Self Assessment and Writing a Graduate Admissions Essay

The  admissions essay  bewilders most graduate school applicants yet it is a vital part of the application that cannot be ignored.  The  admissions essay serves an important purpose because it permits you to speak directly to the graduate committee. This is an important opportunity thats also a big source of stress for applicants. Most admit that they dont know where to begin. Writing your admissions essay is a process, not a discrete event. Writing an effective essay requires preparation  You must gather the information needed to compose the essay, understand the task at hand, and decide what you would like to convey. Here are some tips to help you gather the information needed to compose a graduate admissions essay that sets you apart from the rest. Conduct a Personal Assessment The first step is to conduct a thorough self-assessment. Leave yourself plenty of time because this is a process of self-exploration that you dont want to rush. Sit down with a pad or at the keyboard, and begin writing. Dont censor yourself in any way. Just write what feels natural. Begin taking notes on what drives you. Describe your hopes, dreams, and aspirations. What do you hope to gain from graduate study? Granted, most of this information may not make it into the essay, but your goal at this point is to brainstorm. Identity as much of your personal history as possible so that you can carefully sift through and sort out events and personal items that will strengthen your essay. Consider: HobbiesProjects that youve completedJobsResponsibilitiesAccomplishments in the personal and scholastic arenaMajor life events that have changed youChallenges and hurdles youve overcomeLife events that motivate your educationPeople who have influenced you or motivated you  Traits, work habits, and attitudes that will ensure your success your goals Carefully consider your academic record and personal accomplishments. How do the attitudes, values, and personal qualities that youve listed correspond to these experiences? Try to pair them up. For example, your curiosity and thirst for knowledge may have led you to conduct independent research with a professor. Consider how each pair of attitudes/personal qualities and experiences show that youre prepared to excel in graduate school. Also, consider these questions that will help you gather information that will be useful in writing your essays. Once you have a master list, carefully examine the information that youve listed. Remember that the information that you chose to present can portray you as a positive and upbeat person or as a tired and discouraged student. Think about the image that you want to portray and revise your master list accordingly. Use the revised list as a basis for all of your admissions essays. Carefully consider  what you should (and should not!) include in your essay. Do Your Research Research the programs that interest you. Read the brochure, check the website, gather all information possible to help you determine what the admissions committee is looking for from potential students. Your research should provide enough of a knowledge base about the school to tailor your essay to it. Show that youre interested and that youve taken the time to learn about the program. Take careful notes on each program and note where your personal interests, qualities, and accomplishments coincide. Consider the Questions Posed If youre truly interested in the  graduate programs to which youre applying (and with a $50 application fee for most schools, you should be interested!), take the time to tailor your essay to each program. One size clearly does not fit all. Many applications require that students address specific questions in their admissions essays, such as  these common admissions essay topics. Make sure that youre answering the question. Take time to think about the question, the central theme asked, and how it corresponds to your master list of experiences/personal qualities. Some applications offer a string of questions. Pay attention to your responses and try to avoid being redundant. Consider How to Organize Your Essay Before you begin your essay,  familiarize yourself with the basic structure of admissions essays. As you begin to write, remember that this is your chance to present your strengths and really shine. Take advantage of it. Discuss your accomplishments, valuable experiences, and emphasize the positive. Make it involved and engaging. Show that youre motivated. Remember that the committee is composed of professionals who have read hundreds, even thousands of such statements over the years. Make yours stand out. Your admissions essay is a story that tells the graduate admissions committee who you are and what you can offer. Granted, the questions posed will differ by program, but the general challenge is to introduce yourself and describe your potential as a successful candidate. A careful self-assessment and consideration of the program and the questions posed will aid in your endeavor to write a winning personal statement.

