SIPA Fellowships COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

SIPA Fellowships COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog I like to try to be as transparent as possible concerning admissions and financial aid at SIPA I am not a cloak and dagger type of guy.   I like two button sport coats, bright ties, and sneakers . . . but this is not about my fashion sense. I know that paying for school is a big issue, both from a personal and professional standpoint.   Personally, I attended graduate school and borrowed a substantial amount of money to do so.   Professionally, it is almost impossible to talk with a prospective student and not have the topic of the cost of education come up.   In order to provide some additional insight into the situation at SIPA I thought I would post some basic information about fellowships.   There are a lot of words in this entry and no pictures, so hang in there and read carefully and I think you will find the information valuable. First I will note that we are not able to give out near the amount of money we would like to give to first year students.   Each year we award approximately 10% of incoming students funding and the average award is around $15,000.   Below are two examples of common emails we receive after admission decisions have been sent out: I am very happy to have been admitted to SIPA, however is there any way that the admissions committee can reconsider me for fellowship funding (or increase an award I have been given)? I have been admitted to SIPA and to another school and the other school is offering me funding.   Can SIPA match the funding provided by the other school? The SIPA Admissions Committee actually spends twice the amount of fellowship money we have.   Why do we do this?   Because history shows that not everyone we award funding to will attend.   Thus we greatly overspend which means that if an applicant declines their award, we cannot simply shift that money to another applicant. Regarding the second question, each school has a different committee, different applicant pool, and different budget.   In my Apples and Oranges entry a while back I talked about how comparing an offer from one school to another may seem like a logical thing to do, but the comparison is fraught with complications and variables.   And as stated above, as much as we are excited about having you come, we simply cannot base our decision on the capability of another school to provide funding. So what about the second year?   I am happy to say that the majority of second year students at SIPA that are qualified to apply for fellowship do receive funding.   So how do you qualify?   In order to apply for second year funding at SIPA a first year student must have a 3.2 GPA at the end of the first semester.   If you meet the GPA requirement, you will submit an application to the Office of Student Affairs at SIPA in March of your first year.   Roughly 70% of those who apply are awarded funding and the average award is around $20,000. Second year students who are awarded fellowship funds typically have some sort of work requirement associated with the fellowship.   This can include working for a professor or in administrative department such as admissions, career services, or institutional technology. This is a good time to put in a plug for our summer math tutorial.   Since second year funding is so dependent on academic performance, it behooves you to do all that you can to make sure you do well in the first semester   a semester in which you will be taking a heavy dose of core requirements which are quantitatively heavy.   In May admitted applicants who have chosen to enroll will be sent instructions on how to participate in an on-line summer math tutorial. I cannot recommend highly enough that applicants who plan on enrolling participate in the summer math tutorial.   Even if you took many quantitatively oriented classes in the past, it would do you well to knock off a little bit of rust.   Again I can speak from personal experience.   I started my graduate program when I was 28 and boy was it a shock to my system when the syllabus of the first class hit my desk. And for those who might not have completed an economics sequence, high level math class, or a statistics class, taking a summer class from a college near you is a great idea.   Courses might include microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics, linear algebra, precalculus, or calculus. I hope this gives you a bit of insight into the process at SIPA and please click here to explore information related to cost of attendance at SIPA.   The financial aid staff in my office are working fast and furious and will be sending out financial aid letters with more information.   We try to send out an estimated award letter shortly after the admission offer is made to give you an idea of what aid you might be eligible to receive, but it does take us some time to give specifics regarding government and private aid you may be eligible to receive in an official award letter.   Thank you in advance for your patience.

