Essay Topics For Catcher in the Rye

Essay Topics For Catcher in the RyeThere are some good essay topics for catcher in the rye. Although you are a catcher, you don't have to write about catching. You can write about any of the very interesting aspects of catcher in the majors.One of the many things you can write about is the sport itself. Many people look at a baseball game and get lost in the great battles and romantic stories that usually make up the first third of the game. But often times what the viewers see is a much smaller scale version of the more complicated and intriguing facets of the game. Most people don't really think about how it all works in the minor leagues. If you are a catcher in the major leagues, you need to be able to share your experiences with the people that do pay attention to them.Just like any other sport, there are many fans that love to analyze every aspect of baseball. They may argue over the stats and maybe even talk about a player's personality. You can use this knowledge to try to wi n an argument. However, you shouldn't use the MLB to try to win someone over. You should use it to help educate them and gain their attention.Catchers in the majors are also more likely to be in the spotlight than other players. The games are televised and even televised highlights make the game seem even more intense. If you are a catcher in the majors, you will definitely be in the spotlight.There are many different types of careers for catchers. There are those that catch on the big league level. There are those that catch in the minors and eventually become a veteran catcher.On the big league level, a catcher will have more responsibility and will catch more people. The tough part is that they can't just throw back to the pitcher. So, catching in the majors can be frustrating and lonely at times.In the minors, you may be faced with tougher competition, but there are things you can do to make the game easier on yourself. You might have to learn how to be a better receiver and mor e responsible in the dirt.Remember, if you want to have a successful career as a catcher, you should find different career options and explore all of them. You can decide which option you would prefer and try to build your career around that one.

