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What Is a Trend? Essay Example

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In the world of business, as well as society itself, there are always new trends that are surfacing. Some of these trends may last longer than others, and some may even become more popular than others. Almost anything can be considered a trend given the proper circumstances. A trend may occur in any sector of society from various elements from art, science, fashion, sports, technology, events, products, politics, and much more.  (Business, 2015)

A trend usually occurs when an individual or group of certain individuals begin to engage in a concept of any sort. This concept is then noticed by other people. These other people find the concept desirable or favorable, and begin to practice the concept themselves where even more people will see them. This creates a chain reaction and can last for variations of time depending on how popular or “trendy” the new concept is.  (Fitzgerald, 2015)

Trends are especially important to business because they are one of the primary factors surrounding sales revenue as well as marketing and advertising. If a trend happens to be based on a certain product—say a type of fashion accessory—then this is favorable for the business that produces and sells that product. As the trend continues on, the business supplying the given product will get a compounding basis of free advertisements, while all at the same time driving their sales revenue for that trending product.  (Business, 2015)

Businesses are always trying to trend their products or services because it helps to promote growth and expansion. As a trend starts, the business sees profits, the consumers are satisfied, and the economy becomes more stimulated. Most trends eventually die out like a wild fire eventually would. However, businesses along with society are constantly looking for the new trend or even try to re-trend previous trends. Trends are not only important for business but also a significant part of many cultures.  (Business, 2015) (Fitzgerald, 2015)

Cameras have been a trend in society for an incalculable amount of time as they are being modified on a very consistent basis. This is primarily due to advances in technology. At somewhere around 1826, the first ever photographic camera was invented. Since that time, the camera has been a constant trend and continues to re-trend just about every year. As advances and innovations in technology continue, the camera continues to be reinvented along with it.

The original invention of the camera can be attributed to such advances in technology, because the camera itself is a type of technology. Cameras became notorious for their use of film to capture images. This enticed consumers to purchase them because just about everybody had desired the idea of capturing images from their own lives to keep as memories. As technology continued to advance, cameras had eventually acquired the ability to not only capture images, but also to record motion film in real time. Then technology advanced even further as it always does, and film cameras were replaced by digital cameras.

Digital cameras were much more convenient to manage and recorded images and video at much higher qualities than the traditional film cameras. As the trend for cameras continued, technology allowed for the camera to be harness and integrated into other forms of technology. Today, cameras are a common accessory that can be found on computers, lap tops, cellular phones, satellites, and many other things. Considering the historical trend of the camera technology, it is strongly suggested that the camera is a consistent, never ending trend.  (Fitzgerald, 2015)

At this day in age social media has been expanding exponentially to all whom use the internet. There is now almost a constant need for people to share with their friends what they’re doing, photos of themselves, and even what they’re eating at the moment. The millennials of today crave the instant gratification of being able to show off whatever it is they have to others.

Popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snap Chat all contribute to the influence on pop culture and the younger generations to be able to capture images and video with use of the highest trending cameras. The camera industry is such a lucrative business because consumers are constantly demanding for more and more advanced types of cameras.

For the more active posts though, one finds it pretty difficult to appropriately portray to their friends the full action of what they are doing. For example, being able to post a video of one surfing in the ocean can prove to be complicated as the recorder would either have to record from too far from the shore, or the surfer him or herself would have to invest a lot of money in overly priced recording equipment. The newest trend of extreme sports such as parkour, skydiving, cliff diving are all almost too complicated to capture on film from a first person point of view.  (Tom Huddleston, 2015)

Nick Woodman was one of the many who had to deal with this problem, but became the one to finally come up with a simple solution. The idea of capturing action videos from the first person view had not been fully exploited through the use of cameras until the introduction of the “Go Pro” camera. The Go Pro Corporation is a successful publically traded company that is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. As of June 2015, Go Pro’s stock price is at $57.97 USD per share.  (Mac, 2013)

The Go Pro camera itself became a trend in society primarily among the younger generations of pop culture when it was first introduced back in 2002. As this unique trend started to expand, it became popular in many sectors of pop culture including sports, car racing, under water scuba diving, and just about anything that was related to some form of live action. As celebrities were seen using these Go Pro cameras from all over the world, society wanted to join in on the action and started to go out and purchase them. Like the numerous action and sports figures that used the Go Pro camera to capture their moments, everybody else wanted enjoy the benefits of the first person view action video shots.

If the invention of the camera itself was considered a significant trend in society, then the Go Pro camera can easily be regarded as not only the re-trend of the camera, but also a trend within a trend. Considering every kind of trend that has ever entered the circulation of society, the Go Pro camera was a turning point and set the new golden standard for all trends.

Everybody who was into some form of action in life wanted to own a Go Pro camera, and even today, merchants often fail to meet the demand of their customers whom are interested in purchasing a Go Pro camera simply because they are always being bought out of stores.  (Landau, 2014)

Woodman founded GoPro so that being able to capture extreme action can finally be accomplished more conveniently and for a reasonably lower price. Starting up sales in Australia back in 2004, GoPro has expanded and now sells and ships to over 200 countries worldwide. Today anywhere where there is live activity there is bound to be a GoPro present, whether it be at a snowboarding location or even just walking through the city.

