Essay on Oedipus The Reign of a Tragic Hero - 1266 Words

The time period of Greek theater’s popularity was a very influential time in our world’s history. Without knowing what Greek theater was all about, how can someone expect to truly understand a tragic play and the history it comes with? The history behind the character of Oedipus, in the play Oedipus the King, is very complicated. His intricate past dealing with prophecies, family members, and murder is the main focus of the story. There are many characteristics that complete Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero; these being the presence of hamartia and peripeteia, a sense of self-awareness, the audience’s pity for the character, and the hero is of noble birth. Greek Tragedy Theater rose to its peak in Athens around the 5th century†¦show more content†¦When referring to the play, Oedipus the King, many people question whether Oedipus should have the title of a tragic hero based on the events that take place in the play. When deciding if this label is true, we must look into some of the significant elements that make up the character of a tragic hero. There are five important foundations that I will be focusing in on that distinguish a tragic hero from a regular character in a play. According to Sophocles Oedipus the King: A Readers Guide, hamartia, peripeteia, noble birth, self-awareness, and audience pity are five central pieces of the story. These selected elements are equally crucial and are very important parts of who the character is and how the story ultimately pans out. The first aspect of the characterization of a tragic hero is the presence of hamartia, which by definition is the fatal flaw leading to the tragic downfall of a hero. This fatal mistake is often also known as the climax of the tragedy. The presence of hamartia are common in most, if not all Greek tragedy plays. Oedipus proclaims, â€Å"Apollo, when we sent to him, sent us back word that this great pestilence would life, but only if we established clearly the identity of those who murdered Laios. They must be killed or exiled.† This moment in the play, which can be found in the textbook, can be categorized as Oedipus’ major flaw. He didn’t know it yet, but he is ultimately inflicting punishment on himselfShow MoreRelatedOedipus The King : A Tragic Hero987 Words   |  4 PagesLike most greek tragedies, Oedipus the King had a tragic hero whose downfall was the result of a tragic flaw. Oedipus, like other greek characters, did not see his errors until his reign was coming to an end. Oedipus, the man who saved Thebes did not understand that every good thing must come to an end. A tragic hero defined by Aristotle has five characteristics that lead to their downfall and their understanding of why the situation happened. Oedipus is the ideal tragic hero because his downfall followedRead MoreEpic of Beowulf Essay740 Words   |  3 Pages The characters Oedipus and Beowulf represent two different types of heroes. Oedipus is a tragic hero and characterized by its standards. He was an influential man of stature who had a tragic flaw. While he contributed to his own downfall, Oedipus was not entirely responsible for it. He also learned a lesson from his mistakes which ultimately creates a catharsis in the reading audience. Beowulf, on the other hand, is characterized by the standards of an epic hero. He strives for excellenceRead MoreEssay on A Comparison of Oedipus and Beowulf693 Words   |  3 Pages The characters Oedipus and Beowulf represent two different types of heroes. Oedipus is a tragic hero and characterized by its standards. He was an influential man of stature who had a tragic flaw. While he contributed to his own downfall, Oedipus was not entirely responsible for it. He also learned a lesson from his mistakes which ultimately creates a catharsis in the reading audience. Beowulf, on the other hand, is characterized by the standards of an epic hero. He strives for excellenceRead MoreThe Role Of Changing Perception Of The Hero1137 Words   |  5 Pagesthe changing perception of the hero Who is a hero? How does the definition of a hero change over time? The Epic of Gilgamesh is perhaps the â€Å"longest and greatest literary composition written in cuneiform Akkadian† (Dalley 39) and told to an audience, while The Odyssey, and Oedipus the King came many centuries later. However, they all have a hero that represents the values of the society at the time. This paper is going to compare and contrast the ideal of the hero from ancient Mesopotamia in GilgameshRead MoreThe Death Of A Salesman857 Words   |  4 PagesSome stories have stood the test of time. These stories are relatable are leave readers feared perplexed. Oedipus the King is the tragic story of a man whose figurative blindness at a young age lead to his literal blindness at an old age. The Death of a Salesman converts this to a modern society of a man who just wants to do good for his family but doesn t see the effect of his actions. Although 2400 years separate these stories, readers can still relate to both the same. The genre of tragedy isRead MoreEssay about Oedipus the King: A Greek Tragic Hero1096 Words   |  5 Pagesinclude a central character known as the tragic hero. In the play, Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, the character Oedipus, portrays to the reader the necessary, central, tragic hero. