Saturday, August 22, 2020

The Theme of Middle Ground among the Algonquian Indians of North America

The Theme of Middle Ground among the Algonquian Indians of North America History shows that the Algonquians were a huge gathering of North American locals made out of a few clans. The Algonquian involved broad territories in North America, reaching out from the Atlantic coast towards the Great Lakes Region (White 21).Advertising We will compose a custom exposition test on The Theme of Middle Ground among the Algonquian Indians of North America explicitly for you for just $16.05 $11/page Learn More They involved prolific terrains along River St Lawrence and around all the Great Lakes. Despite the fact that the gathering was made out of a few clans with fluctuating tongues, their dialects were connected. Antiquarians utilize the term â€Å"Algonquian† regarding every single inborn gathering of Algonquian that communicated in some related dialects. Ostensibly, the Algonquians’ want to possess weapons, attire and utensils and the European scramble for America prompted the foundation of a â€Å"middle ground† in light of the fact that each gathering required each other’s help. Truly, the greater part of the Algonquian clans settled along streams and lakes in light of the fact that their central wellsprings of food were chasing, assembling and angling. In any case, southern gatherings likewise did cultivating, for the most part developing local harvests, for example, squash, beans and corn. A few gatherings, for example, the Ojibiwe likewise developed different yields, for example, wild rice to enhance their weight control plans (White 26). History likewise shows that the greater part of the Algonquian gatherings didn't settle in a stable situation. Rather, they moved with seasons because of occasional accessibility of sea-going nourishments, wild creatures and harvests. Be that as it may, they would recombine and settle as an enormous network at different occasions, particularly in winter seasons. What's more, some surrounding bunches in the south, particularly those in New England, built up a culture of move cultivating, which included developing area for a long time before moving their towns to new and prolific land for farming. Center ground is a term utilized by antiquarians concerning a state wherein two distinct networks, with various customs, dialects and societies, advance into a given geological area and show up at a typical origination of appropriate practices that advantage them with a particular goal in mind (White 32). A genuine case of how center ground is made is introduced by the association between the French and the Algonquian clans in the Great lakes Region and along the Atlantic Coast. As indicated by White (50), the main French brokers and pioneers showed up at the coast in the sixteenth century (White 52). Since the two gatherings were exchanging accomplices, their limits progressively â€Å"melted away† as each acknowledged the other in its regions. White (51) contends that it is difficult to decide if the procedure of collaboration between the two gathering s caused the strength of any of the two societies. For example, it isn't right to contend that the local Algonquians became â€Å"Frenchfied† or the French pioneers â€Å"became natives†. Be that as it may, the student of history contends that the two procedures may have occurred as each gathering progressively acknowledged the other (White 50). The making of the Middle Ground best clarifies the procedure through which the two gatherings came to coincide with each other.Advertising Looking for article on history? How about we check whether we can support you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to White, a â€Å"middle ground† was set up for various reasons. For example, both the Algonquian and Europeans were searching for land to support their requirements. It started with a huge movement of local Algonquian from the north as they escape from the Iroquois in the south. This occasion occurred somewhere in the range of 1640s and 1660s. Actually , history shows that the Iroquois were risky on the grounds that they had cooperated with European dealers sooner than the Algonquian. A far reaching exchange between the Europeans and the Iroquois caused the locals to get weapons, which they used to attack other more fragile gatherings, including the Algonquian. As the Algonquian escape northwards, they experienced the propelling Europeans, particularly the French. â€Å"The two gatherings created connection through Intermarriages, trade of endowments and services, for example, the calumet. Thus, this applied power among gatherings of individuals living in a solitary outcast place, however they lost their quality as they turned out to be a piece of another society† (White 22). The calumet, for example, was well known among the locals in North America. â€Å"The calumet started among the Pawnee clans, who professed to have gotten it from the sun† (White 21). Since the French pilgrims were confronting rivalry from the B ritons, they were quick to grow close relations with the Algonquian so as to accomplish their help. Thus, the French needed to interface with the locals in every potential manners, which