Category: Admission Essays

  • The Effects of Global Warming (Sample Essay)

    Abstract

    Global warming is a dangerous phenomenon that has been aggravated by human activity. The environment, as a result, has changed for the worse. The effects of this phenomenon are global and affect everyone regardless of geographical location. Below are some highlights about the devastating effects of global warming and, in some instances, their root causes are discussed in brief detail.

    The Effects of Global Warming

    Global warming is an international disaster. Its effects and control have dominated virtually all facets of modern human life. It is not uncommon to find even groceries listing themselves as being “eco-friendly” in a bid to attract environmentally conscious customers. The effects of global warming are not just about blowing hot air in the pursuit of delivering chilling information. This phenomenon has devastating consequences for all, regardless of geographical location. One of the most commonly known effects is the heating up of the atmosphere. Scientists have shown that there is a direct correlation between the increase in carbon dioxide levels and an increase in the earth’s temperature. As a result, the warmest years since 1992 have been experienced in recent years (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC], 2007).

    This heating up has caused the melting of the ice caps at the poles (Gore, 2006). This has several effects on the earth. First, it causes the rise of the ocean level. Glacial melting would contribute to about 230 feet rise in the ocean level if it were to happen at once (National Climatic Data Center [NCDC], 2008). Sea levels have risen by an average of 1.88mm per year since 1961 but have increased to 3.1mm per year from 1993. These figures seem small, but if the ocean rises by just 3 feet, lower Manhattan could be submerged, and sections of Miami would be lost. In Bangladesh and India, close to 23 million people live within this elevation of three feet (IPCC, 2007). That level of population displacement and loss of property would have serious economic and social effects.

    It is not just the loss of land; effects on biodiversity should also be considered. Data shows that melting glaciers change water’s chemical composition and temperature in the areas served by the Gulf current (IPCC, 2007). This means that sea life that cannot adapt to the new water conditions will have to either migrate or die. Coral life, for example, will be wiped out if the temperature and height of water change. In addition, mammals such as the polar bear and penguins will die out because their icy habitat is shrinking, and already their numbers are on the decline (National Geographic, 2012).

    The third effect of melting ice caps is the increase in greenhouse levels (Gore, 2008, p. 8). Science proves that there is a considerable amount of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases trapped in ice bodies around the world (Phys.org, 2012). As these bodies melt, they release these gases into the atmosphere, which, in turn, increases the rate of global warming. Additionally, these ice bodies contribute to what is referred to as the albedo effect (Ashton, Tyrell, Spalding, & Gentry, 2012, p. 130). They use this to refer to the reflectivity of a geographical feature directly. Ice bodies reflect back more sunlight, thus contributing to the cooling effect of the earth. As they melt, instead of reflective ice, there occurs dark, heat-absorbing water masses. This also increases the temperature of the earth. Both of these effects compound the global warming problem.

    Apart from increasing temperature, there is the oxymoron of global warming causing temperature plunges. It may sound off to blame global warming for this effect, but it does. Cold waves are “an unusually large and rapid drop in temperature over a short period of time” (Merriam-Webster, 2012). These cold encounters cause temperature drops of as low as -62 degrees Centigrade and are very destructive (Mani, 2010, p. 118). They freeze power lines, destroy pipes and cause transportation problems. Many people have died of hypothermia, and large areas of crops have been destroyed by cold waves around the world (Maslin, 2007, p. 59). Cold waves are created by changing climatic conditions related to melting ice caps and ocean currents. The seas absorb more heat, and polar winds are redirected due to melting ice causing this phenomenon (IPCC, 2007).

    Global warming has caused changing weather patterns, ensuring that weather phenomena have become extreme (IPCC, 2007). Of recent concern is the increase in the number and intensity of storm weather reports. Where there is usually wet weather, the storms have increased in intensity and rainfall amount, causing floods and violent thunderstorms. Also, in areas where there is drought, these drought conditions have become prolonged. In some parts of the world, the violence of thunderstorms has increased by a staggering 100% (Environmental Graffiti, 2012). In addition, the heating up of oceans has seen the rise of violent hurricanes and cyclones (National Geographic, 2012).