Basic Communication Process Essay Example

Basic Communication Process Paper What is communication? According to Hybel Weaver (2004, p7) the terms ‘Communication’ which is interact with others to share information and beliefs, exchange ideas and feelings, make plans and solve problems. Sometimes this interaction is done interpersonally, in a team or small group, in a conference and sometimes through the media or via computer. We may say that communication consists of transmitting information from one people to another. Communication theory is explains the process of transmitting information, the form and structure of the information, the function and effects of the information. The best ways to understand the communication is to look at models of the process which can help us to understand. Within this paper, we will emphasis â€Å"A Models of the Basic Communication Process† (Verderber Verderber, 2008) features whilst compare with other communication theory. A Model of the Basic Communication Process A Model of the Basic Communication Process which is expanded from the Liner Model of communication by adding feedback to this model, the essential components of communication includes: Sender, Receivers, Messages, Noise, Channels, Feedback and Context. These components are interactive. When two people are communicating, it describes each component’s movement and interdependence with other components which are constantly in transmission to each other. These components also show that communication is a process, it works together as a system, that interaction and transaction are both possible modes of communication. Now that we can see how these components relate during communication, we will discuss each one separately as follow. Sender Receivers Hybels Weaver (2004, p. 9) stated that in the most communication situations, each people are both a sender and receiver. We will write a custom essay sample on Basic Communication Process specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Basic Communication Process specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Basic Communication Process specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer They have information, ideas and feeling to share with others, this sharing is not a one-way process, when one people send ideas to the other people which is receives the message and the process is reversed. Sender translates the ideas or feelings into words or sounds and sent the message to the receiver that process called encoding. In the other hand, receiver to interpret the messages from the sender, that process called decoding. Messages Pearson, Nelson, Titsworth Harter (2006, p. 11) point out that communication messages take many forms which can communicate verbally and nonverbally. The message is a content of the interaction; it includes the symbols for us to use to communicate our ideas, as well as facial expressions, bodily movements etc. Some experts believe that communication stem only from messages that have a purpose. Each message is unique, even if the same message were to be created over and over again, it would be different with each others, although the words might be the same, the messages expressed would be quite different. Noise In the communication process, noise interferes with people receiving a message someone is sending or receiving message. The perceptive communicator realizes: Noise can have both internal and external causes. Internal noise is attributed to the psychological makeup, intellectual ability, or physical condition of communicators. External noise is attributed to the environment. Thus, noise includes distractions such as a loud siren, a disturbing odor, and a hot room; personal factors such as prejudices, daydreaming and feelings of inadequacy; and semantic factors such as uncertainty about what another person’s words are supposed to mean (Gamble 2008, p. 8) Channels Refer to Eunson (2005, p. 1), Channel is the route by which messages flow between sender and receivers. The communication channels allow us to see people’s facial expression and hear voices via radio or television. Communication rarely take place over one channel, it may be use two, three or four different channels simultaneously. Familiar channels include the different type which is include television, smoke signal, telephones, e mail, movies, voices, reports and so on. Feedback Another component in the communication process is feedback, Devito (2006, p. 7) described that the response to a message that a receiver sends back to a sender. Feedback enables a sender to determine whether the communication has been received and understood as intended. Feedback is a natural extension of effective receiving. Receivers have the responsibility of attending to, decoding and determining a message’s intended meaning. Effective of the communication, sender has the ability to understand the feedback and to adjust messages on the basis of that feedback. Context The context refers to surrounding in which communication occurs. Verderber Verderber (2008, p. 6) point out that the context includes: Physical Context, Social Context, Historical Context and Psychological Context. Each context have different characteristic: ? Physical context is the location, e. g. the environmental, the distance between communicators, seating arrangements, etc. ?Social Context refers to the status of relationship between the participants. ?Historical context is the background provided by previous communication event between the participants. ?Psychological context includes the moods and ideas of each people bring to the interpersonal experience. Each context will affect the degree of formality in the communication. What different with the transmission model of communication? Summarized Wood (2003, p. 17) said, transmission model was an early model of communication, which described it as a linear or one-way process. It also best known model of communication is one devised by Shannon and Weaver (1949). This model is in a simple, easily understood form and a general model that can be applied to most types of communication. The transmission model of communication consists of the following components: Sender, Receiver, Message, Code, Channel and Noise. In this model, it ignores the important component of the responding Feedback from the receiver. At this point, Wood (2003, p. 8) defined that: Feedback may be verbal, nonverbal, or both and it may be intentional or unintentional. Wilbur Schramm (1955) depicted feedback as a second kind of message in the communication process. Research has confirmed Schramm’s insight that feedback is important. Supervisors report that communication accuracy and on-the-job productivity rise when they encourage their subord inates to give feedback – ask questions, comment on supervisors’ messages, and respond to supervisory communication (Deal Kennedy, 1999) Communication relied on the feedback to make the necessary adjustments. Communication is an interactive process which relies on the active participation of both sender and receiver; therefore, the transmission model is not an accurate to reflect the complex nature of communication. It fails to allow explains of meaning which is so important to our success in communicating with each others. Overview Hybels Waeaver (2004 p. 28) concluded that everyone needs good communication skills. Communication is ongoing process in which people share ideas and feelings. The communication also is the interdependent process, the essential component of communication include: sender-receivers, messages, noise, channels, feedback and context. Communication plays a important role in all aspects of our lives. So that, effective communication help us to enhances our relationships and allows us to make connections with people from different cultures. Each of the communication process can improve our effectiveness as communicators by applying the guidelines and principles. ~ End ~ Reference List Devito, J 2006, Human Communication The Basic Course, 10th Edition, Pearson Education Inc. USA Eunson, B 2005, Communicating in the 21st Century, Wiley, Milton, Queensland Gamble, M Gamble, T 2005, Communication Works, 9th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York. Hybels, S Weaver, R 2004, Communicating Effectively, 7th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York Pearson, J, Nelson, P, Titsworth, S Harter, L 2006, Human Communication, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York Wood, J 2003, Comm unication in Our Live, 3rd Edition, Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc, USA Verderber, R Verderber K 2008, Communicate, 12th Edition, Thomson Higher Education, USA

