Definition of Examples in Rhetoric

In rhetoric, an example is a particular instance that serves to illustrate a principle or support a claim. It is also known as exemplum  and is related to  example (composition). Examples that serve a  persuasive purpose  are  a type of  inductive reasoning.  As Phillip Sipiora points out in his discussion of rhetorical  kairos, [T]he  concept of the example is itself a critical dimension of the  rhetorical  logical appeal, or argument (at least in Aristotles theory of  rhetoric, the  most comprehensive extant treatment of classical rhetoric)  (Kairos: The Rhetoric of Time and Timing in the New Testament.  Rhetoric and Kairos, 2002).Examples are supplementary evidence, notes  Stephen Pender. As a weaker form of persuasion, examples are employed only when enthymemes are unsuited to an argument or audience... Yet examples have their place in reasoning (Rhetoric and Medicine in Early Modern Europe, 2012). Commentary Our whole economy hangs precariously on the assumption that the higher you go the better off you are, and that unless more stuff is produced in 1958 than was produced in 1957, more deer killed, more automatic dishwashers installed, more out-of-staters coming into the state, more heads aching so they can get the fast fast fast relief from a pill, more automobiles sold, you are headed for trouble.(E.B. White, A Report in January. Essays of E.B. White. Harper, 1977)There were aspects of living in that house overlooking the Pacific that he failed to mention--he failed to mention for example the way the wind would blow down through the canyons and whine under the eaves and lift the roof and coat the white walls with ash from the fireplace, he failed to mention for example the king snakes that dropped from the rafters of the garage into the open Corvette I parked below, he failed to mention for example that king snakes were locally considered a valuable asset because the presence of a king snake in your Corvette was understood to mean (I was never convinced that it did) that you didn’t have a rattlesnake in your Corvette . . ..(Joan Didion, Blue Nights. Alfred A. Knopf, 2011 Aristotle on Factual and Fictitious Examples Aristotle divides examples into factual and fictitious, the former relying on historical experience and the latter invented to support the argument... Holding together the categories of example... are two major ideas: first, that concrete experience, especially when it is familiar to an audience, is highly significant; and, second, that things (both material objects and events) repeat themselves. (John D. Lyons, Exemplum, in Encyclopedia of Rhetoric. Oxford University Press, 2001) Persuasive Examples As Quintilian defined it, an example adduces some past action real or assumed which may serve to persuade the audience of the truth of the point which we are trying to make (V xi 6). If, for instance, a rhetor wants to convince her neighbor that he should keep his dog inside the fence that surrounds his property, she can remind him of a past instance when another neighbors dog, running free, spread another neighbors garbage all over both front yards. Rhetorical examples should not be confused with the particulars used in inductive reasoning. This rhetor has no interest in generalizing about all dogs in the neighborhood but is only concerned to compare the actual behavior of one dog running free to the probable behavior of another in similar circumstances...Rhetorical examples are persuasive because they are specific. Because they are specific, they call up vivid memories of something the audience has experienced. (S. Crowley and D. Hawhee, Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students. Pearson, 2004) Further Reading 40 Essay Topics: ExamplesArgumentExemplumFive Model Paragraphs Developed With ExamplesInductionLogicLogosPersuasion

It is often said that dreams don’t correspond to reality...