The Debate on Abortion Laws in the United States - 1256 Words

There are always a number of heated debates within the United States. These debates area always a hot topic and very controversial issues. Due to how controversial they are is why they become such largely debated topics with many people having very different views on the specific topic. For example there is a Democratic and Republican party in the United States people either stick with one side or the other due to their beliefs and sometimes can be neutral or on the other party’s side for certain topics. Abortion is a very controversial topic as it always has been all around the country but more specifically in the United States. There are two sides to the debate those who believe abortion should be legal and their organization is known as prochoice. On the other side there are the group of people who believe that abortion should not be legal and reverse the laws from what they are today this organization is known as prolife. It seems as though both of the organizations are v ery extreme while there can be some people who a neutral and believe in some ideas from the prochoice yet they also agree with some of the ideas from prolife. The two sides to the debate on abortion are known as pro-choice and pro-life although this topic is very controversial, today there is also a history of abortion laws and a very important case known as Roe vs. Wade which played a huge role in determining what laws on abortion are in the present. Additionally, the case of Roe vs. Wade was aShow MoreRelatedThe Gardens Of Democracy By Eric Liu And Nick Hanauer1443 Words   |  6 Pageswith the government or politics. This includes issues related to party politics, political system, or social, environmental or other issues as determined by the voting public. In Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer’s book The Gardens of Democracy (2011), it states that â€Å"the failure of American politics to address and solve the great challenges of our time such as climate change and shriveling of the middle class is not just a failure of will or nerve, but it is equally a failure of ideas and understanding†Read MoreAbortion: A Heated Debate and Hot Topic in the United States Essay1256 Words   |  6 Pagesheated debates within the United States. These debates are always a hot topic and very controversial issues. Due to how controversial they are, is why they become such largely debated topics with many people having very different views on the specific topic. For example, there is a Democratic and Republican party in the United States; people either stick with one side or the other due to their beliefs and sometimes can be neutral or on the other party’s side for certain topics. Abortion is a veryRead MoreA Comprehensive Review Of The Civil Liberty Debate On Abortion.1500 Words   |  6 PagesA Comprehensive Review of the Civil Liberty Debate on Abortion Of all the issues plaguing the United States, currently and in the past, abortion rights have been one of the most passionately debated civil liberty issues. Edward Sidlow and Beth Henschen define civil liberties as â€Å"Individual rights protected by the Constitution against the powers of the government†(72). Some argue that women should be protected from the powers of government in terms of reproductive rights while others argue thatRead MoreWomen s Issue Paper : Abortion1285 Words   |  6 PagesWoman’s Issue Paper: Abortion Abortion: a ·bor ·tion/əˈbà ´rSH(É™)n/noun 1. the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy (Abortion-Dictionary.com ). One in every three women have an abortion by the age of 45 (Operation Rescue Inc). Though the act of abortion is common it has been an emotionally draining debate since the mid 1970’s, but has always been a hot topic since the 1800’s. There are two sides to this debate. One side is pro-lifeRead MoreThe Gardens Of Democracy By Eric Liu And Nick Hanauer1446 Words   |  6 Pageswith the government or politics. This includes issues related to party politics, political system, or social, environmental or other issues as determined by the voting public. In Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer’s book The Gardens of Democracy (2011), it states that â€Å"the failure of American politics to address and solve the great challenges of our time such as climate change and shriveling of the middle class is not just a failure of will or nerve, but it is equally a failure of ideas and understanding†Read MoreAbortion, Gun Control / Safety, And Marriage Equality1370 Words   |  6 PagesPeople debate deeply on topics such as abortion, gun control/safety, and marriage equality. It is not possible to make all people agree on topics such as those. There are many religions and cultures that people come from; everyone values their own beliefs. The conflict between two sides of abortion has occurred ever since 1960s and early 1970s due to Roe v. Wade case. â€Å"In Roe v. Wade (1973), the U.S. Supreme Court stated that abortion bans were unconstitutional in every state, legalizing abortion throughoutRead MoreThe Controversial Issue Of Abortion1555 Words   |  7 Pagestopic of abortion in the United States has been and remains one of the most controversial issues in western culture and politics. An abortion can be defined as the expulsion of a fetus from the uterus before it can survive on its own. This comprises two major forms of abortion: spontaneous, which is often referred to as a miscarriage or induced abortion, which is the deliberate termination of a pregn ancy. The term is commonly used to refer to the induced abortion, and this is the abortion, which hasRead MoreThe Debate On Abortion And Gun Control1604 Words   |  7 Pageswith the governance of a country or other area. This especially applies to the debate or conflict among individuals or parties in hope of achieving power. Dealing with politics there is always a