The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia - 2360 Words

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently facing one of the greatest challenges since its founding in 1932. With the Iranian influence spreading across the Middle East, the Saudi response to the war in Syria is only one of many interconnected battles against Tehran. They must balance their desire to see Assad fall with the need to silence the religious message emanating from Isis, as both of these threaten their political system and way of life. This challenge is all the more complicated by the falling price of oil and the wavering support of the United States. The reluctance of the Americans to get overly involved will leave it up to the Saudis to provide air support, and help fund and train their Arab allies in their fight against Assad and the Iranians beyond the borders of Syria. Meanwhile, with their largest historic budget deficit looming, it has yet to be seen if this will be possible. Saudi Arabia has a clear stake in the fighting in Syria; by overthrowing Assad, they are weakening Iran. Weakening Iran is of great importance as their influence is spreading across the Middle East and threatens Riyadh’s security. After witnessing Tehran meddle in Yemeni and Iraqi politics, the Kingdom feel their enemies could push their minority Shi’a population towards rising against the Sunni crown. Therefore Iran must be weakened so that they are not strong enough to spur a Saudi revolution. The fight against Iran has evolved throughout the war. Along with the battles in Syria, itShow MoreRelatedThe Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia877 Words   |  4 Pages In Saudi Arabia I am sure that there is probably more than one language spoken there but the number one language is Arabic. Did you know that the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia has that biggest continuous desert, in the world. Saudi Arabia is a country located in the Middle East surrounded by water, and desert. Saudi Arabia is also known for being the 15th largest export economy in the world. Saudi Arabia is an amazing country. And I hope you enjoy these pages filled with more wonderful facts about theRead MoreThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia1910 Words   |  8 Pages Introduction In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this is the most exciting era regarding medical genetics, where programs based on genetic counseling are widely spread amongst the region. Concerned about the fact that conceiving a genetically defected child in the Kingdom has become a common case amongst many families; many have shown interest towards this subject and has accepted genetic counseling the best and the most accurate method to detect genetic defects in premarital and prenatal stages. Read MoreThe Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia1498 Words   |  6 PagesThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most centralized countries in the Middle East. Known for its abundant oil supply, desert land, and strict adherence to Islam, Saudi Arabia is a culture that is very different from those of Western nations. Analyzing the national and business culture can prepare a Westerner for working in Saudi Arabia and help them avoid intercultural conflict. In 1932, King Abd-al-Aziz established the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Though he passed away in 1953, the monarchy continuedRead MoreThe Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia8901 Words   |  36 Pagesfrom education are proven – for individuals, families, communities and the development of a nation. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places great emphasis and importance on education, as it is the field that prepares future generations who are the nation s true fortune (Al-Mousa, 2010, p. 7). On the other hand, until the late nineteenth century, education in all parts of what is now, Saudi Arabia was traditionally, restricted to reading, writing and recitation of the Qur an. The beginning of what weRead MoreSaudi Arabi The Kingdom Of Arabia1986 Words   |  8 PagesSaudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula and Located in the southwest corner of Asia, with a total Saudi population as 2010 amounted 29,195,895 million. The country was established in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Kingdom is Monarchy under the leadership of Al Saud Family, current monetary unit is Riyal, the Kingdom is at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. Geography It is surrounded by the Red Sea on the West, by Yemen and Oman on theRead MoreThe Role Of The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia1238 Words   |  5 PagesThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A) is an absolute monarch and the education system is being governed by the Ministry of Education. Ministry of Education only employees Saudi Nationals, most of these employees are hired not based on their experience and qualification but chosen from a few and limited individuals based on their strong connection to monarchy, politics and status. Islam is the official religion of K.S.A and Arabic is the main language. There is a rapid increase in the opening of EnglishRead MoreThe Role Of English On The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia2017 Words   |  9 PagesPROSPECTUS Background of the Project The role of English in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Languages have a prominent status in all societies and in all developed and developing countries. The languages take this status because they are devices for communicating between humans. In many countries, there is more than one language that the people speak. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for example, the Arabic language is the official language in the country, and the English language is the second languageRead MoreThe Modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Essay3146 Words   |  13 PagesIntroduction The modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established by the King Abdulaziz bin Abdelrahman Al-Saud in 1932 (Al-Turaiqi, 2008; Albassam, 2011; BTI, 2012; Hamzawy, 2006; Peterson, 1984; UN, 2004). Saudi is a big country with 13 provinces (mintaqah) and 1,600, 000 km2 (Albassam, 2011; UN, 2004). Saudi has the largest reserves of oil in the world (UN, 2004). The political system in Saudi is Monarchy since the day of Unification of the Kingdom (23 September, 1932) (Al-Turaiqi, 2008; AlbassamRead MoreCase Study : The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia973 Words   |  4 PagesThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) holds a unique position among the World countries, the 2014 World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) listed KSA among the top 20 in high-income per capita gross national income in 2012 and is the one among 33 fuel-exporting countries and at the same time is a developing economy of Western Asia. Owing to its geographical location, the intended nationally determined contribution (INDC) submitted by KSA identifies three climatic challenges - semi/ hyper aridityRead MoreEmergency Admissions For Diabetes, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia1153 Words   |  5 PagesEmergency Admissions for Diabetes in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Introduction Diabetes mellitus has been identified as a major health problem in Saudi Arabia associated with the adoption of modern lifestyle that promotes poor eating and sedentary exercise habits (Elhadd, Al-Amoudi, and Alzahrani 2007). The indigenous Saudi Arabian population may also have a genetic predisposition to type II diabetes that is related to consanguinity. A review by Alqurashi, Aljabri, and Bokhari (2011) found that

The Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe - 1569 Words

In the short story â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart,† author Edgar Allan Poe employs several literary devices such as symbolism, allegory, and imagery. These devices enable us to see and better comprehend the story’s events through the eyes of the narrator. The narrator explains that he is extremely nervous but clarifies that he is not insane; he even goes so far as to share an event from his past to prove that he is not crazy. He believes that he loves the old man and has nothing against him except his horrible eye that is â€Å"pale blue.† Eventually, he decides to kill the old man because he hates the blue eye, and he does this to be free of it. Poe wants his readers to see the events in the story through the narrator’s point of view. The physical appearance forms the helm of characterization in â€Å"The Tell-tale Heart.† The eye is a tightly packed and very important component of the old man’s character. The eye casts its gaze over us through the story, and we are divided between our fears and embracing and accepting this gaze. The eye is the only physical description in the story, but it is also what defines and guides the course of the story. The eye of the old man characterizes him as ill and neglected. The result is the portrayal of the narrator and the community as uncaring or perhaps marked by unconcern. This notion is cemented when the narrator decides to kill the old man. Similarly, the narrator’s habit of watching someone while that person is sleeping constitutes an Aquino 2Show MoreRelatedThe Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe1161 Words   |  5 PagesOut of a vast quantity of these English historians, one stood out to me, his name is Edgar Allan Poe. Poe’s writing had its own unique gothic and horror style. The story, The Tell-Tale Heart is one of his very popular pieces of literature, it not only tells a story, but uses Poe’s unique style of writing to silently incorporate different genres, themes, and symbolism to create a sub-story within the text itself. Poe was born in Boston Massachusetts on January 19, 1809. At the young age of just 2 yearsRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe Essay1477 Words   |  6 Pagesyourself and others that you weren’t in the wrong for doing something bad? Well, the narrator in the story The Tell-Tale Heart does. Edgar Allan Poe is known to write stories that are of Dark Romanticism. Dark romanticism is a literary genre that showcases gothic stories that portray torture, insanity, murder, and revenge. The story â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† is no different. Edgar Allan Poe does a great job with making the readers wonder throughout this short story. This allegory makes reader’s questionsRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe986 Words   |  4 Pagesbade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream.† The Tell Tale Heart is one of Edger Allan Poe’s most famous and creepiest stories. The premise of this gothic short story is that a manà ¢â‚¬â„¢s own insanity gives him away as a murderer. By using the narrators own thoughts as the story Poe displays the mental instability and the unique way of creating a gothic fiction. While other stories written by Poe reflect this same gothic structure and questionable sanity, this story has aRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe1502 Words   |  7 PagesThe author Edgar Allan Poe created a beautiful writing piece called â€Å"Tell Tale Heart†, which included literal elements such as mood, tone, and point of view. The story included a tremulous mood for the reader to be able to feel the excitement of the story. According to the text â€Å"Tell Tale Heart†, it states â€Å"And now at the dead hour of the night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror.† This illustrates that the details of the storyRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe1030 Words   |  5 PagesA Guilty- Mad Heart â€Å"Burduck then goes on to ponder how Poe used cultural anxieties and psychological panic to advantage.† (Grim Phantasms, G.A. Cevasco). In The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe, a nameless man narrates the story of how he murdered an elderly man because of his eyes. In his short story The Tell-Tale Heart, Poe shows the themes of guilt and the descent into madness through the narrator, in this gothic horror story. Edgar Allan Poe wrote many gothic tales throughout his lifeRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe1133 Words   |  5 Pages Written in 1843, The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe incorporates nearly all of the gothic elements. While this piece of art may not contain all of the gothic elements, it is the epitome of a gothic short story. In The Tell-Tale Heart, the setting seems to be inside an old house, which strengthens the atmosphere of mystery and suspense. The madness and overall insanity of the narrator illustrates the sense of high, overwrought emotion. The presence of creaking hinges and the darkness representRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe1644 Words   |  7 Pages Edgar Allan Poe was a prominent American writer whose writing reflected his tragic life. He began to sell short stories for profit after being forced to leave United States Military Academy for lack of financial support. Over the next decade, Poe published some of his best-known works, including The Fall of the House of Usher (1839), The Raven (1845), and The Cask of Amontillado (1846). It is in these stories that Po e established his unique dark writing style that often have the recurring themeRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe879 Words   |  4 PagesIn between guilt, paranoia and obsession The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe uses several literary elements to support the themes of the story. The story is based on a gruesome murder of an old man. The author uses madness, obsession and guilt as themes to prove how the narrator is truly twisted and insane. Madness is the first theme of the story; in the beginning the narrator tries to convince the audience he is not mad (insane). â€Å"TRUE!... nervous very, very nervous I had been and am; but whyRead MoreA Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe1156 Words   |  5 Pagescontain some level of madness. For example in the short stories â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† by Charlotte Perkins Gilman â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† by Edgar Allan Poe, both of the main character in these stories believe that they are perfectly wise, but their out of control behaviors proves that they’re mentally ill or to be more specific insane. In the short story â€Å"A tell-tale heart† the unknown narrator is telling us a story about his neighbor who is an old man but his of a vulture: blue pale eye is whatRead MoreThe Tell Tale Heart By Edgar Allan Poe2007 Words   |  9 PagesThe Tell Tale Heart Research Paper In â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† by Edgar Allan Poe, Poe delights readers to a very thought out and psychological based short story of a very in depth murder from the murderer’s perspective. In â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart: Overview† it is proven that: â€Å"One of the most powerful contributions that Edgar Allan Poe made to the short story genre was his insistence that every element of the work contribute to the story’s overall effect. Poe frequently gave this aesthetic demand realistic