No longer do people simply record themselves on the half pipe at the skate park or biking down a great mountain, they GoPro themselves doing it putting the waterproof 1080P camera to a helmet or other attachment on the person. GoPro pleases to audiences of all ages and to almost every demographic, whether it is a teenager having the camera attached to their helmet while they skateboard, or the elderly retired person attaching the camera to their plane as they cruise through the Bahamas. One’s imagination is the only real limit when coming up with what to record. What GoPro portrays in its commercials is many sports and action from first person point of view, giving off its famous quote “Be A Hero.” It can be seen in the chart below provided by New York University that over the last few years, the Go Pro camera has continued to increase in trend based on the units of sales.  (PAUMGARTEN, 2014)

The GoPro has been very successful on the market since its initial release. Its sales to consumers around the world have almost doubled every year since its first been made available to the public. According to Woodman, founder of GoPro, by 2012 GoPro had sold over 2.3 million cameras worldwide with a gross income worth of about $521 million. In December of 2012, GoPro was the highest grossing digital image recording device, surpassing Sony and knocking it off the top spot for the first time in the two rivals history. The International Data Corporation says that 21.5% or digital camcorder sales nationwide was all from GoPro.

Now today on the Go Pro website there about a dozen different types of Go Pro cameras to choose from for sale, with also a very wide selection of accessories such as attachments and mounts. Or for even more convenience, there is an option to just pick a sport or activity and the website finds the perfect match of Go Pro camera and accessories.

The idea of branching off from more than just a simple recording camera, and now to start including various attachments and making the Go Pro more customizable even more allows it to be used in many more different types of locations and activities for everyone. It is safe to say that the Go Pro action recording camera has made a name for itself and is also very apparent in the public today, obtaining the title of the best-selling digital camcorder device in 2014.  (Mac, 2013) (Tom Huddleston, 2015)

Although GoPro started off as only being sold locally by Woodman, it has greatly expanded and has become a regular worldwide sold product. The trend of recording extreme action has been made globally with all thanks going to GoPro. A simple YouTube search of GoPro shows all the different types of actions recordings that are now possible and easily accessible to the average consumer. Considering that people from all over the world use the Go Pro camera to record their action shots, and the fact that the Go Pro Corporation is a publically traded company, it is easy to address that this unique tend in cameras exists globally.

The Go Pro camera can expect to remain a constant global trend. This is because the Go Pro Corporation is aware that most trends eventually die out if they are not remodified to keep up with the times and generations. With this knowledge and sharp acumen for business and marketing, the Go Pro Corporation continued to develop new models of their original Go Pro camera which all had newer modifications each time they were released to the general public for purchase. The Go Pro Corporation has released several versions and models of their Go Pro camera. (Anderson, 2015)

The most recent edition of the Go Pro camera is the “HERO 4” black edition. Each number I the series of Go Pro cameras were classified under one of three unique colors. These three color classifications were white, silver, and black. The white editions of Go Pro were the least modified, while the silver editions were slightly more modified and the black versions carrying the highest modifications. One new modification is made to a black edition Go Pro camera, the Go Pro Corporation moves on to model the next series number. Each time the Go Pro camera was modified and re-categorized, it started a new trend around the world. This was because every sport celebrity wanted to have the latest edition. One the consumers saw that the celebrities were using them; they wanted to go out and purchase the latest edition themselves.

Even science explorers had a desire for the Go Pro camera not only for its trend but for its unique features that most other cameras simply are not equipped with. Take for example the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or (NASA). NASA continues to make use of the trending Go Pro cameras because they use them for their journeys in space exploration.  (Barrett, 2015)

What make the Go Pro camera even trendier are the unique accessories that come with it. Because the Go Pro camera has its reputation for being able to be installed just about anywhere, certain accessories and tools are needed to make the adjustments for the camera depending on where the user intends to install it. For example, many people like to use the Go Pro camera to record their action on a roller coaster at an amusement park. There are specific accessories for this type of event surrounding the use of the Go Pro camera. Another popular use for the Go Pro camera is how they are installed on vehicles. Many drivers, and especially competitive racers, like to record their action when driving around in their car. Again, there are specific accessories that allow for the Go Pro camera to be used in this specific type of situation. (PAUMGARTEN, 2014)

The Go Pro Corporation is able to generate money in a variety of ways. Again, the Go Pro Corporation is a publically traded company on the NASDAQ stock exchange. This means that investors who have an interest in the company may purchase shares of stock. When an investor purchases a share of stock, then this generates cash under the Go Pro Corporation’s equity statement. Should the stock price ever go up, investors’ capital will rise with it and as will the net worth value of the company. This plays a significant factor in the value of their stock price which has reflected the continuing trend with a constant increase as shown in this stock graph provided by Forbes.

Another primary way that the Go Pro Corporation may generate money is through their sales. Sales generate revenue and revenue is easily converted into profits given that the cost of goods sold does not outweigh the selling price of the product; in this case the Go Pro cameras and all of their models. Each time a new model of the Go Pro camera is released to the general public for sale, the consumers will stand in line for the new trend and makes a purchase on the new product. As a new model of the Go Pro camera is rapidly being sold to consumers, the prices of the previous models have a tendency to drop down. This is mostly because that since the newest model is out; the older models may not be as popular to the majority of consumers.

