Describe the purpose of assessment in Adult nursing Essay

Describe the purpose of assessment in Adult nursing - Essay Example Emotional and social factors on the other hand include occupation, responsibilities, family ties, attitude towards health care, emotional tone and mood (Dougherty & Lister, 2011). Nursing assessment is essential as it is the foundation of an effective nursing care plan. A comprehensive nursing assessment is conducted by a registered nurse and it can be defined as extensive and ongoing collection of data for families, individuals and communities at large. This ongoing data collection is a method of addressing emergent and anticipated changes in the health of an individual in comparison to the previous condition. Older people need continuing health care because of their interrelated health care problems. Nursing assessment for the adults is done to ensure that they get the appropriate timely and effective response to their health problems and needs (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2011). There is another type of nursing assessment known as the focused nursing. According to the national council of states boards of nursing (2011), this is an appraisal of the health status of an individual making a contribution to comprehensive assessment to support the ongoing data collection. Focused assessment also helps the nurses to make a decision of who needs to be given the information and when it is appropriate to do so. Focused assessment is specific on patients in emergency. Assessment is usually the first step in the nursing process thus it is the basis for a good health care plan (Schaller-Ayers & Fuller, 2000). The crucial details for making accurate assessments are to view all patients holistically in order to identify their needs. Assessment is not just a mere collection of data but involves the critical thinking of nurses to validate and synthesize the information to make informed judgements of the life process of individuals (Standing, 2010). It is about understanding and describing