prompted intermarriages between the two gatherings. As indicated by White (18) â€Å"Actual patrilineal association in North America was vigorously changed by certain components, for example, loss of the region based populace, broad intermarriage between various gatherings of individuals, and the making of different ties of real and emblematic family relationship between neighboring peoples† truth be told, the French required the locals more than the locals required the French because of the danger presented by the propelling British pilgrims and colonialists in the district. The Britons likewise did likewise with some Algonquian gatherings, along these lines making â€Å"the center ground†. The way toward making a center ground included the intercession of the two gatherings, the Algo nquians and the French. The procedure took quite a long while to be finished and included various stages. The initial step included a non-working state in which every one of the two gatherings was dubious of the other. Truth be told, being colonialists looking for minerals, crude materials and land, the French needed to control all assets in the zone. They needed to acquire the rights to utilize land for both creation and exchange. Be that as it may, the Algonquians were not ready to give up their land.Advertising We will compose a custom article test on The Theme of Middle Ground among the Algonquian Indians of North America explicitly for you for just $16.05 $11/page Learn More The French caught or impacted a few components in the Algonquian gatherings and utilized them as doormen and interpreters in exchange. The French wanted to utilize power to control the Algonquians, however they were cautious since they relied upon the occupants for their endurance, including arrangement of local groceries. The third stage included a longing for the two gatherings to work with one another, particularly in exchange. While the French gave local people European dress, firearms, family things and medications, the Algonquian had the greatest job in finding a center ground since they had a lot of neighborhood food items. Likewise, they had the option to interface with different gatherings and their populaces were enormous. In this way, in spite of the fact that the French had firearms and other war materials, they were not ready to include the Algonquian in war. Hence, each gathering had the commitment of connecting with the other in common conjunction. In building up a â€Å"middle ground†, the French, the Britons and the Dutch heads expected different jobs trying to contain the Algonquians. For example, they played the job of the patriarch, wherein they circulated blessings, covering savage passings and interceding clashes between the Algonquian and the pilgrims or between the Algonquian and different locals. It is likewise significant that each gathering was additionally compelled to drop a few requests so as to build up and keep up the center ground (White 64). For example, the Algonquians lost a portion of their territory to the pioneers. They likewise grasped European laws, lawful disciplines, and style of power (White 66). Then again, the Europeans needed to cover demise after clashes between individuals from each gathering. For example, in certain occurrences, European merchants were assaulted and executed by Algonquian warriors, yet the French rulers would cover the passings to dodge clashes. Besides, the French was careful when managing the locals since they would not like to meddle with the religion, culture and conventions, yet they needed to present Christianity as a method of affecting the local outlooks. Clearly, the craving to present Christianity was required to be postponed until the French pioneers made certain of their streng th. In certain cases, the Algonquian would permit a portion of their individuals to confront discipline under European laws. Hence, a center ground was accomplished. All in all, White’s thought of building up a â€Å"middle ground† as a methods for communication among Europeans and Native Americans during the European attack of North America is bolstered by various chronicled facts.Advertising Searching for article on history? How about we check whether we can support you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Find out More For example, history uncovers that the procedure of connection between the whites and locals occurred in an alternate way, contingent upon the common conditions. Obviously, the French-Algonquian collaboration suits White’s belief system since it advanced in the specific way the antiquarian portrays. From the intrusion of the Iroquois to the advancement of exchange and intermarriages between the French and the Algonquian, White’s thoughts are appropriate. Subsequently, some significant parts of history are noteworthy for this situation. In the first place, the locals needed to shield themselves from Iroquois attacks. They likewise needed family things. Then again, the French needed to control exchange courses, land and assets. Along these lines, this investigation uncovers that the Algonquians’ requirement for weapons, garments and utensils and the European scramble for America prompted the foundation of â€Å"middle g