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero has a supreme pride (Jones. Pg. 133). That pride is a reflection of arrogance and conceit that suggests superiority to man and equality with the gods. Students of religion are often taught that pride Goethe before the fall. In Oedipus situation, his pride, coupled with religiousRead MoreExamining the Tragic Protagonists of Oedipus Rex and Hamlet657 Words   |  3 Pagesfear on the part of the audience. Of all the characteristics of tragedy, one is most important: the tragic hero must be essentially admirable and good. In both the common tragedies, â€Å"Oedipus Rex† and â€Å"Hamlet†, both main characters are generally good. In either play, both Hamlet and Oedipus make a flaw that will cost them an extreme suffering, and in â€Å"Hamlet†, that concludes in many deaths. A tragic protagonist is usually one of noble authority, who upholds a position high in society. In a tragedyRead MoreA Close Reading Of Oedipus Rex1226 Words   |  5 PagesENG October 21, 2015 A Close Reading of Oedipus Rex Ancient Greeks cared deeply about the pursuit of knowledge. Although the truth was often a terrifying concept, they still saw it as a critical virtue. The theater was one way in which the ideas of knowledge and truth were examined. Many Greek dramatists use the self-realizations of their characters to underscore the themes of their tragedies. Sophocles, for one, uses the character transformation of Oedipus, in tandem with the plot, to highlightRead More William Shakespeares Hamlet and Sophocles Oedipus the King1362 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Hamlet and Sophocles Oedipus the King   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Though Shakespeares’ Hamlet and Sophocles’ Oedipus the King were written in two different eras, echoes of the latter can be found in the former. The common theme of Hamlet and Oedipus the King is regicide. Also, like in Oedipus the King, there is a direct relationship between the state of the state and the state of their kings. Furthermore, there is also a relationship between Oedipus’ armed entrance into the bedroom in which JocastaRead MoreEssay on Oedipus and Hamlet1424 Words   |  6 PagesProfessor Mihailovic 5-14-01 Though Shakespeares Hamlet and Sophocles Oedipus the King were written in two different eras, echoes of the latter can be found in the former. The common theme of Hamlet and Oedipus the King is regicide. Also, like in Oedipus the King, there is a direct relationship between the state of the state and the state of their kings. Furthermore, there is also a relationship between Oedipus armed entrance into the bedroom in which Jocasta hanged herself, and Hamlets

Lifestyle that Leads to Obesity - 649 Words

Have you been sitting around lately, watching TV? Eating when you’re bored? If so, you need to know that these are just a couple examples of the many things that can lead to obesity. â€Å"America is the most obese country† is what you would think and or did think, but that is wrong. America was the most obese country, but in 2013, Mexico surpassed the U.S. and it is now the most obese country, having roughly 32.8 percent of adults being overweight and one third being obese. America is in second place, having 31.8 percent being obese. Mexican teenagers also are one third obese and the majority of overweight Mexican teenagers will stay obese and be at risk for diseses. The average Mexican drinks 163 liters (46 gallons) per year, of soda; this is 40 percent more than the average American who drinks 118 liters, or 31 gallons. Mexicans consume an average of 650 cans a year of Coca Cola, which adds up to a little over 200 liters (52 gallons). There is a small island in the south pacific though, called Nauru, that has an obesity rate of 71.7 percent which is actually the most obese country in the whole world. Now you’re probably wondering why I’m telling you that Mexico is the most overweight country since Nauru has a way higher obesity rate, and that is because Nauru is so small that we really only consider the more populous countries. Nauru’s population is only 9,400 people and the island is 8.108 square miles, so it does not take very many people who may already be more likelyShow MoreRelatedEffects Of Obesity On The Health834 Words   |  4 Pagesthat is well known is the negative effect of obesity and endometrial cancer. Topic of Interest Obesity negatively impacts the health of women in many ways and is a condition that can be avoided if proper lifestyle changes are made and put into place. Obesity increases the risk of multiple diseases, such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and multiple cancers (Kulie et al., 2011). Since the prevalence of obesity is on the rise, it is vital that all providersRead MoreObesity Is Too Much On Fast Food1235 Words   |  5 Pagesare increasing numbers of people suffering from obesity. In Michael Pollan’s book â€Å"Omnivore’s Dilemma,† he says that three of every five Americans are overweight and one of every five is obese (76). Obesity becomes a major health problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the estimate medical cost of obesity in the United States was $147 billion a year. Why Americans are obese? The answer for obesity is that Americans are relying too much on fas t foodRead MoreObesity Should Not Be Labeled As A Disease1198 Words   |  5 