Right to Check Employees’ Backgrounds Free Essays

In my opinion, employers should have the right to check applicants’ backgrounds whether or not suspicion of misbehavior, security threats, credit histories, driving offenses etcetera exist. This will ensure employers or companies that they won’t have any ‘problematic employees’ in within the organization. However, even if this should be a right held by the employers, companies, organizations, etcetera, the law states that the they â€Å"do not have unlimited rights to dig into an applicant’s background and personal life† (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. We will write a custom essay sample on Right to Check Employees’ Backgrounds or any similar topic only for you Order Now . ). This means that there are certain ‘checks’ that these employers, companies, organizations, etcetera cannot pursue simply because it is forbidden by the law and they can be charged in court if they push through with unlimited ‘checks’ (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). The following are the background checks that may be done including the limitations set by the law: First is with regards to â€Å"credit reports† (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. . ). The restriction set by the law for this is known as â€Å"the Fair Credit Reporting Act† wherein employers, companies, organizations, etcetera are obliged to obtain a formal â€Å"written consent† coming from the employee/applicant before the former could see the latter’s â€Å"credit report† (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). The second entails â€Å"criminal records† (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). Employers, organizations, companies, etcetera may look into an applicant’s criminal records but this should be done through their lawyer or they should consult the â€Å"Federal Bureau of Investigation† especially if they need an â€Å"employee background investigation† to be carried out or if they wanted to make sure that the applicant has not been involved in violation of the following: â€Å"antitrust laws, trade secret laws, intellectual property laws, economic sabotage, as well as, anti-terrorism laws† (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). The third involves â€Å"lie detector tests† (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. . ). The use of the aforementioned may be allowed only by employers whose businesses involve: â€Å"armored car services, alarm/guard services, pharmaceutical manufacturing distribution, etc† (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). Employers, therefore cannot just make an employee/applicant undergo â€Å"lie detector tests† because the latter is protected by the â€Å"Employee Polygraph Protection Act† (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). The fourth is with regards to ‘health check’ (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). Here, an employer, organization, company, etcetera can always ask the health expert or the health institution if an employee can carry out a certain task; however one cannot ask for the entire medical record of an employee or applicant because doing so is a violation of the â€Å"Americans with Disabilities Act† (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). In addition to that, health institutions would not give in to such an employer’s request because â€Å"confidentiality of medical records† is a part of the â€Å"American Medical Association’s Code of Ethics†; legal issues will emerge if they violate this (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. . ). Last but not least pertains to the school records of an applicant (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). Fortunately, these may be scrutinized by employers however they should be able to get the applicant’s approval before they carry that out (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). Applicants are protected because of the â€Å"Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act† (US Small Business Administration, 2008, n. p. ). Employers then should have the right to check on applicants’ backgrounds but only to a certain extent and only those which the law allows. How to cite Right to Check Employees’ Backgrounds, Papers

