Choose an internationally operating firm with publicly available Essay

Choose an internationally operating firm with publicly available reporting and download its most recent annual report. Analyse this report and summarize your findings in an executive summary - Essay Example This is probably one of the factors that have contributed to its position as the world’s largest of athletic footwear and apparel (Nike Inc., 2014, p. 47). Perhaps another factor that has contributed to this status is its adoption of technology-based innovation. Nike indicates that one of the channels through which it sells its products is its websites, a marketing venture it refers to as Direct to Consumer (DTC) operations. Indeed, Nike has carved out a niche for itself as the brand to watch in the sports world. Nike’s annual report is now analyzed to understand how and why Nike has managed to attain this achievement. Nike has a wide revenue base. It has a wide range of products from which it develops its product mix. According to its annual report, there are eight key categories of Nike’s product offerings. These are running, basketball, football (Soccer), women’s training, men’s training, sportswear, action sports and golf (Nike Inc., 2014, p. 47). Nike sells its products in a number of markets and geographical segments. It reports the following operating segments: North America, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Japan, Greater China and Emerging Markets. Moreover, Converse operations, whose results are reported independently, are another of Nike’s segments. In terms of sales revenues, Nike classifies its revenue collection as either local or international. For the 2014 fiscal year, Nike and Converse sales in the US contributed to 46% of total revenues.26 % of these sales came from Nike’s three largest customers (Nike Inc., 2014, p. 48). In retrospect, sales from the international category accounted for 54% of Nike’s total revenues. In this category, its three largest customers accounted for a total of 6% of its international revenues. Financial data is usually an important element for any entity. Such data arises from the accounting process and is usually represented as financial

Business Market Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Market Assignment - Essay Example So, in order to reduce all those type of discrepancies, at the time of launching the product (Toepener) in the market of Canada, it is better to undertake the process of test marketing. It is one of the most renowned procedures of marketing used at the introductory stages of a product in a new market. By doing so, the actual performance of that specific product in those regions of the market might be analyzed and evaluated. Due to which, the target customers and the distribution system that might prove effective for Toepener may be evaluated. Side by side, the type of advertisement and promotional strategies required to increase the level of awareness of the target customers might also be analyzed. Thus, this process might present an entire list of activities and the duration of time and the strategy required (fat launch or narrow launch or dynamic launch) to introduce the new product (Toepener) in a new market (Canada). Then, it might be easier for the marketing managers to devise t he launching plan of Toepener within the regions of Canada. And the plan might also present positive results for the product (Toepener) within the markets of Canada. ... The product (Toepener) might be positioned in the market of Canada as an extremely trendy and hygienic product at a competitive price. It is done to attract the health conscious individuals comprising of a premium life style. Along with this, the product is mainly useful for those segments (customers) desiring to maintain a high living standard, which is entirely free from germs and pollutants. Therefore, only a niche category of customers might get attracted towards this brand s compared to others (Ferrell & Hartline, 2010). Apart from this, if such a technique of automatic shut- down after completion of the work might be implemented within Toepener, then such a distinguished feature of Toepener might surely be preferred by the target customers. This feature might prove extremely beneficial for the brand to enhance its reputation and market share in the market of Canada among other existing rival players. Side by side, the competitive prices of the product of Toepener is also anothe r vital strategy that enhanced its total sale and equity in the market of Canada among other rivals. Therefore, it might be portrayed that the strategy of presenting value-added products (Toepener) at a quite lower price may be effective for the market of Canada. This might help in enhancing the profit margin and brand loyalty of the products to a certain extent as compared to other contenders in the market of Canada. Along with this, it might also prove effective in positioning the product among many other substitute products in the market of Canada. Thus, to present the product (Toepener) in the market of Canada, the slogan might be, ‘live a healthy and germ less life’. It might surely

Take My Eyes Essay Example for Free

