Olaudah Equiano s Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano is a classical and well known slave Narrative. Olaudah Equiano who also goes by the name of Gustavus Vassa his given name was born in 1745 in a part of Africa that is now known as Nigeria. . Olaudah Equino’s narrative tells the story of his travels as a slave and then as a freeman through the Artic, North and Central America, the West Indies, Europe and Great Britain. This narrative was first published in 1789 and was written by him. When Equiano was eleven he was kidnapped along with his sister and sold to slave traders in the beautiful Island of Barbados. Equiano was of royal African blood and born to the chief Ibo of the Benin nation, but spent majority of his time with his mother. Equiano is the youngest son of seven children. Equiano uses his narrative to paint a descriptive eyewitness account of slavery in the American colonies and in the Caribbean during that time. Through his slave narrative he paints a clear descriptive picture of African culture, including customs of clothing, food and the respect paid to the dead as well as religious customs/ practices. He compares the inhabitants of Eboe or as we know it Nigeria to the early Jews. He also offers his theory that dark African skin is a result of exposure to the hot and tropical climates. In this his also hints that Africans may be the indirect relatives of Christian Europeans because of their Jewish ancestry and argues against slavery. He stands firmlyShow MoreRelatedEquiano s Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano1367 Words   |  6 PagesOlaudah Equiano, the author of The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano was captured in Africa and sold into slavery. Later in life, he purchased his freedom and wrote his autobiography in 1789. Equiano experienced hardships beyond imaging in his years as a slave and oftentimes witnessed extensive cruelty by whites towards Africans. Eq uiano s experience of the Atlantic slave trade and middle passage as we understand it today was typical of a regular captive. The Atlantic slave tradeRead MoreOlaudah Equiano s Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Essay1458 Words   |  6 Pages Olaudah Equiano, also known as Gustavus Vassa, traveled much of the world encountering a variety of people from different cultures and backgrounds. In Equiano’s The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, the author witnesses how slavery was imbedded in the economic and social values of his day and age, through the experiences of others as well as himself. Having numerous relationships with people of differing religions, socioeconomic statuses, and principles, he developed a uniqueRead MoreThe Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano s `` Oroonoko, And The Royal Slave `` And Olaudah1781 Words   |  8 Pagesknown slave narratives that give the modern day reader just an idea of what slavery was like are, Aphra Behn’s â€Å"Oroonoko, or, The Royal Slave† and Olaudah Equiano’s â€Å"The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano†. The journey of these two young men, although in many ways are similar, from a larger perspective could not be more different. For Oroonoko a somewhat established young man who comes from royalty, optimizes what it means to be a noble savage. As for a young Equiano who seemsRead MoreEquiano s Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano Essay1579 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout the book The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Equiano tries to say that he is just an ordinary person, but this cannot be the case. He survives several ship wrecks, learns to read and write, and is able to buy his freedom. This is far from ordinary and borderlines with extraordinary. As he describes his adventures he starts by telling you a depressing story of how his sister got separated from him. This sets up the reader to know that there is pl enty more tragedy toRead MoreOlaudah Equianos Influence1139 Words   |  5 PagesInfluence and Career of Olaudah Equiano There have been many authors throughout history who have impacted America, amongst them is Olaudah Equiano. Olaudah Equiano, a slave who wrote about his terrible experiences, not only changed America, but changed the world. Equiano s life and career were divided in two parts: his life as a slave and his life as a free man. He battled the slave ships and helped abolish the slave institutions with the power and depth of his writings. Equiano s most powerful pieceRead MoreThe Interesting Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano, By James Sweet And Katrina Thompson901 Words   |  4 Pagesbook The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano, in which the author recounts his experience as a slave going through the Middle Passage. Other works such as Ring Shout, Wheel About The Racial Politics of Music and Dance in North American Slavery, by Katrina Thompson, and Domingos à lvares, African Healing, and the Intellectual History of the Atlantic World, by James Sweet, can help us garner a deeper insight as to the experiences of Olaudah Equiano by analyzing similarRead MoreThe Life Of Frederick Douglass And Olaudah Equiano1398 Words   |  6 Pagespeople a way to see life through their eyes. Frederick Douglass and Olaudah Equiano were two slaves during those