Because most of the consumers are losing their interest in the previous models, the company will usually have a price cut on the previous models or hold a sale to push them out of inventory and easily convert them into cash assets. The Go Pro Corporation does not want to keep the older models locked up in their inventory because over enough amount of time they will fully depreciate and will not be worth anything at all. It is a wiser business decision to try to re-trend the older models, even if it is at the cost from a price cut.

The Go Pro Corporation also is highly involved with sporting events such as the “X Games” which consists of snowboarding, skate boarding, surfing, as well as many other events. Being so highly involved with such events give the company a great deal of exposure to new customers who had not yet heard about the trend. This also will drive up the Go Pro Corporation’s sales revenue.  (Tom Huddleston, 2015) (Mac, 2013)

There are many societal implications surrounding the trending technology of the Go Pro camera. People of all backgrounds may use this product for a vast array of uses in their lives.

There do not appear to be any current issues surrounding the trend of the Go Pro camera. It is also very safe to say that regarding the future outlooks for the trending Go Pro camera are quite favorable. It should be emphasized that behind the trend of the Go Pro camera is an even larger trend in the generalization of the camera itself.

The camera has been trending around the world for well over a century, maybe even two centuries, and it is because of innovative ideas such as the Go Pro camera that keep the trend going. This is true even through all the phases of society including the wars, economic depressions, and economic recessions. While it is very true that most trends will eventually die out due to the fact that they eventually are rendered obsolete, the trend of the camera is constantly being reinvented as well as re-innovated, making for a continuous and seemingly unstoppable trend.  (Anderson, 2015)

Anderson, C. (2015, April 6). GoPro (GPRO) Trends Positive Last Week; Google Searches, iPhone App Position Improve – Dougherty . Retrieved from Street Insider: http://www.streetinsider.com/Analyst+Comments/GoPro+(GPRO)+Trends+Positive+Last+Week%3B+Google+Searches,+iPhone+App+Position+Improve+-+Dougherty/10433746.html

Barrett, B. (2015, June 17). New Action Cam Has Gopro Hero+ Specs For $200 . Retrieved from Wired: http://www.wired.com/2015/06/monoprice-mhd-2-0-action-cam/

Business. (2015). Trend . Retrieved from Business Dictionary: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/trend.html

Fitzgerald, J. (2015). What is a Trend? Retrieved from Actual Analysis: http://www.actualanalysis.com/trend.htm

Landau, J. (2014, July 22). GoPro’s viral video marketing campaign turns it into top YouTube brand in the world . Retrieved from Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gopro-marketing-turns-top-youtube-brand-article-1.1875573

Mac, R. (2013, March 25). The Mad Billionaire Behind GoPro: The World’s Hottest Camera Company . Retrieved from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2013/03/04/the-mad-billionaire-behind-gopro-the-worlds-hottest-camera-company/

PAUMGARTEN, N. (2014, September 22). We Are a Camera . Retrieved from The New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/09/22/camera

Tom Huddleston, J. (2015, Feb 5). GoPro rides big wave of camera sales, but shares wipeout . Retrieved from Fortune: http://fortune.com/2015/02/05/gopro-earnings-revenue-swells/

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How to Write a Reflective Essay: Easy Guide with Pro Tips

Defining What is a Reflective Essay: Purpose + Importance

Being present is a cornerstone of mindfulness and meditation. You must have often heard that staying in the moment helps you appreciate your surroundings, connects you with people and nature, and allows you to feel whatever emotions you must feel without anxiety. While this is helpful advice as you become more focused and avoid getting lost in thought, how can you truly appreciate the present without reflecting on your past experiences that have led you to the current moment?

We don't say that you should dwell on the past and get carried away with a constant thought process, but hey, hear us out - practice reflective thinking! Think back on your previous life events, paint a true picture of history, and make connections to your present self. This requires you to get a bit analytical and creative. So you might as well document your critical reflection on a piece of paper and give direction to your personal observations. That's when the need for reflective essays steps in!

In a reflective essay, you open up about your thoughts and emotions to uncover your mindset, personality, traits of character, and background. Your reflective essay should include a description of the experience/literature piece as well as explanations of your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. In this article, our essay writer service will share our ultimate guide on how to write a reflective essay with a clear format and reflective essay examples that will inspire you.

How to Write a Reflective Essay with a Proper Reflective Essay Outline

To give you a clear idea of structuring a reflective essay template, we broke down the essential steps below. Primarily, the organization of a reflective essay is very similar to other types of papers. However, our custom writers got more specific with the reflective essay outline to ease your writing process.

Reflective Essay Introduction

When wondering how to start a reflective essay, it is no surprise that you should begin writing your paper with an introductory paragraph. So, what's new and different with the reflection essay introduction? Let's dissect:

• Open your intro with an attention-seizing hook that engages your audience into reflective thinking with you. It can be something like: 'As I was sitting on my bed with my notebook placed on my shaky lap waiting for the letter of acceptance, I could not help but reflect, was enrolling in college the path I wanted to take in the future?'
• Provide context with a quick overview of the reflective essay topic. Don't reveal too much information at the start to prevent your audience from becoming discouraged to continue reading.
• Make a claim with a strong reflective essay thesis statement. It should be a simple explanation of the essay's main point, in this example, a specific event that had a big impact on you.