Treatments for Hormone Sensitive Breast Cancer

Treatments for Hormone Sensitive Breast Cancer Rae Broz Oestrogen inhibiting Tamoxifen Citrate; an Antineoplastic Agent used to Treat Hormone Sensitive Breast Cancer The Hormone Oestrogen (E) fuels female breast growth production at puberty. Within the breast of mature women, there are milk ducts called lobes which branch out to form lobules or acinus. Together, these are called the terminal lobular unit (TDLU) (Bullock, 2013, pp. 917-918). Due to the various hormonal cycles that happen during a woman’s lifetime including, but not limited to child birth, Oestrogen and Progesterone levels are continuously fluctuating causing constant remodelling of the breast tissue. For example, menstruation causes the breast tissue to become increasingly vascular and encourages acinar tissue and ductal growth. Ancinar tissue converts to secretory glands through the release of progesterone at the luteal stage of the menstrual cycle. At this stage the terminal ducts are also dilated. (Craft. J, 2011, p. 951) Mitotic stem cell division is increased within the TDLU during these stages leading to the development and renewal of the epithelial lining, increasing the chance of cell mutations in the TDLU an area where the majority of breast cancer (BC) occur (Craft. J, 2011, p. 983). Studies show a positive sign of hormone sensitive BC is the increased amount of Oestrogen receptors (ERÃŽ ±). The more ErÃŽ ±s in the affected cells, the greater affinity with E, therefore cell reproduction rises, leading to faster BC cell replication (Patani, 2014). A benign tumor within the breast will remain localized and closely resembles normal epithelium cells within the tissue. Growth is at a slow rate within the TDLU, unlike a malignant (cancerous) tumor. The malignant tumor grows rapidly differentiating from the normal epithelial cell. It invades other tissue space and nearby blood and lymph vessels explaining why BCs easily spread into the lymphatic system and other areas of the reproductive system. Risk factors affecting hormone sensitive breast cancer development in women are Post-menopausal obesity and the woman’s age at the birth of her first child, as connections between older mothers and obese post-menopausal women to ERÃŽ ± positive BC have been discovered (Yager Davidson, 2006). Tamoxifen Citrate (Trans-1-[4- (2-dimethylaminoethoxy) phenyl] 1, 2 -diphenyl-1 –butene) is a non-steroidal drug and an antineoplastic agent called a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) (Marrero-Alonso et al., 2013). It is recommended as part of the treatment of hormone sensitive breast cancer due to its affinity with ERÃŽ ± acting as an antagonist to E, slowing cell division within the breast consequently stopping the progression of the BC (Bryant, 2011, p. 822). Tamoxifen is given orally, absorbed in the gastro intestinal tract and metabolized in the liver by the enzymes CYP-450, 2D6 and 2C9. (Mandlekar, 2000 #20) Metabolites, produced are the ERÃŽ ± receptor binding 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) and N-desmethyltamoxifen (DMT). Both have anti Oestrogen affects very close to their parent drug and cause apoptosis of BC cells. After dosing, various serum levels of Tamoxifen and metabolites were found within the lungs, liver ovaries and the endometrium and corpes luteum of the uterus, also in metastases within the brain and pancreas (Health Communication, 2004). Levels peak in about 3-6hours post a 10mg dose and reach a steady state around 4 weeks of therapy. They bind to albumin and are excreted mainly in the faeces so have a long half-life 5-7 days for Tamoxifen and 10-14 days for DMT (Health Communication, 2004). Due to the metabolism of Tamoxifen and its metabolites, there is a risk of serum accumulation in prolonged treatment and or patients with poor hepatic function dosing regimens major need intermittent adjustment according to serum level findings. (Health Communication, 2004). Phenytoin lowers Tamoxifen metabolism and should therefore not be used concurrently with Tamoxifen for extended periods of time unless a therapeutic drug (Endoxifen) monitoring strategy is utilized as Tamoxifen will lose effectiveness. (Gryn, Teft, Kim, 2014). It has been found that Tamoxifen treatment in postmenopausal women is beneficial in reducing calcium loss by reducing apoptosis of osteoclasts thus sustaining bone density (Nakamura et al., 2007). This unfortunately is not the case in premenopausal women; in these cases osteoporosis is often increased with the use of Tamoxifen, dependent on whether chemotherapy had caused amenorrhea or not (Vehmanen, Elomaa, Blomqvist, Saarto, 2006). Tamoxifen use has been linked to increased episodes of deep vein thrombosis (VTE) in women using the drug in breast cancer prevention treatment (Decensi et al., 2005). Finally patients receiving Tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer long term ( > five years) are at greater risk of mortality from endometrial cancer than those who did not receive Tamoxifen (Jones et al., 2012). Word count: 687 Reflection I hope I have created a better assignment this time round. I found the tutorial held on the 29/4/2014 very helpful as was the typed feedback sheet. I printed the latter out and sat it beside me while I typed out my assignment, along with the rubric and learning outcomes from the subject outline, referring to them often. The handwritten feedback was a little harder to decipher but I managed ok. My suggestion would be to type in an alternate colour e.g. Red for the feedback remarks on the actual assignment. I have learnt a lot from this assignment both about the subject and myself. I have incorporated more information into this assignment and have not included any quotes or paraphrasing from any of the texts I have used. The only similarities shown in turnitin were from my previous assignment. I have to say even with the setback I have enjoyed it. Word count: 151 References Bryant, B. a. K., K. (2011). Pharmacology for health professionals. Chatswood, NSW, Australia: Elsevier. Bullock, S. a. H., Majella. (2013). Principles of Pathophysiology. Frechs Forest, NSW, Australia: Pearson. Craft. J, G. C. a. t. A. (2011). Understanding Pathophysiology. Chatswood, NSW, Australia: Elsevier. Decensi, A., Maisonneuve, P., Rotmensz, N., Bettega, D., Costa, A., Sacchini, V., . . . Veronesi, U. (2005). Effect of tamoxifen on venous thromboembolic events in a breast cancer prevention trial. Circulation, 111(5), 650-656. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.0000154545.84124.ac Gryn, S. E., Teft, W. A., Kim, R. B. (2014). Profound reduction in the tamoxifen active metabolite endoxifen in a patient on phenytoin for epilepsy compared with a CYP2D6 genotype matched cohort. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics, Publish Ahead of Print, 10.1097/FPC.0000000000000051. Health Communication, N. (2004). MIMS Online. from Health Communication Network Jones, M., van Leeuwen, F., Hoogendoorn, W., Mourits, M., Hollema, H., van Boven, H., . . . Swerdlow, A. (2012). Endometrial cancer survival after breast cancer in relation to tamoxifen treatment: Pooled results from three countries. Breast Cancer Research, 14(3), R91. Marrero-Alonso, J., Morales, A., Garcà ­a Marrero, B., Boto, A., Marà ­n, R., Cury, D., . . . Dà ­az, M. (2013). Unique SERM-like properties of the novel fluorescent tamoxifen derivative FLTX1. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 85(3, Part B), 898-910. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2013.04.024 Nakamura, T., Imai, Y., Matsumoto, T., Sato, S., Takeuchi, K., Igarashi, K., . . . Kato, S. (2007). Estrogen prevents bone loss via estrogen receptor alpha and induction of Fas ligand in osteoclasts. Cell, 130(5), 811-823. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2007.07.025 Patani, N. a. M. L. A. (2014). Understanding response and resistance to oestrogen deprivation. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Volume 382(1), 683-894. Vehmanen, L., Elomaa, I., Blomqvist, C., Saarto, T. (2006). Tamoxifen treatment after adjuvant chemotherapy has opposite effects on bone mineral density in premenopausal patients depending on menstrual status. J Clin Oncol, 24(4), 675-680. doi: 10.1200/jco.2005.02.3515 Yager, J. D., Davidson, N. E. (2006). Estrogen Carcinogenesis in Breast Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 354(3), 270-282. doi: doi:10.1056/NEJMra050776