times that were forced into the world of slavery. Frederick Douglass’s â€Å"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave† and Olaudah Equiano’s â€Å"The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano† are literary pieces that talk about their views, experiences, and ideas in relation to slavery. The narratives of Douglass and Equiano offer true records of life as a slave. InRead MoreA Narrative Of Captivity By Mary Rowlandson Essay962 Words   |  4 PagesA Narrative of Captivity by Mary Rowlandson and The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano are captivity narratives in which the two narrators share their individual stories of being abruptly kidnapped and enslaved. Equiano was an black 11 year old boy who was stolen from his home by African slave traders in 1756. Rowlandson, a 39 year old Puritan woman, was taken in 1675, during King Philip’s War, after Indians raided her town. Although the two authors are both kidnappedRead MoreSummary : Free Slave Voice 1397 Words   |  6 Pagesfor we are many and evil is few. (OE) after reading the excerpt of â€Å"The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African,† it was then necessary to read the complete text. Upon completion of the reading, I found that it was somewhat troublesome because there is not a sense of urgency in the tone of his writing to help his fellow Negros out of their enslavement. The narrative does not provoke the reader to become alarmed at the plight of Negro slave but insteadRead MoreThe Narrative Of Olaudah Equiano1123 Words   |  5 PagesMatter Where Olaudah Equiano Was Born? The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, by Olaudah Equiano, can be described as one of the most successful literary prose written by an African-American up to the start of the Civil War. Autobiographies were not considered a form genre in the literary field at the time it was published in 1789 and few books that had been produced in America gave such garish, solid and adventurous narratives. Equiano s narrative

Marketing Management Environmental Marketing Strategy

Question: Discuss about the Marketing Management for Environmental Marketing Strategy. Answer: Introduction A business firm has to take a variety of marketing decisions. These decisions actually appear from the complex communication with a large number of people carrying out various responsibilities in the marketing institutions. The marketing executives are sincerely involved in the process of planning and execution. Marketing plan focuses on the company's strategy in the coming days. It not only focuses the company's overall tactics but also keep an eye on the competitors business. Marketing planning helps out in avoiding future doubts, achieving the objects, helps in synchronizing among all the departments and offers the customers complete satisfaction. Marketing planning compels management to reflect on the future in an organized way. It also helps in review the performance, take advantage of on the strength, reduce the weakness and threats and open up to the new opportunities. Importance of market structure and competitor analysis in a marketing plan Marketing plan focuses on describing the marketing efforts and advertising to be taken in the coming years. It establishes some set of product specific and market specific activities for achieving specific organizational goals with a definite period. A suitable marketing plan needs to specify customer needs and find ways to fulfill them effectively by keeping an adequate profit level. It specifically includes current situation of the market, action programs, sales strategies and budgets to be set by the organization for near future (Hollensen, 2015). All these things need a proper understanding of market structure and competitor analysis to identify the strength and weakness of one company over other. Market Structure Proper understanding of marketing structure and landscape assists marketers to develop and enact marketing plan as well as marketing strategies. According to Hollensen (2015), the market structure provides the number of firms within a specific market, which produces identical products. On the other hand, Hollensen opined that the more the number of firms within a particular market, the more an organization would face competition in its business. Therefore, by evaluating the number of firms, an organization can better prepare its marketing plan through making competitive marketing strategies to compete with those firms. On the other hand, the market structure also provides the ideas of firm's behavior. According to King Chicken (2015), an organization can understand the interaction between the buyers and sellers within a market and the specific demand of customers. King Chicken (2015) suggested that firm's behavior also give an overview of the supply of the products by several firms . Therefore, the organization can make a plan of product quantity to be produced in the market over a period (King Chicken ,2015). Along with the supply of products in the market, the market structure also provides an overview regarding the nature of products exists in the market. According to Hawkes (2013), an organization can identify the strength and weakness of the products supplied by other firms in the market by looking at those product's nature (Hawkes, 2013). On the other hand, Hawkes opined