Summary Of Orwells 1984 Essays (3011 words) - Fiction,

Summary of Orwell's 1984 Summary Chapter 1 and 2 We are introduced to Winston Smith the main character of the story. Works at Ministry of truth. Ministry of truth is one of four government buildings in destroyed London, the main city of Airstrip One, a province of Oceania. Year is 1984 and three contries are at war, Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia. Oceania is run by the party whose leader is Big Brother. Winston is sick of his life in the ruined city and decides to keep a diary. This is against the law in Oceania. He felt his feelings begin to hate Emmanuel Goldstein, leader of the enemy party. He also spots O'Brien, a party leader whose eyes he see's a bit of political sympthy. See's young girl who he dislikes. He feels it is only a matter of time before his though crimes are detected. A knock at the door he thinks is police. Mrs. Parsons, his neighbor is at the door and asked him to unclog a sink. He does it but smells sweat all over the apartment. Mrs. Parsons is a follower of party doctrine and a fellow employee at the ministry. The children are members of Spies, a youth that encourages spying and telling on traitors, including parents. Winston is revolted. He returns home and writes a couple more minutes before going back to work. He remenbers a dream where O'Brien tole him he would meet him in a place wher there is no darkness. He washes his hands and hides the diary Reaction Major ideas, conflicts and themes are introduced. We are shown how the earth has changed, into 3 main contenients. we are also introduced to the main character and how he fits into the new world. Also we are shown how the computer age has taken over peoples minds. The language is easy to understand, it has not really changed much over time. Seems like nothing left after nuclear war, just ruins remaining. We are introduced to Tom Parsons which Winston is contrasted with. The city is very drab. Quotes "Big brother is watching you, the caption beneath it said" "Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed for ever." Summary Chapter 3,4 and 5 Waking from dreams, he remembers his mother and sister, and can barely remember their disappearence and feels responsible for there deaths. He has another dream where he is in the perfect countryside with the girl he had noticed eariler. He dreamed she stripped for him. This time he is woken up by the telescreen, telling him to do his exercises. He thinks about how much power the Party has over all information. Begins work at the ministry of truth. His job is to correct printed articles in line with the Party's orders. The Ministry and records department jobs are to rewrite history to make the party look good. They get a break because of the 2 minute hate. When he gets back he replaces a speech by Big Brother with invented history. Makes up story about a man named Ogilvy. The article had become contrary to the present party policy. It is replaced as though is never existed. Winston meets Syme, a philologist, for lunch. Syme explains parts about Newspeak. They are joined by Parsons. Winston thinks of the fate that each co-worker will recieve. Syme will be vapourized because he is to smart, where Parsons is dull enough to escape vapourization. He is the only one who has not been taken over by the propaganda that is always being brodcast. He notices the same girl from the other day starring at him and thinks it is the thought police. Reaction The Golden country that he dreams about is definatly a release or a freedom from the the drabness of London. Also from the party. We are introduced to the fact that he has no mother or father or sisters or brothers anymore because they were taken by the party. He is realizing that he is rebelling against the party and he understands that he is at risk. Winston is in search of the truth and is concerned because of the party's ability to change history. We find that he likes his work even though it is for the party and against

University of Cincinnati Villinova Online MBA Programs With no GMAT Essays

University of Cincinnati Villinova Online MBA Programs With no GMAT Essays University of Cincinnati Villinova Online MBA Programs With no GMAT Essay University of Cincinnati Villinova Online MBA Programs With no GMAT Essay University of Cincinnati  Online MBA Program no GMAT  is a very  well known public exploration and research institution, the University of Cincinnati encompasses four very large campuses in Cincinnati, Ohio  totaling 473 acres in all. With its roots tracing all the way back to 1819, the University of Cincinnati has produced quite a few major contributions to our sciences and society, including the life saving oral Polio vaccine, the first electronic organ the first antihistamine, and the founding of cooperative online education. With more than 30,000 students, the University of Cincinnati has grown to become one of the countries largest and most comprehensive academic universities as well as the largest employer in the Cincinnati area. Click the Banner below for the Official: University of Cincinnati Online MBA Program no GMAT Nova University  Online MBA Program no GMAT  was founded in the late 18oos. Nova University is one of the oldest and the biggest Catholic universities in Pennsylvania and through the years, Villanova has become recognized as the leading expert in online and offline professional education, with many thousands of online students that also include professionals from many Fortune  five hundred  companies. Villanova University offers you a wide variety of very dynamic yet one hundred percent online programs including our Human Resource Master’s Degree designed specifically with you and your busy life in mind. From our project management program to the leadership, to HR, Villanova’s programs are designed specifically to help you gain industry leading certifications that will enhance your education and your career. Click the Banner below for the Official:   Villanova University Online MBA Program no GMAT

