Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Is Hofstedes Model Still Relevant Today?

Is Hofstedes Model Still Relevant Today? Hofstede model is a well-known cultural model in the world for many decades as Greet Hofstede is a pioneer who has done the research regarding cultural diversification and differences. In his dimension, there are four plus one cultural index stated which are Individualistic, Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Masculinity and Long-term Orientation (Hofstede G., 1973). This model seems to give some knowledge foundation to people who do not have any basic understanding about cultural differences and it is also widely spread theory which is used in various fields of study especially business and management. However, Hofstede dimension tends to be considered as dated and bias. This essay discussion will be based upon the question How far do you agree that Hofstedes model is dated and biased and, as such, is of no use to the contemporary international business executive . Given below are the following reasons to our agreement/disagreement with Hofstedes model HOFSTEDE DIMENSIONS ARE OUTDATED There are critical reasons to argue that Hofstedes model is dated and may be inapplicable to the contemporary international business environment. The first reason is globalization the broadening geographical inter-linkages of products, markets, firms and production factors, with a large portion of each derived, generated, or available in more countries and regions according to Papaconstantinou, G. (1995). Due to the statistics from UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), number of companies invest overseas and multinational companies (MNCs) operate worldwide are continually increased for decades which may reflect in higher number of immigrants and expatriate workers. Also, each business organization has its own culture promoted and inevitably workers should adapt themselves to organizational culture for instance encouraging teamwork, involving in decision making or maintaining relationship. Most of these companies operate globally, the organizational culture practices are consequently almost the same. Furthermore, global products such as McDonald s, Starbucks, Coca-Cola and jeans also influence people s lifestyles. One such illustration is when burgers become diet in many countries around the world not just only in Western countries. We now have a concept of global consumers, which are more aware about the availability of various options in the markets. Obviously, the cultures are converged and become similar from one and another, which are a complete contrast from the past. Another key factor which rapidly stimulates this trend is advance technology for instance internet, e-mail, and social-network. According to the world internet users statistic, there is an significant increase of internet users; 380.3 percent in 2000-2009 and 444.8 percent in 2000-2010(web ref.1). Since internet is accessible everywhere and all contents are available online such as fashion, music and movies so it is the most distinct and easiest means of cultural exchange. Thus, the internet servers may directly or indirectly absorb other different cultures from what they have seen or heard and may imitate those norms. For example, independent and individualistic images of Western people are positively present on internet, these may appreciated and motivated young Chinese to be individualist who prefer freedom lifestyle and seek for self-achievement (Guangrong R., 1998). As a result people tend to value things similarly because of globalization and advance technology. The second reason is the new generation of the sample countries; those who were born after 1973, were not taken into account of Hofstedes research. During the past thirty years this new generation is now becoming the effective workforce of the countries and can reflect the changes occurred in the society. One important driver which should be considered is education. Referring to the Institute of International Education, U.S. Department of State s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs report Nov. 2007, number American students study abroad increased by 8.5 percent and tend to continually increase every year. Moreover, there are many partners universities in Asia generate Asialearn program for overseas students who want to study and experience Asian cultures. Consequently, there are higher numbers of students who explore and adapt to new culture. Therefore, this stimulates the cultures exchange in the global environment and then gradually invokes cultures to merge. In addition, the educational system also influences people behaviors. Globalization affects education by changing the roles of student and teacher and generating a shift in society from industrialization to an information-based society and this effect reflects on culture and result in a new form of cultural imperialism (Chinnammai, 2005). To give you a clear example, Child-Centered System by Dewey J., 1963; system which encourage students to think by themselves, participate in group and be more confident to discuss with teacher in class, are continually promoted in Thai educational system since 1978 (web ref.2). This can directly affect the new generation of Thai in power distance aspect. As an Asian country, Thailand is perceived as a high power distance country and seniority are very