Pages stroke, and diabetes, breathing issues, high blood pressure: these are all risk of dealing with obesity. Nearly two-thirds of our society today are affected by obesity (Ablow). Obesity is a medical condition, in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health (â€Å"Obesity...Medical†). The American Medical Association (AMA) has decided to classify obesity as a disease - a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one thatRead MoreThe American Medical Association (AMA) has declared obesity a disease. Obesity means that an900 Words   |  4 PagesAssociation (AMA) has declared obesity a disease. Obesity means that an individual has too much body weight that could possibly cause a health risk. Having a body-mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher makes an individual morbidly obese. A healthy BMI would be from 20 to 24.9 . The United States has one of the highest obesity rates in the world with an estimated of 36% of American adults suffering from it. It is important to not label obesity as a disease because it leads 78 million adults and 12 millionRead MoreObesity : The Current State Of Obesity1518 Words   |  7 Pagesstate of obesity in the United States is a greater than that of other countries who live healthier lifestyles. Living healthy lifestyles is a great goal for a country to look towards achieving, and encouraging these lifestyles can benefit the country as well as the people. There are a lot of benefits for living healthy lifestyles, while there are also many negatives to living an unhealthy lifestyle. Taxing fatty foods would help to encourage buying healthy foods, and it could reduce obesity rates inRead MoreObesity Is A Complex Process953 Words   |  4 PagesTackling obesity is a complex process that requires a proactive approach and interventions from the individual, society, loc al authorities, and public health service and partner organisation (PHE 2016f). In response to obesity as a public health issue, the government introduces no of policies, strategy and health campaign to tackle this problem, including Change4life campaign and Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England (Foresight 2007). Chang4life is a public healthRead MoreThe Current State Of Obesity1526 Words   |  7 Pagesstate of obesity in the United States is a greater than that of other countries who live healthier lifestyles. Living healthy lifestyles is a great goal for a country to look towards achieving, and encouraging these lifestyles can benefit the country as well as the people. There are a lot of benefits for living healthy lifestyles, while there are also many negatives to living an unhealthy lifestyle. Taxing fatty foods would help to encourage buying healthy foods, and it could reduce obesity rates inRead MoreObesity As A Public Health Campaign958 Words   |  4 Pages2016e). In response to obesity as a public health issue, the government introduces no of polices, strategy and health campaign to tackle this problem, including Change4life campaign and Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England. Chang4life is a public health campaign in England, which started in 2009 supported by the Department of Health to tackle growing problem of obesity. This was the first campaign to adapt social marketing approach to address obesity by making significantRead MoreObesity And Its Effects On Obesity1692 Words   |  7 Pages  Ã‚  Obesity in America is a health issue which needs to be addressed, but many do not realize that obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed in more ways than one.   Because Americans are not knowledgeable in the issue of obesity, many in society view obese people as unhealthy and irresponsible and treat them with disrespect.   How to overcome and prevent obesity, its causes, and diffe rent treatments are all ways that obesity needs to be addressed; however, the disrespect towards those who are obeseRead MoreThe Problem Of Obesity And Obesity1505 Words   |  7 Pagesabout Obesity, which has become one of the biggest issues in America. Obesity is the accumulation of unnecessary body fat. It is a lifestyle disease that is spreading fast worldwide. This disease is affecting individuals of all age, ethnicity, and gender. As we all know, America has an extended history of solving complex problems, but it seems like obesity has stuck with the American people. In the essay, called Politicians Want to tax us Thin, written by Kyle Smith, she states, â€Å"We know obesity is

How Did the Tsar Survive the 1905 Revolution Free Essays

Despite the failure of Russia in the war against Japan, the Tsarist regime survived the revolution . There are a number of reasons for this. One of the most importants reason is that Nicholas II was very thanks to his military force. We will write a custom essay sample on How Did the Tsar Survive the 1905 Revolution or any similar topic only for you Order Now By the end of January there were more than 400,000 workers out on strike. The 1905 Revolution was underway. For the rest of the year the government had little control of events, as strikes, demonstrations, petitions, peasent uprisisings, students riots, and assassinations became commonplace. The Tsar was â€Å"at war with his own people†. People wanted a change because Nicholas II reign saw Imperial Russia go from being one of the great powers of the world to an