate with your teachers and ask them to configure lectures and presentations into a style which is comfortable for you. This will certainly help you in acquiring academic excellence. [starbox id=admin]

What is it Like to Attend University of South Florida

What is it Like to Attend University of South Florida The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Ray earned a Bachelors degree in International Studies from University of South Florida in 2014. He is currently a Tampa tutor specializing in German tutoring, Economics tutoring, and Statistics tutoring. Check out his review of University of South Florida: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Ray: At University of South Florida, you will find a lot of commuters. As a result, there are several options for getting around campus. We have Bull Runners, or buses that run routes both on campus and into the neighboring areas around the university. If you own a bike, you will have no trouble getting around. Even if you do not have a bike, you can rent one from Campus Recreation! The overall feel of the campus is safe, but there are definitely some less-than-favorable areas not far from the borders of University of South Florida. However, it is easy to learn what places to avoid. I have personally never had any issues, even when walking around at night. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ray: University of South Florida uses eScheduler, which makes it easy to plan time with advisers or with any other service offered at the school. The professors are usually excited to talk with you about their fields, personal research, or other coursesyou just have to ask. The teaching assistants vary in their attitudes. Some are fulfilling requirements, and some are getting experience in the fields they are passionate about. Again, showing interest is a good way to receive the best help from faculty. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ray: Living in the dorms at University of South Florida can provide one of many experiences. Personally, I stayed in Castor Hall, known as one of the smallest options available. Though many people complained about the lack of space, I found it to be a good excuse to socialize with the people in my building. Having a space just for sleeping and studying was a good way to see that there was a lot to do outside of my room. The dining options get similarly mixed reviews. Champions Choice, conveniently located right outside our gym, offers the healthiest options. Argos is open until late in the morning, and Andros is conveniently in the middle of campus. The food itself is pretty good, and there is something for everyone (even vegans). There are many opportunities to socialize with other students, but like anything else, it is what you make of it. You could theoretically go to class, go to your room, and have a perfectly fulfilling college career, but the dorm life makes it incredibly easy to make friends, create experiences you will remember, and enhance the time you spend at the university. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Ray: University of South Florida is pushing STEM majors. We have a strong Engineering major, but also a focus on the arts, international concentrations, and business. I majored in International Studies after taking several German classes, studying abroad, and finding my International Business courses overly generalized and irrelevant to what I found interesting in the world. The school did a great job with this field; the faculty and students are all very interested in the subject, and there are incredible opportunities for entering the international arena (job-wise) while you are at the university. We even have a National Competitive Intelligence Program. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Ray: Greek life at University of South Florida seems as equally influential as at the other universities I have visited. I personally did not participate, but I had no problem making friends, connecting with a variety of people, and enjoying the social aspect of my college career. As a freshman, all you need to do is walk around, ask someone to eat with you at the dining hall (there is always one nearby), or just strike up a conversation with someone while sitting and enjoying the scenery. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Ray: There are a slew of companies that regularly market on campus to students. In conjunction with the Career Center, we have an online job board for employers specifically interested in our student body. The Career Center will help you critique your resume, stage a mock interview, or simply coach you toward becoming more professional through one-on-one meetings or their many workshops. There is also an annual career fair for all majors, for Engineering majors, and also for part-time positions. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Ray: The school does an excellent job of providing a variety of areas to study in. For those who find the library too crowded, there is a very well equipped sky lounge in the Marshall Student Center. The dorms all offer common areas to gather in that make for a good way to get out of your room, without having to trek across campus. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Ray: Unfortunately, Tampa by nature is very spread out. The top locations for going out (Ybor City, SoHo, Channelside, Downtown) are all quite far (25 minutes by interstate) from campus. This also makes it incredibly difficult to go out/get around if you do not own a car. But if you do not have one, it is not hard to make a friend who does! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ray: There are over 40,000 students at University of South Florida, but many of them are commuters. For this reason, it can feel a bit hectic with all of the drivers. The class sizes vary tremendouslymy German courses had no more than 20 students per class, whereas many common courses will be taught in a lecture hall of 300+ people. I found the variance nice, as it helps you appreciate the perks and drawbacks of the different class sizes. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ray: As far as a memorable experience, it is much easier to remember things we found embarrassing. I did not give my first presentation to a large class until senior year. Public Speaking only prepared me to speak in front of a group of 20 standing in front of a class of closer to 100, I basically froze. I know it always feels worse to the person on the spot, but I can now really respect people who can naturally speak in front of large groups. Check out Rays tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How online discussion boards and online forum help students academically