that identification of strength and weakness of other firms products assists an organization to improve its product specification in next marketing plan. In this way, the market structure can assist an organization to create an effective market plan for gaining a competitive advantage over the competitors. Apart from that, the market structure also provides information regarding the price level of the products provided by other firms in the market. Therefore, an organization can set their own competitive pricing in their marketing plan. Apart from that, the market structure also provides information regarding the deg ree of monopoly power in a specific market. Monopoly power is defined by the degree of power held by a firm to set the price of products. Thus, market entry in such market is extremely difficult. Marketing practice and plan in such situation need to be changed in such situation. Therefore, knowledge of market structure is extremely helpful in preparing an effective marketing plan. Competitor analysis To run a business properly, a company needs to do a proper analysis. The company needs to the forecast of the profitability, decide the proper combination to use, assign the work order to different employees and much more. The company does a SWOT analysis, which finds out the strengths, weakness. It also identifies the possible opportunity and threat the business might face from the peripheral factors. Marketing competitor analysis is also done in relation to the competitors. There are two ways to identify the potential future customers. By looking from the customer's point of view or look at from the company point of view. Apart from SWOT analysis, PEST (Political, Economical, Social and Technological) analysis is also done to get an overview of the competitors reaction when there is a change in the company (Gupta, 2013). Before going for the marketing competitor analysis, the company has to ask the right question. Most of the questions answer about whom, what, how and more. Without these important questions, a company cannot do proper analysis (Shabanova et al., 2015). Competitor array is another technique that can be used to analyze the competitor market analysis. This simple tool follows few steps to determine the competitor analysis. The step includes Defining the industry: It reflects on the industry, which the company and the competitor are working. The future scopes those are available to offer new products and services. Finding out the competitors: The Company need to find out the major and genuine competitor that can match the companies level. Find out the customers: Customers should be properly segmented according to the product line. It is important to understand the level of expectations of the customers. Key factors for success: It is necessary to find out the factors to become successful and rank those factors by weighing them. Application of marketing management theory in hotel industry The industry of hotel is an important sector in the tourism and hospitality industry. The growth in the particular sector has been identified as a major influence in the development of the tourism sector (Leonidou et al., 2013). The evolution of marketing in the hotel industry is similar to other industries. The industry is becoming a mature market globally whereas the competition is also increasing day by day. The competition makes it difficult to win more customers. Therefore marketing segmentation, SWOT analysis, Pestle and more can be done to identify the right customers and have an overview of the competitors (Ayub et al., 2013). To discuss briefly, The Westin Sydney Hotel has been taken into consideration. The Starwood Hotels and Resort own the Westin Sydney Hotel. The hotel is located in Sydney. It is one of the best five-star hotels in Sydney, Australia. This luxurious hotel is surrounded by the world's best designer shopping, nightlife, authentic restaurant, theatres and much more (Year,2013). SWOT analysis of the Westin Sydney Hotel Strengths: Infrastructure and facilities: Westin Sydney Hotel is one of the well-designed hotels in its class. The hotel offers globalised service to the customers. Apart from the regular customer offerings, it tenders meetings, events and more. The hotel joins in Westin difference with a variety of innovative facilities. Which includes the welcome sensory upon the arrival of the guests, Unwind, a ceremony that promotes to socialize to fight loneliness during the time of drinks or food. Breathe is a totally smoke-free zone which offers fresh air. The hotel rooms are well designed with comfortable bed and bathrooms. The hotel also offers kids club, which is the best place for the kids to enjoy. Market position: Westin Sydney Hotel is backed by the Starwood hotels. The Starwood hotels have a strong brand image all over the world. It has a vibrant positioning in the market that helps in receiving more guests (McDONALD, 2016). Technology: Westin group of hotel uses the technologies, which not only produce versatile, multi-functional inside but also it entertains travelers from around the globe. The new technology allows guests an essential concierge and amusement experience. Weakness Narrowly focused: Westin Sydney Hotel is not capable of competing on the smaller scale in the Australia market. The quality, knowledge and skills do not match with the lower