Take My Eyes Essay 1.Spousal abuse physically and mentally are obviously the central theme to this movie, there are however a few other underlying themes. First of the theme of reforming or not reforming is shown through the abused women ´s decision in whether or not to go to Madrid and start a career she loves or to stay home with an abusive husband. In the end, the main character finally chose not to reform to her cultures ways and leaves for Madrid. Unlike her mother who stayed with an abusive husband until he died. Another theme would be how abuse affects the entire family. This is really seen with the son of the abused mother and abusive father. Even though the father was never abusive towards his son, he was still gravely affected by the abuse. The sister of the abused women was also affected because she saw what was happening and tried to help but her sister wouldn’t listen. This would have definitely kept her up at night at least. 2.There is explicit and implicit violence throughout the film. The beginning starts out with a ransacked apartment and the abused mother and her son running to her sister’s house. This would be an example of implicit violence. On the other hand when the husband slams her against walls and throws her around that is an example of explicit violence. The director does a good job of not using too much explicit violence because it could cause the film to become hard to watch by some viewers. 3.It is said that the eyes are the portal to one’s soul. When the husband demands for his wife’s and sons eyes, he is attempting to force his control into their soul. The tittle â€Å"take my eyes† represents the husbands need to have everything of her even her soul. The sex scene when he says give me your arms, give me your legs, and so on, is meant to show that he has not changed at all and still sees her as an object. In that scene however, she followed his request by saying take my arms, take my legs, which means she must have enjoyed some of it. 4.Art plays the role of her increased freedom and confidence. It starts with a small job working as a cashier at a religious museum, then becoming a voluntary tour guide at the museum that described and told the religious story of the painting, all the way to getting a job interview in Madrid. The more she chased art the farther it pulled her out of the hell she was in. Another important role was the one of clothes. As she gained confidence she began to dress better and take pride in herself. This angered her husband but because of her work she had to keep it up dressing nice which gave her more and more self-worth. 5.This movie is a serious study of a serious social pathology. Only two men in the movie were portrayed to be abusive monsters. The rest of the males were good honest people who the women enjoyed. It would be ignorant to claim this as male bashing. It is a good tool to advocate for those women.

Health Promotion Activity for HIV

Health Promotion Activity for HIV Health promotion about raising awareness of Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV). Group members Grace Gaisey, Ethel Onyewuotu, Isabelle Bialan, John Daramewa, Nana Sarpong- Mensah and Peace Uzoma. Introduction This essay highlights assessing, planning, implementing and the evaluation of a health promotion activity on HIV. The World Health Organisation (WHO), 2013) defines HIV as a virus which infects the cells in the immune system by destroying its function to a stage that infections may begin to occur as a result of weakening the immune system. Assessment of Health Need Health needs assessment is an efficient method in reviewing health issues involving a population which leads to approved priorities and allocation of resources that assist in the improvement of health and reduce inequalities (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2009). This is beneficial as it contributes to the description patterns of disease in a local population and the differences from other location, such as districts, regional or national disease patterns such as HIV as it is a pandemic disease (National Aids Trust (NAT), 2014), and creates the opportunity in learning more about the needs and priorities of the local population to provide the objectives needed to work towards meeting those needs (Wright, Wilkinson and Williams, 2009). Epidemiology and demographic statistics Naidoo and Wills (2009) defined epidemiology as the study of occurrence and spread of disease in a population. Demography on the other hand is the size, composition and the distribution of human populations and their changes resulting from fertility and mortality (Dudley, Poston Bouvier, 2010). HIV is a transmitted disease with almost 75 million people infected with the virus worldwide, with data trends indicating it has increased as 36 million people were living with HIV by the end of 2012 (WHO, 2014). It has also been estimated that the 75 million infected with HIV caught the virus by means of transmission, such as sexual intercourse and mother to child transmission (WHO, 2013). For instance, it has been estimated that 5.1 million of children worldwide have been infected with HIV through mother to child transmission (NAT, 2013). Thus, early infant diagnosis is being scaled up in many