side that agrees and disagrees, thus developing the debate. Two of the most domestic controversial political topics are abortion and gun control. As for international there is terrorism. These three topics have been ongoing debates for some time. Everyone’s opinion on political controversies can be based onRead MoreThe Gardens Of Democracy By Eric Liu And Nick Hanauer1571 Words   |  7 Pageswith the government or politics. This includes issues related to party politics, political system, or social, environmental or other issues as determined by the voting public. In Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer’s book The Gardens of Democracy (2011), it states that â€Å"the failure of American politics to address and solve the great challenges of our time such as climate change and shriveling of the middle class is not just a failure of will or nerve, but it is equally a failure of ideas and understanding†Read MoreAbortion : The Issue Of Abortion1411 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å"Abortion is one of the most common medical procedures performed in the United States each year† (Abortion Overview and History). It is the termination of a human pregnancy, which is often performed during the first twenty-eight weeks of pregnancy. The topic of abortion seems to be a major issue in todays time. There are many people who are for it and many people who are against it. Religion has a lot to do with the side that people take on this issue. Many people see abortion as committing murder

Similarities Between Christianity And Islam - 920 Words

Two men, from two distinct societies, one born from a virgin, thought to be the Messiah and the other as a messenger from Allah. Christians believe Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice; their savior and redeemer. Although there were many conflicts in the development of the Christian faith, Christianity is the world’s largest religion. Islam was founded by Muhammad, a caravan trader from the ruling clan in Mecca. To Muslims, he is the human prophet of the god Allah. Although Christianity and Islam are portrayed as two distinctive religions, they are both rooted to the Jewish faith, and are considered to be Abrahamic monotheistic religions. It may be very controversial, but it is believed that God and Allah are one. The Christian bible depicts God in many different forms, such as omnipotent and omnipresent. Saint Augustine, the author of The Confessions, described God in a very similar way. The Confessions narrates the story of how Augustine converted and his struggles to find his faith. As Augustine grew older, both in age and in faith, he searched for the truth. He concludes that God is The Truth, the ultimate truth (Augustine 48). Augustine says that God provides perpetual truth and that He is incorruptible. In a similar manner, Augustine determines that â€Å"wisdom resides† in God alone (Augustine 46). Though Augustine analyzed many philosophical texts that endeavored in wisdom, he acknowledges that only God can provide the answer to the things he does not truly know (AugustineShow MoreRelatedSimilarities Between Christianity And Islam993 Words   |  4 Pages Christianity and Islam are the two biggest religions that are present in the world today, with close to four billion followe rs combined. While Christianity and Islam actually have a lot more in common than most people think, there are still many differences to them. First, let’s start with the similarities between the two. Both religions believe that in one way or another, Jesus will return to Earth in the final days of the world to have a judgement day, in which essentially will determine if youRead MoreSimilarities Between Christianity And Islam1316 Words   |  6 PagesIn today’s world, the largest religion is Christianity with a 33 percent and Islam coming in second place at around 21 percent. According to the article A Common Word between Us and You Both religions make up around half of the population around the world. Islam and Christianity are collectively known as Abrahamic religions because they trace their history to the covenant God made with Abraham in the Hebrew Bible. Christianity and Islam are two of the fastest growing religions, and they bothRead MoreSimilarities Between Islam And Christianity997 Words   |  4 PagesIslam and Christianity are two largely wide spread religions in the world that have a great impact on their followers, especially in a spiritual manner. Because of originality, values, and unique believes in each religion, their believers respect and try to comprehend each other’s faith. With Christianity’s record 2.2 billion population and Islam’s impressive 1.6 billion population, they both form the bases of their countries laws and are recognized by governments all around the world. Even thoughRead MoreSimilarities Between Christianity And Islam1427 Words   |  6 PagesChristianity and Islam share much common ground. They trace their origins to Abraham; believe in prophecy, apostles, revelation, scripture, resurrection, and life after death. Christianity and Islam have related theological traditions; believe in one omnipotent God who is concerned with human salvation. Both religions are somewhat similar in ho w they embrace their beliefs; what the church is to Christianity, the umma is to Islam. Notwithstanding these important similarities, however, these two worldviewsRead MoreSimilarities Between Christianity And Islam1088 Words   |  5 Pagessignificant historic province where it served as the birthplace for many beliefs and religions such as Christianity and Islam. Within 600 CE to 1250 CE and 1st century to 1000 CE, Christianity and Islam began to spread. The two leading religions were very apparent in their belief in God and worship. As we seek to understand the Christian and Islam beliefs, it is important to be familiar with both the similarities and differences in the early