important and widely practised in society (Rowley Warner, 2007). However, the Child-Centered System tends to lower the power distance between students and teachers which was rooted in Thai culture for centuries. Furthermore, people graduated from international school or international university tends to have different value, norms and behaviors from those who study in ordinary schools for example; less or no seniority system in international school because the curriculum and teaching methods of those international institutions are most ly based on American or British educational system. The third reason to argue against the Hofstedes dimension is changes in household structure. According to UN report about demographic and social trends affecting families in the South and Central Asia region (De Silva, I. 2003), in the recent years there is an increasing number of nuclear family due to the economic condition in Asia. This may reveal that close relationship between family s members are declining in Asian society and also the culture may be no longer transcend from generation to next generations anymore. Surprisingly, single household, loan parent, cohabitating couples, decline in fertility rate and delay marriage trend are also greater every year in many countries such as Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and the Anglicized based countries. (De Silva, I. 2003a). Besides, there is another considerable trend of women s changing role, as they tend to focus more on self achievement including higher education, higher rank position and career success (De Silva, I. 2003b). This may be implied that nowadays women tend to have more masculinity characteristic and are practicing more independent lifestyle than the past. The last reason is, Hofstedes research was based in surveys between 1967 and 1973. During that period, the economic and political condition in most of the countries, which are mentioned in his research, was a lot different than nowadays. Generally: In North America, the United States and Canada were to the dusk of the postwar prosperity, when an economic slowdown became visibly apparent in the early 70s (Web Ref. 7). In South America, Brasil had a spectacular growth after a five year stagnation period, Argentina was under a fast-pace development through developmentalism tactics when Mexico had a strong but unstable economic performance with problems in fiscal management and the investments (Victor Bulmer-Thomas, 2003). Europe was under an Industrial decline. Great Britains growth was struggling and the pounds devaluation (1967) was the second after 1949 (Cairncross, Alec:1992), (Nicholas Woodward, 1995). Germany, having serious problems with the industrial decline, was making efforts to guide an economic policy (Federal German Budget Legislation 1967), (Web Ref. 3). Only France was passing through a booming period (Web Ref. 4). In Asia, India was in a post-war period (with China-1962, with Pakistan-1965) and a currency devaluation in 1966 (Devika Johri Mark Miller). Japan was in a post-war rebuilding, with a great industrial development by mid-60s (Alfred K. Ho, 1968). In Singapore, despite of the difficulties faced by the separation from Malaysia in 1965, its economy moved upwards through many policies and investments (Web Ref. 5) and South Korea was in the dawn of a rapid industrialization, through an outward-looking strategy adopted in the early 60s (Web Ref 6). As can be seen, the changes in political and economic environment taking place in the above countries. It can be concluded that the business environment has completely changed from the period of the survey to the present business scenario. Moreover, Hofstedes model will not be applicable in present business environment due to the changes until today. Globalization, advance technology, changing education system, new generation, smaller household structure, different roles of women and period of conducting research seem to be the crucial answers why Hofstedes dimension is dated and inappropriate for international business application since many cultures become more similar and people independently choose to behave in the way they want. HOFSTEDE DIMENSION IS BIAS According to McSweeney, there are some limitations of Hofstedes methodology. He states that Hofstede is sceptical and can provide information about entire national cultures. We will now review the research method of Hofstedes model also in this part we are going to discuss about Hofstedes method of conducting research and his way of over assumption and mere hypothesis. Method of conducting research Firstly, Hofstedes findings are from a single company IBM, and his informants worked with a single industry the information technology industry. Although this survey covered all workers, the data used by Hofstede to construct national cultural comparisons were largely limited to response from marketing-plus-sales employees (McSweeney, 2002). Moreover, because all of the respondents worked for IBM, and the effect of organizational culture were single and same (McSweeney, 2002). Therefore, it can be argued that the background and values of IBM workers are a considerable small group i.e. they cannot cover holistically the different perceptions of various countries. (Mead and Andrews, 2009). Secondly, due to the research conducted in a single industry with a single company, the type of sample involved in this research is