requirements. As a result, it does not meet the requirements of the people, who like to experience everything affordably. An Economic slowdown can be another reason for the downfall of the guests. Whatever might be the reason the Westin never compromises on its quality. Opportunities As per the recent trends of research extensive growth in the tourism industry is quite vibrant. The increased desire in the tourism sector is the perfect opportunity for any hotel to discover to its best. Westin offers a large number of games which are very innovative form the other hotel in Australia. Guests, especially childrens loves to spend time in the hotel because of this innovative amusement activity. Westin hotel can always focus on gaining advantage from the budding markets, especially with the higher (Business) class and the middle range market. The hotel can also expand its services in event management. Threats The Economic downturn is the major threat for the Westin Sydney Hotel. Researcher imitates that the reduction has given the opportunity to organizations and common people to agree to the critical cost measure at a large. The extended recession can be recognised as an another problem which has generated the need of renegotiating over the tourism and the buying habits of the customers. Nevertheless, entry of the low cost domestic competitors often quoted by the researcher as the primary threat is not much of concern for the luxurious Westin Sydney Hotel. Westin is a brand in itself which has a worldwide presence and hence does not act by the other such treats. The national treatment towards the domestic entrants can be counted as a threat of the Westin. After the 9/11 attack, terrorism activity has become a major threat to the hotel industry. Specially, in the hotels with large infrastructure. Additional concern has arisen with regular terror attacks with Australia being one of the major targets. Porters five forces in respect to the hotel industry Figure 1: Porters five forces Source (Dobbs, 2014) New entrants: The hotel industry is strongly prejudiced by the trends of tourism. The industry is capital intensive, and upfront investment is required for a large scale entrance. Dependency on the tourism sector decreases when it comes to the chain of hotels. Regulations in terms of real estate and buying overseas need to be taken into consideration and as a result it is restraining in some countries. There can be financial complexities in the purchasing and manage the properties. In general, the likelihood of the new entrants is reasonable (Dobbs, 2014). Threat of substitution: According to Porter, substitute products can reduce the costs or provide better quality with an value sometimes. In the hotel industry is threatened by the domestic recession. A hotel can always compete on a low cost basis in the niche market. There no such major threat of substitute product to a hotels product and services. Supply power: Property owners, architects, marketing companies are the major suppliers of the industry. However, sometimes real estate companies are much smaller than the hotel operators. The hotel industry is labor concentrated. The hotel industry is highly influenced by the quality of the service. Buyer power: Due to the high dependency on the complicated systems and technology, the growing importance of the mobile communication channels in the industry may exercise strong supplier power. Brand recognition and innovation helps to attract the customers. Rivalry: Apart from the existing companies, there are a huge number of self-governing players are present in the industry. Many large companies have diversified them elves acquiring shops, restaurants, casinos and more. A recent trend among the major hotel chains is the lifestyle hotels. These hotels try to meet the exact requirement of the travelers. It also tries to meet the social responsibility and affordability (Molina et al., 2015). Conclusion The research has shown that the marketing plays a vital role in the hotel industry. Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that the hotel industry plays a critical part in the outlet of any hotel or as a whole. The Hotel proprietor and the managers should give high attention to the marketing. When marketing decision should be taken, the investment in the marketing should be well synchronized in a way that other features of the hotel industry is also taken into consideration. The hotel industry should make sure that the correct message should pass across the customers with the campaigns as it is the bridge between the guests and the hotels. Any hotel should take up the most effective and efficient marketing strategies that suit the business. References Ayub, A., Adeel, R., Muhammad, S. A., Hanan, I. (2013). A conceptual framework on evaluating SWOT analysis as the mediator in strategic marketing planning through marketing intelligence.European Journal of Business and Social Sciences,2(1), 91-98. Dobbs, M. (2014). Guidelines for applying Porter's five forces framework: a set of industry analysis templates.Competitiveness Review,24(1), 32-45. Gupta, A. (2013). Environmental and pest analysis: An approach to external business environment.Merit Research Journal of Art, Social Science and Humanities,1(2), 013-017. Hawkes, K. (2013). First principles in developing a Marketing plan.Food New Zealand,13(6), 19. Hollensen, S. (2015).Marketing management: A relationship approach. Pearson Education. King, B., Chicken, K. F. (2015). Marketing Plan.Marketing,7, 2. Leonidou, L. C., Leonidou, C. N., Fotiadis, T. A., Zeriti, A. (2013). Resources and capabilities as drivers of hotel environmental marketing strategy: Implications for competitive advantage and performance.Tourism Management,35, 94-110. McDONALD, M. A. L. C. O. L. M. (2016). 