Your Complete College Application Timeline

Your Complete College Application Timeline SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips For many students and their parents, the college application process is a source of tremendous anxiety. Fear not. If you familiarize yourself with this process and devote enough time to it, I’m confident that you’ll be able to make it through unscathed and end up at a quality college. In this article, I’ll take you through the complete college application timeline, detailing what you should be doing at each point in your high school career to ensure that you can submit exceptional college applications. Overview of the College Application Process If you want to successfully complete the college application process and make yourself as competitive for college admission as possible, you will be directly or indirectly working on your college application well before your applications are due.In fact, if you have any intention of applying to selective colleges, this process can really begin as early as your freshman year. The major components of your application that will be evaluated are your transcript, your standardized test scores, your recommendations, your personal essay, and your extracurricular activities. In this article, I’ll walk you through an ideal college planningtimeline to ensure that you’re able to have every aspect of your final application be as strong as possible. Freshman and Sophomore Years While you don’t have to seriously think about what colleges you want to apply to before your junior year, your first two years of high school will influence the quality of your college application. Even though there are a fewcolleges including University of California schools that won’t consider your freshman grades, your sophomore grades will definitely factor into your high school GPA and help determine whether you’re accepted to the college of your choice. Pay attention to what classes you take.Selective colleges want to see that you’ve excelled in rigorous classes throughout your high school years.Some high schools are hesitant to allow students to take honors or AP classes in their junior years if they haven’t taken advanced classes in their first two years of high school. Furthermore, colleges are concerned with how many years you’ve taken core subjects (math, English, science, history, and foreign language).If you don’t take a foreign language or history class in your freshman or sophomore year, you’ll be a less competitive applicant. Also, make sure you’re involved in extracurricular activities. Colleges like to see that you've committed yourself to your extracurriculars. The student who has excelled in the same extracurricular activity throughout high school is a more impressive applicant than the student who first starts doing an extracurricular in his junior year. Start studying for the SAT/ACT.Generally, you should start studying for the SAT/ACT in your sophomore year or the summer before your junior year.We recommend that you take the SAT/ACT for the first time in the fall of your junior year. Start studying early to prepare yourself thoroughly. Calsidyrose/Flickr Fall of Junior Year In the fall of your junior year, you should take the SAT or ACT for the first time. Also, start researching colleges.You don’t need to finalize your list of schools at this point, but if you identify colleges you’re interested in, you’ll have a better sense of what you need to do to make yourself competitive for admission. Additionally, you’ll be able to determine your target score for the SAT or ACT. Then, you can decide if you need to retake your SAT/ACT, and you can figure out how to improve your score, if need be. Spring of Junior Year In the spring of your junior year, you should make a preliminary list of colleges you want to apply to.Use college finders, college search websites, and ranking lists to help you.Having this list will give you ample time to complete all your application requirements and ensure that you can reach your target scores on your standardized tests.Divide your list into reach, target, and safetyschools. If necessary, retake your SAT or ACT.Ideally, you’ll achieve your target score this time around. Again, make sure you’re prepared. Also, if you’re considering applying to any schools that recommend or require SAT Subject Tests, I advise you to take them in the spring of your junior year. Read our SAT Subject Test articles to figure out your target scores, help decide which ones to take, and for assistance in preparing. Finally, you should ask teachers if they’re willing to write recommendation letters for you.If you ask them early, your teachers will have more time to think about them, and you may get better recommendations. Keep in mind that many teachers will be bombarded by students asking for recommendations during your senior year. Summer Before Senior Year In the summer before your senior year, try to finalize your list of colleges.Make sure you’re familiar with the application requirements for each school. If you still need to take the SAT or ACT to reach your target score, do some intense studying over the summer. Also, start thinking about and preparing for your college application essays.Come up with ideas and write first drafts. The more you do over the summer, the less you'll have to worry about during the school year. Fall of Senior Year Most likely, the fall of your senior year will be rather busy. In the fall, you have to make sure your college applications are ready. Formally ask for recommendations early in the semester.Don’t wait until one week before your application deadlines to ask. Teachers who are too busy or inundated with recommendation requests may decline to write your lettersor will be unable to write you a good recommendation at the last minute. Polish your college essays.College essays take much more time than you think. Even though the essay isn’t that long, writing a great college essay can be time-consuming. Write multiple drafts, and if possible, allow your teachers and counselors to review your essays and offer advice. For years, I spent many hours helping procrastinating students revise college essays the night before their applications were due. I'm having painful flashbacks. Let's proceed. Typically, early decision and early action applications are due by November 15.If you apply early, the Oct. or Nov. SAT/ACT will most likely be your last chance to take the test.Early applicants are usually notified by early December regarding admissions decisions. For most colleges, regular decision application deadlines are January 1st, but some popular colleges have earlier deadlines.For example, the deadline for University of California applications is the end of November. Be aware of the deadlines for all the schools on your list. Make sure that you have submitted all necessary applications, forms, and score reports.Make a checklist for each school of what you need to submit. Luckily, your life may be easier because more colleges are using the Common Application. If you still need to take the SAT/ACT, do some quality studying and take the test in time so you can get your scores to the colleges.For most schools, the December tests will be your last opportunity, but a few colleges will allow you to submit scores from January or February. If you need financial aid, begin working on the financial aid process.Each college has its own financial aid requirements. Check the school’s website and financial aid office for requirements and deadlines for financial aid.If you want to be eligible for financial aid, make sure you complete the FAFSA.Become knowledgeable about financial aid and explore all your options to pay for college. Spring of Senior Year You'll hear about your regular decision applications by late March or early April. Hopefully, you'll be accepted by multiple colleges. Continue researching the colleges that accept you to choose the college that will be best for you.If you applied for financial aid, the colleges that accepted you will give you their financial aid offers shortly after they accept you. You can use the financial aid packages to determine how much you’ll have to pay for each school and factor that into your college decision.Typically, you have to decide which school you’ll attend by May 1. Special Message to the Procrastinators The college application timeline I’ve given you is ideal for maximizing the quality of your application and minimizing stress.Admittedly, many students don’t begin thinking about the college application process until the fall of their senior year. Some of these students are still able to successfully complete all of their applications and attend the college of their dreams. However, I think every student benefits from sticking to the college timeline I laid out.I know students who were unable to submit applications on time because they waited too long to start writing their essays. I know students who severely limited their college options because they didn’t do enough college research. Also, the majority of students I’ve worked with could have done better on their standardized tests if they had given themselves more time to study. Furthermore, you’ll be busy with school and extracurricular activities during your senior year. If you don’t start contemplating the application process until the fall of your senior year, you’re likely to feel overwhelmed given all of your other responsibilities. If you devote more time to this process earlier, it will be easier and you'll be more likely to accomplish your goals. What's Next? Do you need more information to successfully stick to this college application timeline? We've got tons of other guides and resources to help you plan. If you're struggling to find extracurricular activities, learn about the 3 best extracurricular activities for your college application. Are you starting to work on your college essay? Make sure you know how to write a great college essay. Finally, to help you stay on track, review the important college application deadlines you can't miss. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