years. The thought of death may terrify most of us, but to thoseRead MoreSimilarities Between Christianity And Islam1409 Words   |  6 Pages Christianity and Islam were both spread in socially and economically similar and politically different. They both had an important people that role and spread of the religions. Christianity included the individuals of who believe in Jesus Christ. Christians are the flowers of the Christ who often believed is the son of the God (â€Å"the father†); Christians strongly believe that Christ will return after the next life; the end of the world. Islam consists of individuals who believe in Allah, the godRead MoreSimilarities Between Christianity And Islam1005 Words   |  5 Pages Compare and contrast ancient Christianity and Islam. Christianity and Islam are both closely related religions, because they are branched of Abraham and other patriarchs mentioned in Hebrew Scriptures. Examples of these books are the Old/ New testament and the Quran. These books serve as their spiritual ancestors and are also know as Abrahamic religions. Although these books have a massive amount in common the clash of these two religions has caused for a mass crimes and violence across humanityRead MoreSimilarities Between Christianity And Islam891 Words   |  4 PagesChristianity came about 2000 years ago and was founded by Jesus Christ. It is mostly practiced in the Western world with a population of about 2 billion people. The name Christianity came from a Greek word ‘Christos’ meaning Jesus Christ and was founded between 4 B.C. and 30 A.D, and consist of the 3 major groups which are the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox. Islam on the other hand was founded about 1400 years ago by Muhammad in 600’s A.D. The word Islam is derived from an Arabic word forRead MoreSimilarities Between Christianity And Islam1332 Words   |  6 Pagesreligion has its own goal, and their own path and belief to reach their goals. However, there are many similarities in beliefs. Although the followers of Judaism, Christianit y, and Islam may see things differently, they all fundamentally hold the same values and codes. To Islam, the Prophet Mohammad’s teaching is a complete and final revelation. On the other hand, according to the bible, Christianity believes that Jesus Christ is the true lord and savior that will grant you the access to heaven in theRead MoreSimilarities Between Islam And Christianity1928 Words   |  8 Pagesget punished for practicing religion. The two religions bear some superficial similarities, the differences between the two religions is clear though. How the two religions practice their beliefs, the population, beliefs, and how they view â€Å"Jesus† are different and similar. Although the two religions are very different from each other, they also show some similarities. The main similarity is that Islam and Christianity both are monotheistic; meaning they believe in one god. Which are 2 out of the

Pyramid Principle Exercise free essay sample

Business Communication Instructor: Dr Rand Fandrich Paragraph Exercise The paragraph is scrambled. Your assignment is to revise it for clarity and flow. You will then write a paragraph explaining why you made the changes you made. Original Learn as much as possible about the biases, education, age, status, style, and personal and professional concerns of your receivers. An audience-centered approach involves understanding and respecting the members of your audience and making every effort to get your message across in a way that is meaningful to them. This ability to relate to the needs of others is a key part of emotional intelligence, which is widely considered to be a vital characteristic of successful managers and leaders. If you’re addressing people you dont know and you’re unable to find out more about them, try to project    yourself into their position by using common sense and imagination. The more you know about the people you’re communicating with, the easier it will be to concentrate on their needs, which will make it easier for them to hear your message, understand it, and respond positively. We will write a custom essay sample on Pyramid Principle Exercise or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This approach is also known as adopting the â€Å"you† attitude, in contrast to messages that are about â€Å"me. † Revised An audience-centered approach involves understanding and respecting the members of your audience and making every effort to get your message across in a way that is meaningful to them. This approach is also known as adopting the â€Å"you† attitude, in contrast to messages that are about â€Å"me. †    Learn as much as possible about the biases, education, age, status, style, and personal and professional concerns of your receivers. If you’re addressing people you dont know and you’re unable to find out more about them, try to project yourself into their position by using common sense and imagination. The more you know about the people you’re communicating with, the easier it will be to concentrate on their needs, which will make it easier for them to hear your message, understand it, and respond positively. My changes were based on sticking to the rules of effective business writing outlined in Chapter 1 by Flood * Know your audience * BLOT (Bottom Line on Top) * DAB (Detail Analysis Background The main objective of the paragraph was to explain to the audience what† an audience centered approach† entailed. This should be stated in the opening line so your reader immediately gets your attention and understand what you are attempting to talk about. Say exactly what you mean with clarity. The writer should then lead right into giving detailed analysis background about the subject matter showing their expertise and writing with organization, proper grammar and punctuation. Finally the writer should end with a reiteration of the opening sentence.