How to write HR policies - Emphasis

How to write HR policies How to write HR policies If you need to update your HR policies because of the new Equality Act 2010, now could be a golden opportunity to make them a lot better. The Equality Act brings together legislation regarding discrimination and harassment into a single Act. Since it came into force on 1 October, many HR departments have been busy updating some of their policies. A well-written policy document will leave both employee and employer clear on where they stand, and ideally knowing that where they stand is somewhere that is fair, organised, consistent and protected by law. But whenever legalities are involved in writing, it can be all too easy to slip into legalese typically overlong, complicated sentences. Naturally, its important to be legally compliant. But if no-one can understand a word, the document might as well go in the shredder. Maybe its time to reach for the red pen. Reader-centred policies Follow these tips and youll be sure to have well-written policies. Shorten sentences When youre trying to abide by legislation, it can be easy to get carried away and try to fit far too much information into a sentence, which will keep building, and building (much like this one), interrupted only by commas, and most probably gasps for breath. This can be very unforgiving on the reader, as they try to hold on to the train of thought even as it speeds away from them (quite possibly under attack from cowboys and Native Americans). For example: Indirect discrimination, where an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice would put a substantially higher proportion of the members of one sex, or persons having a racial or ethnic origin, or a particular religion or belief, or a particular disability or a particular sexual orientation, or age group at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons unless that provision, criterion or practice is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary. When writing, if possible, stick to the principle: one sentence, one idea. Bullet points can also be useful for breaking up list-like points, though dont overuse them. In this example, it would be better to list the protected characteristics (sex, race, age, etc) separately, then go on to define indirect discrimination. Indirect discrimination: when a rule, condition or practice that applies to everyone disadvantages someone with a particular protected characteristic. But this wont be classed as discrimination if the aim and means behind the rule, condition or practice can be objectively justified as legitimate and necessary. Verbs over nouns Using verbs makes language dynamic, which will move things along at a good pace and keep the reader interested. Particularly heavy-going reading arises with the overuse of nominalisations. This is a noun that has been created from a verb, like recommendation (verb = recommend). It may be a rather hypocritical word for us to use here (it is, itself, a nominalisation), and a practice to avoid. It tends to attract unnecessary words and makes your writing pretty dull. Compare: Undertaking the implementation of the policy is the duty of all with Implementing the policy is everyones duty. Keep it active Writing tends to be more interesting in the active voice. Your equality policy probably still wont win the Booker Prize, but at least it is more likely to be read. The active voice is when the doer in the sentence is put before the action they are carrying out. It is generally better than the passive voice (where the doer can be left out altogether). This is because it sounds more human, forces you to be more specific, and leaves no doubt about who will do what. It also usually results in shorter sentences. For example: Passive: A risk assessment will be undertaken before any disabled person begins work and, where doubts exist over a disabled persons ability to perform the full duties of the job concerned, a trial period may be offered after consultation with the HR department. Active: We will carry out a risk assessment before any disabled person begins work. We may offer a trial period if we have any doubts over the persons ability to perform the full duties of the job concerned. And finally, easy on the legalese Legalese is often found in documents like policies. Perhaps its used out of habit, or in an attempt to cover every possible contingency. A lawyer may argue that its employed to be precise and utterly unambiguous. And indeed it might be, except that often no-one but a lawyer can understand the results (complete incomprehensibility may be different from ambiguity, but is hardly better). Since a policy document will have legal implications, it is worth getting a lawyers sign-off on it. But work with them to avoid the common problems of legalese. In addition to the ones outlined above, try to avoid muddying the waters with unnecessary, archaic words, like therein, herein, forthwith, and aforesaid. The goal is for every employee in the company to understand the documents. The wording should be suitable for the average layperson (unless, of course, it is a legal firm), so that everyone really is on an equal footing.