Friday, August 21, 2020

Queer in the Kitchen Where Are the LGBT Food Memoirs

Queer in the Kitchen Where Are the LGBT Food Memoirs Today is  The Human Rights Campaign’s National Coming Out Day, and to celebrate we are spending the day featuring  LGBTQ+ voices. Enjoy all the posts  here! When I was starting my writing career after graduate school, I dove into food writing. I had always loved cookingâ€"planning at one point to be a chefâ€"and I gobbled up food memoirs. I sought out stories of falling in love, of knowing oneself, coming of age, developing taste, and above all, cooking. These were my people, my fellow eaters, my fellow writers. I took a quote from Kim Seversons excellent memoir,  Spoon Fed, quite to heart:  Where there was good food there were usually good people. I learned that early on. I also learned that making food for people was something I was good at. It gave me a sense of peace and belonging. When I made food, I made a tribe. I had found my tribe in the growing collection of food memoirs that lined my shelves. We were all people who cooked, people who ate. Our food choices were an important part of our stories and our identities. But there was a problemâ€"with few exceptions, Seversons book one of them, there were no LGBT people. Where were th e LGBT food memoirs? I was elated every time I saw a chefbian contestant on  Top Chef, entertaining little crushes that lasted until my contestant was eliminated from the show. There had been several lesbian chefs featured on the Food Network for years. Why hadnt there been cross-over from queer presence on food television to queer presence in food literature? I couldnt help but be frustrated. I was eager to see LGBT stories represented in a world I already loved so much. Some might beg the question, if were in it for the food, why does queerness matter? Tamar Adler makes a wonderful point in her beautiful book An Everlasting Meal, A meal is cooked by the mind, heart, and hands of the cook, not by her pots and pans. So it is on the former that I recommend focusing your investments. The person behind the food, the mind, heart, and hands has to be as important as the food being prepared. A collection of recipesâ€"just the food, maamâ€"is a cookbook; a food memoir is the story of a human. And so few of the memoirs out there were by queer humans. A colleague pointed out that food writing is a niche market, as is LGBT writing, and so perhaps the compounded niche-ness is problematic on the publishing end of things. Perhaps. Eventually I found Gabrielle Hamilton, who wrote openly about her relationship with a woman in  Blood, Bones, and Butter. And in the years since then, Molly Wizenberg has come out, filling me with hope that there will (maybe? hopefully?) be a new Wizenberg memoir on the horizon. Lucy Knisley, an LGBT writer, gave us the lovely graphic memoir  Relish. And Hannah Hart, of My Drunk Kitchen fame and the host of her own Food Network show  I Hart Food, has given us both a cookbook/memoir (the My Drunk Kitchen Cookbook) and a full-fledged memoir of her own, Buffering:  Unshared Tales of a Life Fully Loaded. And beyond straight (or not-straight, as the case may be) memoirs, we have new works from LGBT authors to be excited about.  The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History  by Michael Twitty was released in August; this history of African American culinary history in the South comes from a Jewish writer of color who is also gay. His investigation of the debate of who owns Southern foodâ€"the racial and economic implications, the historical roots of the cuisine, the indelible ties to slavery, and the journey of both people and foodâ€"is an important undertaking. Its a different kind of memoir, not your usual coming of age or love story. Additionally, Julia Turshens new book,  Feed the Resistance: Recipes and Ideas for Getting Involved, is a cookbook and essay collection, featuring contributions from an array of chefs, writers, and activists. While this isnt a memoir, it does represent LGBT voices (Turshens own as well as others) in the field. But maybe thats where we have to startâ€"maybe in a search for queer voices, we must expect a queering of form and content as well? I still wish for the food memoirs of my yesteryearsâ€"the coming of age, the love story, the making of a life, the protection of family, and always, always, the food, the food, the food. Ill hope for LGBT writers to write about their lives and their appetites; Ill hope that publishers see the value in such stories, equal to that of their straight counterparts. In the meantime, Ill enjoy those old stories, as well as the new ones, the ones that challenge me in my own definition of a food memoir, a food history, a food story. Also In This Story Stream The Struggle with Stories of Queer Suffering 5 Fantastic Comics about Queer Women LGBTQ Works in the Time of Crisis 5 Books about Bisexual Women of Color 3 On A YA Theme: A Rainbow of Queer YA Genre Kryptonite: Queer Ladies Solving Crime Reading My Way Out of The Closet 7 Bisexual Protagonists I Wish I Met Growing Up An Introduction To the Queer Bookternet Great Bisexual Representation in Romance My Queer Ship Came In: Legend of Korra Giveaway: What Are the Best LGBTQ Reads for Kids? Nothing New Under The Sun How Comics Helped Me Come Out As Non-Binary View all ncod posts--> Sign up for True Story to receive nonfiction news, new releases, and must-read forthcoming titles. Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