    Another interesting effect relates to geology. Global warming has been linked to increased volcanic and tsunami activity. The glacial masses put considerable pressure on the earth’s crust. As they melt and become lighter, they cause unexpected movement within the earth’s crust, which in turn causes volcanic and tsunami activity (IPCC, 2007). As the earth warms up, some pests and diseases thrive more in new warming up areas. Mosquitoes that spread malaria, yellow fever, and dengue have migrated north to new countries (National Geographic, 2012; Mani, 2010, p. 49). Pests such as the spruce bark beetle have wreaked havoc on spruce trees in Alaska on an area of about four million acres (Ashton, 2012, p. 88).

    These deadly effects will only keep on getting worse the more global warming continues to exert its toll. This calls for fast measures to be undertaken by all stakeholders to come up with a quick remedy to global warming. Failure to do so will see more adverse effects arising due to global warming. With all that is taking place as a result of global warming, it is sad to see how major policymakers are not taking these warnings as seriously as they need to be.

    References

    Ashton, M., Tyrell, M., Spalding, D., & Gentry, B. (2012). Managing forest carbon in a 

    changing climate. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Springer.

    Gore, A. (2006). An inconvenient truth: The planetary emergency of global warming 

    and what we can do about it. New York, NY: Rodale.

    IPCC. (2007). Climate change 2007: Synthesis report. Retrieved from:

    http://www.theglobalwarmingstatistics.org/global-warming-statistics-ipcc-report

    Mani, C. (2010). Effects of global warming. London, England: Oxford Book Company.

    Maslin, M. (2007). Global warming: Causes, effects and the future. Minneapolis, MN:

    MBI Publishing Company.

    Merriam-Webster. (2012). Cold wave. Retrieved from

    http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20wave

    National Geographic. (2012). Effects of global warming. Retrieved from

    http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-effects/

    NCDC. (2008, August 20). Global warming. Retrieved from

    http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html#q7

    PhysOrg. (2012, July 23). Rise in temperatures and COfollow each other closely in

    climate change. Retrieved from http://phys.org/news/2012-07-temperatures- CO2-climate.html

    This is a sample essay written by one of our professional writers. Use this sample only as reference material, and do not pass it as your own. This will be considered plagiarism. You can, however, make an inquiry and  order a paper from our site. It will be written according to your specifications and requirements.

  • Why Good Grammar Is Important

    Importance of Good Grammar
    Most students don’t take good grammar seriously.

    Most students don’t take proper grammar seriously. They just want to write the essay/ assignment, finish it, and hand it over. They forget that proper grammar might be the only explanation as to why they keep getting Fs. Writing your essay on time is not enough; you have to make sure you proofread your work before you hand it in. Proofreading means you have to correct spelling mistakes, stylistic mistakes, punctuation mistakes, and make sure your grammar is good. I hope the following reasons make you take grammar seriously in your next essay.

    1. Good grammar makes you look smart
    You do not need to use big words when talking or writing to appear smart. Understanding words, their usage, and pronunciation is more important. Good grammar will protect you from looking or sounding foolish, and your professor will understand the points you are trying to put across in your essay. This will lead to good grades, a good college/ university, and probably a great job. Conversations you have with friends will also be understood better. No one wants to be the joke of the class for using poor grammar when constructing a sentence, so work on your grammar!

    2. Good grammar leads to good communication
    Imagine trying to explain a point for five minutes to a friend, and even after countless repeating, they still have no clue what you are saying (or even worse, they keep getting it wrong). It’s frustrating, right? Poor grammar does that- it breaks down communication. It makes the reader or listener not get the point. It weakens your idea, and in most cases, your point is interpreted wrong.

    The reader will get frustrated if they have to keep rereading and reorganizing the sentence so that it makes sense. If they have to do this in more than one sentence in your essay, you are doomed. If the professor understands what you are saying, then they can understand how you have organized your thoughts, leading to a good grade.

