Answer

Article Critique

Critique of the article “How Cities can Harness Mobility Pricing to Reduce Congestion, Promote Fairness, and Support Investment in Transportation Infrastructure”.

Abstract

The paper is about the assessment of insights on congestion charging as a policy for regulating traffic demands and reducing congestion. It identifies congestion charging as an underutilized economic problem due to an evident lack of understanding and confidence in the effectiveness of congestion charging, and concerns regarding public acceptance and fairness. The author considers pricing the use of roads not as really the main objective of the paper but reducing the negative impacts car use has on society, including congestion, emissions, traffic safety issues, etc. as the main objective of the study.

Strengths of the Paper  

The paper is well descriptively written with clear objectives and easy to understand though with no reasonable conclusion. The paper addresses a tangible problem in society with an economic impact; it provides insightful discussion for, for example, how the congestion charging scheme can embrace equity and fairness. The author presents convincing evidence, and illustrations to support his position. The author makes a useful contribution to the knowledge of transport with a long-term value.

Weaknesses of the Paper

The article is not explicitly and scientifically written which makes it difficult to be easily understood; it should have been written in a report form. The paper lacks a conclusion and recommendations which could be very useful in getting the intended solution. Furthermore, it lacks the logical flow and connection of the discussed ideas. The author should be consistent and show how one idea connects to the other; should write the paper in a scientific approach embracing introduction, body, and conclusion respectively.

Implicit Economic Model

The study embraces a cartel model because of its intended objective of eliminating competition and secure control in the market for this case to reduces the negative impacts car use has on society; that is congestion.

What I learned about the case

What surprised me from the paper is how the author discussed ideas without following a typical logical research paper structure that embraces an abstract; an introduction; a methodology; findings; analysis; conclusion, and recommendations. I learned that the negative effect of congestion is not the queue length but rather the increase in travel time it causes. I also learned to embrace theories to support my research.

24

Bullying

QUESTION

Use the following link for your task

ANSWER

Speech: Bullying

Introduction

All children at some point in their lives have encountered bullying as a victim, a witness or an offender. All these roles can have devastating effects on a child's personality. Studies indicate that the act of bullying is not a just caused by anger and meanness (Hesapçıoğlu et al. 210). It can also be caused by social isolation, which harms as much as verbal aggression.

Attention getter

Has any of you ever been bullied before? Have you almost risked your life just because you don’t want to live any more due to bullying? From the various experiences, we have encountered and listen to, being bullied by individuals around you can change a person’s lifestyle and perception in life.

Topic Statement

In this segment, we are going to discuss bullying. We will define bullying and assess the factors that contribute to this act. Moreover, we will determine some of the possible effects as a result of bullying and measures that children can implement to avoid being bullied or becoming a bully.

Link to the Audience

Understanding bullying and its effects is an essential venture given that many children, as well as adults, are victims of bullying. Therefore, it is vital to understand the factors that contribute to bullying and the strategies that individuals can implement to minimize the effects of bullying.

Credibility Statement

Having conducted lots of research concerning bullying, I have noticed that bullying can have a significant impact not only during childhood but also in the adulthood stage.

Preview Statement

We start by defining bullying, then assess the factors that contribute to this act. Furthermore, as we proceed, we will evaluate the different types of bullying and the impact they have on children and how they influence their growth. 

Transition to Body Speech

We all know that bullying can have severe influence in an individual’s life regardless of age, race, religion or culture. Let us start by understanding the meaning of bullying.

Main Point 1: Definition

Bullying is described as unwanted, aggressive behaviour that incorporates a real or perceived power imbalance (The American SPCC). On most occasions, the action is repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time. Both children who are bullied and who bully others have severe, lasting issues.

Sub-point

To be identified as bullying, the behaviour must be aggressive and incorporate an imbalance of power and repetition. Researches indicate that bullies utilize their power, physical strength, access to embarrassing information or popularity to harm or control other kids (The American SPCC). Power imbalances can alter as time pass and various circumstances, even if they incorporate the same individuals. On the other hand, while considering repetition, bullying characteristics are known to occur more than once or have the probability of happening more than once. 

Transition

Bullying incorporates actions such as spreading rumours, making threats, attacking individuals verbally or physically and intentionally excluding an individual from a group or team. Now that you understand the definition of bullying, I will continue by discussing the different types of bullying. 

Main Point 2: Types of Bullying

When most individuals consider bullying, they envision some physical intimidation. However, according to The American SPCC, bullying can be experienced in different forms which are just as psychologically and emotionally damaging as physical harassment and intimidation.  These forms include physical, verbal, social and cyber-bullying.

Sub-point

(1) Physical bullying incorporates aggressive physical intimidation and is often associated with continuous pushing, tripping, kicking hitting, blocking and touching other inappropriately. Stopbullying.gov indicates that physical bullying is the most common form of bullying but not the most prominent. (2) Verbal bullying incorporates downgrading others by using harsh, demeaning words. According to Loveless Becton, Verbal bullying involves name-calling, making sexist, racists or homophobic remarks, slurs, insulting and using abusive languages. (3) Social bullying involves exclusion from groups, spreading malicious rumours and stories about others, and generally alienating individuals from social interaction and acceptance. (4) Cyber-bullying consists of any form of bullying that emerges through the internet and electronic medium (The American SPCC). These may include text and email message bullying, video and picture bullying through mobile, chat-room and websites bullying. The chart below indicates the different types of bullying related to physical, verbal, social and cyberbullying.

Transition

A majority of bullying incidents occur at schools, outside the school environment and even at home between siblings and community members (Nickerson 16). Now that we have assessed the different types of bullying, I will continue by discussing the effects and statistics of bullying.

Main Point 3: Effects/Statistics of Bullying

According to statistical studies, 30% of youths admit to bullying. Moreover, the study indicates that 1 in 3 students experience bullying while at school, and at least 70% of kids have witnessed bullying as bystanders. Researches suggest that 160,000 children skip school due to the fear of being bullied (Loveless). The image below indicates states that encounter bullying in America.

Sub-Point

According to The American SPCC, effects of bullying are enormous. For instance, children who are bullied are perceived as different from their peers. They are often deemed as weak and not able to defend themselves (Menesini, Ersilia & Christina Salmivalli 240). As a result, they are often depressed, anxious and develop low self-esteem. Nonetheless, children who are bullied often fail to get along properly with others, given that they are portrayed to be provoking and annoying, or irritate others for attention.

Transition

Quite obviously, bullying can be a significant concern. Although it has reduced over time, bullying still affects various students and leaves a negative impact on schools. Today I have shared with you the facts about bullying and its impact on learners.

Conclusion

Summery and Restatement of Main Points

 Learners grades start falling, and students stop attending classes due to bullying. Moreover, bullying can affect the child even at his/her adult stage.

Concluding Remarks

Learning institutions can address bullying by gathering information on the trends occurring in school surroundings. Moreover, collaboration should be formed with community members that encourage learners to improved behaviour and seek help where necessary. Through adopting different strategies to bullying, schools, as well as community members, can position themselves to deal with bullying before it results in anything tragic.