economic and military disaster. Nicholas approached the Russo-Japanese war with confidence and saw it as an opportunity to raise Russian morale and patriotism, paying little attention to the finances of a long-distance war. Shortly before the Japanese attack on Port Arthur, Nicholas held strong to the belief that there would be no war. Nicholas expected a final victory. Many people took the Tsar’s confidence; believing him to be completely impervious As Russia continued to face defeat by the Japanese, the call for peace grew. Nicholas’s own mother, urged Nicholas to open peace negotiations. Despite the efforts for peace, Nicholas remained evasive. It was not until 27–28 March and the annihilation of the Russian fleet by the Japanese, that Nicholas finally decided to pursue peace. People had no more faith in the Tsar that lost to a country much more little than his own. In September after the peace treaty with Japan, thousands of troops were now free to help put down the unrest in European Russia. The government paid them all their back pay and promised better conditions of service so that they would remain loyal to the Tsar. The Tsar had the choice of giving in or using force. He gave in and issued the October Manifesto on the 30 October 1905. This promised: -A Parliament or Duma elected by the people – Civil rights-e. g.  Freedom of speech and conscience – Uncensored newspapers and the right to form political parties. The liberal and middle classes believed they had won democratic government. They stopped their protests and supported their government. By December, with all the troops back in Russia, the Tsar felt strong enough to take back the control. He used force to close down the St Petersburg Soviet and crush an arm uprising in Moscow. He sent out troops to take revenge on workers and peasants who had rioted and bring them under control. The political parties that were against the Tsar were very much, and probably if they had formed only one or two the Tsar would have not survived the 1905 Revolution. All the political parties wanted to defeat the Tsar but they wanted to defeat him themselves and not other political parties. Nicholas thought that he, as Tsar, ruled through divine right from God. Some of his countrymen were embarrassed at the way Nicholas ruled Russia, and this affected his home life. He also thought that people who disagreed with him were traitors. Nicholas was then asked to resign. With much reluctance, he abdicated. He and his family were imprisoned. Eventually, all of them were brutally murdered. Their bodies were burned and then thrown into an empty shaft. The Tsar had various reasons why he survived and probably without the help of the military the Tsar would have been defeated in no time, and if the people that were against the Tsar were a bit more intelligent they could have won. How to cite How Did the Tsar Survive the 1905 Revolution, Essay examples

Characterization of sonnys blues Essay Example For Students

Characterization of sonnys blues Essay In this story, Baldwin writes about two brothers who grew together. As each of the boys grew older, they fell apart from one another and lived two completely different lives. Baldwin carefully establishes the brothers as opposites. The narrator (the older brother)lHe is a cautious, respectable family manlHe teaches math and is proud of his professional standinglSeem to be more conservative and more determined for a good future. lHis major source of discontent has been his selfish desire to assimilate and lead a respectable, safe life as a high-school algebra teacher. lWhen he learns of Sonnys troubles with drugs and the law, he feels threatened. lFor him, the way he lives now is safe, and all Sonny does are dangerous. lLiving in a Harlem housing project, he consciously protects himself from the dangers that surround himSonny (the younger brother)lHe is a romantic artist who is not afraid of taking risks to pursue the things he desires. lHis passion for music makes him impatient with everything else. He drops out of schoollMore free-willed and did not even know what his plans were for the next our, much less for the rest of his lifelIn his brothers view he is wild but not hard or evil or disrespectfullHe also tries to stay away from danger. He has several things that he is trying to escape, he tries to escape by joining the military, but fails. He tries to escape through drugs and fails. The drugs become another to try and escape but only compound his problem. Later, he decides that the only escape he can get from his problems is those moments when he can immerse himself in his music. Music becomes his escape

Write a magazine article for a film magazine commenting on how Baz Luhrmann makes Shakespeare appealing to a young, modern audience Essay Example For Students