Gym Candy free essay sample

The author of Gym Candy is Carl Deuker. Carl Deuker grew up in California. He attended University of California, Berkeley, majoring in English. He currently lives in Washington and is a teacher at Shelton View Elementary School. He wrote seven novels and is working on an eighth. His novels so far are, On the Devil’s Court, Heart of a Champion, Night Hoops, Painting the Black, High Heat, Runner, and Gym Candy. Four of his novels won awards. His novels all have something to do with teens, sports, and take place in Washington. The setting of the novel is in present day in Seattle, Washington. The main character of the story is Mick Johnson. Mick’s father was a failure as an NFL football player and now looks to Mick to pick up his dreams as a football player. Mick’s best friend is Drew Carney. Drew is the quarterback that struggles to make starting varsity but then makes it. We will write a custom essay sample on Gym Candy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page DeShawn Free is another friend of Mick that is also on the football team and is wide receiver. He ends up becoming best friends with Drew when they drift away from Mick. Kaylee is on the volleyball team and likes Mick. Matt Drager is an antagonist in the novel. Matt is starting running back and a â€Å"bully† towards Mick. Aaron Clark is also an antagonist. Aaron is the starting quarterback and is Matt Drager’s friend. He is also a â€Å"bully† toward Mick. Peter Volz is Mick’s personal trainer. When he is first introduced he is assumed to be gay but then when he is reintroduced we find out he is not. Peter introduces Mick to steroids and is his supplier. Mick Johnson is the son of Mike Johnson. Mike Johnson is a superstar football player until he goes to the NFL. Mike Johnson dropped out of training camp in the NFL. Mike now looks to Mick to fulfill his dreams as a star football player. Mick is pressured by multiple things, including his father to do well on the football team. Mick is pressured so much that he ends up taking steroids to please himself and his father. In the end Drew, his best friend, finds out and says he is going to tell. Mick tries to take the easy way out of Drew telling about the steroids. I believe that this novel was really good. I’ve liked Carl Deuker’s books since I read Runner. If I had to rate this book I would rate it about 4 ? out of 5. It was very detailed and had some action from the football point of view. As I read this book I did not want to put it down because I wanted to see what would happen next. It was kind of like TV with the cliff hangers. But it was like that in every spot. I didn’t want to miss anything so I didn’t want to stop reading. The introduction into the book was well written and so was the ending. Instead of giving you the ending and just saying, â€Å"There it is, its over,† it made you do some thinking. I liked that a lot. I also liked how the information was revealed in the book, instead of giving it all to you in the beginning and building a story off of that, he built a story into revealing the information and built little problems into that. As far as the action went, it wasn’t that bad. The games that were explained went into detail so I could follow along with what happened in the game, I liked that. Everything painted a clear picture in my head the whole time so it was as if I was watching a movie. Mick Johnson is the protagonist of the novel. The novel never actually tells what he looks like but in my head I picture him to be average height, muscular, since he took steroids and plays football, and have brown hair. Mick is pressured by his dad to be a star in football so he can fulfill his father’s dreams. He becomes best friends with Drew Carney and DeShawn Free. They all three stick together through football and high school. Mick undergoes multiple conflicts through out the story. Mick feels pressured by his father to do well in football so to gain his father’s gratitude he takes steroids to do better. Mick also has conflicts with the antagonist, Matt Drager, on the football field and in school. The steroids also conflict with Mick because he wants to hang out with friends but is embarrassed because of some of the things the steroids did to him. Even worse than being embarrassed in front of his friends, he is embarrassed in front of Kaylee, the girl that he likes. The steroids also gave him rage at times and put him in depression. On top of that he had to stay secret most of the time in fear of getting caught with steroids. In the end the steroids cause Mick to point a gun at his best friend, and even worse, shoot himself in the head. He solves the steroid problem in the end by going to rehab, which keeps his whole steroid profile hidden for a chance to play football again.