The Spill That Flooded Our Hearts - 906 Words

The Spill That Flooded Our Hearts On April 20, 2010, an eruption occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. The BP oil spill, or the Gulf of Mexico spill, more than 200 million gallons of crude oil were pumped into the Gulf of Mexico for a total of 87 days, making it the biggest oil spill in U.S. history. The BP pipes were leaking oil and gas on the ocean floor about 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana. The disaster killed 11 workers and injured 17. By the time the well was capped on July 15, 2010 an estimated 3.19 million barrels of oil had leaked into the gulf. As much as 20 percent of the of the spilled oil ended up on top of the sea floor . As of 2012, the Gulf was still polluted with oil. Of the 400 miles of the Louisiana coast, approximately†¦show more content†¦Petroleum runs down the eagle that symbolizes freedom as it clenches the olive branch in one talon and thirteen arrows in the other. The American flag is represented as the eagle s breast plate to show that the United States still has glory even in traged y (MacArthur n.p). However, the Newsweek magazine uses another tactic as well. The author uses a visual appeal. Above the overpowering presidential seal, cover with oil, contains bright yellow lettering that spells out â€Å"crude awakening.† The author uses these words to depict that the bp oil spill was a great eye opener. The color yellow symbolizes a cowardly act, the author uses yellow to show that the government acted as a coward during this crisis. But however Time magazine uses similar tactics to prove a different idea. The cover of Time magazine has an appeal that depicts a wild and free pelican smothered in layers upon layers of dark oil found along the surface in the Gulf of Mexico. The pelican covered in petroleum expresses that the of an overproduction of oil on offshore rigs caused a tragedy that affected marine habitat. To appeal to their audience, this magazine cover uses other tactics. The word play used in Time magazine also to appeal to the audience by forcing them to think deeper. Right in the middle of the pelican covered in oil shows the harsh truth, in big white letters, the text reads â€Å"how to clean up the mess?† The author uses of word play to depict two ideas. One idea is how can America

