Extra Credit Example

Essays on Extra Credit Term Paper Retirement Planning at JJ Bagel ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MUTUAL FUNDS OVER COMPANY STOCKS Mutual funds are simply a means of making an investment along with other people through pooling funds and resources together primarily to invest in some lucrative business deals (Northcott). As such, the mutual fund amount to more money than when one could have made an investment individually. Some benefits of mutual fund over a companys stock include; Diversification is the first benefit associated with mutual funds. In relation to this, one fund can hold securities from many issuers of stock. As such, diversification significantly reduces the risk of monetary loss as a result of problems in one particular company (Haslem). Therefore, other than investing in J J Bagel Inc., which could face some problems in future, it is better to diversify the portfolio by investing in mutual funds, which buy stocks from hundreds or even more companies to diversify risks. Professional Management is the second benefit. Mutual funds hire professional managers to manage the investment. These managers have the skills, resources and education to research on diverse investment opportunities (Haslem). A company’s stock not managed by professional managers might result in financial losses to the company because most of the company managers do not have the expertise and time to manage their stock in order to reinvest dividend and interest efficiently. Liquidity is another benefit, in that shares and units in the mutual fund can be sold and bought during any business day, thereby facilitating investors with quick access to their money. The company’s stock is sold or bought when the company authorizes; thus accessing the liquid cash invested in company stock is not easy (Northcott). This could interfere with one’s investment plans in case of an emergency. Flexibility is also a benefit found in mutual. Most of the mutual fund firms manage a number of different funds, for instance fixed income, money market, global and index funds, which allow investors to switch between different funds at a minimal or no charge, unlike the company’s stock, which limit an investor to only make an investment in shares of a particular sector, which could be operating in a single region only. Disadvantages However, the mutual fund has shortcomings, which include; when one makes an investment in mutual funds, it is like placing your money in the hands of professional managers. Therefore, the return one gets is primarily dictated by the managers’ judgment and skills. This contrasts the company’s stock, where returns do not depend on an individual, but on the whole workforce of that particular company. In this regard, the mistakes committed by a single manager can be corrected by another manager in the same or different department, thereby reducing investment risks in the company (Haslem). In addition, fees charged by fund managers to offer the management services for the investment are very high. This reduces the returns on the investment. Managers who manage the company’s stock are just employees of that company; hence they cannot charge any additional fee to manage a company’s stock. Also, redeeming mutual funds investment in the short-term could greatly impact negatively on returns because of the redemption and the sales commission fee, which in most cases are very high. Redeeming a company’s stock does not require an investor to pay any fee. 6. REASONS FOR INVESTING IN SMALL-CAP AND YET IT HAS THE EXPENSES TO BE INCURRED The most important factors that an investor considers when making an investment are the returns and risks associated with that particular investment opportunity. An investment perceived to be riskier is also associated with high returns. In this regard, Small-Cap has a lower risk level, implying that it is still a viable investment as it guarantees an investor some returns though at a lower rate. Works Cited Haslem, John. Mutual Funds: Risk and Performance Analysis for Decision Making. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons, 2009. Northcott, Alan. The Mutual Funds Book: How to Invest in Mutual Funds Earn High Rates of Returns Safely. Washington: Atlantic Publishing Company, 2009. Extra Credit Example Essays on Extra Credit Coursework Lecturer Essay #4 Opera and singing In this interview conducted by Terry Gross of Fresh Air, Dolora Zajick gives an insight to heropera career and how it began. Zajick is the director of the Institute of Young dramatic Voices which focuses on usual voices. This is an informative interview, especially for upcoming opera singers still learning their trades. She offers insights into how it feels to sing opera and the secrets towards a successful career in opera singing and generally in music. I have learned three main ideas from the interview that have helped me understand what singing opera is about and how to become a successful opera singer. First, it is important to learn to concentrate in what is happening at the moment in order to bring the best out of yourself. Zajick says that signing is connected to the body, and most of the expressions come from a form of kinesthetic awareness. Therefore, it is important to focus on what you are doing at the time and concrete. Secondly, Zajic k has highlighted the importance of relaxation. To be a good singer, one needs to relax. The best way to achieve this is by letting things go. You don’t have to do many things at a time but instead figure out what you want to do and isolate it form other things. Exercise on what you need to use. Finally, in the interview, Zajick has also explained how important it is for artists to take care of themselves. For example, a good singer should not let minor health issues such as colds interfere with his/her singing. She, for instance, she sleeps on her stomach in order to maintain her vocals. Therefore, understanding and taking good care of one’s body is important. Works CitedZajick, Dolora. â€Å"For Opera Powerhouse Dolora Zajick, Singing Is Connected To The Body. † interview by Terry Gross. Fresh Air. NPR, 2014. Web http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2014/03/19/291410969/dolora-zajick- singing-is-connected-to-the-body 8 May 2014. Extra Credit Example Essays on Extra Credit Coursework The Power of Opera The interview with Dolora Zajick is very revealing concerning singing techniques used in opera as well as general attitudes and perception of opera by general audience. The interviewer herself has just discovered the power of opera; her point of view is important to deliver the message that opera which is considered to be dull and boring should not be perceived stereotypically. Opera singers are actors; their dramatic voices are used to render not only the power of voice but the plot of the opera, feelings, impressions and psychological world of their character. Dolora Zajick’s aria from Aida looks as a scene from a movie. It is very engaging because of the power of her voice, her gestures, mimics, costume and props. I think it is a good example to convince people that they do not need to think about opera in negative light. It is not enough to have a big dramatic voice to become an opera singer. One needs to be an actor because opera is not as simple in its form and structure.Dolora Zajick’s activities are very motivating for young people. She helps young talents to find their path into opera. Young dramatic and big voices are often mocked in high school choruses where all students are expected to be ordinary. People with big voices cannot reveal their voice in pop music or other common genres. Opera is not very popular with general audience; it is the reason why people often choose not to sing at all. Dolora Zajick gives them a great opportunity to realize their potential in opera singing and encourages young people to try opera. She is a great person with good sense of humor and positive attitude towards all people. She tries to make opera closer to people and gives them more chances to understand the complexity of this art. Work CitedGloss, Terry and Dolora Zajick. â€Å"For Opera Powerhouse Dolora Zajick, Singing Is Connected To The Body†. March 19, 2014. Web. May 9, 2014. http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2 014/03/19/291410969/dolora-zajick-singing-is-connected-to-the-body