    3. Good grammar will help you get into a good university/ college
    Colleges/ universities usually look out for smart students. Your application essay and, in some cases, follow-up interviews are the determiners of that. An application essay full of mistakes and poor grammar will not get you into the college of your choice. Speaking poorly with grammatical errors will make you look stupid. Continuous use of poor grammar when talking will make the administrators think you do not have a proper education. This could be one of the reasons (or the only reason) you get disqualified. Good grammar will also reflect in your grades, especially your writing score.

    4. Good grammar will get you a job
    Some employers insist on proper grammar by employees. In the article I Won’t Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar by Kyle Wiens, he says, “Good grammar is credibility, especially on the internet. In blog posts, on Facebook statuses, in e-mails, and on company websites, your words are all you have. They are a projection of you in your physical absence. And, for better or worse, people judge you if you can’t tell the difference between their, there, and they’re. Good grammar makes good business sense — and not just when it comes to hiring writers.”

    In the eyes of an employer, an applicant who uses proper grammar on their resume is intelligent and not lazy or stubborn. When looking for a job, you want your image to be projected right and not be defined by grammatical errors.

    Check your essay for errors before submitting it to your professor. When you perfect your grammar during writing, you are able to concentrate on the structure and content of your work. Your reader also understands your point of view and does not have to keep correcting your errors. Good grammar is mandatory for any student and makes you appear intelligent. Practice writing proper grammar, and your spoken grammar will also improve.

  • Determining Which College/ University Is Your Right Fit in 6 Steps

    College application essay
    Saint Anselm College

    Selecting what college/ university will be best for you can be overwhelming. So many great schools are available that offer great career courses and you get to choose only one. How do you determine what college will start off your career?

    You have to consider what matters to you. Don’t let anyone coerce you into going to a college you don’t like or taking a course that doesn’t interest you. At this age, you are capable of making choices of your own depending on your interests and aspirations. Whatever your choices may be, they will play a huge role in your future success.

    1.  Identify all colleges/universities you would like to attend

    Start with the basics. What are your values or needs? What’s important to you? Would you rather attend a college close to home, so you get to live close to family or miles away? Would you prefer to attend a small size or large school? Identify your needs and focus on what you consider a perfect school. This will help you select a few from the many available.

    2.  Location

    What location would best suit you? What seasons are you comfortable learning in? Winter? Summer? Alternatively, are you an all-year-round learner? Do you want to go sightseeing during your free time, or have some me-time at home with your books?

    3.  Environment

    Does the idea of a college in the city excite you, or would you rather be in the suburbs? Is the nightlife necessary for you or do you prefer the open space and grassy fields? You could choose to change the setting if you have lived in the suburbs all your life and want the bust of the city and the noises. Make sure, however, that you can stick to your choice and won’t be missing the green fields and quiet after a week in the city. If you are used to the noise, large malls, and movie theaters, make sure a decision to move to the suburbs will not have you desperately seeking noise, even in the weirdest of places. Make a choice depending on the amount of change you can handle.

    4.  College/ University size

    Would you be comfortable in a small or large school? Make a choice depending on whether you would like a school where everyone knows everyone else or where you remain anonymous. The size of the school matters in that a small school will offer more individualized attention while a large school will offer diversity and a wide selection of student services.

    5.  School category

    Does the school specialize in one area of study? Is it affiliated with a certain religion? Is it a single-sex school? Is it private or public? Do they offer evening classes or part-time courses?

    Your comfort should be a key concern here. Consider too your preferences and the resources offered by the school.

    6.  School cost

    Can your parents/ guardians afford the cost of a certain college? Does the school offer financial aid, student loans, work-study programs, and scholarships?

    Some schools offer scholarships to students with exceptional talents outside the classroom. You should not limit your choices depending on the cost of tuition. Some private schools offer privately funded scholarships, and you could give them a try.

    When you finally pick a college/ university of your choice, read our article on what to avoid when writing a college application essay. The  application essay plays a big part in getting you into the college/ university of your choice.