Using An Inductive Bible Study Essay Sample

Using An Inductive Bible Study Essay SampleAn inductive bible study curriculum can provide students with a great amount of insight into the biblical text. This type of lesson plan works by teaching the students to read the Bible within the context of their individual culture. Many students are overwhelmed by the fact that they were able to grasp the basic ideas from the Bible based on the subjects that they are taught.Students are then encouraged to continue and expand their reading in order to understand how the Bible is relevant to their own experiences. Through this process, the student will be able to have a better understanding of the meaning of certain words and concepts. The students will also be able to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible's message.Students who wish to use this approach are going to be able to do so without it being viewed as proselytizing or arguing. This is important because many students feel uncomfortable in trying to convince others of something tha t they may not even believe in. This is also something that can help avoid the process becoming too academic.When it comes to getting specific messages across, it can become difficult to get across the same message that you see in the classroom. This can often make some students feel out of place in their own homes. This is why many teachers have incorporated lessons that can help students understand specific messages.An inductive bible study curriculum can be incorporated into a class that allows for more time spent in reading and discussing the Bible. It also allows students to benefit from the ability to still communicate what they want to the teacher without the words becoming too intellectualized. This can be difficult when it comes to talking about more complex ideas.Teachers that have used an inductive bible study curriculum have said that the method helps to allow them to reach out to their students while also allowing them to understand the importance of the scripture. In a ddition, the class will be much more interesting for the students if they are given the freedom to understand the Bible outside of the class environment. They can easily see how important it is to interact in the class with their peers.Many times the class that is written using an inductive bible study essay sample will require a few students to participate. However, this is just one of the advantages that they can have. By creating a smaller group that is willing to learn the information, they will be able to develop much stronger bonds with one another.When it comes to implementing an inductive bible study curriculum into a classroom, there are many advantages. This method allows students to learn the meaning of words and concepts in a relaxed environment. This is a great way to create a group of students that is open to interacting with one another without feeling alienated.

Emma by Jane Austen Research Paper Example

Emma by Jane Austen Paper Societal Affects of Love Emma, by Jane Austen, is a classic comedy that took place in the nineteenth-century near London, England. Emma tells the tale of a heroine attempting to be the matchmaker for everyone, and ultimately herself. Emma Woodhouse, the main character, loses her dear friend and governess, Miss Taylor, to Miss Taylor’s marriage, in which she becomes Mrs. Weston. Emma, in search of another cherished companion, comes across Harriet Smith. Although Harriet comes from a lower class in society, Emma admires her beauty and takes it upon herself to improve Harriet in order to make her acceptable to the upper class. For instance, Mr. Martin, a local farmer, seems to have fallen in love with Harriet, yet Emma suggests that she reject him because she believes Harriet has the potential to get a man who is high in society. Harriet complies, and Emma goes on to recommend Mr. Elton, a preacher, whom she believes is a perfect match for Harriet. Though, later on Emma realizes Mr. Elton has in fact fallen in love with her, rather than Harriet, making her question her matchmaking skills. After a period of absence from matchmaking, Mrs. Weston’s stepson, Frank Churchill, visits town and Emma falls for him. Harriet approaches Emma with the declaration that she has fallen in love with another man, however Emma insists that Harriet keep the name to herself due to Emma’s fear of ruining a potential companionship because of her lack of skill of matchmaking. Emma fears that Harriet is in love with Frank, so she revokes her personal feelings for him in order to further Harriet’s chances at obtaining a man of higher class. We will write a custom essay sample on Emma by Jane Austen specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Emma by Jane Austen specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Emma by Jane Austen specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer However, Emma discovers that Frank is already engaged to Jane Fairfax and discloses this information to Harriet. When Harriet is informed of this, she seems disinterested, showing she was in fact not in love with Frank, but rather fallen for Mr. Knightly. Once this information is disclosed, Emma then realizes she is in love with Mr. Knightley as well and he carries the same feelings for her. As one reads the story, it is easily concluded that social ranking is the apparent source of the decisions being made. Waldron says: Everybody except Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill is caught up in