7 page short story with a supernatural effect Research Paper

7 page short story with a supernatural effect - Research Paper Example Several small figures emerged and the giggles of little girls broke the night’s silence. Harold bought pizza for Kara and her friends and ordered a movie to keep everyone occupied. .By 10:30pm, Kara led her three friends to the basement, and Harold found himself alone once more. Not long after, a particularly loud round of giggles drew Harold’s attention. He crept toward the stairs and peered into the darkness below. Harold took the stairs two at a time then. He’d been a kid once and the generation of today was about ten times worse than his had been. â€Å"Anyway† Kara continued, â€Å"Elizabeth Bathory was of noble blood, born into a wealthy family. She seemed like a normal person at first, but what nobody else knew was that Elizabeth was obsessed.† Kara paused, â€Å"Obsessed with being young and beautiful.† â€Å"One day, one of Elizabeth’s servants cut herself, and a drop of her blood got onto Elizabeth’s skin. The countes s believed that the girl’s blood made her skin look younger. She believed then that she had found the key to staying young and beautiful forever: virgin blood. For years afterward, she tortured and killed virgin, peasant girls, bathing in their blood.†

Public School Uniforms Rough Draft Research Paper

Public School Uniforms Rough Draft - Research Paper Example Normally, public schools have the freedom of letting their students dress based on their preferences, or else provide them with school uniforms. Despite pros and cons expressed regarding school uniforms, I personally support the idea that the benefits far outstrip the damages. In my opinion, wearing school uniforms should not be just considered as a habit, but should be perceived as an important component in schooling for obvious reasons such as academic improvement and promotion of student behavior. As the name implies, school uniforms promote uniformity in schools. With this regard, a sense of pride is promoted as uniforms promote a sense of uniqueness. Just as students represent the school, school uniforms are extremely important as they also represent the school. The current trends in school uniforms began in 1987 with the first school in Baltimore becoming the first to adopt the trend. This was followed by implementation of a mandatory policy across the district in 1994. The two events happened alongside State of Union in 1996 delivered by Bill Clinton where he encouraged that school uniforms helped in enhancing security. However, this review focusses on effectiveness of school uniforms in enhancing behavior and achievement in public schools. Uniforms play a critical role in promoting academic achievement. Research shows that elementary schools from both urban and rural districts demonstrates improved academic achievement rated in terms of graduation versus suspension and attendance rather than expulsion and academic proficiency rates. In view of this, most researchers concur that the policies on school uniforms contribute largely to the achievement of the student, especially when they become part of a comprehensive reform plan of the school. In United States, the interest in school uniforms grew during Clintons era after their fellow students discriminated some Columbine students for wearing dark colored clothes making them become social outcasts in