countries, but in 2011 only 35% of the infants born to mothers living with HIV received HIV test and has been increased by 46% between 2010 and 2012 from 2.4 million to 3.5million (WHO, 2013). The demographic statistics from data trends indicates that, about 36 million people have died of HIV globally since 2012 compared to 30.3 million people in 2001 which shows an increase of 17% (WHO, 2014). Although the mortality among the population are infants aged 1-5 years and has increased with 3.34 million (NAT, 2013). HIV causes mortality among adults, however, according to estimates by WHO (2013), infants who has HIV are more likely to die between the ages of 1 and 5 years, respectively, with 2.3 million dying as a result while adults have the likelihood of dying between 15 and 60 years. Target group The target group for this HP activity is 15-24 years as statistics shown by the Public Health England (PHE) (2013) indicate young people under 25 are more at risk of contracting HIV with a peak age of women between 15-20 years and 20-24 for men. This has been indicated as a public health issue in many countries as 40% of new HIV infections are seen among 15 to 24 year olds (PHE, 2013). WHO (2013) further corresponded stating, half of the 75 million people infected with HIV in the world are young women aged 15 to 20 years, accounting for all new infections, and there is a growing recognition that these women and girls with HIV infection is shaped by gender inequalities and violence against them. Behavioral aspects that might affect this health issue. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (2014), behavioral aspects that can affect the risk of HIV includes individual sexuality and self-esteem. For instance, research indicates that most ongoing risk behaviour for HIV transmission has been described for men who have sex with men (MSM) (NAT, 2014). It has also been estimated that, 10 million people of MSM are living with HIV globally and in 41,100 in the UK in 2012 which has been increasing in the recent years, making public health experts have concerns about the rising rate among MSM (NAT, 2014). Policies In 2013, World Health Organisation published a global policy in which they provided recommendations on HIV testing and counselling. They estimated that about 20 million adolescents aged 10-24 years are living with HIV worldwide with half of them unaware of their infection. This policy aims at giving a high priority to enhance access to HIV testing and counselling globally, which is beneficial as it involve the improvement of health and is appropriate for the HP activity as advising people on HIV testing and offering counselling gives the opportunity to care, treatment and support for people and permit them to know their status (British HIV Association, 2014). In addition, the policy also outlined the need for giving sufficient information on HIV awareness and an early diagnosis and treatment as it can reduce the progression and the prevention of HIV transmission. Thus, the WHO (2013) corresponded by recommending that HIV testing and counselling should be offered in global hospitals as this will assist the diagnosis and management of the infection. In the UK, the NAT (2012) provides a policy based on HIV prevention and its aim is to promote health of the UK population with a prevention of an HIV test action plan to reduce late diagnosis of HIV in the UK. This is a relevant policy as HIV has become a generalised epidemic in the UK that affects the health and well being of enormous people from all social classes (NAT, 2014). HIV is not only a health issue, but also a developmental issue that affects the social, cultural, political and the economics of the country (British HIV Association, 2014) as it is associated with serious morbidity that includes a high cost of treatment and care (PHE, 2013). The initiative of this policy is to facilitate an increase in HIV testing in all healthcare settings in order to reduce the proportion of individuals who are unaware of their HIV infection with the motive of benefitting the individual and the public health. This is vital as maintaining focus on increasing regular HIV testing is a key component of the prevention and care of the people in raising the awareness of HIV of the people in the UK. As a result, the UK national guidelines for HIV testing from the British HIV Association, (2008) recommends that an HIV test should be offered to all newly registering patients in general practice and general hospital admissions and promote the awareness of HIV which will assist in reducing late diagnosis of HIV. Type of needs According to NICE (2008), an understanding of the assessment of health needs requires a definition of need which indicates the capacity of a benefit from an intervention. Bradshaw (1972) suggests there are four dimensions of need; however, the Bradshaw need chosen was the normative need as it is based on professional judgement (Coles Porter, 2008). It creates the need for professionals to identify standard requirements (Gruen Black, 2006). For instance, the WHO (2013) recommended that HIV testing should be offered in global hospitals. This indicates a health need as data indicates that most people are unaware of