5 Strategic marketing planning.The marketing book, 86. Molina-Azorn, J. F., Tar, J. J., Pereira-Moliner, J., Lpez-Gamero, M. D., Pertusa-Ortega, E. M. (2015). The effects of quality and environmental management on competitive advantage: A mixed methods study in the hotel industry.Tourism Management,50, 41-54. Shabanova, L. B., Ismagilova, G. N., Salimov, L. N., Akhmadeev, M. G. (2015). PEST-Analysis and SWOT-Analysis as the Most Important Tools to Strengthen the Competitive Advantages of Commercial Enterprises.Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences,6(3), 705. Tsitsiloni, M., Grigoroudis, E., Zopounidis, C. (2013). Service quality evaluation in the tourism industry: A SWOT analysis approach. InOptimization Theory, Decision Making, and Operations Research Applications(pp. 249-266). Springer New York. Year, F. (2013). Starwood hotel resorts worldwide, Inc.

Rome and Han Ccot free essay sample

Rome and Han China are different in the ways how their slaves were treated. Overall, they were ultimately more similar because of the importance of trade and family. Slaves in Ancient Rome were treated very harshly. They were put in gladiator fights to the death against fellow slaves and occasionally lions for the entertainment of the community, although it was against the law for a citizen to kill another citizen’s slave. Also, 10% of the populations of Rome were slaves, which means if one died, they could be easily replaced. In contrast, only 1% of Han China’s populations were slaves. They were much more valued and thus their owners treated them better. There were two kinds- Privately Owned and State Owned. These slaves could pay for freedom, or be freed by their master or the emperor. It was against the law to kill these slaves at all. Trade in Rome was thought to be beneath the occupation of landholding, although they continue to practice trade throughout Roman history. We will write a custom essay sample on Rome and Han Ccot or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The Senate was not allowed to participate in commerce because they were too prestigious to be affiliating with it. Similar to Han China, agriculture was a much better occupation than trade. Merchants, however wealthy, were looked down on because they looked like they could surpass social boundaries because of their riches. In Ancient Rome, loyalty to family and state was highly important. The nobles of Rome were constantly reminded to be aware of their fathers and grandfathers successes. We know this because the term pietas; meaning â€Å"dutifulness†; depicts these values. Also, we know of these the importance of family because typically at a Roman funeral, they would exhibit masks’ of their ancestors and their deeds. This regard to ancestors resembles that of Confucianism, which was highly practiced in Han China. The core of Confucianism was known as â€Å"filial piety†, meaning the respect and obedience that children owed their parents.

Stele of Hummurabi essays

Stele of Hummurabi essays Who wrote the earliest writing code law? Hammurabi was the ruler who chiefly established the greatness of Babylon, the world's first metropolis. He is the earliest-known example of a ruler proclaiming publicly to his people an entire body of laws, arranged in orderly groups, so that all men might read and know what was required of them. Hammurabi's most famous claim to fame is his law code. The code is inscribed on a magnificent stele of black diorite, eight feet high, found at Susa in A.D. 1902. Formerly it had stood in Babylon, but the Elamites carried it off when they conquered Babylon in the twelfth century B.C. It is now in the Louver Museum in Paris. At the top of the stele is a finely sculptured scene showing Hammurabi standing before the sun god Shamash (the patron of law and justice), who is seated and is giving the laws to Hammurabi. Beneath the scene the laws are inscribed in beautiful cuneiform characters in fifty-one columns of text. The code is inscribed on a tall black-basalt stele that was carried off as booty to Susa in 1157 B.C., together with the Naram-Sin stele. At the top is a relief depicting Hammurabi in the presence of the flame-should-dered sun god, Shamash. The king raises his hand in respect. The god bestows on Hammurabi the authority to rule and to enforce the laws. The sculptor depicted Shamash in the familiar convention of combined front and side views, but with two important exceptions. His great headdress with its four pair of borns is in ceptions. His great deaddress with its four pairs of borns are true profile so that only four, not all eight, of the horns are visible. And the artist seems to have tentatively explored the notion of forehortening a device for suggesting dept by repersenting a figure or object at an angle, rather than frontally or in profile. The gods beard is a series of diagonal rather than horizontal lines, suggesting its revession from the picture plane. ...