How online discussion boards and online forum help students academically 0SHARESShare Online discussion board and online forum is primarily an asynchronous environment of  online tutoring.   Typically, it offers a platform that helps to get answers to the question by giving some careful thought that you value in current practice. It offers a platform for students to work with peer sharing their knowledge, asking their queries and doubts on any academic topic and seek answers to the questions posted by them or by the peer students. However, the question how and what would be the effects on student’s learning and which students will benefit the most out of these. Participation in online discussion and forums has potential for dialogue and interactivity which gives students chance to share their knowledge or give their opinion on any matter. It promotes group activities irrespective of distances. Asynchronous tutoring with forum and discussion is good at times when students submit their work and wish that their tutors evaluate and give their comments on their work. It requires flexibility of time and location for students to put their work online and for tutors to evaluate submitted work and give their comments. It helps students and tutors to work on activities that run in parallel. Often, reputed online tutoring services makes participation in forum and discussion board compulsory for students where tutors can regularly track their regular study time apart from tutoring and routine homework. The tutor can log on and catch the student who is not get-in for day or two. Discussion board and forum posting is often proved useful for tutors and students both. Online tutors can post assignments, practice work, worksheets on this electronic communication medium. The students can log on and workout on the same and drop solutions to the given assignments. It not only fastens up the learning process but allows interacting with peers and the way they attempt to work on assignments. Asynchronous media like forum and discussion board fulfill the expectation of face-to-face interaction in terms of affective contribution, interactivity, flexibility and finally attaining the focus of the groups. Thanks to online tutoring which have geared up this platform as a new avenue for tuition! [starbox id=admin]

Electric Guitar Accessories Whats in Your Gig Bag

Electric Guitar Accessories Whats in Your Gig Bag Suzy S. Got the gig? Great! Now… what should you bring? Read on to learn about the electric guitar accessories that Charleston, SC teacher Christopher A. recommends stowing in your gig bag… As you get into playing guitar, opportunities may arise to showcase your talents in a live setting. Regardless of the performance location, be it a bar, coffeehouse, or your high school gymnasium, there are a few essentials you should carry with you in your gig bag or guitar case. Making a list of items you need for the gig allows you to double check that everything makes it into your car, so you don’t arrive missing a key piece of gear, like your instrument cable or microphone. Here are a few staples that most working musicians I know carry to every gig: Extra Strings It’s always great to be prepared in case a string breaks mid-show. Having a spare set can keep you from having to play a five-string guitar for your gig. String winder and pliers These tools allow you to change strings quickly and remove the excess so your instrument looks good should you have to replace a busted string mid-show. Instrument Cables You never know when a cable will break or someone will accidentally step on your pedalboard and break it, so carrying a spare instrument can save you from a silent performance or help out a bandmate who left one at home. Capo/Slide These two tools are key when backing a vocalist who may need to raise or lower a song’s key, and should always be in your bag. The slide, while not used on every song, can easily be clipped into the capo for easy travel, and both can attach to a mic stand for quick access during a show. Strap Bring a spare strap in case your main one breaks. Picks Wait, isn’t it common sense to have a pick on your person for a show? Sure, but when you’re mid-song and your pick flies from your fingers because it’s a hundred degrees and you’re sweating profusely, you will need a suitable replacement, so having a few extras in your gig bag ensures you can shred on. Power Cable Most of today’s amps use IEC type cables that are easily detached before and after powering on your amp, so make sure you carry a spare in case you lose the original on the way or forget to pack altogether. Instrument Stand Manufacturers have figured out ways to make smaller stable instrument stands and having one will allow you to have a spare guitar on that stand or somewhere to rest your instrument during set breaks. No one wants to leave their cherished instrument leaning on an amp during a break only to see it fall as your bandmates rush to speak to their friends in the crowd. Fuses/Tubes There are times power circuits in a club can trip breakers or fry the fuse in your amp. Having a spare fuse or two that precisely match the voltage and amperage your amp needs can save the day. Likewise, sometimes power tubes or preamp tubes fail, and having a spare can allow you to carry on provided you don’t have to re-bias your tube amp on the spot. That brings me to the last item I suggest you carry: Power Amp In the rare instance that your fuse is blown or a tube fails and you’re 30 miles away from home, it’s a good idea to have a spare amp or backup in your possession. Some of my friends use amps like the Crate PowerBlock as a backup that stays in their car for any emergency like this. I use an Electro Harmonix 22 Caliber amp. It is the size of a standard stomp box but has a 22-watt power amp built in that goes from instrument to speaker in your amp, and has a volume and bright switch. Once my band was doing a television morning show and somewhere between my house and the studio the fuse and its retainer fell out. I was ready to play and I flipped the power but nothing happened. Luckily I had the little 22 power amp in my bag, so I powered it up and the show went off without a hitch. Most of these electric guitar accessories you probably already have among your gear. You don’t need all of them to have a successful gig, but having spare strings, cable,s and picks can keep a situation from ruining your show. I didn’t place a tuner on my list because my pedalboard has one, but the clip-type tuners take up little space and can make sure your instrument is harmonious and ready for whatever you want to play on it. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail, so take a few minutes and check your gig bag before your next show. Being prepared for anything allows you to focus on making music and not running home or to a music store to save the day. Christopher teaches mandolin, violin, music performance, and guitar lessons in Mount Pleasant, SC, as well as online via Skype and Google Helpouts. He has over ten years of experience in teaching in classrooms and studios, and his  lessons focus on providing the budding musician with the tools to become a proficient player.   Learn more about Christopher here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private electric guitar lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Celebrating Heart Tutoring Students! - Heart Math Tutoring