their infection (NAT, 2013). Approach Ewles and Simnett (2003) model comprises of five approaches to health promotion which consists of medical approach, behavioural change approach, educational approach, societal change approach and client-centred approach. Thus, the educational approach was chosen as having an educational approach in health promotion offers individual information to ascertain health benefits for themselves (Ewles and Simnett, 2003). The health belief model is seen to be the most common theory used in health promotion, providing the benefits of educational approach (Glanz, Rimer Viswanath, 2008). The model is essential for addressing problem behaviours that raises health concerns (Black, Hawk Keene, 2006). For example, high risk of sexual behaviour and the possibility of contracting HIV, this is an identification of individual behaviours. Willz (2007) further suggested that health professionals need to be mindful of this model so as to enable them in educating and promoting health in individuals from various cultural and ethnic groups. The strength of the educational approach is based on the fact that it permits people to make an informed decision about their health by providing knowledge and information to different cultural and ethnic groups which the health belief model corresponds to. However, Naidoo and Wills (2009) further explain that the educational approach differs from the other approaches as it does not use reinforcement to achieve its aim which is a limitation. The Royal College of Nursing (2011) corresponded with this view advocating that the role of the nurse is to inform and not persuade. Aims and Objectives The group had aims and objectives to ensure everyone recognizes what needs to be achieved. For that reason, the group identified the aim as raising awareness for HIV and with the objectives that comprises participants will be able to identify the main differences between HIV and AIDS, identify the symptoms of HIV and the safest option to fight off the menace, able to understand three risk factors of transmitting HIV and identify three places to access information on HIV. Evaluation Stufflebeam and Shinkfield (2007) explained health promotion evaluation as a process that is concerned with assessing health related activity against the goals in a way that results and contributes to future decision making. In addition, Black, Hawks Keene (2006) further stated that evaluation is made so as to determine if aims and objectives have been met and determine the efficiency of the methods used. This is vital as without evaluation, the idea of if objectives are met would not be known and also problems and weakness encountered would not be seen to rectify. Thorogood and Coombes (2010) states there are three stages of evaluation in health promotion; this includes process, impact and outcome. In the process of the health promotion activity, the group utilised a method of approach so as to achieve the aims and objectives. Thus, the educational approach was chosen as the group used educational materials such as penis model as an illustration on safe use of condom, posters which were clear and easy to read, distributed leaflets to assist in expanding the knowledge of the participants on HIV awareness as Linsley, Kane and Owen (2011) states, good quality health information leaflets assist individuals to make informed choices about their health. In addition, Health belief model (1974) suggests that, people need to have some kind of knowledge, such as information given to them through leaflets and posters to take actions in changing their behaviour or make a health related decision. The interactions that took place during the health promotion(HP) activity was done through raising awareness of HIV to our target group by explaining and discussing the health issue with the participants and after giving a questionnaire for them to answer to enable the group gather information on as to whether the objectives has been met. The impact evaluation involves in assessing the activity in regards of the aims and objectives set by the group. Naidoo and Wills (2008) state that the impact evaluation is the immediate effect the health promotion have on people. Essentially, this refers to the measurement of what has been achieved by the group. The questionnaire given to the participants were analysed by the group which indicated that 87% in 27 people tick the right answer and 3 people in 13% had the wrong answer. From the evaluation carried out, 13% of the participants answered the questionnaire wrongly because it was distributed to them before explaining what the health issue was about. Out of the 30 questions set, only 3 participants had it wrong, which means the group was able to expand the knowledge of the participants and their understanding on HIV. Green and Kreuter (2008) explained outcome evaluation measures as the long term effects of HP activity and whether it has achieved its goals. The outcome effect of the HP activity will be difficult for the group to identify as it there will be a follow up which will be difficult to contact participants again. There are some improvements that could have been made to improve the HP activity. Hence, demonstration