Write a magazine article for a film magazine commenting on how Baz Luhrmann makes Shakespeare appealing to a young, modern audience Essay Write a magazine article for a film magazine commenting on how Baz Luhrmann makes Shakespeare appealing to a young, modern audience. Make specific reference to the opening sequence. This brilliant remake is simply Shakespeares classic with a bit of a face lift. Baz Luhrmanns flamboyant direction pumps new life into his 20th century adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. This modernised film takes you twisting and turning into a roller-coaster ride of love, lies and tragedy. Telling the story in a completely different way; using drugs, sporty cars and coca cola adds to give it that punch that all young people can relate to. While still staying true to the original script, all the scenes appear on a back drop of a fantasised, modern day world in Verona beach. Luhrmann also uses youthful up coming new actors and actresses (Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes), the cherry on the cake. We will write a custom essay on Write a magazine article for a film magazine commenting on how Baz Luhrmann makes Shakespeare appealing to a young, modern audience specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We are thrown back in our seats, by the upbeat, hip hop style music, rendering the feel of enthusiasm and excitement. Its mind blowing. The film opens with a newsreader reading the prologue, describing the results of the feud between two families, the Montagues and the Capulets. In the build up it uses powerful imagery to create tension using fire, flashing scenes bold headlines and the conflict of power. The newsreader represents the chorus and while the background is very dark she is wearing a red jacket, making her stand out. It is shown as a 60 second news report, freezing the screen to introduce the characters with cartoon like labels. This is followed by the dramatic explosion of a petrol station, opposed to the original film where they fight in Veronas market square. The Montague boys, including Romeo, decide to invade the Capulets costume party and we witness the colourful decadence of this party through the eyes of an ecstasy influenced Romeo and it is this party at which the two lovers meet for the first time. The famous balcony scene takes place on Juliets balcony, but ends up with the lovers kissing in a swimming pool, the cool blue lights on the water creating a gorgeous romantic effect. The film is set in the not too distant future at Verona Beach in Los Angeles. This is the setting where both the rowdy teenagers of the Capulet and Montague households meet and talk together. There is a variety of uses in the scenes which has a great effect on the audience. There is strong contrast between scenes of desolation and emptiness and scenes of extreme colour and vibrancy. There is almost a cartoon style shown, with intense colours, dramatic action and high-energy dialogue. The film uses Luhrmanns innovative technique of quite edgy and jerky camera work, which manages to successfully reflect the fast paced action of the story without losing anything. Whilst most people would have thought that Shakespearean language is hard for the ordinary person to understand, the words are conveyed through the scenes and settings. The costume also helps us get a sense of the modern streak Luhrmann has added, dressing the Montague boys in loose fitted Hawaiian shirts and shorts, unlike the bare chest Capulets, in leather pants and jackets. Romeo and Juliet are then married with the help of Romeos priest and Juliets maid, who have the misguided idea that a marriage between the two families will resolve the feud, despite the fact that Juliets family wish her to marry Paris, a rich and well-connected family friend. From this point on, the plot spirals into chaos for the two lovebirds, the murder of Mercutio and Tybalt, the banishment of Romeo and a complicated plan to fake Juliets death. .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f , .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f .postImageUrl , .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f , .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f:hover , .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f:visited , .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f:active { border:0!important; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f:active , .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ufd2cc63d9618cc0e0803110af9224c6f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: King of the Castle EssayJuliet is heartlessly disowned by her family and Romeo witnesses the death of his best friend, Mercutio, in two of the most emotionally tense moments of the film. The film is a build of tension, balancing moments of dramatic strength with moments of peacefulness, which only adds to the friction felt by the audience. Both Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes are fantastic in their roles as Romeo and Juliet. The role of Juliet offers a lot of scope for a young actress and she delivers in style with an incredibly mature performance. She plays Juliet as a strong, independent and intelligent young girl, but with a concealed sense of vulnerability. The acting gives us a chance to become emotionally attached to the characters and feel like we are living every moment alongside them. A lot of thought had been put into the costumes of the characters throughout the film. Particularly at the costume party where each characters costume reflected the personality of the wearer. The three that stand out in this was Juliet, dressed as an angel, shows her purity and innocence. Mercutio was dressed as a drag queen showing his flamboyant nature and Romeo is wearing a suit of armour, reflecting the fact that he feels he has a soul of lead. This is one of the most significant parts in the film as Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time. Luhrmann used costume to help highlight this moment and bring out its significance. Baz Luhrmanns version of the tragedy Romeo and Juliet is suitable for people aging from teenagers to adults. It tells the story in a uniquely different method. It uses the original script by William Shakespeare but all the scenes appear against the backdrop of present times. Gone are the days of riding in chariots, instead come the days of riding in convertibles and flashy sports cars. Three Hundred years ago William Shakespeare wrote a tragic play called Romeo and Juliet that captured the hearts of every person who walked into the Globe Theatre to watch it. Centuries on though these works have not been lost but they have been forgotten. Although Baz Luhrmann has re-created the works of William Shakespeare using modern day technology has let everyone understand the Shakespearean language but more importantly the Tragedy of Romeo and his Juliet.

3 Steps to Create an Online Course From Your Book

3 Steps to Create an Online Course From Your Book 3 Steps to Create an Online Course From Your Book Authors don’t just make money from books. Often, the majority of their income comes from what is behind the books. Recently my friend Gregory was four weeks out from publishing his first book. He had spent the better part of a year writing and preparing to launch his book. Just a few weeks out from the launch he realized he had neglected to think about something important: how was he going to monetize the back end? The journey of self-publishing hits a major milestone with the launch of a first book, but it does not end there. While a well-launched book can certainly earn a good income, if you do not monetize the back-end of the book by  consulting, speaking, or creating online courses then you are not realizing the full potential of self-publishing.As they say, a book is the new business card. But, you can’t just have a business card you need the business behind the business card as well.There are several ways to monetize the back end of a book:ServicesSoftwareConsu lting / CoachingSpeaking / WorkshopsCreate Online Course (fastest and most scalable)While I am biased, my absolute favorite method is to create  an online course. It doesn’t take 6-12 months to develop like a software product would, and it doesn’t rely on your personal time like offering services, consulting, and speaking.Knowing that I specialize in online courses, Gregory reached out to me for help with producing a course for the new book he was about to publish. I’ll be sharing  3 steps to create online courses from your books. With these tips you too can maximize the results of your next (or a previous) book. Imagine if you take every book you have published, which people are buying for $5-$10, and quickly transform the same content into a parallel product for which you can charge 10 to 100 times  that amount.3 Steps to Create an Online Course From Your BookAs the owner of a course production company, people often have the same question when it comes t o turning a book into an online course:What’s the difference? Why would people pay more for the same material?Great question. There are a couple key differences between a course and a book (aside from the obvious differences in format).Step 1 Understand the differences between a book and a courseTone If you were to read your book out loud, verbatim, that would be an audiobook which has a very different feeling to an online course.Focus Again, using the audiobook example, your audiobook might be 15 hours long, while you course is 5 hours long. A large part of the value of a book is exploring the â€Å"why† of a topic or possibly the history, while a course is designed to be extremely actionable. That means the content requires great focus.Specificity Books are filled with great stories and great ideas. They plant important seeds in your mind, and might even have some simple exercises at the end of the chapters. That being said, it takes a lot of effort to apply what you learn from a book. A significant part of the value of an online course is how easy it is to take action. If it’s a course about networking, you can provide email templates, step-by-step guides to follow, software tools you can use. It’s designed to be immediately actionable, while a book on networking might discuss more general concepts on networking such as why it’s a good idea to go to a conference, to make good eye contact, to introduce people to each other, etc.If you want to see some real life examples of the differences, check out the audiobook and the online course version of Gregory’s book to compare (you can do a free preview of each to see what I mean). Both are based on the same content, but the tone, structure, focus, and specificity is quite different. Step 2 Build an online course from a book or a manuscriptHere is the exact process we used to build courses in dozens of different industries, following our Course In A Box Method:1.) Dec ide the Format   There are many ways to build a course. You can build a text-based course, a video-based course that focused on live filming, or on recording your screen while you teach someone to program, or by recording slides as you teach. Usually it’s a mix. You can also have courses two hours long, or 20 hours long. With or without PDF handouts. With or without