Personal Narrative: My Trip to Texas :: essays research papers

Have you ever been to Texas? I have been once. My trip to Texas was unbelievably awesome. I saw many of things on my way there. While we were there, I had loads of fun. Many things happened while we were there. Texas was the coolest place I have ever been. On the way to Texas, we had to drive across the Louisiana Bridge. While we were driving across the bridge, I noticed that the bridge was standing in one huge murky muddy marsh. In the marsh were cattails. They were growing and were being used as a disguise by many of animals. I was staring at the water below us and it took me a minute but I saw an alligator in the midst of the cattails. He was long and a grayish brown. He was camouflaging himself within the cattails. It did not take long for us to pass him but I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. When we arrived in Texas, we had to drive all the way to Austin in order for us to get to my grandfathers hotel. When we got there and I saw the hotel, I thought to myself that it was the most beautiful hotel in the world. It had color stained windows and when the sun shined through them, you could see a rainbow. The hotel looked like a catholic church with all of the breathtaking colors. My grandfather said that he loved living there because it made him feel rich. When we awoke the next morning, we got dressed and left the hotel headed towards Six Flags over Houston. My grandfather had bought us some coupons for the entrance fee so it would not cost as much. When we arrived, the air seemed very oppressive. The mood had already set itself to a very depressing day. We walked to the entrance and we found out that the coupons were no good. That did not stop us our parents paid the normal cost. We were finally at Six Flags. Personal Narrative: My Trip to Texas :: essays research papers Have you ever been to Texas? I have been once. My trip to Texas was unbelievably awesome. I saw many of things on my way there. While we were there, I had loads of fun. Many things happened while we were there. Texas was the coolest place I have ever been. On the way to Texas, we had to drive across the Louisiana Bridge. While we were driving across the bridge, I noticed that the bridge was standing in one huge murky muddy marsh. In the marsh were cattails. They were growing and were being used as a disguise by many of animals. I was staring at the water below us and it took me a minute but I saw an alligator in the midst of the cattails. He was long and a grayish brown. He was camouflaging himself within the cattails. It did not take long for us to pass him but I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. When we arrived in Texas, we had to drive all the way to Austin in order for us to get to my grandfathers hotel. When we got there and I saw the hotel, I thought to myself that it was the most beautiful hotel in the world. It had color stained windows and when the sun shined through them, you could see a rainbow. The hotel looked like a catholic church with all of the breathtaking colors. My grandfather said that he loved living there because it made him feel rich. When we awoke the next morning, we got dressed and left the hotel headed towards Six Flags over Houston. My grandfather had bought us some coupons for the entrance fee so it would not cost as much. When we arrived, the air seemed very oppressive. The mood had already set itself to a very depressing day. We walked to the entrance and we found out that the coupons were no good. That did not stop us our parents paid the normal cost. We were finally at Six Flags.