It is often said that dreams don’t correspond to reality and when we see our life unfolding before us and when we sit down and evaluate what we want from our future, Canberra is just the correct option for us. My husband and I were discussing and planning to migrate to Australia for a better future and to correspond and fulfill this dream we had consulted many consultants to guide us and who paved a path to decide what is paramount for us. We decided to go with ACT and this, perhaps, is just right for us. Australia is often touted to be the lucky country when it comes to education, career and even employment prospects, this country caters to all. Whether it is the standard of living or it is the hospitality the Aussies offer, it is par†¦show more content†¦I am confident and looking forward to gain employment within Canberra. Chennai is a growing city and has modernized itself as compared to its inception and similarly, Australia embraces an aboriginal past lined up with a majestic history matching up to the rationalized multicultural country that it is today, Canberra is the quintessence of Australia. This city has a broad-based feel in the air; the city has a friendly vibe and a very clean environment. It is a very calm and composed place where anyone would want to live and build their future. Just like India, I have been able to take pleasure in all the four seasons the nature has blessed us with and there are few places where there are just one or two seasons to witness and take pleasure in but fortunately, I’ll be able witness all the four seasons here in Canberra and take pleasure in the beauty of these seasons. I just hope that the ACT government finds me eligible to migrate to Canberra and build my future there. When I visualize the atmosphere and the ambiance of Canberra with the perfumed air, the spring blooms that in the city and the city’s regional vineyards fascinate and appeal to me. You can wake up with the beautiful sun smiling at you and sleep in the brisk nights. You can see the wind flowers bloom and the season is exhilarating to witness. Followed by summers, Chennai generally has hot air and a warm temperatureShow MoreRelatedStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesGlobalization 16 †¢ Managing Workforce Diversity 18 †¢ Improving Customer Service 18 †¢ Improving People Skills 19 †¢ Stimulating Innovation and Change 20 †¢ Coping with â€Å"Temporariness† 20 †¢ Working in Networked Organizations 20 †¢ Helping Employees Balance Work–Life Conflicts 21 †¢ Creating a Positive Work Environment 22 †¢ Improving Ethical Behavior 2 2 Coming Attractions: Developing an OB Model 23 An Overview 23 †¢ Inputs 24 †¢ Processes 25 †¢ Outcomes 25 Summary and Implications for Managers 30 S A L Self-AssessmentRead MoreManagement Course: Mba−10 General Management215330 Words   |  862 PagesChange 2. Images of Managing Change 121 121 147 147 Text 3. Why Organizations Change Text Cohen †¢ Effective Behavior in Organizations, Seventh Edition 14. Initiating Change 174 174 Text iii Cases 221 221 225 The Consolidated Life Case: Caught Between Corporate Cultures Who’s in Charge? (The)(Jim)(Davis)(Case) Morin−Jarrell †¢ Driving Shareholder Value I. Valuation 229 229 253 279 1. The Value−Based Management Framework: An Overview 2. Why Value Value? 4. The Value Manager Read MoreManaging Information Technology (7th Edition)239873 Words   |  960 PagesManagement Systems 237 Two Recent KMS Initiatives within a Pharmaceutical Firm KMS Success 240 Artificial Intelligence 241 Expert Systems 241 Obtaining an Expert System 242 Examples of Expert Systems 242 Neural Networks 244 Virtual Reality 245 Review Questions 250 †¢ Discussion Questions 250 †¢ Bibliography 251 Chapter 7 E-Business Systems 253 Brief History of the Internet E-Business Technologies 254 254 Legal and Regulatory Environment 257 Strategic E-BusinessRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesPerspectives on the Past, edited by Susan Porter Benson, Stephen Brier, and Roy Rosenzweig Also in this series: Paula Hamilton and Linda Shopes, eds., Oral History and Public Memories Tiffany Ruby Patterson, Zora Neale Hurston and a History of Southern Life Lisa M. Fine, The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin, and Community in Autotown, U.S.A. Van Gosse and Richard Moser, eds., The World the Sixties Made: Politics and Culture in Recent America Joanne Meyerowitz, ed., History and September 11th John McMillian