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

The Warfare During The American Civil War - 904 Words

The conduct of warfare during the American Civil War best exemplified one characteristic of the Western way of war, which without its incorporation could have drastically changed the outcome of the war and the existence of the United States as we know it. This characteristic demonstrated is innovation. Innovation as a characteristic of the Western way of war best exemplifies the American Civil War based on the telegraph, the rifled musket and the railroad. Had the Union and United States government not leveraged the above mentioned technologies the outcome of the war could have resulted in the division of this country. From the onset of the Civil War the South possessed two advantages. One was geography and the other was that it did not have to â€Å"win† the war. The vastness of the United State presented command and control challenges and logistical challenge for both Union and Confederal forces. This before mentioned challenge played into the Confederate forces other advantage which was they could simple keep the Union forces to a draw during the war and thus ensuring their future as an independent country. For the Union forces to overcome the challenge of geography and to not result in a draw they used innovations such as the telegraph to communicate orders to Soldiers over vast distances and thus making geography and the tyranny of distance a less of an advantage for the Confederate forces. The ability for leadership to convey timely orders to their militaryShow MoreRelatedThe Guerrilla Warfare And The American Civil War1518 Words   |  7 PagesThe guerrilla warfare along the Kansas-Missouri border has generally been considered an outlier of the American Civil War. While interesting to read about, its impact on the war and on Union policies were not always important to historians. Early in the study of this conflict historians chose to focus on the leaders and actions of the guerrillas. More recently, scholars have endeavored to understan d how guerrilla war in the Civil War affected the society in which it took place. This shift in historiographicalRead MoreThe Unions Ability to Conduct Total Warfare and Confederate Defeat931 Words   |  4 Pagesto Conduct Total Warfare and Confederate Defeat The American War for Independence was a successful struggle of a smaller nation fighting a larger, more powerful force. However, in the case of the American Civil War, the larger more powerful Union defeated the southern Confederacy. The Union won the Civil War because the Confederacy could not sustain a war of attrition in the Napoleonic style that evolved into Total War. This paper will briefly explain what Napoleonic warfare is and examine theRead MoreEssay on DEVELOPMENT OF THE U S ARMY929 Words   |  4 Pagesvital role in the growth and development of the American nation. It won the new Republics independence in an arduous eight-year struggle against Great Britain, at times providing the lone symbol of nationhood around which patriots could rally. During the Civil War it preserved the Union through four years of biter conflict that turned brother against brother. It has repeatedly defended United States against external threats, from the quot;second war of independencequot ; with Great Britain in 1812Read MoreThe Battle Of The American Civil War1335 Words   |  6 PagesLooking back with hindsight and the knowledge of warfare of the 21st century it is easy to say that the American Civil War was simply put, a very traditional war. Thinking of modern tactics and a course of numbers and deployment one might come to the conclusion that the Civil War was fought centuries ago; nevertheless, it only occurred 152 years ago. This hard fought national struggle was in fact a very modern war for many simple reasons, including the emergence of a new form of large national governmentRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution Of The Middle East1071 Words   |  5 Pagescontemplating the eternally complicated system of war. From Gangas Khan to America’s involvement in the Middle East, all successful generals, military leaders, and conquerors have found commonality in their zealous emphasis on, and desire for, possessing the most technologically advanced forms of wea ponry. Such a desire was not ignored in America nor England during the Industrial Revolution, but, rather, was seen by many as an opportune investment during a time of extraordinarily progressive innovationRead MoreTechnology And Weapons During The Civil War Essay1446 Words   |  6 PagesTechnology and weapons in wars since the Civil War have been progressing each and every day since then. There has been a number changes both good and not so good that has affected how our countries military forces react to the battle field. The advancements that has been made over the many years have killed millions and millions of people during time at war. Since the American Civil War there has been drastic changes to how war that have been fought. Why has technology in war been so important and helpfulRead MoreBiological Warfare And The American Civil War831 Words   |  4 PagesTucker Beaudoin HTY 278 Online Essay January 18, 2015 Biological Warfare A biological weapon is defined as â€Å"any of a number of disease-producing agents, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and toxins, that may be utilized as weapons against humans, animals or plants.† (Britannica Online Encyclopedia). As far back as the American Civil War, allegations have been made regarding the use of biological weapons. During the Civil War, both sides accused the other of using the smallpox virus to cause diseaseRead MoreThe Warfare Mentality Went From A War Of Mobility, To A1431 Words   |  6 PagesThe warfare mentality went from a war of mobility, to a war of attrition and that was due to the establishment of trench warfare throughout the battlefield. Trench warfare was no doubt a horrifying and awful type of warfare that caused countless non-battle deaths, yet it was necessary at the time. Without trench warfare, the war would have been a short but extremely bloody war because there was no way to combat the ferocity of the new weapons used in the war and there was no way to advance on theRead MoreThe World War I Ended1256 Words   |  6 Pagesof World War I, which pitted Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire (the so-called Central Powers) against Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy and Japan (the Allied Powers). The Allies were joined after 1917 by the United States. The four years of the Great War–as it was then known–saw unprecedented levels of carnage and destruction, thanks to grueling trench warfare and the introduction of modern weaponry such as machine guns, tanks and chemical weapons. By the time World War I ended inRead MoreAmerica s Paradoxical Love Hate Relationship With War1374 Words   |  6 Pageswith war and how this relationship influences American warfare through the research and study of the interpretation and analyzation of American military models, policy and goal changes, the use of military technology, â€Å"American way of war,† and the relationship with, preparation for, and application of war. In the two hundred years since 1775, there has been thirty-five years of fighting in what we consider major conflicts or wars. This averages out to about one year of war to every