Reflective Essay Body Paragraphs

The next step is to develop the body of your essay. This section of the paper may be the most challenging because it's simple to ramble and replicate yourself both in the outline and the actual writing. Planning the body properly requires a lot of time and work, and the following advice can assist you in doing this effectively:

• Consider using a sequential strategy. This entails reviewing everything you wish to discuss in the order it occurred. This method ensures that your work is structured and cohesive.
• Make sure the body paragraph is well-rounded and employs the right amount of analysis. The body should go into the effects of the event on your life and the insights you've gained as a consequence.
• Prioritize reflecting rather than summarizing your points. In addition to giving readers insight into your personal experience, a reflective stance will also show off your personality and demonstrate your ability to handle certain challenges.

Reflective Essay Conclusion

The goal of your reflective essay conclusion should be to tie everything together by summarizing the key ideas raised throughout, as well as the lessons you were able to take away from experience.

• Don't forget to include the reasons for and the methods used to improve your beliefs and actions. Think about how your personality and skills have changed as well.
• What conclusions can you draw about your behavior in particular circumstances? What could you do differently if the conditions were the same in the future?

Remember that your instructor will be searching for clear signs of reflection.

Understanding a Reflection Paper Format

The format of reflective essay greatly differs from an argumentative or research paper. A reflective essay is more of a well-structured story or a diary entry rife with insight and reflection. You might be required to arrange your essay using the APA style or the MLA format.

And the typical reflection paper length varies between 300 and 700 words, but ask your instructor about the word length if it was assigned to you. Even though this essay is about you, try to avoid too much informal language.

If your instructor asks you to use an APA or MLA style format for reflective essay, here are a few shortcuts:

Reflective Essay in MLA Format

• Times New Roman 12pt font double spaced;
• 1" margins;
• The top right includes the last name and page number on every page;
• Titles are centered;
• The header should include your name, your professor's name, course number, and the date (dd/mm/yy);
• The last page includes a Works Cited.

Reflective Essay in APA Style

• Include a page header on the top of every page;
• Insert page number on the right;
• Your reflective essay should be divided into four parts: Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and References.

Reflective Essay Writing Tips

You may think we've armed you with enough tips and pointers for reflective writing, but it doesn't stop here. Below we gathered some expert-approved tips for constructing uncontested reflection papers.

• Be as detailed as possible while writing. To make your reflective essay writing come to life, you should employ several tactics such as symbolism, sentence patterns, etc.
• Keep your audience in mind. The reader will become frustrated if you continue writing in the first person without taking a moment to convey something more important, even though you will likely speak about something from your own perspective.
• Put forth the effort to allow the reader to feel the situation or emotion you are attempting to explain.
• Don't preach; demonstrate. Instead of just reporting what happened, use description appropriately to paint a clear picture of the event or sensation.
• Plan the wording and structure of your reflective essay around a central emotion or subject, such as joy, pleasure, fear, or grief.
• Avoid adding dull elements that can lessen the effect of your work. Why include it if it won't enhance the emotion or understanding you wish to convey?
• There must be a constant sense of progression. Consider whether the event has transformed you or others around you.
• Remember to double-check your grammar, syntax, and spelling.

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Reflective Essay Topic Ideas

As a reflective essay should be about your own views and experiences, you generally can't use someone else's ideas. But to help you get started, here are some suggestions for writing topics:

• An experience you will never forget.
• The moment you overcame a fear.
• The most difficult choice you had to make.
• A time your beliefs were challenged.
• A time something changed your life.
• The happiest or most frightening moment of your life so far.
• Ways you think you or people can make the world a better place.
• A time you felt lost.
• An introspective look at your choices or a time you made the wrong choice.
• A moment in your life you would like to relive.

You may find it convenient to create a chart or table to keep track of your ideas. Split your chart into three parts:

• In the first column, write key experiences or your main points. You can arrange them from most important to least important.
• In the second column, list your response to the points you stated in the first column.
• In the third column, write what, from your response, you would like to share in the essay.

Meanwhile, if you're about to enroll in your dream university and your mind is constantly occupied with - 'how to write my college admissions essay?', order an academic essay on our platform to free you of unnecessary anxiety.

Reflective Essay Sample

Referring to reflective essay examples can help you a lot. A reflective essay sample can provide you with useful insight into how your essay should look like. You can also buy an essay online if you need one customized to your specific requirements.

How to Conclude a Reflective Essay

As we come to an end, it's only logical to reflect on the main points discussed above in the article. By now, you should clearly understand what is a reflective essay and that the key to writing a reflective essay is demonstrating what lessons you have taken away from your experiences and why and how these lessons have shaped you. It should also have a clear reflective essay format, with an opening, development of ideas, and resolution.

Now that you have the tools to create a thorough and accurate reflective paper, you might want to hand over other tasks like writing definition essay examples to our experienced writers. In this case, feel free to buy an essay online on our platform and reflect on your past events without worrying about future assignments!

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Related Articles

Josh Bernoff

How to write about a trend

Trends are great topics for writing, because they’re always changing; people are eager for advice on what to do about them. But to write persuasively about a trend, you need to know what stage it’s in. So let’s go over strategies for writing about trends.