similar. Although these employees were from different countries, the effect of organization culture is the same on them (McSweeney, 2002). What is a culture? In an organization, culture can be defined as a way of studying and working everyday (Martin, 2002). Morgan provides us with a basic understanding of organizational culture: The set of beliefs, values, and norms, together with symbols like dramatized events and personalities that represents the unique character of an organization, and provides the context for action in it and by it. (Morgan, 1997, p.41). In addition, Hofstede highlights that the type of IBM culture is unique and uniform within the organization (cited in Risberg, 1999). As a result, it can be argued that the effect of the organizational culture on the IBM employees is very limited and similar. The third problem of his methodology is the method of questionnaire is not effective. McSweeney (2002) states that administration of the survey and the ownership of its results were IBM s; some of the questionnaires were completed within groups and not individually (McSweeney, 2002, p.103). Also, McSweeney (2002) explained that some employees of IBM were under a perception that their managers might provide more strategies on the basis of the survey results. Consequently, according to McSweeney s arguments, there are two main questionable points in the IBM s questionnaires. The first one is each country has different style of answering questions, due to this survey covered 66 countries. For instance, the effect of traditions and culture in Asia is profound (Littlewood, 1999), Asian people tend to answer questions giving more weightage to the theory aspect as well as their answers are based on their perceptions. In contrast, the westerners are opposite, their answers tend to be based o n what they think is factual rather relying on the theory. Hofstede also displays that the general amount per country was small (Hofstede, 1980a). McSweeney (2002) critiqued that his research covered 66 countries, but the final data and result were from only 40 countries. According to the data from the IBM s survey, it is undeniable that samples of this research are really not homogeneous. Furthermore, the sample size in each country was different. Only in a few European countries and in Japan, the responders were over than 1000. In most of the countries they were less than 200 in total for both surveys (Mc Sweeney, 2002:94). This inequality makes the research more accurate for only a few countries. That means that the data of the research are unequally weighted. When a statistical analysis has to take place, the data have to be collected in a similar way, for all the parties (sample range-extent-quality). The questionnaires were answered by the employees of a particular company who would like to take part and not by Hofstedes choice of separate categories of people. Thats obvious from the large differences of the sample size in each country. That means that the sample was not heterogeneous enough, in terms of population distribution, age diversity, behaviour, attitudes and perceptions. Hence, the data were not enough to characterize a whole country through these. It w ould be more accurate to refer to Hofstedes research as an IBM study of that period. According to Taras, Steel, Kirkman (2010:27), In terms of conceptualization of culture, Hofstedes (1980a) multidimensional model may not adequately capture the complete phenomenon of culture, because a singular focus on cultural values largely ignores other aspects of culture. Furthermore, at the individual and national levels, culture may not be as stable as Hofstede believed it was. So, as Hofstedes approach has a number of conceptual and methodological limitations that can contaminate data and introduce a systematic error. Hofstedes Dimensions are contradicting with each other The addition of the fifth dimension identified by the Hofstede might have boosted the strength of his national culture model. However an intense scrutinising of study from which Hofstede mined the further dimension Chinese value survey by the Chinese culture connection group (CCC: Bond, 1988)-reveals that on of this fifth dimension is problematic. That study recognised one of Hofstedes fourth dimensions-Uncertainty avoidance (UA)-as irrelevant to Chinese population and consequently demoted UA from being a worldwide dimension of national culture to a non-universal dimension. None of the CVS aspects were correlated with UA. If Hofstede regards the CCC study to be valid he should not have added the fifth dimension to his previous once. He should also have downgraded UA in his model. If, instead Hofstede regards the CCC study as unsound he should not have attached the fifth dimension .However the problem was? Hofstede wants it both ways. The meticulous examination of the research reveals that it relies on, fundamentally flawed assumptions. Hofstedes Model involves four vital assumptions upon which his measurements are based. Though it is reasoned that assumptions are all flawed and that therefore his national cultural explanations are invalid and misleading but these assumptions are vital in the sense that they are essential for the probability of his identification claims. Hofstede refer in multiple instances, to the common characteristics , the common traits (1991:19) of the inhabitants of a particular nation . Thus a unique national