of the penis model should be kept in a discreet position and not visible to the audience so as to not be seen as offensive to others. In addition, the standing poster should be clear and group members must ensure it is not blocked from the audience whiles interacting with them. Royal College of nursing (2007) states health promoters are in the contribution to improving the health of the public. Thus, their role as a health promoter is to plan and develop ways that assist people improve and manage their health. Linsley, Kane and Owen (2011) further corresponded saying health promoters must have an evidence-based understanding of the important effects that can be made through health promotion interventions and communicating with people to develop their awareness of activities leading to better health and become knowledgeable about their own health status which will improve the overall health population. The HP activity on raising awareness on HIV could be carried out in Gum clinics within the target group of 15- 24 years. According to French (2009), people can go to gum clinics no matter their age. As stated by the RCN (2012), nurses are health promoters and in an ideal position to influence the people they interact with in order to empower positive health outcomes. Thus, the role of the nurse as a health promoter is to provide advice and support through one to one interventions with clients to improve their sexual health (French, 2009). The nurse can also implement guidance on prevention and risk reduction support of HIV to clients by providing relevant information, leaflets and condoms so as to raise their awareness on HIV. Conclusion This essay has outlined a health promotion activity based on raising awareness of HIV, with a health need assessments and target population identified. The essay has also outlined epidemiology and the demographic trends associated with health policies that govern it. The writer also identified the approaches and the aims and objectives with an evaluation of the effectiveness of the health promotion activity and the role of the health promoter. References Bradshaw ref. Black, M., Hawks H., Keene, M. (2006).Evaluation in health promotion.6th (ed). Philadelphia: Elsevier Mosby. British HIV Association.(2014). UK National Guideline for HIV Testing. London: BHIVA. Coles, L. Porter, E. (2008). Public health skills. A practical guide for nurses and publich health practitioners. Oxford: Blackwell. Croyle, R. T. (2005). Theory at a Glance: Application to Health Promotion and Health Behaviour. 2nd (ed). Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Available at www.thecommunityguide.org. Dudley. L., Poston, J. Bouvier, F. (2010). Population and society. An introduction to demography. New York: Cambridge University Press. Ewles,L. Simnett, I. (2003).Promoting Health -A Practical Guide. 5th (ed). Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall. French, K. (2009). Sexual Health. Chichester: Blackwell Publication. Glanz, K., Rimer. B., Viswanath, K. (2008).Health behaviour and health education. 4th (ed). San Francisco: J. Wiley. Green, L.W. Kreuter, M.W. (2008).Health promotion planning: an educational and environmental approach. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield. Gruen, R. Black, N. (2006). Understanding health services. Berkshire: Open university press. Linsley, P., Kane. R., and Owen, S. (2011). Nursing for public health promotion, principles and practice. Oxford: Oxford university press. National Aids Trust.(2012). HIV testing, action plan. London: NAT. National Aids Trust.(2014). Men who have sex with men (MSM). London: NAT. Naidoo,J. and Wills, J. (2009). Foundations for Health Promotion. Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall Elsevier. Naidoo, J. Wills, J. (2008).Health Promotion Foundations for Practice. London: BailliereTindall. Public Health England. (2013). HIV in the United Kingdom: 2013 report. London: PHE. Public Health England. (2013). HIV in the UK: 2013 Report. London: PHE. Royal College of Nursing. (2011). Informed consent in health and social care research: RCN guidance for nurses. 2nd (ed). London: RCN. Royal College of Nursing. (2012). Nurses contribution to public health: prevents, promote and protect. London: RCN. Royal College of Nursing. (2007). Nurses as partners in delivering public health. London: RCN. Thorogood, M. Coombes, Y. (2010). Evaluating Health Promotion. (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford university press. Wills, J. (2007).Promoting Health. Oxford: Blackwell. World Health Organisation. (2013). Global update on HIV treatment: Result, impacts and opportunities. Geneva: WHO. World Health Organisation. (2013). HIV and adolescents: Guidance for HIV testing and counselling and care for adolescents living with HIV. Geneva: WHO. Wright. J., Wilkinson, R. J., Williams. R. (2009). Development and importance of health needs assessment. British medical journal, 316(7140), 1310- 1313. United Kingdom: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2009). Health needs assessment: A practical guide. London: NICE. United Kingdom: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2008). Health needs assessment at a glance. London: NICE.