Case analysis: Deloitte & Touche Essay

In Deloitte & Touche, women had accounted for almost half of all new hires throughout the 1980s, yet by 1991, of the 50 candidates being nominated for partnership on that year, only four were women. There was serious imbalance of male and female gender in the workforce despite steps to ensure that the firm would be hiring women during the 1980s. Moreover, the high turnover of women leaving was accruing huge expenses for the firm . In this paper, I will first discuss the challenges faced in the organization and the reasons why the management saw a need for an organization change. Next, I will argue that the current situation favors the change process and despite the possible restraining forces; Deloitte & Touche is in a good position in successfully implementing the strategies. I will then discuss the possible restraining forces that would hinder the change and comment on the recommendations and strategies by the Task Force. Lastly, I will suggest further solutions that would help in overcoming the restraining forces so that this would further aid in the development of the change process. Mike Cook had initially assumed that the main reason why women left the workforce in greater numbers was due to family commitments. However, despite the strategies implemented in the 1980s to hire more talented women and ensuring that there was no glass ceiling for women in the firm, the statistics in 1991 proved that the previous solutions were not adequate and that the firm was incurring huge expenses due to the high rate of turnovers. Thus in 1992, a Task Force was formed whereby the firm hired outside consultants to find out why women were not advancing at the same rate as men, and why they were leaving at a higher percentage rate. After much investigations and interviews, the Catalyst report showed that the top two reasons for their departure was because the women had perceived that there was a male dominated work environment and that opportunities for career advancement was difficult. An imbalance work-life which was perceived by Mike Cook as the main reason was ranked third in importance. Clearly, the management had earlier identified the main reason incorrectly. When one examines the situation at hand, the firm is in a favorable position to execute the change. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, the critical mass, whom are the partners in the firm are suddenly aware of the  real problem the plagues the firm. Engaging the critical mass is crucial as their support for the change is important and their leadership would help transmit effectively the change strategies. Secondly, the firm is presently at the third stage of the development process, whereby they have diagnosed correctly the exact problem. In addition, Lois Evans, one of the top-ranked women in the firm had similarly echoed that the current work environment was a crappy place for any woman to be. By identifying the precise problem, the organisation can now tackle more effectively and implement the appropriate solutions to change the male dominated corporate culture. Changing a corporate culture is extremely difficult and this in my opinion is the biggest restraining force. The challenge for any organization is how to reinforce people in changing an old culture that has lasted for so long. The key to the success is not to impose cultural changes, but to facilitate an environment whereby employees are involved in finding their own new approaches to change. Another major restraining force that might occur is that many male employees might sense a threat in their positional power. In addition, many male workers might start wondering whether these changes would benefit them, and would start questioning the strategies suggested by the Task Force which seems to favor women only. The organization at present is still not accustomed in seeing women in positions of power and thus by developing leadership platforms for women such as an advisory council might bring about suspicion and insecurity for the men. In examining the recommendations suggested by the Task Force, I do agree that the firm should hold workshops and seminars to educate and communicate to the employees that men and women are colleagues . I would suggest that during these workshops, change agents should inform the male workers their subtle actions and words can actually create an unwelcome culture for women. Insensitive comments that make women feel uncomfortable in the workforce should also be avoided. For example, statements such as â€Å"someone working part-time is not interested in the career† or â€Å"she has kids, maybe he should handle the international assignments† should not be made formally, as well as in an informal setting. In addition, managers should also learn to avoid gender stereotypes that women are incapable to handle challenging  assignments simply because they are mothers. Therefore by increasing the awareness of the dangers of stereotyping, male employees would understand and be mo re acceptable when they recognize and see major changes in the work environment that might favor women employees. I similarly agree with the Task Force that the firm should build goals in their business planning and provide directional goals for women in leadership . Defining the criteria to measure and monitor progress for women is also crucial. This is because better information and improving access to career development and training opportunities are significant ways in educating the women their route of advancement. It is obvious that if you do know what is available, the possibility of you attempting to take part would be much higher. Thus it is important to ensure that women receive the same opportunities as men and this can be solved by designing a program to monitor the promotion rates among women and men. I would therefore suggest that the Human resource department have a program that tracks work assignments to ensure that women at Deloitte & Touche are considered for premier clients and projects at equal rates as their male counterparts. Offices should be evaluated annually, ensuring women are being offered fair shots at career-advancing assignments. Another solution is to include women as assessors and to ensure that they are included on senior promotion interview boards. However, one should be cautious and avoid achieving a fix quota. The firm must highlight that equality and meritocracy still exists in the workplace between men and women. This is crucial so that the firm would avoid to be seen as promoting a women-favored environment only. Besides the listed solutions in the case study, there are further considerations that Mike Cook might need to consider. Firstly, it is important to have a policy that is clear to the staff within the organization. Moreover, identifying the right people within the firm to implement the policies is vital as electing change agents who might unconsciously or consciously disagree with the new corporate philosophy might in return sabotage the whole change process rather than aid it.  Secondly, the creation of a positive environment has to start with the chief executive officer and the leaders, and they must set the example in creating an atmosphere of encouragement for the women. The management must also be prepared to provide sufficient resources for the training and development of women. Thirdly, in the creation of a flexible work environment for women as recommended by the Task Force, the challenge the organization face is to dispel myths that the only way a worker can contribute and have the potential for career advancement is on accumulating work hours or â€Å"face time†. While the management should allow women to work at home on occasional periods, and be connected to the work site via a computer through tele-working, the complexity of have this flexible work environment or working from home is in the method of supervision. Managers therefore need to plan and prepare for the experience of tele-work and develop appropriate communication and accountability strategies. Managers should also be respectful to the employee and their personal workspace and have to be careful not to neglect the worker, causing them to fall into the â€Å"out of sight† trap. In conclusion, Deloitte & Touche is in a good position in sustaining and implementing the change process. This is because the firm has correctly identified the root problem and possess a strong Task Force in recommending sound strategies. However, the firm must still be aware of possible restraining forces and also take time to set the right policies and choose the correct change agents within the firm to spearhead this change process. Managers should also be aware of the difficulties in having a flexible work environment, and thorough research and planning should be invested into this program so that they are better prepared to handle the transition.

“Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits” Analysis

The name of the essay is â€Å"Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits† by Suki Kim on November 21, 2009. In this essay she is telling us about a Korean girl went from being rich to her family going broke overnight. Ms. Kim is telling us about her struggles trying to adjust to a different society. She also needed to learn English and she found difficult to learn. One main point in her life was when her father lost everything overnight that ever mattered to the family. She was then moved to Queen, New York in the 1980’s where she started Jr. High. Suki had difficulty adjusting to America, especially not knowing how to speak English at all. The supporting details is when she stated that she watched reruns of â€Å"Three Company† in an attempt to learn English. She also stated that more brutal than learning English was facing poverty with a rich’s girl memory. A second main point is that immigration is meant to be the great equalizer, yet it is not easy to eradicate the divisions of the old country. She recalled at 13, is an acute awareness of the distance between her and her fellow F. O. B. ’s, and another, more palpable one between those of them in E. S. L and the occasional English- speaking Korean- American kids, who avoided them though they brought them certain undefined shame. The supporting details is that years later she learned that they were, in fact separated from them by generations. Those that sat in in huddle in that E. S. L class grew up to represent the so called 1. 5 generation. Many of them came to America in their teens, already rooted in Korean ways and languages. The writer’s purpose in genre is that she is now a Korean- American who once lived wealthy in Korea and then moved to a big city of Queens in the 80’s and really forced to learn English and adjusting to a new society. The audience is for all ages to read. The author tones towards her reader was calm when explaining her difficulties to adjusting to a new environment and going from rich to poor and having to learn how to be independent. Once she got older she became very good at speaking English that she became an interpreter for the Family Assistance Center.