a complex web of social assumptions†¦ which creates a hilarious mix of misunderstanding and blunder, so that nobody is seeing exactly what is there, or hearing exactly what is being said. (141) Throughout the story, one can notice that social status and class affect not only the love of the characters, but also, to a sense, determine their lives. Being considered high in society, Emma Woodhouse prefers to only be associated with those of the upper class. This explains her desire to change Harriet as soon as she meets her because she notices the potential Harriet possesses even though she is of the lower class. The narrator tells us: Harriet Smith was the natural daughter of somebody. Somebody had placed her, several years back, at Mrs. Goddard’s school, and somebody had lately raised her from the condition of scholar to that of parlour boarder†¦ She was a very pretty girl, and her beauty happened to be of a sort which Emma particularly admired. She was short, plump, and fair, with a fine bloom, blue eyes, light hair, regular features, and a look of great sweetness; and, before the end of the evening, Emma was as much pleased with her manners as her person, and quite determined to continue the acquaintance. (22) Emma associated with the lower class but made sure that everyone knew there was a difference between her and them. She did not want to ruin her reputation by being seen with people beneath her. Miss Emma Woodhouse likes the feeling of helping people who are lower than her; therefore, that is the only time she mixes with the lower class. After Emma’s time spent with Harriet, Emma thinks she has raised Harriet in society. When Mr. Robert Martin, a farmer, falls in love with Harriet, he proposes. Emma does not like this and is a very manipulative girl. Eugene Goodheart states, â€Å"Emma is willful, manipulative, an arranger or rather a misarranger of other peoples lives† (589). Emma, being the manipulative girl she is, doesn’t directly tell Harriet to reject his proposal but hints that she doesn’t need to accept him because she could do a lot better. Emma didn’t even really know Mr. Martin. All she knew was that he was a farmer and farmers were considered the low class, so she just let her beliefs about class ranking steer her opinion to decline Mr. Martin. Miss Woodhouse then shares with Harriet that if she had accepted his proposal then they could no longer be friends because she would be down lower on the social class ranking. Emma says: Perfectly, perfectly right, my dearest Harriet; you are doing just what you ought. While you were at all in suspense, I kept my feelings to myself, but now that you are so completely decided, I have no hesitation in approving. Dear Harriet, I give yself joy of this. It would have grieved me to lose your acquaintance, which must have been the consequence of your marrying Mr. Martin. (52-53) After declining Mr. Martin’s proposal, Miss Woodhouse and Mr. Knightley get into an argument because Mr. Knightley sees that Harriet is actually lower in class than Mr. Martin, while Emma disagrees. Mr. Knightley states, â€Å"Nonsense! Har riet Smith refuse Robert Martin! Madness, if it is so; but I hope you are mistaken† (60). Emma thinks that since she is a friend of Harriet, she cannot possibly be that low in class because Emma doesn’t associate with the lower class. When Harriet has to return a visit from Mr. Martin’s sister, Elizabeth, Emma tells her to make it brief because she cannot stoop down to their level in class. This act offends the Martins because Harriet had stayed with them for a couple of months and they think the least she can do is stay and chat. I agree with Julia Brown in that, â€Å"Her greatest sin in the novel is cutting off Harriets warm attachment to the Martins; as Lionel Trilling has said, she is a reactionary, out to stop social mobility† (Brown). Emma thinks that if you are high in society then you need to associate with the higher classmen and if you are lower, only associate with lower classmen. Another instance in which class ranking dominates is when Emma wants Harriet to marry Mr. Elton. She thinks he is in love with her because of all the little gestures she notices. Brown writes, â€Å"As always in Jane Austen, the smallest detail of behavior can justify the most definitive judgment† (Brown). For example, Emma is painting a portrait of Harriet and Mr. Elton watches her the whole time and offers to go get it framed in London when she is done. Goodheart thinks: Emma ignores both the temperamental disaffinity and the social distance between them—and more grievously she misunderstands the desires of Mr. Elton. He is a vicar from a good family with social ambitions; Harriet†¦ wholly in thrall to Emmas matchmaking machinations. (589-590) Mr. Elton doesn’t want to marry Harriet because she is low in society and he doesn’t want to degrade himself by marrying her. Mr. Elton explains to Emma: Miss Smith! I never thought of Miss Smith in the whole course of my existence; never paid her any attentions, but as your friend; never cared whether she were dead or alive, but as your friend. If she has fancied otherwise, her own wishes have misled her, and I am very sorry, extremely sorry†¦ Oh, Miss Woodhouse, who can think of Miss Smith when Miss Woodhouse is near? I have only thought of you†¦ Everything that I have said or done, for many weeks past, has been with the sole view of marking my adoration of yourself. (132) When Emma finds out that Mr. Elton loves her and not Harriet, she believes that Mr. Elton