culture is assumed to be individually carried out by everyone in nation just like A.J.P Taylor stated that The problem with Hitler was that he was German .He assumed that The data of IBM was commendably restricted to the workplace only, while other segments of national population which includes- the waged and the unwaged, full-time students, the self-employed, part time students, the retired, home workers, and others were not taken into consideration. So, Brenden McSweeney (University of Essex) a critique while criticising his research, keeping all the flawed assumptions in his mind, contends, that Hofstedes project is a misguided attempt to measure the unmeasurable . IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Hofstedes MODEL IS USEFUL TO SOME EXTENT Hofstedes model predicts what most people would do in routine situations, in other words it provides us with some basic understanding of how a person would behave in a particular culture. Let s say for example an American, who has never worked in a Chinese based organization and has no experience in working with Chinese people, will have some general ideas about how the Chinese work culture operates. We can say this by looking into one of the dimensions of Hofstedesuch as power distance: in which he has mentioned how cultures cope with societal inequality. Cultures with narrow power distance such as USA will try to reduce differences and solve problems via consultation and support whereas their counterparts (China) will do the opposite i.e. encourage differences and follow autocratic and paternalistic type leadership style. Now let s presume the previous example of the American going to work for a Chinese based company, if he/she has looked upon Hofstede model then he/she will have a certain outlook of how things run around in China. We do not say that the American should be completely guided by the model but it does help. In China, differences in power is indicated when people come for a meeting and the junior personnel may arrive much before time so has to show respect to his seniors. The American may find this hard to accept but when they become aware about this they are psychologically prepared to face this inequality. If the American has to establish and implement a management structure then it is very important for him to know the significant differences in various cultures. (Mead and Andrews, 2009) CONCLUSION As stated above there are a number of reasons why we agree that Hofstedes model is dated and biased. It cannot be used by an international business executive simply because they cannot be applied in the current international business environment for a number of factors, such as, work related values are not similar in the international business context. To inference we would like to state that Hofstedes dimensions are outdated due to change in technology, globalization from an international business perspective, emerging trends in different cultures. Another reason to argue that Hofstedes dimensions are biased is that the method of conducting research is based upon one industry and one company, similar types of sample involved in conducting research, various discrepancies in the questionnaire, elongated period of conducting research (changes in economic conditions), disproportionate sample size used to analyze data. Hofstede has relied more on assumptions and hypothesis thereby creating a paradigm wall around his model to protect his theory. In contrast Hofstedes model can be used in some parts of the business environment such as it provides business executives with some form of basic understanding. When an international business executive enters into a foreign culture everything seems different from the home environment. Using Hofstedes cultural dimensions as a reference point he/she can evaluate the approach to be taken, the decisions to be made, the actions to be executed in a very general sense for that cultural environment. No culture is homogenous and there will be deviations in real life business environment from Hofstedes cultural findings, however, with the use of Hofstedes model the business executive can have a foresight about how things may function in the foreign environment. It becomes less intimidating for him/her as he/she gets a much needed boost of confidence and security from studying the cultural model.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Bram Stokers Dracula vs. Miyazakis Princess Mononoke :: essays research papers

Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula, as well as, Hayao Miyazaki’s animated feature, Princess Mononoke, deal with the prevalent theme of good verses evil. On the surface, both stories seem like typical hero verses villain tales, but once their plots are more closely analyzed it is evident that there is not a bold line between the two extremes. Both pieces explore the idea of evil being in the eye of the beholder and being interpreted completely differently from contrasting perspectives. Princess Mononoke is the tale of a young prince, Ashitaka, who battles a demon bore, only to become possessed with its evil spirit. Ashitaka then travels to Irontown, seeking to find the reason for the bore’s anger and thus, a cure for himself. When he arrives, he finds that the citizens of the town, under the rule of Lady Eboshi, have been mining iron from nearby mountains and, in turn, disturbing the animal Gods of the forest. The