  • Essential Sections Required on an Essay

    As a student, you have to write an essay or a research paper at one time in your school life. Essays play a big part in determining the grade you get. They have guidelines, though, and it’s important to know them before starting work on your essay. There are some universally accepted essential sections required on your essay, especially if it’s 6,000 words or more long. They include:

    1)      A title page

    This should be the first page attached to your work. It should be filled in correctly in case a departmental cover sheet is offered.  If not, provide the essay title in caps at the top of the page, your name and student number, the course, the examiner’s name, and the date you hand in the essay.

    2)      A front section.

    This one should contain the table of contents, a list of illustrations/tables, and an abstract.

    3)      An introduction

    The introduction should restate the essay question using a hypothesis and provide a clear outline of the essay. This is where you give the reader your point of view on the essay question and how you will support your view. You inform the reader what your discussion will be about, what you will not discuss, and why. The introduction topic should convince the reader to read the rest of your essay.

    4)      A body

    Follow the outline you provided in the front section. Provide evidence that substantiates your thesis on the body. Provide a different idea related to the topic for each paragraph. Paragraphs must be well constructed and start with a topic sentence. A topic sentence gives the main idea of a paragraph and summarizes it. The paragraphs should relate and provide a smooth flow to your essay. They should be clear, concise, and contribute to the main argument.

    5)      A conclusion

    Your conclusion should be a summary of the main points in your essay. It should clearly show how these points relate to the topic question. Do not introduce any new material in the conclusion section.

    6)      Appendix

    The appendix contains any information that may be of help to the reader and is optional. This information, however, is not part of the overall word count.

    7)      A bibliography/ reference list

    This appears at the end of the essay. It contains a list of sources you used when writing your paper. State the title of the source, the author, year of publication, publisher, place of publication, and pages depending on the citation format your examiner asks you to use. Different citation formats include APA, MLA, Chicago, Turabian, Harvard, etc.

  • Avoid This When Writing a College Application Essay

    College application essays
    image source: http://www.schools.com

    Applications to colleges are time-consuming, but the essay writing part is the most vexing for most students. Your application should present you in a positive light. It should be well-drafted to get you a place in that college you always wanted to attend.  All you have to do is avoid most of these college application mistakes:

      1.  Forgetting to read instructions

    Before you start filling out your application, read the instructions carefully and attentively. Most colleges have different sections for local and international students. Fill out the correct information for each of the questions asked. You can go through the form after completion to make sure that all the questions are answered correctly.

    2.   Prolonging your essay

    Most college application essays will give a maximum number of words they need on the essay. Do not exceed it. Try to get rid of irrelevant details, poor ideas, oversharing, and clichés. Be concise, avoid repetitions and unnecessary words.

    On the other hand, do not write too little. The admission office gave a word limit because they believe you have as much to say on their question. Avoid being vague, too, and include enough details.

    3. Repetitions

    Avoid repeating the same point in each paragraph of your essay. Do not also apply the same thought across all essays on the application form. Tell something new. Make each essay original and unique.

       4. Keep the essay professional

    Your essay should answer the question asked. Use the right tone and avoid sounding like a privileged snob. Your reason to attend a certain college, for example, should not be because your whole family has been attending the college.

    Your essay should not sound materialistic or self-interested. You want to go to college because you want a good degree that will lead to a great salary. However, do not overemphasize this point in the essay. Saying you want to attend the college because you know several lawyers who are earning good money because they attended the said college may deny you the opportunity.

    5. Failure to proofread

    Do not hit submit before you proofread. You can use the spell-check tool, but you still have to go through your essay again to check the mistakes left out by the tool. You may write a great essay, but if you fail to proofread, the college admin will focus on your mistakes and not the essay’s content. Spelling mistakes only show you lack attention to detail. Ask a friend to help you edit your essay for mistakes you may have left out.

    6. Starting late

    Do not wait until the last minute to start your essay. College application essays need a lot of time to write. Make it your best work. Starting early will give you time to proofread. It will also give you time to ask others to review it for you.  If you manage to submit your essay early enough, you can confirm with the college whether they have received it or not.

    The worst mistake you could make is addressing the wrong school. It’s good to apply to different colleges, but make sure when you send out the forms, it’s to the right school. Make sure you also spell the school’s name correctly.