Legal Research Essays

Legal Research Essays Legal Research Essay Legal Research Essay Essay Topic: Law Simon, a first year law student, decided to buy a DVD for use at university. He wanted a machine that would play his own DVDs as he had a collection of films he had copied from video to DVD at home. He explained exactly what he wanted at the shop. However, when he got the machine home he found it would not play home-recorded material, but it did play the pre-recorded DVDs he had bought. He went back to the shop but they said they did not have the machine he wanted at that he could not have his money back as the DVD player they sold him was in perfect working order. Simon, deciding he needed a break booked a holiday, looking for: Sun, sand and Sangria. He told the holiday agents exactly what he wanted; lots of people, a full night life, luxury accomodation and the beach. He was assured that Hotel Luxor in Macedonia in July would be perfect to meet his needs. He took the holiday, paying by credit card. On his arrival, he found himself booked into a small chalet in the mountains, where it snowed. There was no room service,lights out at 10.00 pm and the only other guest at the chalet was a surly sheep. Thoroughly dissapointed, Simon returned to Liverpool to resume his law studies. However, he had not paid his full fees from the previous year and was not allowed to enrol on the degree. Advise Simon of his legal remedies in all the above circumstances. Thus, proceeds of every centavo a buyer gives off should be made known to him. The economic dispute among micro-businesses and that of retail stores has been an immense issue for the competition has been leveling up as time goes by. The drastic effect does not Just concern their industry but mostly the welfare of the end consumers. Therefore it is a must to discern the monetary outflow of the sales incurred by the shopping malls and those of the Mess or Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Acknowledgement The satisfaction and euphoria which accompany the triumphant completion of any task would be incomplete without mentioning the people who made it possible and We, the researchers, would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Tatty. Cleveland Z. Bulla who really had inspired us through his valuable insights to continue with our work. Also our appreciation to the pecuniary and moral support our parents have given us. We are deeply indebted to them for without their assistance, this report would not have been a possibility. List of Tables List of Figures