bonus content (such as expert interviews).Here is what we decided on  for Gregory’s course: Ultimately 3 modules, with 3-5 lessons each The lesson length would average about 10 minutes (although it ranges from 5-15) The content style would primarily be a mix of recording well-designed slides, mixed with bonus content like expert interviews, follow-along PDF guides, etc.Pro tip: How do you decide the course length/structure? One module should bring people through a major milestone. For example, setting up a website before beginning to write content and market the site in later modules. One video should have one clear, stand-alone step in the process. For example, video 3 of module 1 for Building Your New Website might entail setting up the site hosting, video 4 might be configuring wordpress, etc.2.)Turn the manuscript into a course script This means cutting the fat and changing the tone as discussed above. Your course should clearly get people from point A (where they are now) to point B (where they want to go) and this should be clearly reflected by the course script. Even if your book is quite long, you can do this in about a week if you maintain focus3.) Turn the script into a slide plan This is a document which matches up the main ideas in the script with slides that you will be recording. Most people jump straight from script to slide design, but this (quick) intermediary step ensures that your course has a good flow to it and stays organized4.) Turn the slide plan into slides Create a slide template that you like, then customize slides to match your slide plan. Or better yet, outsource this process to a professional.5.) Record the scripts as an audio file Sit down and read your script as enthusiastically as possible.Pro tips: Don’t try to record your screen with the slides at the same time, the quality will be lower. Record the audio separately then match the slides in post production.Leave a pause and say â€Å"SLIDE X† between slides. This will help with the next step, editing.6.) Combine the slides and audio file into a video file Self-explanatory. It is not  recommended that you do this yourself, as a professional likely would do it better/faster. Invest a few hundred bucks to get it done right the first time.7.) Find useful places to add extra materials PDFs, expert interviews, new examples, templates, etc. Just ask yourself every time you say do this, â€Å"how can I help them do that?†8.) Clean up, edit and structure everything into a finalized course Did everything stay organized? We recommend using a google drive folder structure that we link to below to keep things organized.9.) Upload the course to your website If you want the simplest option possible, go with Teachable. This is what we used for Gregory’s course as well. If you want something more sophisticated, go with MemberMouse (another popular option we use with clients).Step 3 Connect the book and the courseNow that youve completed the course, how do you get people from your book to find your course, and vice versa?  The simplest way is to directly link from your book to your course website. However, sometimes people will complain about that approach â€Å"they are just trying to sell their other products!!!†Another way is to direct people to a companion website which offers additional resources and downloads for free in exchange for their email address. Then you will want to set-up an email autoresponder which offers additional value and guides them through the process from having read the book to wanting to delv e  deeper and buy  the course. Pro tip:  Add this download link to the beginning AND the end of the book, and preferably a few times in the middle. Not everyone finishes every book they buy, so you want to make sure they see the link even if they stop after the first chapter. In fact, you can even include the page with the link in the â€Å"free preview† of the book on the kindle store to get even more people to see it.What kind of results would this really get?Let’s say you get 5,000 downloads as part of your book launch, then 1,000 purchases per month after that20% of those people who grab the book also check out the linkThen 50% of the people who visit the page submit their email addressFinally, 10% of those people who join your list also purchase your courseResults:You now instantly have 500 more people on your email list, and 100 more people per month ad infinitum50 people buy your course during your book launch, and 10 more people buy every monthIf your cou rse is priced at $500, then that is $25,000 in additional revenue during your book launch, and $5,000 every month after thatand that, my friends, is the power of combining a book with an online course.I know writing a book is hard (I’ve written several myself) and by the time it’s done and published you may feel done yourself. But, don’t forget that offering a course is your chance to either kick start or rapidly grow your business. The best way to maximize the value of your book is to lead people from your book to discover other parts of your brand.Give the people who  love your book the opportunity to work with you further, either through an online course or through one of the other methods discussed above. Leave a comment with questions about this process, or share your  results creating an  online course from your book.  I look forward to hearing about your success.