I’ll start with the Gartner Hype Cycle, which is a great way to think about the stages trends go through.

Whether you’re writing a blog post, a white paper, or a book, you need examples and case studies . But how you apply them will differ based on where the trend is on the adoption chart — and how you choose to differentiate your insights. (In addition to the detail analysis below, I’ve included a chart that sums it all up at the end of the post.)

Brand new trend (far left of the Hype Cycle diagram)

The good news: You have the field pretty much to yourself — very few people are writing about it ( blockchain gambling , perhaps?).

The challenge: There are very few examples to cite, since almost nobody is aware of the trend yet.

How do differentiate your analysis:  Spot the trend first.

Your title: A startling statement of a previously unknown truth

How to use case studies: Identify the few people who are doing the new thing, and interview them. (There will be little in the way of results yet, but you can show the promise at least.) Also describe people doing things the old way and how your trend would help them do things better, quicker, or more profitably.

How to argue: Explain the conventional way of doing things. Project known changes and new technologies that will create new opportunity. Then show how the new opportunity could benefit people.

A note about tone: If a trend is new, there will be a tendency to be tentative. Don’t. The penalty for being wrong is the same regardless of whether you predict timidly or boldly.

Emerging trend (the rising part of the Hype Cycle diagram)

The good news:  This is the part of the trend where thought leaders emerge. If you know (and explain) more about the trend than anyone else, you’ll be in great demand.

The challenge: Keeping pace with new developments in a rapidly growing field is challenging. There will also be failures along path, which you’ll need to explain.

How do differentiate your analysis:  Demonstrate unique insights into trend drivers and factors that lead to success for those who adopt the trend.

Your title:   How to benefit from xxxx

How to use case studies: You are a natural ally of the people who are adopting the trend. Get to know practitioners, vendors, and fellow experts. Write up their stories as proof of the trend.

How to argue:  Show how early adopters are benefitting; illuminate lessons or other insights from their experience.

A note about tone: If a trend is emerging, there will be a tendency to be a cheerleader. Don’t. Rein in your enthusiasm and focus on real-world examples and measurable results.

Peaking trend (the highest part of the Hype Cycle diagram)

The good news:  It’s frenzy time. Everyone will be excited about the trend.

The challenge: The market will be frothy with irrational exuberance. You’ll also be competing with many other analytical thinkers and pretenders who have jumped on the bandwagon.

How do differentiate your analysis:  Two possibilities: Become a contrarian and argue the trend is wrong, or analyze many practitioners and become the expert on the state of adoption.

Your title:   Winners and losers in the xxxx trend

How to use case studies: At this point there will be hundreds of people adopting the new trend (think “digital transformation” or “sharing economy”). Rather than cite the same hackneyed examples that got popular in the previous stages, write about some new people with new insights. Also, survey practitioners and publish a quantitative analysis.

How to argue:  Explain what differentiates those who succeed from those who fail. If you are a trend contrarian, illuminate the factors that show the trend is a false hope.

A note about tone: If a trend is peaking, there will be a tendency to be exuberant. Don’t. Sober analysis will stand out from the cheerleaders.

Backlash (the downslope and trough of the Hype Cycle diagram)

The good news:  Everybody is aware of the trend.

The challenge:  People think the trend is overdone.

How to differentiate your analysis:  Explain how the trend is a good business practice, but only when applied successfully for the right type of customer.

Your title:   Xxxx is still worth pursuing — if you use the right strategy

How to use case studies: Use case studies that show the difference between successful and unsuccessful implementations and focus on strategy.

How to argue:  Explain why and how the trend is still relevant, with detailed examples.

A note about tone: If a trend is the disillusionment phase, there will be a tendency to be back away from it. Don’t. Use an analytical tone to explain what works, when, and why, and also what fails.

Trend maturity (approach to the plateau of productivity in the Hype Cycle diagram)

The good news:  We’re finally in a position to learn how to implement the trend effectively.

The challenge:  There’s a lot less excitement than there used to be.

How do differentiate your analysis:  Focus on details of effective implementation. Alternatively, find a new iteration of the trend to write about (start the cycle again).

Your title:   Tools and tactics for xxxx

How to use case studies:  Focus on vendors, timing, skills, staffing, strategies, and tactics that succeed.

How to argue:  Write a detailed “how-to” guide.

A note about tone: If a trend is the plateau phase, there will be a tendency to be bored with it. Don’t. Use your knowledge to help practitioners make decisions and succeed; they’ll be drawn to that.

You will be wrong. That’s ok.

When it comes to trends, there are many pitfalls. This is why so many thought leaders are so often wrong . But the job of a true analyst is not to be right at all times, but to push the thinking out beyond where there is certainty. Being wrong comes with the territory.

Differentiation is key. Being one of the crowd is never an effective strategy. You need not just knowledge, but a unique perspective.

Here’s a table summarizing what’s in this post:

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Typo: How to

How do differentiate your analysis: Explain how the trend is a good business practice, but only when applied successfully for the right type of customer.

I also think it’s important where and how we apply the practice to different kind of customers

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Consortium to Promote Reflection in Engineering Education

Research brief: trends in reflection.