only loves her because he feels that she can help raise him in society: â€Å"She [Emma] thought nothing of his attachment, and was insulted by his hopes. He wanted to marry well and, having the arrogance to raise his eyes to her, pretended to be in love; but she was perfectly easy as to his not suffering any disappointment that need be cared for† (136). When Emma realizes this, she is disturbed. She does not notice this, but she is doing the exact same thing. Her class ranking status always leads her into her decision or behaviors. Later, Emma retrieves information that Mr. Elton had married a woman that did increase his society ranking. He married Miss Augusta Hawkins. She is considered a social climber; someone who has money and wealth, but not really what it takes to be considered high in society. She thinks money alone makes you higher ranked, which aggravates Emma. We also see later on in the book how Emma thinks of The Coles as social climbers too. They have recently become wealthier and are trying to act like they are high-class people just because they have more money. Emma doesn’t like this at all. To Emma, everyone ends up sad, frustrated, and lonely when they try to excel their social class ranking. Later on in Emma, after Miss Woodhouse gives up on trying to find the perfect match for Harriet, she finds out that Harriet is now interested in Mr. Knightley: â€Å"I never should have presumed to think of it at first, but for you. You told me to observe him carefully, and let his behaviour be the rule of mine—and so I have. But now I seem to feel that I may deserve him; and that if he does choose me, it will not be anything so very wonderful† (413). After learning of this she realizes that she [Emma] is in love with Mr. Knightley. She thinks Harriet is a good friend, but she doesn’t think she deserves Mr. Knightley. Emma states, â€Å"Mr. Knightley and Harriet Smith! Such an elevation on her side! Such a debasement on his! † (415). Emma regrets teaching Harriet that a match with someone in a higher class is acceptable. Soon, she reveals her love for Mr. Knightley and he does the same for her: If I [Mr. Knightley] loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it†¦ God knows, I have been a very indifferent lover. But you understand me. Yes, you see, you understand my feelings—and will return them if you can. (432) While debating on how to tell Harriet, Mr. Knightley shares the news that Mr. Martin proposed to Harriet again and this time, she accepted. Emma is happy with their engagement: â€Å"I am perfectly satisfied and most sincerely wish them happy† (477). She realizes they are in the same class and meant for each other: â€Å"In the end, Emma finds through her love of Mr. Knightley that much of her snobbery is false and superficial. We see the layers of it peeling off, especially when she learns that Harriet is—after all—engaged to Robert Martin. † (Brooke 182). She finally saw how ridiculous she was being when trying to match-make Harriet with someone of the higher class: â€Å"She was wise enough, finally, to see the errors of her ways, and to reform. No longer will she consider the villagers as puppets for her amusement. † (Magill Book Reviews). Harriet then realizes how absurd it was to reject Mr. Martin the first time when she had no good reason to reject his proposal of marriage. Emma and Harriet attach their selves to men in their own class ranks and both end up happily ever after. In conclusion, social status was very important in the nineteenth century. Austen’s novel, Emma proves this theory. Brown states, â€Å"In its unlikely and changing combinations, the catalogue gives an impression of social irrationality, overworked variety, and exhaustive socialization. Yet no other novel has more the opposite effect: of rich, unbroken continuity † (Brown). The story also shows the worry produced in the superior classes by increasing class mobility in England. Class mobility is possible but only if one has a natural decency. Eugene Goodheart states, â€Å"The novel concludes in the spirit of comedy with the promise of ‘perfect happiness’, The community at the end is ideally organized or reorganized in a way that makes for happiness. It is a morally as well as a socially hierarchical world†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (595). In the end, everyone is happy when they marry people in their same class. Miss Taylor marries Mr. Weston; Harriet marries Mr. Martin; Emma marries Mr. Knightley; Jane marries Frank Churchill; and Mr. Elton marries Miss Hawkins. Works Cited Austen, Jane. Emma. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1816. Print. Brooke, Christopher. CRITICAL READINGS: Rank and Status. Critical Insights: Jane Austen (2010): 179-200. Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010. Brown, Julia Prewitt, and Harold Bloom. Civilization and the Contentment of Emma.. Blooms Modern Critical Interpretations: Emma (1987): 45-66. Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010. Emma. Magill Book Reviews (1995): Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010. Goodheart, Eugene. â€Å"Emma: Jane Austen’s Errant Heroine. † 589-604. University of the South, 2008. Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 5 Nov. 2010. Waldron, Mary. Men of sense and silly wives: the confusions of Mr. Knightley. Studies in the Novel. (Vol. 28). .2 (Summer 1996): p141. Literature Resource Center. Gale. Mississippi University for Women. 7 Nov. 2010 http://go. galegroup. com/ps/start. do? p=LitRCu=mag_u_muw.