Censorship: Simply Not Enough Essay -- Censorship

Not too long ago, an evening television program caught mine and my daughter’s attention. It was a cute family comedy verging close to her bedtime. I was relaxed as we spent some quality time together, and out of nowhere I felt as if I had been punched in the face when a curse word came out of the so-called 15 year old actor’s mouth. Playing it cool, I glanced down at my young daughter who did not even flinch. I thought to myself, when were those words allowed to be uttered on television? Even worse, was my daughter’s reaction, or in this case non-reaction, because of desensitization or did she simply not hear it? Since then I have found myself immersed in the censorship dispute. Globally, media censors have loosened their grip significantly which have had a positive social impact, for the most part, but have they gone too far? I, for one, yearn for the â€Å"Mayberry† days where life was simple and no one had to worry about what children were watch ing on TV. In 1973, Thomas Elmendorf, an emergency room physician, made a speech to the American Medical Association about the increase in violence behavior among young adults and it’s correlation to violence on TV. In it he cited that â€Å"Murder is the fastest growing cause of death in the United States. The annual rate of increase exceeded 100 percent between 1960 and 1974.† He also goes on to explain that by the time a child graduates high school, they have spent an astonishing 18,000 hours in front of the TV, not to mention other forms of media, versus 15,000 hours in the classroom. Elmendorf also elaborates that within those 18,000 television hours, a young adult will have witnessed â€Å"18,000 murders and countless highly detailed incidents of robbery, arson, bombings, shootings... ...All Aspects Of Tibet 45.5 (2010): 4. Academic Search Complete. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. Collins, Rebecca L.Elliott, Marc N.Berry, Sandra H.Kanouse, David E.Kunkel, DaleHunter, Sarah B.Miu, Angela. "Watching Sex On Television Predicts Adolescent Initiation Of Sexual Behavior." Pediatrics 114.3 (2004): e280. MasterFILE Complete. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. Elmendorf, Thomas. "Violence On TV." Vital Speeches Of The Day 42.24 (1976): 764. MasterFILE Complete. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. Jerome, Sara. "Supreme Court Case May Dirty Down the Airwaves." CongressDaily AM 16 Nov. 2011: 5. MasterFILE Complete. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. Katz, Paul. "Funny $#@*!." Entertainment Weekly 802 (2005): 23. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Apr. 2012. TODD PITMAN - Associated, Press. "Myanmar Relaxes Grip On Media, Vows End To Censors." AP Top News Package (2012): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.

Graduation Speech :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Betty Lou is right -- Our achievements of the past four years have been an honor. And so I offer my congratulations to each of you for achieving the honor that comes with high school graduation. Up to this point, high school may be the most exciting and difficult experience of our lives. We've enjoyed the carefree and happy times with WWF-style pep assemblies, dances, Junior T-P nights, and classes with friends. We've had our bad days too, though. The days when we forgot our semester project for C.I. at home, or when we couldn't stop falling asleep and Mr. Gnome made us get up to "open a window." But far worse were the times when we felt alone. We've all had days of personal crisis when we've felt rejected by those around us or alienated from them. Hopefully, we were fortunate enough to have had a friend come rescue us from isolation, but perhaps not. As senior year comes to an end and we walk away from high school into a much bigger and more complicated world, we should not leave our years at Tree without reflecting on time spent here together and remembering what we have observed across the country, especially in the last year. There is certainly no simple answer to the tragic events that have occurred at other high schools recently. We look at the tragedies of Jonesboro, Pearl, Fayetteville, Springfield, Edinboro, West Paducah, Moses Lake, Jacksonville, and Littleton and question the reason behind the violence that occurred. While finding an answer may be impossible, it is still wise for us to look for causes and most appropriate, to search for solutions. Many of the contributing factors are likely beyond our control and there is no way for us to prevent them. There are, however, plenty of little things that we do or can do that affect others more than we realize. For example, all of us should be quick to distinguish between what is friendly teasing and what teasing torments our peers. It may have lost some significance, having been repeated so often on the news and in health classes, but it is important to treat others with respect. We never know when we may cross the line and, though not meaning to, be a source of torment to someone else. We all need to become more sensitive to what crosses the line when interacting with others. It is for our benefit, as well as others, that we do this.