Important to the public Essay Example for Free

Important to the public Essay The Gallup organization has surveyed American schools for the past 40 years. These surveys, carried over the years, have served as a mirror to reflect the country’s educational achievements, attitudes and perceptions held by various education stakeholders regarding the education system, and to serve as a pointer of reflecting the overall direction of the education sector. It should not be lost on us that the Gallup poll is not meant to be a rapid snapshot for public perception. Rather, the poll is conducted annually to provide all education stakeholders with some useful insights in tracking public opinion about the American educational system. Therefore, the poll is carried in the most straightforward and honest manner, with its objective set at accounting for how Americans perceive their public schools and the learning process. Below, I offer my reactions. Americans opinions regarding schools Being an election year in the United States, The question of who most Americans trust to run their schools could not escape the Gallup survey. I totally agree with the Gallup study that the democratic presidential candidate, Barrack Obama looks more responsive and supportive towards public schools than his challenger, John McCain. This is basically because of the policies that Obama want to institute in the education system. His comprehensive zero to five plan will offer the much needed support to young children and their parents in the United States. He has continued to emphasize early care and education for infants, and has promised to develop an Early Learning Challenge Grants to promote states to move towards voluntary, universal pre-school education. For positive transformation of Americans public schools to take place, the next American president must turn away from using business or political leaders in developing policies for public schools, to utilizing education leaders. To this, I can’t agree more since previous political leaders have been involved in legislating unpopular laws that harm the public schools instead of making the efficient. For example, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) rule needs to be radically reformed by improving on its accountability schemes so that schools that need improvements are supported, rather than being punished. It is also true that most Americans believe that the federal government is still not doing enough to fund the public schools. Federal funds should be increased to maintain local public schools. However, there is a mix-up of issues in that Americans want educational leaders, state and local educators to be more involved in the running of the public schools but they do not want to shoulder the massive costs involved, preferring to request the federal government to meet the ever-rising educational budget. Here, I think that average Americans must be prepared to meet the accrued cost burden arising out of educational expenses (â€Å"Highlights†, 2008). Majority of the parents perceive their children in public schools to be well behaved. According to me, this is not the case. Discipline in American public schools is a matter of concern. Though the problem of lack of discipline is real, parents are more generally concerned with overcrowding at schools. Infact, during its lifetime, the annual Gallup poll of the public’s attitudes towards public school continue to point out that the most serious problem facing the nation’s educational system is lack of discipline. There are many grave concerns about the dangers and disorders of lack of discipline in school environments. These dangers involve cheating, drug use, insubordination, intimidation, and truancy. It is estimated that unbecoming behaviors in U. S. schools is directly related to nearly two million suspensions per year (â€Å"Highlights†, 2008). Average Americans continue to perceive community Schools positively. In the recent survey, 46 percent of the respondents assigned grades A and B to community schools, as opposed to 22 percent, who favored nation’s schools. I clearly agree with this finding. Morale and confidence, is quite low in most American’s public schools, and majority of the people interviewed believed that the Democratic presidential candidate, Barrack Obama, have the capability to remedy the situation by offering practical solutions to problems that have made the American public lack confidence in public schools (â€Å"Highlights†, 2008). Parents continue to carry in high esteem the schools attended by their oldest children. 72 percent of the parents said that their perceptions regarding the school attended by their oldest children were positive. The Americans attitudes and perceptions towards other public schools in Europe and Asia were even more positive. Almost a half of the respondents assigned these European and Asian schools grades of A and B, as opposed to the much lower grades they assigned to their nation’s schools. I totally disagree with this finding and believe that Americans schools are the best that there is in the world. My reflection is reinforced by the view that America receives more applications from foreign students, wanting to come and study in the U. S. If the system is poor, this could not be the case. Our students are competitive, and compare favorably to other students around the world when it comes to their creativity and problem solving skills. Two-thirds of all Americans are satisfied with the education standards set by policy makers. I agree with that assertion (â€Å"Highlights†, 2008). Important educational issues First, majority of Americans feels that it is important to re-organize the No Child Left Behind rule as it has outlived its usefulness. The NCLB Act of 2001 remade some federal programs that were aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the