Capital budgeting project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Capital budgeting project - Essay Example The given project was related to design and estimate the capital budget of Wright Dive Shop, the shop aimed to expand its operations by purchasing a new Air Compressor. The first step of designing the capital budget was to estimate the cash flows of the project, the acceptance and the rejection of the project depends on the analysis of these cash flows. Latterly the strength was judged by using the Payback Period, Net Present Value of the project and the Internal Rate of Return. These three processes are considered to be the capital budgeting rules that help to estimate the strength of the project. The process of Capital Budgeting was used to determine the cash flows of the purchase. The Initial investment was calculated by adding the purchase price and the investment made to increase the working capital of the business operations. The total initial investment was 425,000 (including the purchase price i.e. 325,000 and the investment in Net Working Capital i.e. 100,000). The depreciation value was identified by using the MACRS- 10 years table (7 year’s values were used). The assumptions were provided in the case and these assumptions were applied to the labor and gas costs. The labor costs were assumed to increase by 3% till the 3 year, the 4th year increment was 5 % and 7% increment was estimated for the 5th, 6th and 7th year. The Gas costs were assumed to fluctuate at 7% every year till the year 4 and after that the value of increased to 9%. The cash outflows were subtracted from the cash inflows and hence the net cash flows were extracted after deducting the variable and fixed costs and adding back the depreciation of the compressor as it is a non cash item. The cash flows were then used to identify the strength of the investment opportunity. The payback period was used to identify the number of years in which the project was assumed to pay off the initial investment. The total initial investment was

Suggestions of Crisis Communication for the Chinese Government Literature review

Suggestions of Crisis Communication for the Chinese Government - Literature review Example In short, a threat, surprise, unpredictability, short duration of response and inevitability define crises. Among all crises, damages, reputation and image are of key concern to any leader and organization during the crisis and post crisis. Arnold (2008) argues that reputational damage is an emergent danger during any crisis. Chen (2008) cites image as a central concept to the disciplines of human relations, fundamental to organizations (such as, government bodies, corporations, nonprofit groups and government institutions) as well as individuals. When a crisis erupts, the organization’s image is damaged and its capacity to manage the crisis qualities are put to test (Becker 2011). Coombs (2012) argues that crisis management is aimed at reducing or warding off financial and reputational risks by espousing the development of policies to help in the handling communication crises. A bank for crisis management policies seeks to help reduce potential negative outcomes ascribed to emergent situations and, thereby, protect institutions, stake holders and the industry from damage, According to Coombs (2012), an active crisis management platform originates from a universal â€Å"range of crisis communication approaches† comprising of a variety of activities from â€Å"denial to accommodation†. Defensive approaches assert that no disaster exists, or try to evade accountabilities for the crisis, through comprise, denial, excuses, justifications and attacks targeted at the accuser.