Financial Statement Analysis as an Instrument

Question: Discuss about theFinancial Statement Analysis as an Instrument. Answer Introduction An evaluation method interpreting an entitys past, current and expected performance which can be also said as future projections. The financial statements give the pictures of future projections on the basis of financial ratios and other techniques which are adopted by the users of the financial statements to ascertain the performance of the company. Users of financial statements include both internal and external stakeholders. Internal stakeholders include management, as they need to make day to day decisions in performing the operations of the company. While the external stakeholders include shareholders who are often owners of the company, while the investors for instance equity and credit investors, public in general, government and those concerned about making decisions in an entity. The financial statement analysis can also be used as an instrument to predict the probability in case of bankruptcy. After analyzing the financial statements, the analysts provide reports based on, analysis eventually certifying that the financial statements are prepared and there are no hidden defects in the statements. The analysis provides you with a predictable instrument so that you are able to make financial decisions and whether there are any debt issues or the company is under severe debt. Literature Many of the companies use financial statement analysis tools (White et al., 1997) for analyzing the statements so that users have no problem in making decisions, such tools financial statements include: Fundamental Analysis This analyzes the businesss financial statements such as assets, liabilities and earnings health and its competitors and markets. Such analysis mainly focuses on the long term economic state. Such analysis mainly includes: Economic analysis Industry analysis Company analysis Ratio Analysis Ratio analysis looks particularly at both of the factors which includes qualitative (general factors) and quantitative (substantial and physical factors) aspects of the financial statements. Attractive results can be achieved by quantitative analysis whenever they used with other techniques. Usually comparisons are made using such ratios between: companies industries a single company and its industry average different time periods for one company Ratios for analyzing the financial statements include the following: Performance Gross profit margin Price/earnings ratio Profit margin Return on assets Return on equity Earnings per share Dividend payout ratio Activity Asset turnover Average collection period Inventory turnover Financing Debt Ratio Debt / Equity ratio Liquidity warnings Current ratio Acid test ratio Cash ratio Working capital These are some of the ratios to analyze the financial statement to help the users of the financial statements to make decisions which are beneficial to them based on these ratios. DuPont Analysis DuPont analysis splits Return on Equity into three definite elements. Such an analysis assists in understanding root cause higher (lower) return when comparing with companies in identical companies. In defining financial statement analysis as an instrument helping to predict the probability in case of bankruptcy, there can also be flaws as to how the company makes an accounting treatment with regards to various financial statement assertions (Taylor and Anastasia, 2015). The management can also use loopholes in the accounting to show their financial performance and position best so as to acquire more borrowing. This raises higher incomes to the investors and owners of the company. In relation to real life examples here are some of the companies that were bankrupted due to poor financial reporting and accounting loop holes which includes: Lehman Brothers In the top 10 United States collapses Lehman Brothers has been ranked as number 01. The date of their filing bankruptcy was 09/15/08 and their assets at the time of bankruptcy totaled to USD 691 billion (Tkaczyk and reporter, 2001). A financial services firms leveraging of borrowed money caused the biggest bankruptcy in US history in 2008, and the company fizzled out of existence in a rapid decline that it enhanced the economic devastation on the ongoing crises. New emerged that executives increased their pay just before bankruptcy and accounts had been altered to hide the Banks poor financial position. This case stands as the perfect example of the culture of excess causing worldwide suffering for billions of people (WatchMojo.com, 2016). Even before the financial crises Lehman Brotherswas already in a seat of going easy with its accounting which had placed investment banker in an acute stress to guarantee its investors. It was done by usage of a practice known as Repo 105, a type of repurchase agreement (or "repo" deal) which for the time being removes securities in the balance sheet and showing it as a security sale by Lehman (Monitor and Trumbull, 2010). The main reason of such collapse is they did not reveal the significant usage of medium relating to accounting and lowering the leverage for the time being simultaneously that it showed a positive picture to investors as low leverage numbers, thus establishing deceiving portrait regarding the truth of Financial health of the entity. (Anton R valukas, Exminer) World Call The World Call has been ranked at number 3. The date of their filing bankruptcy was 07/21/02 and their assets at the time of bankruptcy totaled to USD 103.9 billion (Tkaczyk and reporter, 2001). This telecommunication corporation held the record for the biggest bankruptcy in 2002 before the Lehman brothers collapse took its unwanted title six years later. Throughout the early 2000s the company was utilizing a complex scheme of adjusting its books to hide the considerable losses. By 2003 it spot that its total assets have been fraudulently inflated by USD 11 billion (WatchMojo.com, 2016). Enron Similarly Enron has been ranked at number 6. The date of their filing bankruptcy was 12/02/01 and their assets at the time of bankruptcy totaled to USD 65.5 billion (Tkaczyk and reporter, 2001). In a space concerning a month or so this energy giant went from being one of the biggest companies in the world to bankrupt. Main instances of the scandal were the failures of accounting firm Arthur Anderson LLP which neglected to report Enrons crime and led to firms own dissolution. Enron's results for 1998, 1999, and 2000 suggest some interesting comparisons. The firm's revenues increased by $10 billion from 1998 to 1999, and by $60 billion (to $100 billion) from 1999 to 2000 (Bratton 2002). The share scale of Enrons fraudulent activity is difficult to comprehend as it allowed the business to pretend it was running on USD 100 billion in revenues through the use of loop holes and the poor financial reporting and more to conceal its massive debt. Many critics thought that for an energy company to be so reckless was particularly and those involved deserved their harsh sentences (WatchMojo.com, 2016). Conclusion After reviewing the above scenario it can be established that even though there are some loopholes in the accounting system, proper accounting tools should be applied so that the information is definitely clear. The experts should relate the above matter in relation to the frauds the companies are making by using such loopholes and making things visible clearer for the users of the financial statements. Even though financial statement analysis provides variety of information used in identifying potential problems, there are several problems which need to be addressed such as Operational information is not taken into account by the analysts who should reconsider as it may provide some general performance predictors for the future such as warranty claims, orders being backlogged and many more. Another big issue for the analysts is the comparison between companies, using ratio analysis to compare the picture of two different entities might not bring out expected results as the entity might pile up the required information differently in drawing their respective financial statements might result an incorrect outcome about an entity as opposed to other entities in the same industry. By applying appropriate measures and attention to the individual particulars, so that their effects on such particulars are well formed and analyses of financial statements are therefore adjusted. References Bratton, W. W. (May 2002). "Enron and the Dark Side of Shareholder Value" Monitor, T.C.S. and Trumbull, M. (2010) Lehman Bros. Used accounting trick amid financial crisis and earlier.Available at: https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0312/Lehman-Bros.-used-accounting-trick-amid-financial-crisis-and-earlier. Tkaczyk, C. reporter (2009)The 10 largest U.S. Bankruptcies Available at:https://archive.fortune.com/galleries/2009/fortune/0905/gallery.largest_bankruptcies.fortune/ Taylor, S.J. and Anastasia (2015) Business,Business, 14 September. Available at: https://www.cleverism.com/financial-statement-analysis-introduction WatchMojo.com (2016) Top 10 corporate scandals. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QepKsfmfSo White, G.I.; Sondhi, A.C.; Fried, D. and Fried, H.D. (1997). The Analysis and Use of Financial Statetments.2nd edn. NewYork, John Wiley Sons, Inc.ISBN0-471-11186-4.