U. S. public primary and secondary schools. This was to be achieved by increasing the accountability for schools, school districts, and states. Parents were provided with more flexibility in deciding which schools their siblings attend. The NCLB was aimed at increasing the educational standards, but not any more. It needs to be changed drastically, or abandoned in its entirety. In the latest Gallup survey, only 16 percent of the respondents said they can re-administer the NCLB legislation without valid changes. I totally agree with the concerns raised (â€Å"Highlights†, 2008). Another important educational issue is the School progress measurement system. An overwhelming majority of Americans would like the school progress to be measured, not by a single score as NCLB propagates, but rather by student’s improvement. Nearly 80 percent of the respondents believed that teacher grades, examples of student’s work, and teacher observations are the most dependable measurements of students’ academic progress. I totally agree with that assertion to do away with test scores in our education systems (â€Å"Highlights†, 2008). For American educational system to be globally competitive, a change in the belief system of average Americans must take place. Majority of Americans think that their education system is pretty bad and inferior. Everyday, we read in the media about the poor performance of our nation’s schools. But the problem may not even lie with the schools. Children must be trained to achieve more in their schooling to be able to be competitive in the globalized market (â€Å"Highlights†, 2008). Another important educational issue that needs to be addressed is the use of standardized testing. According to experienced teachers, standardized testing lacks in quality as it only works to produce simplistic results that are embraced by policy makers as indicators of excellence. Teaching techniques need to be looked into, and if possible, overhauled. To prepare the children of tomorrow, we need to move away from standardized testing and integrate into our learning institutions some student-centered learning processes (â€Å"Highlights†, 2008). Poll results and future planning by public educators First, it would be the challenge of the incoming president to develop a more broader vision of learning and performance, while greatly expanding opportunities to run and raise educational standards. The incoming president needs to increase federal budgets for public schools to effectively meet the costs incurred by school administrators (â€Å"Highlights†, 2008). Public educators must also come up with national strategies and policies that would enable the Americans change their belief system, that there is a bad system of education. If such a belief is changed, educators can achieve much in guiding the education system in America. Also, public educators must plan on how they will change the education system from using standardized testing procedures which narrows the students’ desire and imagination, to a more student-centered approach that will free the student and make him enjoy the learning process. All education stake holders must ensure that they come up with strategies that preserve the relevance of education in our learning institutions. Students should not be taught just to pass examinations. They need to be taught how to utilize that education to take care of themselves (â€Å"Highlights†, 2008). In future, education stakeholders must come up with ways of increasing their funding base instead of relying on federal government’s alone. This can be achieved by developing networks and partnerships with other organizations. Education stakeholders need to realize that financial incentives are much needed if the problem of inadequate staffing is to be effectively dealt with. Educational policy makers must from now rely on the expertise of educators while drawing and formulating national education policies, instead of relying on business leaders. Marked improvement in the education system will be reflected if some or all of the above issues are addressed. Reference Highlights of the 40th PDK/ Gallup Poll. (2008). Retrieved October 21 2008, from http://www. pdkmembers. org/members_online/publications/e-GALLUP/kpoll_pdfs/pdkpoll40_2008. pdf

Braveheart Essay example -- essays research papers

It has been said that the best things in life are worth fighting for. In the movie Braveheart starring Mel Gibson this thought is the basis for the whole movie. This film was based on the real life story of Scotland's rebellion from under English rule in the thirteenth century.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  William Wallace, played by Gibson, was a son of a common soldier. He desired nothing more in life than to move back to his homeland years after his father's death and to start a farm and a family. Wallace's plans are drastically interrupted when the English lord of the land kills his wife in order to get to him. Instead of making him weak, the murder of his wife prompts William to begin a rebellion of English rule. He inspires thousands of Scotsmen to fight the English soldiers for their freedom.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This movie is an incredible display of the ability of a country to fight against oppression from evil. Mel Gibson does a wonderful job playing a character who fights with passion for his country and for the memory of his wife. It is uncommon to find a movie where the main character fights with as much feeling and emotion as William Wallace does. He is an intelligent man and would not have fought in a war unless it was for a meaningful cause. Before the death of his wife he is approached by some of the villagers to fight against the English but refuses to because he doesn't feel it is necessary.   Ã‚  Ã‚  &n...