Acoustics and Sound Insulation Methods

Acoustics and Sound Insulation Methods Acoustics and Sound Insulation ABSTRACT Acoustics is the study of sound. The knowledge of this field is necessary as it helps in creating peaceful surroundings. The technical knowhow of sound insulation has been helpful in constructing functional theatres, hospitals, Auditoriums, jam pads, etc. Sound is created when a surface vibrates. When this vibration is periodic or rhythmic then the sound produced is pleasing to the ears eg. Musical Notes. On the contrary when the vibration is non-periodic and irregular then it is termed as noise. eg. Infants crying. INTRODUCTION Sound travels in the form of longitudinal waves. Each wave moves backward and forward passing on the vibration to the next. For us to be able to hear sound clearly it is very important for the waves to travel uninterrupted. It is proven that sound travels the fastest in solids, then in liquids and the least in air. This is because in solid the molecules are so tightly packed that the transmission is the easiest. In liquids too the molecules are fairly close to each other where as in air it becomes a little tough for sound to travel. Sound cannot travel in vacuum as it needs a medium to travel. The speed of sound in air depends upon the moisture or dryness in air. The more the moisture the faster sound will travel. CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND Intensity and Loudness of sound: Loudness is the response of humans to the impact of sound. Whereas intensity is the amount of sound waves passing through per unit area per unit time. Frequency and Pitch Sounds can be of different types and wavelengths. Pitch is  What helps us distinguish between sounds of same loudness but of different frequencies. This is the  characteristic which helps us recognise a man’s voice and  women’s Voice. Quality The quality of sound is what enables us to differentiate between two musical tones played on different instruments. A study has shown that the notes produced by instruments are at times pure notes. They have some fundamental tones of frequency fo and additional tones of frequency 2fo, 4fo, etc. called over tones. The fundamental is heard very clearly because it has greater impact human ear. TABLE 1.1, ACCEPTABLE NOISE LEVEL TYPE OF BUILDING NOISE LEVEL RANGE ( decibels, db) 1. Radio and T.V. studio 25-30 2. Music Room 30-35 3. Hospitals and auditoriums 35-40 4. Apartments, hotels and homes 35-40 5. Conference rooms and libraries 35-40 6. Class rooms 40-45 7. Banks and stores 45-50 8. Restaurants 50-55 2# REFLECTION OF SOUND Sound waves from a plain surface reflect in the same way as that of light. The angel of incidence is equal to the angel of reflection. Following are the characteristics of reflection of sound: When sound waves reflect from a flat surface the wave fronts form a spherical shape and the centre of curvature is the source of sound When sound waves reflect from a convex surface they get magnified and therefore become thinner and weaker. Convex surfaces can be used in interior spaces to reduce the impact of sound. Sound waves that reflect from a concave surface are very dense and compressed therefore the sound is amplified. Concave surfaces should be avoided in interior spaces as the result is undesirable. Reflection on flat surface Reflection on convex surface Reflection on concave surface   3# ABSORPTION When sound waves strike a surface some of the sound is absorbed by friction. The materials that absorb are known as absorbants. Absorption in auditoriums or theatre the takes place in three ways – In Air – This absorption happens due to friction between two molecules though this is very small By Audience Cloth is an absorbant. So in theatres and auditoriums the sound is absorbed by the clothes o f the audience. The  more the audience the more the absorption takes place. By furniture and furnishing – Materials such as curtains, carpets absorb sound. The following materials are commonly used for absorption of sound – Acoustic Plaster – This contains shredded insulation material with cement Perforated and Unperforated compressed cane or wood fibre board. Wood Particle board Compressed wood wool Mineral/ glass wool mats Mineral/ glass wool tiles Composite units of perforated hard board backed with perforated fibreboard Requirements of a good acoustic material- Should have high absorption power It should be able to absorb a wide range of frequencies Should be cheap and easily available Should look attractive after fixing it It should be fire resistant Should have adequate structural strength Should be non- hygroscopic. It should be insects and termites free 4# SOUND INSULATION Sound insulation/sound proofing is a method used to subdue the level of sound passing through the insulating building component. People generally confuse sound absorption and sound insulation to be the same. The two are very different from each other. Sound absorbents which are mostly pours materials absorb thus reduce the sound which is reflected from surfaces. On the contrary sound insulating construction reduces sound passing through it. Sound absorbers, are poor sound insulators. While hard material used for sound insulation areinferior sound absorbers. TABLE 4.1. SOUND INSULATION BETWEEN ROOMS SITUATION OVERALL INSULATION IN db 1. Between living room in one house and the living room in another 50 2. Elsewhere between houses or flat 40 3. Between two rooms in the same house. 