Creating Your College Wish List

Creating Your College Wish List Figuring out where to apply to college is exciting, but it can be a major challenge. After all, there are over 3,000 four-year colleges in the United States, and each school has its own unique strengths and defining features. Fortunately, you can rather easily narrow down your search to a much more manageable number of colleges with the help of our series, Creating Your College Wish List. Youll find a variety of articles, sorted in easy-to-follow sections  that will guide you in the college selection process. Whether youre doing a national or regional search, whether you care most about engineering or the beach, or the most selective and prestigious colleges in the country, youll find articles here that feature top schools that speak to your interests. Every college applicant has different criteria for selecting schools, and the categories featured here capture some of the most common selection factors. The articles are organized to focus first on  topics that will be relevant to all college applicants, and later sections are more specialized. Read below to learn which sections will be most relevant to your own college search.   Tips for Narrowing Down Your College List   The first step in coming up with your college wish list is to figure out what type of school you want to attend.  Understanding Different Kinds of Colleges  begins with an article that discusses 15 factors to consider when choosing a school. Along with the quality of the academics, you should consider a schools student / faculty ratio, financial aid resources, research opportunities, graduation rates, and more. Its also important to figure out if youll flourish at a small college or a large university. If youre a solid A student with strong SAT or ACT scores, be sure to look through the articles in the second section, The Most Selective Colleges.  Youll find a detailed list of the countrys most selective colleges and universities  as well as lists of the colleges that tend to top the national rankings. Whether youre looking for a top public university or one of the best liberal arts colleges, youll find information on a range of impressive schools.   Selectivity, of course, doesnt tell the whole story when choosing a college. Under  Best Schools by Major or Interest,  youll find articles  focused  on particular interests whether they be academic or co-curricular. Are you looking for a top engineering school? Or perhaps you want a college with a strong equestrian program. This third section can help guide your college search. Other colleges have a Distinct Student Body that might appeal to you. In the fourth section, youll find articles featuring schools with specialized missions including the top womens colleges and top historically black colleges and universities. The great majority of college students attend a school thats within a days drive from home. If youre restricting your search to a particular geographic region, youll find guidance in Best Colleges by Region.  Whether you want to learn about the top New England colleges or best schools on the West Coast, youll find an article identifying the top schools in your chosen area. If youre not a straight A student or your SAT or ACT scores are sub-par, dont worry. In  Great Schools for Mere Mortals,  youll find top colleges for B students and a list of test-optional colleges that dont consider standardized test scores when making admissions decisions. A Final Word on Creating Your College List Keep in mind that words like top and best are highly subjective, and the best school for your particular strengths, interests, goals, and personality may very well be a college that isnt at the top of the national rankings. Once youre found the colleges that match your selection criteria, make sure your list includes a realistic mix of match, reach, and safety schools. Many of the schools featured here are highly selective, and plenty of students with strong grades and standardized test scores get rejected.   You should always shoot for the top, but make sure you have a contingency plan. You dont want to find yourself in the spring of senior year with no acceptance letters.