Mark Twain Research Paper

Name — Professor Reber English 1113 10 October 2012 Mark Twain Mark Twain was a world renowned novelist and a beloved American Writer. He wrote things about what was happening in the world around him and is also a huge part of American Literature. Although Mark Twain is a famous novelist his home life, background/achievements, and greatest accomplishments are what made him who he is today. Mark Twain was more than the man we all know.For one thing, he was born as Samuel Langhorn Clemens on November thirtieth eighteen thirty-five and given the nickname â€Å"Little Sam. † In addition, his birthplace was â€Å"a two-room frame house in Florida†¦Missouri† (Cox, 7) to a John and Jane Clemens. After reaching the age of eighteen he took on an occupation in Philadelphia. Incidentally, he started working â€Å"as a cub and later as a captain for four years† (Lasky, 25) on a ship. In time, he achieved a certificate for being a Mississippi Pilot.When the Civil War broke out, Twain somewhat became a part of it. Likewise, he joined a group of friends, although none having any knowledge about fighting, war, or of the military, to fight â€Å"on the Confederate side with a small militia called Marion Rangers† (Lasky, 26). By the way, Twain was twenty-five when he moved back to Hannibal to be a part of the Militia. Mark Twain, even having little achievements, had quite the background. The root of where all this started wasn’t just at his birth, but also in his home life.Thus, Twain and â€Å"his family moved to†¦Hannibal, Missouri† (Biography of Mark Twain, 1) where he befriended slaves of his dad and uncle. As a result, this had started Twain’s negativity towards slavery when he grew older. Twain loved his family though he wasn’t so fortunate of the mishaps that were to come. For instance, he lost his father when Twain was eleven and his brother, age twenty, was â€Å"fatally scalded†¦ [when Twain ] found him on a mattress† (Cox, 43) on the Pennsylvania after the steam boat exploded killing one hundred fifty people, his brother included.On the other hand, Twain married lovely Olivia Langdon on February second eighteen seventy which follows his quote,† when you fish for love, bait with your heart, not your brain† (Brainyquotes, 2). Twain and Olivia, just like any happily married couple, also had children of their own. That is, little Langdon was their first child, born prematurely and with brittle bones, only lived nineteen months and second daughter Olivia Susan (Susy) even living up to age twenty-four had unfortunately â€Å"died from spinal meningitis† (News, 1).Twain always had problems with his middle daughter Clara, who overtime became distant to her family, and his youngest daughter, who he had the most struggles with, suffered from epilepsy (nearly trying to kill the maid during her attacks) and died at the age of twenty-nine from a heart attac k. Some things that happened in Twain’s home life marked as either turning points or became the center for some of his works. Mark Twain, unlike any other famous novelist/writer, has his very own accomplishments. The two of his greatest accomplishments is what everyone knows him famous for.The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as being his greatest and most popular works were also to quickly become his greatest accomplishments. Likewise, both books corresponded with the other about adventures of both low class, Huck Finn, and middle class, Tom Sawyer, had together and of their friendship. Another believed greatest accomplishment was his hidden eulogy that hadn’t surfaced until about two years ago. Furthermore, about his daughter Susy â€Å"a passionate eulogy† (News, 1) is guessed to have been written around the time of her death.In addition, this eulogy shows the fondness he had towards his daughter, ultimately showing she was his favorite daughter, he described â€Å"her as being ‘full of fire’† (News, 1). His occupation changed later on in his life. Therefore, he had begun to write his works â€Å"under the pen name of Mark Twain† (Synopsis, 1). In addition to all his greatest accomplishments, he had obtained the title of a sailboat pilot, novelist, journalist, lecturer, entrepreneur, and inventor. Among everything, his greatest accomplishment was him himself.Today, Twain is known for his popular works, or greatest accomplishments, thus making him a huge character for American Literature. What made him so great is through his experiences growing up, his background, and what he achieved that made up his motivation and within his works he writes of some of his incidents, his opinions, and similar adventures. All-in-all, Mark Twain may have believed his novels were his greatest achievements, but the true answer to that is what he created as himself – a legend. Works CitedBiogr aphy. CMG Solutions, 5 Jul. 2006. cmgww. com. 26 Sept. 2012. Web. Biography of Mark Twain. The Mark Twain House & Museum. marktwainhouse. org, n. d. 26 Sept. 2012. Web. Cox, Clinton. Mark Twain. New York: Scholastic Inc, 1995. Print. Lasky, Kathryn. A Brilliant Streak: The Making of Mark Twain. Orlando: Harcourt Brace & Company. 1998. Print. Mark Twain. A+E Television Networks, LLC, 2012. biography. com. 26 Sept. 2012. Web. Mark Twain. Xplore Inc, 2012. brainyquote. com. 26 Sept. 2012. Web.