animals and the humans have been in a constant battle over who has the right to the land and both have been lead to believe that the other species is purely evil. Ashitaka believes that the humans and the animals can get along peacefully through compromise and finds himself in the middle of their conflict. From each side’s perspective, the other seems inherently evil, but from Ashitaka’s perspective, and the perspective of the audience, neither side is truly corrupt and they are both just feeding off of each other’s anger. Alt hough the animals seem evil and barbaric to the humans, they are just being protective over their land and are acting off of their fear of the humans. On the other hand, the humans are seen as evil by the animals because of their selfish use of resources, but they are just trying to financially support their community. For example, Lady Eboshi, the leader of Irontown, is seen as evil for orchestrating this exploitation of resources from the animals, but the humans see her as a compassionate, God-like figure. She does many positive and kind things for the human community, such as taking in women from the streets and brothels and giving them a place to live and work. Even though she is, in essence, destroying the animal’s habitats, she is saving the lives of many humans while doing it. The animal characters are also portrayed as compassionate in many respects. For example, when the leader of the wolves finds an abandoned baby, she takes her in and raises her as if she were her own daughter. Bram Stoker's Dracula vs. Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke :: essays research papers Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula, as well as, Hayao Miyazaki’s animated feature, Princess Mononoke, deal with the prevalent theme of good verses evil. On the surface, both stories seem like typical hero verses villain tales, but once their plots are more closely analyzed it is evident that there is not a bold line between the two extremes. Both pieces explore the idea of evil being in the eye of the beholder and being interpreted completely differently from contrasting perspectives. Princess Mononoke is the tale of a young prince, Ashitaka, who battles a demon bore, only to become possessed with its evil spirit. Ashitaka then travels to Irontown, seeking to find the reason for the bore’s anger and thus, a cure for himself. When he arrives, he finds that the citizens of the town, under the rule of Lady Eboshi, have been mining iron from nearby mountains and, in turn, disturbing the animal Gods of the forest. The animals and the humans have been in a constant battle over who has the right to the land and both have been lead to believe that the other species is purely evil. Ashitaka believes that the humans and the animals can get along peacefully through compromise and finds himself in the middle of their conflict. From each side’s perspective, the other seems inherently evil, but from Ashitaka’s perspective, and the perspective of the audience, neither side is truly corrupt and they are both just feeding off of each other’s anger. Alt hough the animals seem evil and barbaric to the humans, they are just being protective over their land and are acting off of their fear of the humans. On the other hand, the humans are seen as evil by the animals because of their selfish use of resources, but they are just trying to financially support their community. For example, Lady Eboshi, the leader of Irontown, is seen as evil for orchestrating this exploitation of resources from the animals, but the humans see her as a compassionate, God-like figure. She does many positive and kind things for the human community, such as taking in women from the streets and brothels and giving them a place to live and work. Even though she is, in essence, destroying the animal’s habitats, she is saving the lives of many humans while doing it. The animal characters are also portrayed as compassionate in many respects. For example, when the leader of the wolves finds an abandoned baby, she takes her in and raises her as if she were her own daughter.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Biological and Humanistic Theories Essay

Two important personality theories are the biological theory and the humanistic theory. The biological theory is based on the premise that all people inherit their characteristics from their family. This theory basically contends that people do not have control over their behaviors because they are genetically pre-determined. The humanistic theory, on the other hand, is based on the premise that each person has free will to control their actions. This theory does not go along with the idea that behaviors are pre-determined by genetics, but chosen by the individual. These two theories have created debates between psychologists for many yearsHans j. Eysenck, Ph.D., D.Sc., who developed the biological theory, is one of the world’s most cited psychologist. He is a pioneer in the use of behavior therapy as well as research in personality theory and measurements. The biological theory has to do with his findings that individual differences in personality are biology based. This was based on his theory that there are three dimensions of personality (super factors). These dimensions of personality were extraversion-introversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. Eysenck also went a step farther in