To Kill A Mocking Bird Opens Our Eyes Essay Example

To Kill A Mocking Bird Opens Our Eyes Essay Example To Kill A Mocking Bird Opens Our Eyes Essay To Kill A Mocking Bird Opens Our Eyes Essay Good morning/afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am head of classic literature at the local University and I have come here today to talk about the way in which the well-known novel To Kill a Mockingbird makes comment on society. â€Å"Prejudice a vagrant opinion without visible means of support. † (Ambrose Bierce) Prejudice has been shaping our world for decades and has the ability to influence preconceived judgment and actions towards others. Famous author, Harper Lee has recognised and demonstrated how racial and social prejudice has played an important role in our society through her world renowned novel, â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird†. Within this novel she has successfully conveyed a message or better known as social commentary, to her audience that judging others on nothing but stereotypes is wrong. To do this, Lee has set her novel on society in the 1930s where strong racial prejudice was extremely common as the social norm and often not unfrowned upon at that point in history. By utilising specific narrative elements such as settings and symbolism throughout the novel, Lee has successfully made social comment on racial and social prejudice and how wrong and unfair it is. To Kill a Mockingbird was written by Harper Lee in mid-1950, during a period called the Civil Rights Movement. Even though the book was published in 1960, it was set in the 1930s and was strongly based around the Scottsboro Trial where nine African American men were accused of raping a young white woman as well as an underage woman. After a number of historic trials which were based on the lone testimony of one of the women, all of the African American men were found guilty and one of the men was sentenced to death convicted by a white jury. Harper Lee was born in April 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama, the same state as the trial and knew of the conditions surrounding it. Growing up she was known as a Tomboy and called writer, Truman Capote her friend. She has studied law at the University of Alabama through 1945 to 1949 before she published her only novel To Kill a Mockingbird. This novel was in fact based on her own town of Monroeville though she has created the book’s town named Maycomb. It was placed in the Deep South of the United States where slavery, zero equality and racial segregation was very present. Using her own experiences and knowledge of the strong racial prejudices around her, Lee has successfully provided her audience with a deep understanding of said prejudices and social justice therefore using it as a tool to create a clear comment on society and the wrongness that is racial prejudice. The setting of a book is the time and place in which it is written. Physical setting as well as the social and emotional settings tends to play a large role in a books entirety and even the message the writer is trying to convey to their audience. The physical setting is usually revealed in the introduction chapters of a book whereas the social and emotional settings can be known from the dialogue and action throughout the book. To Kill a Mockingbird was set in the small fictional Southern town of Maycomb in the 1930s where slavery and the Civil War of the 1860s still has a drastic effect on the town and it appears that change is only seen in the distant future. Clearly happy to stay in its own little world, Maycomb doesn’t know or seems to care about what’s happening elsewhere. â€Å"A day was twenty-four hours long but seemed longer. There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County. † (1. 6) There is no breaking the past with the town. When the same families have lived there for multiple generations, passing down the same family traits they have seen in the past there really isn’t much room for independent thought so the way things are in Maycomb are the way things will always been for them. The problem though is the way things have always been is racially segregated. The African Americans of Maycomb have their own settlement on the outskirts of town, their own church and cemetery outside of the city, even at Tom’s trial the African Americans sit separated from the whites; African Americans having seats up in the balcony whilst whites have the decent seats on the floor. Essentially the whites and blacks in Maycomb don’t live together, eat together, pray together, or even die together. Upon realising this, Lee’s audience will understand the emphasis put on racial prejudice, gives them a chance to set their own opinions and understand the wrongs that were happening at the time. Throughout To Kill a Mocking Bird, Harper Lee has used clever symbolism and original writing style to create a better understanding on her social comment about racial prejudice during her time. A writer’s style is basically their own unique way of writing. From the use of dialogue, language or tone, to symbolism, structure and point of view, each writer has their own style that accommodates what and how they plan to open a readers mind to what they have to write about. Lee’s writing style includes using a first person point of view as the young narrating character Scout Finch. From the very start of this novel it is obvious that that she is telling us of these events as a memory from her childhood perspective therefore as she understood the events at the time rather than using an adult sort of commentary. The perspective gives the readers a feeling of naivety as we tend to receive events as she just experiences them without telling us what they mean exactly. You could also say that, for some commentary that we got, was totally innocent. Though, when needed, there was an adult perspective in the background: â€Å"Mr Underwood didn’t talk about miscarriages of justice, he was writing so children could understand. Mr Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting, or escaping. † (25. 65) A young Scout wouldn’t understand what a miscarriage of justice was, so this is the adult telling us that this is what actually happened, whereas a child’s perspective would translate to something along the lines of ‘what happened was a sin’. Lee’s unique style of writing is what makes this book so powerful to readers from teenagers to adults. It makes it clear to all what comment she’s trying to make on society and how racial prejudice has shaped the world around us. Symbolism is the way in which writers have used their words to express idea through imagery. Common ways to create some sort of symbolism in a novel are metaphors, similes, references and allusions. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee has used symbolism to teach her readers about stereotypes, racial prejudice and moral sin. Pointing out what others seem to be baffled about is the title of the book. It seems as though, if you didn’t know any better, you’d think the novel itself was written about something entirely different, but in this case the Mockingbirds are used as an allegory (or symbol) for innocence. Other than title, we first hear about the mockingbirds when Scout and her brother Jem are learning how to use their new air rifles where their father, Atticus, tells them to shoot all the blue jays they want but not to shoot a mockingbird because it’s a sin. Scout had never heard her father tell them it was a sin to do something so she asked Miss Maudie about it. â€Å"Your father’s right,† she said. â€Å"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird. †Ã¢â‚¬  (10. 99/100) She’s essentially saying that mockingbirds are innocent and harmless creature that won’t hurt anyone so therefore killing them is wrong. The same can be said about Tom’s innocence of the crime he’s accused of as he does no harm to anyone. Killing him would not prevent any bad nor will it bring any good, just like shooting a mockingbird. Lee’s use of symbolism like this gets the audience thinking about the point she’s trying to bring across and again she has made clear social comment on the injustice of prejudice against those who are different. To Kill a Mockingbird is successful in conveying the message that racial and social prejudice is wrong. Harper Lee has utilised the narrative elements of setting in the small Southern town of Maycomb, symbolism within the title itself as well as her unique writing style to achieve social comment. To Kill a Mockingbird is a fantastic book that is capable of changing a reader’s perspective on the world around them and gives us a chance to open our eyes at how much has changed for the better and how far we have to go.