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Number One Article on The Truman Show Essay Topics

The Number One Article on The Truman Show Essay Topics Type of the Truman Show Essay Topics His family members and friends are wholly paid actors. Houses are computers we dwell in. Tying home rather than traveling the world. The Do's and Don'ts of the Truman Show Essay Topics Media is found wanting on a lot of occasions. The Truman Show puts television beneath a magnifying glass, causing an intriguing social commentary for those'90s. This synonymous relationship is vital to the movie as it aids the audience understand on a more compact scale how mistreated Truman is a critical part of the movie's theme. It's the gateway past the life Truman has ever known, and beyond Truman himself. Truman's whole world is a falsity, it's. He tries to escape from Seaheavan multiple times but each time is stopped by an obstacle. Truman, obviously, believed this was real life. Because the set is an immense island, Christopher set this up so that Truman will never be in a position to leave due to his fear of plain water. He might be absolutely the most unstable actor we have. The Secret to the Truman Show Essay Topics A utopia, a best place with social perfection, can't be faked. Nowadays you have this extremely strong sense of false reality. Our reality is dependent on our personal perceptions, which could easily be altered by outside influences. It's a reality that we're unaware of and we cannot escape. The One Thing to Do for the Truman Show Essay Topics However, it appears too great to be true for one to have an ideal life with no troubles. The movie effectively used camera practices and unique effects to improve the notion that a real life with risks of pain and suffering is much better than one of safe imprisonment. Both stories depict a best community, perfect folks, perfect way of life, perfect planet, and a best lie. Together with her r ole was the significance of being up-to-date on all the most recent rodents. The movie presents a true scenario of the society we live in today. For the reason, it doesn't score a greater star score. The movie hence poses a wide number of philosophical questions, specifically managing the complications of physical and mental reality, as Truman does not have any conception or comprehension of his place amongst the planet, and thus his true identity. A good example of this being violated in the movie is when Truman would like to go to Fiji to escape his strange reality, and there aren't any plane flights until a couple of months away, so he cannot leave. One or the other is guaranteed to appease to the majority of people's tastes. The producers also print and broadcast messages of the hazards of travelling simply to keep Truman in Seahaven for the remainder of his life. These individuals will observe the world in totally different ways. Some folks envy it while others see it like a disadvantage. Descartes argues our surroundings cannot be trusted, and thus if one ever wishes to truly reach a complete comprehension of their world they need to doubt everything. But things begin to unravel. Both ways have their benefits and disadvantages. Meursault faced a great deal of things like an existentialist. Content is from the website's archived pages, as well as some other sources. Privacy isn't typically lost with one main action, but it occurs over time with several parts of information being collected and used to produce assumptions about an individual. Be certain to include your complete name on every page of your submission. Alongside her role was the value of being up-to-date on all the hottest products. Even though it may supply the media and product companies with money and a rise in business, soon, advertising gets to the point at which it's a lot more manipulating and psychologically bad for the consumer than helpful. It's built with an assistance of contemporary technology and is complex. They do so by employing advertising.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Roman Military Essay Example For Students