By: Lauren Sepp, UW Graduate Student, Human Centered Design & Engineering

Here at the Center for Engineering Learning & Teaching (CELT), we are always interested in the topic of reflection, and have been working to uncover more information about the trends of reflection in general.  A current project is focused on examining the trends of reflection in the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) conference publications.  Our question is, how much explicit, named attention has reflection received in engineering education scholarship and how do we interpret these results?

Our initial approach examined the explicit references to reflection in the ASEE conference papers since its inception by manually sorting through the papers for words relating to reflection.  The resulting trend is quite impressive.  Since 1996, there has been a steady upward growth of papers mentioning reflection.  In 1996, only 6 papers mentioned reflection whereas in 2014, over 200 papers mentioned reflection to varying degrees.  Some papers mention reflection briefly as they explain how students were asked to write reflective essays, where other papers explicitly call out and highlight the importance of reflection in engineering education and furthermore link its importance to transforming students. “Reflective practices are one method for transforming students and helping them to become more open to taking challenges and integrating them into new applications.” [1] Whether the papers make bold statements regarding the effectiveness of reflection, or simply mention small reflective activities, the broad acknowledgement of reflection is a tell-tale sign that more educators are recognizing its importance. We are excited to present the results of these findings at the ASEE Annual Conference next month.

The Consortium to Promote Reflection in Engineering Education (CPREE) is partnered  with other educators to majorly contribute to the conversation on reflection – we want to bring to light the importance of reflection as a tool to improve student educative experiences among other things.   As we collect reflective activities and practices across our 12 unique campuses, we have the privilege to sit in the front row, watching how reflection is changing the face of engineering programs.

[1] T. R. Forin, “A Personal Account on Implementing Reflective Practices,” in American Society for Engineering Education , Indianapolis, 2014.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Popular Hobbies and Interests Change Over Time

Updated On Dec 06, 2023

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Many IELTS candidates struggle with the Essay Writing section of the IELTS Writing Module. Therefore, it is essential to improve your essay writing skills before taking the IELTS.

The  IELTS Writing Task 2  is a component of the IELTS General Training and Academic tests that evaluates your ability to craft a well-structured and cohesive essay in response to a provided topic.

This task presents you with an  Agree Disagree essay  that requires you to give your opinion, whether you agree or disagree on the particular sentence that is given. To improve your IELTS writing skills, practice with the many  IELTS writing task 2 practice tests  at IELTSMaterial.com.

Popular hobbies and interests change over time and are more a reflection of trends and fashions than an indication of what individuals really want to do in their spare time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Structure Breakdown

Band 7 sample answer, introduction:.

People’s leisure activities are often influenced by fads and trends rather than their genuine interests. However, I agree that trends and fashions can influence popular hobbies and interests, and I also believe that some hobbies are enduring and reflect people’s true preferences. This essay will explore the influence of trends on hobbies, the impact of changing lifestyles, and the importance of distinguishing between passing fads and lasting interests.

Body Paragraph 1:

One reason why trends influence hobbies is because people are constantly exposed to new information and stimuli through media and social platforms. The fear of missing out (FOMO) often leads people to try new hobbies that they see online. A good example of this is the surge in popularity of photography and blogging due to social media. Many people feel pressured to do these activities so that they can present themselves as interesting and engaged online.

Body Paragraph 2:

Furthermore, people’s changing priorities and lifestyles can influence how their hobbies evolve over time. For example, young people may be drawn to active hobbies like sports and outdoor activities, while adults with more responsibilities may prefer more sedentary hobbies like reading or playing video games. However, it is important to distinguish between fleeting trends and enduring hobbies that people truly enjoy. Thinking about my own life, my hobbies have changed over time. When I was younger, I liked sports and outdoor activities. But as I got older, I became more interested in music, art, and writing. I think these activities are a better reflection of who I am and what I enjoy.

Conclusion:

To sum up, while popular hobbies can be influenced by trends, it is important to tell the difference between passing fads and lasting interests that truly align with your own desires. Finding hobbies that are meaningful to you will make your leisure time more fulfilling and authentic.

Band 7 Vocabulary

Meaning: Lasting over a long period; lasting.

Example: Some hobbies are enduring and reflect people’s true preferences.

Meaning: To show or express something; to be a sign of.

Example: Hobbies can reflect individuals’ true desires and interests.

Meaning: Lasting for only a short time; transient.

Example: It’s crucial to distinguish between passing fads and lasting interests in hobbies.

Meaning: Things that cause a response or activity, especially in the brain.

Example: Constant exposure to stimuli through media and social platforms influences hobbies.

Meaning: Fear of Missing Out; the anxiety that one might be missing out on social events or experiences.

Example: FOMO often leads people to try new hobbies they see online.

Meaning: Involving much sitting and little physical activity.

Example: Adults with more responsibilities may prefer more sedentary hobbies like reading or playing video games.

• Self-expression:

Meaning: The expression of one’s feelings, thoughts, or identity.

Example: Enduring hobbies like sports, music, and art offer opportunities for self-expression.

• Fulfilling:

Meaning: Making someone satisfied or happy because of fully developing their abilities or character.

Example: Finding meaningful hobbies makes leisure time more fulfilling.

Meaning: Genuine; true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character.