Celebrating Heart Tutoring Students! - Heart Math Tutoring Celebrating Heart Tutoring Students! Celebrating Heart Tutoring Students! December 10, 2018 Through December 17th, families, tutors, Heart Tutoring staff and CMS school partners will come together to enjoy food and fun as we celebrate students progress so far this year. Heart Tutoring students will receive goodie bags with math games they will play at the party with their families and tutors, as well as at home. We love this special time of year where we get to celebrate students hard work in Heart Tutoring with families and tutors. It is a unique experience where students are surrounded by some of their biggest advocates from both home and school, says Cydney Kramer, Hearts Program Director. We enjoy spreading the holiday spirit and sending students home with math games that they can play with their sibling and family members. See photos of each celebration on ourFacebookpage! Students celebrating at Joseph W. Grier Academy. Heart Tutoring students enjoying the food and games at the holiday celebration at First Ward Creative Arts Academy. Tutors at Montclaire Elementary playing math games with their students during their holiday celebration.

7 Tips for Better Sleep

7 Tips for Better Sleep I cant sleeeeepppp. Weve all heard it. The complaining, whining or protesting of a child seemingly unable to fall asleep. According to a recent study conducted by British researchers, kids with ADHD are four times less likely to fall asleep quickly and stay in bed all night. And while a lack of sleep affects all children, its effects can be particularly hard on children with ADHD. Theres a great deal of available research related to why kids with ADHD may struggle with sleep (read more from a post I did last year on this topic), but while the science can be interesting, most parents just want to know the answer to a single question: What can I do to help my child sleep better? Here are six quick tips for troubleshooting your childs sleep issues: Empathize with your child. It can be frustrating for you as a parent when your child doesnt fall asleep, but its important to remember that its frustrating for your child as well. Start off by letting your child know that you realize falling asleep isnt easy for him or her. Ask what it feels like when he or she cant fall asleep and explain that youre going to be trying some new strategies to help him or her sleep better. Get Enough Exercise. Its tough to sleep if youre feeling mentally or physically restless from not having had enough stimulation and engagement during the day. Begin by making sure your child is getting enough exercise, fresh air, and all around social, emotional, physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. Your grandmother was right: a kid who plays all day, sleeps all night! Nix the Caffeine. You know for yourself that a cup of coffee late in the day may keep you up at night. Same is true for your child. But his or her caffeine may be coming from soda, chocolate, protein bars, ice cream and water products like Vitamin Water. Read the labels and work hard to eliminate any caffeine at least 4 hours before bedtime. Have a Consistent Bed Time and Wake Time. Children sleep better when they have a consistent sleep schedule. It may be tempting to let your child stay up later on Friday nights or sleep in on the weekends, but ultimately that makes it harder to fall asleep and wake up on other days of the week. Have A Wind Down Period. Thirty minutes before bedtime, have a wind down period where videogames, tablets, and the TV are turned off, the lights are dimmed, and the volume on any music is turned down. This will help your child mentally prepare for bed. Consider Relaxation Techniques. Many kids are starting to learn about mindfulness in school, and there are some great tools out there to help kids learn meditation, relaxation and breathing/calming techniques that they can use at home. Building one or more of these into your childs bedroom routine may help him or her fall asleep faster and more consistently. PBS provides some helpful instructions on calming breathing exercises (http://www.pbs.org/parents/adventures-in-learning/2015/09/calming-breathing-exercise-for-kids/). For teens, AnxietyBC has a How to Chill webpage with a variety of relaxation exercises that can be used anytime and anywhere (http://youth.anxietybc.com/relaxation). Make sure the bedroom is set up for sleep success. Check the temperature: researchers believe the ideal sleep temperature is between 60 and 67 degrees. Check the noise level: can your child hear the street, the TV from downstairs, or his or her sisters radio next door? Consider a white noise machine if you cant effectively quiet the space. Check the light. Make sure the room is as dark as possible, and cover up any small lights on electronic devices that may be distracting. Each of these tips can go a long way in helping your child get better sleep. If you continue to try different strategies, and the sleep challenges continue, talk to your childs pediatrician or seek the help of a pediatric sleep specialist. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Beijing International Bilingual Academy

Beijing International Bilingual Academy Beijing International Bilingual Academy BIBA is one of the fastest growing international schools in Beijing, with over 1600 students from 30 different countries. Our vision is to be the model for developing internationally-minded bilingual ambassadors, who promote inter-cultural understanding, respect and integration in a dynamic global community. The school is deeply rooted in appreciation of Chinese culture and is dedicated to global citizenship in the worlds historic journey towards a united human community. Teachers enjoy a rich community life with many teaching families, children, and singles, who plan and participate in various events and activities. There is a very active PTA, which runs an on-site PTA Cafe for teachers and students to enjoy lattes, delicious cakes, and lunch snacks. We are in Shunyi, a fast growing suburb of Beijing. There is a shopping mall within walking distance, which includes Starbucks, GAP, UNIQLO, a movie theatre, and much more. 15 minutes from the Airport and close to public transport allowing for easy access to exploring the rich culture and destinations of Beijing and China.