pointing out the results of many studies indicating that genetics play an important role in deciding the amounts of which of the three personality dimensions one might possess. I agree with this theory because even most psychologists will admit that it is getting increasingly harder to ignore the obvious link between our genetic makeup and certain inherited behaviors. I disagree with this theory because it is difficult to test in actual experiments. Another reason I disagree with this theory is that while genetics play a role in certain behaviors, it does not excuse or justify certain actions. Lastly, this theory offers us very little in the area of personality change. Biological and Humanistics 3In humanistic theory, the motivation for developing one’s full learning potential is inherent in each of us. Although there is no real definition for the humanistic theory, the four primary humanistic categories are personal responsibility, the here and now, the phenomenology of the individual, and personal growth. This theory is unlike the biological theory, in that it believes that all of us are born with the ability to shape our own futures and are limited only by our physical limitations. The here and now is just exactly what it sounds like. It  reminds us that we should live for the present and not get caught up in the past. This has the tendency to limit what we may become and leave us short of our personal goals and or objectives. The phenomenology of the individual deals with the concept that no one knows you as an individual better than you. It is ludicrous to think that some doctor could have any clue as to what to advise after only hear ing your problem a few moments earlier. This could mean that we need to communicate our problems to someone from time to time, but one will eventually come to his or her own conclusion after careful reflection. The last category is Personal Growth. This process has to do with becoming a fully functioning individual achieving personal satisfaction. All of us strive to meet our immediate needs. This process states that once our immediate needs are met if left alone we continue to strive toward this ultimate satisfying state of being. I agree with this theory because one cannot argue the fact that each individual has control over the decisions that they make. I disagree with this theory because much of it cannot be tested in a scientific atmosphere. A large portion of this theory relies on the concept of free will, which is not observable or predictable. Another thing that I disagree with is that in some instances a person may not be able to control some of their behaviorsBiological and Humanistic 4because of genetics. Cancer and heart disease run in families, so why wouldn’t depression or drug dependency. Abraham Maslow, considered the Father of Humanism, was an American psychologist best known for his publication † A Theory of Human Motivation † in which he presented his theory the hierarchy of human needs. This Hierarchy of Needs can be used to explain human behaviors and emotions associated with potential. Maslow’s Hierarchy may show that fulfillment of potential is linked to a pre-fulfillment of all needs that may distract an individual from achieving self-actualization. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a very compelling theory due to the fact that most discussions of people’s needs in the realm of effort usually begin with a basic understanding of Maslow’s premise. The central thesis of his theory is that human needs are organized in a hierarchy of five levels of basic needs. These needs include physiological needs, safety needs, needs of love, affection, and belongingness, needs for esteem, and the needs for self-actualization. Even  though there are needs which sit at a higher level than these basic needs, the person does not feel the second needs until the demands of the first have been satisfied, nor the third until the second has been satisfied, and so on. Between these two theories, I believe that humanistic best describes my personality. My father was a severe alcoholic and died at the age of 53. His alcoholism destroyed my parent’s marriage and many other relationships in his life. By watching the effects of this detrimental behavior, I decided a long time ago that I would not go down the same path, especially since alcoholism might b genetic. By choosing not to engage inBiological and Humanistic 5this behavior, I have demonstrated free will of choice and motivation to change what may have been pre-determined. In conclusion I feel that both these theories possess credibility, but personally I think that I would take certain aspects from both theories to create something of a collage theory. I cannot believe that we have no control over our behaviors, but at the same time it is hard to argue that genetic predisposition does not influence our personalities. References Burger, Jerry M. (2008). Personality (7th edition). Retrieved December 3, 2008 fromEsource.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Correcting a Run-On Sentence With a Period or Semicolon