Roman Military Essay Roman MilitaryThe Roman army was one of the greatestforces of all times. The Roman army ,at its finest point, was nearly inconquerable. This was due to the discipline of the soldiers, the hard and effectivetraining of the soldiers, the speed at wich new tactics were learned, andto theorganization of the soldiers. From early times right down to the 3rdcentury A.D, the Roman army was based on its legions. A legion varied instrength from four-thousand to six-thousand men, and was subdivided ontoten cohorts. Its leader used the title of legatus. His staff officers werecalled tribuni. Senior non-commissioned officers were called centurions,who varied greatly in rank. The soldiers of the legion were picked men:They were all Roman citizens and received a higher pay than the auxillarytroops ,that is, foreigners who serve with the Roman army. A legion consisited of heavily armouredinfantry foot soldiers. The Roman infantry became a feared force, welldisciplined and well trained. Their weapons were two javelins each anda short thrustingsword. Cavalry was supplied by the auxilaries ,secondline troops, and was organised mainly in units of 500 men. When it was on campaigns the army wasaccompanied by a number of 7 specialists. One was the camp commandant,who was responsible for the organisation of the camp. The Romans were verycareful about their camps. No Roman army halted for a single night withoutdigging a trenches and fortifying its camp. Each soldier took his sharein establishing the camp and striking the camp the next day. Another specialistwas the quaestor, whose duty was to look after all the money matter. thenthere were the engineers and all kinds of craftsmen and artisans. Theywere responsible for siege operations and for the rather primative Romanartillery, which consisted of big catapults and complicated machinesa little like crossbows. These were mainly used for hurling big rocks andstones at the walls of a defence place. The engineers also had to buildthe moveable towers that were used in sieges. The Roman soldiers went upinside these towers so that they could see over the walls of a fortifiedplace and shoot their stones and arrows into it. The engineers also madethe scaling ladders that were used for getting over walls.

Friday, April 3, 2020

3 Cases of Superfluous Wording

3 Cases of Superfluous Wording 3 Cases of Superfluous Wording 3 Cases of Superfluous Wording By Mark Nichol Certain types of words that may be of no use nevertheless often stealthily make their way into sentences like gate crashers. In conversation, to mix metaphors, they serve as pothole fillers, meaningless placeholders that allow speakers to gather their thoughts and navigate an extemporaneous statement without stumbling before the finish line, but in writing they are expendable. The discussion after each sentence below describes why one or more words in the example do not contribute to the construction of the statement; revisions demonstrate how the sentences stand just as well without the omitted words. 1. More than half of all companies are currently pursuing some form of major information-technology transformation. Currently, which echoes the present-tense verbs it invariably is associated with, is rarely necessary or helpful; retain it only if it clarifies an ambiguous statement (in which case an alternative solution is to revise the statement to eliminate the ambiguity): â€Å"More than half of all companies are pursuing some form of major information-technology transformation.† 2. Management must then determine whether or not the activities for recording, accumulating, and summarizing material information are designed and operating effectively. Some writers don’t realize that the second and third word in â€Å"whether or not† should almost always be omitted. Others know this but automatically write it without noticing or don’t know when it is valid and when it is not. However, a simple test exists- if â€Å"whether or not† can be replaced by â€Å"regardless of whether,† the usage is valid, but if the phrase can be replaced by if, â€Å"or not† is extraneous: â€Å"Management must then determine whether the activities for recording, accumulating, and summarizing material information are designed and operating effectively.† 3. We have managed projects for both healthcare providers as well as medical-device manufacturers. Sometimes the solution is revision rather than omission. For example, in this sentence, â€Å"as well as† is redundant to both, so retain one or the other, but not both: â€Å"We have managed projects for both healthcare providers and medical-device manufacturers† or  Ã¢â‚¬Å"We have managed projects for healthcare providers as well as medical-device manufacturers.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Beautiful and Ugly Words10 Types of Transitions48 Writing Prompts for Middle School Kids