Example: Distinguishing between passing fads and lasting interests ensures an authentic leisure experience.

Meaning: Creating and maintaining an online journal or informational website with regular entries.

Example: Sarah began blogging about her travels, sharing stories and photos of her adventures around the world.

Worried about IELTS writing task 2 essays? Don’t worry, Our IELTS Writing Task 2 book is the perfect preparatory tool for you!

Band 8 Sample Answer

It is accurate that people’s hobbies and interests shift along with current fads and trends, often driven by a desire for popularity rather than personal enjoyment. While I agree with this perspective to some degree, there are individuals who adopt new hobbies because they genuinely find joy in the activity.

On one hand, many people embrace popular activities to showcase their awareness of current trends, even if their motivation is lacking. For example, in Indonesia, mountain biking has gained popularity, with some participating for the genuine enjoyment of the activity, while others do it merely to signal their alignment with the latest trends and showcase the most recent bicycle model.

On the other hand, there are individuals who genuinely change their interests because they derive pleasure from these new activities. While these pastimes might be the latest craze, these individuals consistently switch their interests due to their strong enthusiasm for these pursuits. Additionally, some of these hobbies may be entirely new inventions, adding to the diversity of interests.

In conclusion, it is undeniable that people’s hobbies and interests can undergo changes. However, I believe that the choice of hobbies is, to a large extent, a matter of personal preference. Instead of blindly following what is fashionable, we should prioritize activities that genuinely bring us joy.

Band 8 Vocabulary

Meaning: Vary irregularly; change.

Example: People’s hobbies often fluctuate with the shifting trends in society.

• Assertions:

Meaning: Positive statements or declarations, often in agreement with a particular viewpoint.

Example: I agree with the assertions that people adopt hobbies for popularity rather than personal enjoyment.

• Enthusiasm :

Meaning: Intense and eager enjoyment or interest.

Example: Despite changing trends, some individuals consistently switch hobbies due to their strong enthusiasm for various pursuits.

Meaning: Agreement or cooperation with someone or something.

Example: Some people engage in activities to showcase their alignment with current trends.

Meaning: A sudden and widespread enthusiasm for something.

Example: Mountain biking has become the latest craze in Indonesia.

Meaning: Indicate or communicate something.

Example: Some individuals participate in activities to signal their awareness of the most recent trends.

Meaning: The state of being diverse; variety.

Example: The diversity of interests is evident in the wide range of hobbies people pursue.

• Prioritize:

Meaning: Arrange or deal with in order of importance.

Example: Instead of blindly following trends, we should prioritize activities that bring us genuine joy.

Meaning: Truly what something is said to be; authentic.

Example: Some individuals adopt new hobbies because they genuinely find joy in the activity.

Meaning: The act of following or striving for a particular goal, aim, or activity.

Example: His lifelong pursuit of knowledge led him to explore various fields of study and acquire a diverse set of skills.

Practice & Prepare with  IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Questions and Answers

Band 9 Sample Answer

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The popularity of hobbies and interests changes over time, seemingly influenced by trends rather than reflecting individuals’ genuine desires. I believe that personal preferences play a larger role than societal trends in shaping people’s leisure choices. In the following essay, I will explore this dynamic interaction between trends and individual desires.

Some people believe that hobbies are mostly influenced by external factors, such as popular trends. For example, the recent increase in popularity of fitness activities is due to society’s focus on health and wellness. However, it is important to remember that these trends often emerge from people’s changing needs and wants. The rise of fitness activities may also be a collective response to growing awareness of health issues, showing that people genuinely want to live healthier lives.

However, on the other hand, hobbies can also be a true reflection of people’s inner interests and preferences. Think about how popular classic hobbies like reading and painting have been for generations. These activities are still popular today, which suggests that they have a timeless appeal that goes beyond passing trends. Additionally, people may use hobbies as a way to express themselves by choosing activities that align with their values and personal interests. For example, someone who is passionate about environmental conservation might choose to spend their free time doing outdoor activities, not just because they are trendy, but because they align with their values.

In conclusion, popular hobbies may be influenced by trends and fashions to some extent, but they also reflect people’s true interests and goals. The relationship between societal influences and personal choices is complex and ever-changing. Therefore, we need to consider both external trends and people’s intrinsic desires to get a complete understanding of what shapes their leisure activities.

Band 9 Vocabulary

• Popularity :

Meaning: The state of being liked, admired, or enjoyed by a large number of people.

Example: The popularity of online streaming services has grown significantly in recent years.

Meaning: Appearing to be true or the case, especially without being necessarily so.

Example: The task seemed daunting at first, but it turned out to be easier than expected.

Meaning: The capacity or power to produce effects on the actions, behavior, or opinions of others.

Example: Her positive attitude influenced everyone around her to be more optimistic.

• Societal Trends:

Meaning: General direction in which society is moving, reflecting collective preferences and attitudes.

Example: The rise of eco-friendly products is a societal trend driven by environmental awareness.

Meaning: Characterized by constant change, activity, or progress.

Example: The business environment is dynamic, constantly changing and evolving.

• Collective:

Meaning: Done by people acting as a group.

Example: The team made a collective decision to pursue the new project.

Meaning: Belonging naturally; essential.

Example: Her intrinsic motivation led her to achieve personal goals without external rewards.