The simplest way to correct a run-on sentence (also known as a fused sentence) is with a mark of punctuation—a period or semicolon. Correcting a Run-on Sentence With a Period To make two separate sentences out of a run-on, put a period at the end of the first main clause and begin the second main clause with a capital letter: Run-on SentenceMerdine is a skilled carpenter she single-handedly built a two-story log cabin.CorrectedMerdine is a skilled carpenter . She single-handedly built a two-story log cabin. Inserting a period at the end of the first main clause is often the best way to correct a long run-on sentence. Correcting a Run-on Sentence With a Semicolon Another way to separate two main clauses is with a semicolon: Run-on SentenceMerdine is a skilled carpenter she single-handedly built a two-story log cabin.CorrectedMerdine is a skilled carpenter ; she single-handedly built a two-story log cabin. Be careful not to overwork the semicolon. The mark is most often used between two main clauses that are closely related in meaning and grammatical form. Adding a Conjunctive Adverb Although a period or semicolon will correct a run-on sentence, a mark of punctuation alone wont explain how the second main clause relates to the first one. To make this relationship clear, you can follow the period or semicolon with a conjunctive adverb--that is, a transitional expression that introduces a main clause. The common conjunctive adverbs show that you are continuing a thought (furthermore, moreover), offering a contrast (however, nonetheless, still), or showing a result (accordingly, consequently, then, therefore, thus). Unlike coordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs dont join main clauses; however, they do guide your readers by linking ideas: I loathed my job more than I loved the paycheck; consequently, I quit work and returned to college.After three days of rain, I was tempted to abandon the hike. Nevertheless, on the fourth day I took bearings from my compass and set out due west toward Cedar Bay. Remember that a conjunctive adverb between two main clauses should be preceded by a semicolon or period. It is usually followed by a comma. This exercise will give you practice in applying the guidelines on page one of  Correcting a Run-on Sentence With a Period or Semicolon. To view the exercise without ads, click on the printer icon near the top of this page. Instructions: Use either a period or a semicolon to correct each of the run-on sentences below. A jump rope is the ultimate aerobic exercise it provides a top-notch daily workout.My teacher never missed a day of school I think even the flu and the common cold were afraid of that lady.Experience is not what happens to you it is what you do with what happens to you.A low blood-sugar level signals  hunger a higher one tells the brain that you dont need to eat.A lobotomy is a fairly simple operation however amateurs should not attempt it.Fifty years ago, parents were apt to have several children nowadays children are apt to have several parents.Humor is a rubber sword it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.Black magic is meant to harm or destroy white magic is intended to benefit an individual or the community.Carefully open the can of soup empty the contents of the can into a saucepan and stir gently.Its not enough to hear opportunity knock you must let him in, make friends, and work together with him.Boy bands should be exploded from a great height theyre just pret ty people singing music written by others.Happiness is the key to success if you love what you are doing, you will be successful.It is not the strongest of the species that survives nor the most intelligent that survives it is the one that is the most adaptable to change.Courage is doing what youre afraid to do there can be no courage unless youre scared.During a boat trip in 1862, Charles Dodgson began telling a story about an adventure in a world full of peculiar creatures the place was called Wonderland. Answers A jump rope is the ultimate aerobic exercise. It  [or  ;  it] provides a top-notch daily workout.My teacher never missed a day of school. I  [or  ;  I] think even the flu and the common cold were afraid of that lady.Experience is not what happens to you. It  [or  ;  it] is what you do with what happens to you.A low blood-sugar level signals hunger.  A  [or  ;  A] higher one tells the brain that you dont need to eat.A lobotomy is a fairly simple operation. However,  [or  ;  however,] amateurs should not attempt it.Fifty years ago, parents were apt to have several children. Nowadays  [or  ;  nowadays] children are apt to have several parents.Humor is a rubber sword. It  [or  ;  it] allows you to make a point without drawing blood.Black magic is meant to harm or destroy. White  [or  ;  white] magic is intended to benefit an individual or the community.Carefully open the can of soup. Empty  [or  ;  empty] the contents of the can int o a saucepan and stir gently.Its not enough to hear opportunity knock. You  [or  ;  you] must let him in, make friends, and work together with him.Boy bands should be exploded from a great height. Theyre  [or  ;  theyre] just pretty people singing music written by others.Happiness is the key to success. If  [or  ;  if] you love what you are doing, you will be successful.It is not the strongest of the species that survives nor the most intelligent that survives. It  [or  ;  it] is the one that is the most adaptable to change.Courage is doing what youre afraid to do. There  [or  ;  there] can be no courage unless youre scared.During a boat trip in 1862, Charles Dodgson began telling a story about an adventure in a world full of peculiar creatures. The  [or  ;  the] place was called Wonderland.