30 4. Between two class rooms in a school 40 5. Between two rooms in an office 30 6. Between two wards in a hospital 45 Impact Insulation- is a rating of how well a building floor reduces the impact of sounds, such as footsteps. Sound Insulating Materials – Non porous rigid partitions- The sound insulation of non-porous rigid constructions such as plastered solid brick masonry walls varies. It depends upon the weight per unit area. There is a point when it requires major increase in thickness to provide small increase in sound insulation. Porous Rigid Materials Porous concrete masonry and cinder concrete are some examples of porous rigid materials. They provide 10 percent higher insulation as compared to non-porous rigid partitions due to their sound absorptive quality. To enhance the results of insulation it is recommended that porous partitions should be plastered on at least one side and if possible then on both sides. Flexible Porous Material These materials provide low insulation. Even lower than rigid materials. Flexible porous materials consists of mineral wool, quilt etc. To increase insulation rigid materials and porous absorbers can be combined together and then applied. This will produce better insulation per unit area. 4.1 WALL INSULATION Walls are a vertical barrier of sound. Proper construction of walls can increase the level of sound insulation. Construction of walls for sound insulation can be of four types Rigid Homogeneous Walls- Stone, brick or concrete masonry constructions come under this section. The sound insulation in these walls depends upon their weight per unit area. Sound insulation in these increases if the thickness of wall increases. Due to this these walls become uneconomical and bulky after a certain limit. Partition Walls of porous materials- These can be rigid or non-rigid. Rigid porous materials such as porous concrete masonry, cinder concrete etc. increase insulation about 10.%. While partition walls of non rigid porous materials provide very low sound insulation. However they can be used if combined with rigid materials. Double wall partition A double wall partition comprises of Plaster boards Or fibre boards or plaster on laths on both sides. With sound absorbing cushion in between. Rough wooden blocks are provided to support the cushion. Double wall partition is a wall of rigid as well as nonrigid porous materials. Cavity Wall Construction- This is said to be the most adequate wall construction from the sound proofing point of view. In this two walls are made with a gap of minimum 5cm between them. This gab can be left air filled as we know sound travels the slowest in air or can be filled with some flexible material, like quilt etc. On the surface of the wall celotex or other insulating board may be fixed. 4.2 FLOOR AND CEILING INSULATION Like walls are vertical sound barriers similarly floor and ceiling are horizontal sound barriers. The materials used for the construction of floors and ceiling i.e. R.C.C, stone etc. provide great insulation again air borne noise but do not function well for structure and impact borne noise. The target of sound proofed floors is to provide insulation against impact and structure borne noise. This can be achieved by the following ways- APPLING RESILIANT SURFACE MATERIALS ON FLOOR In this a thin concrete layer is provided as R.C.C floor slab. On top of this then a soft floor finish or covering is applied. This finish or covering can be of linoleum, insulation board, cork, carpet, etc. this helps in reducing impact noises. CONCRETE FLOOR FLOATING CONSTRUCTION This is similar to Cavity wall construction as discussed earlier. In this method we construct an isolated floor from the existing concrete floor. Then a resilient or porous material like glass wool is laid on the R.C.C flooring. On top of this a water proof sheet is put and then a 5cm thick layer of concrete is given. This kind of construction provides complete insulation against impact sounds. TIMBER FLOOR FLOATING CONSTRUCTION – In case of wooden flooring the problem of sound insulation is even more. This process is similar to concrete floor floating construction. The only difference is that mineral or glass wool quilts are used for isolation purpose. At times sand or ashes are also used for isolation. CONCLUSION Sound is mechanical wave which travels through a medium. Sound can be pleasing as well as disturbing. It’s necessary to emit disturbing sounds to have the perfect required atmosphere. To make an area sound proof its walls/partitions, floor and ceilings need to be treated and insulated. The methods of insulation as discussed above are some ways through which sound proofing can be done. Sound proofing or insulation is the method by which transmission of sound waves can be bard from passing from one area to another. References: Building Constructions by B.C Punamia.: Sound Insulation http://www.meritnation.com/ask-answer/question/how-many-characteristics-a-sound-wave-have. www.scribd.com/doc/102689279/acoustics-ppt