Meaning: Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression.

Example: The politician’s stance on the issue was nuanced, considering various perspectives.

Meaning: The state of being in agreement or cooperation with someone or something.

Example: The company’s values were in alignment with the principles of sustainable business practices.

• Ever-changing:

Meaning: Constantly evolving or fluctuating over time.

Example: Technology is an ever-changing field, with new innovations emerging regularly.

Connectors Used in the Above Sample Answers

Connectors, also known as connectives or transition words, are words or phrases that link ideas or parts of a sentence or paragraph together. Here are some of the connectors used in the above sample answers:

• Furthermore
• In addition
• For example
• Specifically
• In conclusion
• On the other hand

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Table of Contents

Collaboration, information literacy, writing process, reflection essay.

• CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 by Kristen Gay

At first glance, academic and reflection can sound like contradictory concepts. Writing an academic reflection essay often involves striking a balance between a traditional, academic paper and a reflective essay. In order to find this balance, consider the terms that encompass the title of the assignment

The term “academic” suggests that the writer will be expected to observe conventions for academic writing, such as using a professional tone and crafting a thesis statement. On the other hand, the term “reflection” implies that the writer should critically reflect on their work, project, or writing process, depending on the assignment, and draw conclusions based on these observations.

In general, an academic reflection essay is a combination of these two ideas: writers should observe conventions for academic writing while critically reflecting on their experience or project. Note that the term “critically” suggests that the writing should not merely tell the reader what happened, what you did, or what you learned. Critical reflection takes the writing one step further and entails making an evaluative claim about the experience or project under discussion. Beyond telling readers what happened, critical reflection tends to discuss why it matters and how it contributed to the effectiveness of the project.

Striking the proper balance between critical reflection and academic essay is always determined by the demands of the particular writing situation, so writers should first consider their purpose for writing, their audience, and the project guidelines. While the subject matter of academic reflections is not always “academic,” the writer will usually still be expected to adapt their arguments and points to academic conventions for thesis statements, evidence, organization, style, and formatting.

Several strategies for crafting an academic reflection essay are outlined below based on three important areas: focus, evidence, and organization.

A thesis statement for an academic reflection essay is often an evaluative claim about your experiences with a process or assignment. Several strategies to consider for a thesis statement in an academic reflection essay include:

• Being Critical: It is important to ensure that the evaluative claim does not simply state the obvious, such as that you completed the assignment, or that you did or did not like it. Instead, make a critical claim about whether or not the project was effective in fulfilling its purpose, or whether the project raised new questions for you to consider and somehow changed your perspective on your topic.
• Placement: For some academic reflection essays, the thesis may not come in the introduction but at the end of the paper, once the writer has fully explained their experiences with the project. Think about where the placement of your thesis will be most effective based on your ideas and how your claim relates to them.

Consider the following example of a thesis statement in an academic reflection essay:

By changing my medium from a picture to a pop song, my message that domestic violence disproportionately affects women was more effectively communicated to an audience of my classmates because they found the message to be more memorable when it was accompanied by music.

This thesis makes a critical evaluative claim (that the change of medium was effective) about the project, and is thus a strong thesis for an academic reflection paper.

Evidence for academic reflection essays may include outside sources, but writers are also asked to support their claims by including observations from their own experience. Writers might effectively support their claims by considering the following strategies:

• Incorporating examples: What examples might help support the claims that you make? How might you expand on your points using these examples, and how might you develop this evidence in relation to your thesis?
• Personal anecdotes or observations: How might you choose relevant personal anecdotes/observations to illustrate your points and support your thesis?
• Logical explanations: How might you explain the logic behind a specific point you are making in order to make it more credible to readers?

Consider the following example for incorporating evidence in an academic reflection essay:

Claim: Changing the medium for my project from a picture to a pop song appealed to my audience of fellow classmates.

Evidence: When I performed my pop song remediation for my classmates, they paid attention to me and said that the message, once transformed into song lyrics, was very catchy and memorable. By the end of the presentation, some of them were even singing along.

In this example, the claim (that the change of medium was effective in appealing to the new audience of fellow classmates) is supported because the writer reveals their observation of the audience’s reaction. (For more about using examples and anecdotes as examples, see “Nontraditional Types of Evidence.”)

Organization

For academic reflection essays, the organizational structure may differ from traditional academic or narrative essays because you are reflecting on your own experiences or observations. Consider the following organizational structures for academic reflection essays:

• Chronological Progression: The progression of points will reflect the order of events/insights as they occurred temporally in the project.

Sample Chronological Organization for a Remediation Reflection:

Paragraph 1: Beginning of the project

Paragraph 2: Progression of the remediation process

Paragraph 3: Progression of the remediation process

Paragraph 4: Progression of the remediation process

Paragraph 5: Progression of the remediation process

Paragraph 6: Conclusion—Was the project effective. How and why? How did the process end?

• By Main Idea/Theme: The progression of points will centralize on main ideas or themes of the project.

Sample Organization By Main Idea/Theme for a Remediation Reflection:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paragraph 2: Discuss the message being translated

Paragraph 3: Discuss the change of medium

Paragraph 4: Discuss the change of audience

Paragraph 5: Was the change effective? Explain.

Paragraph 6: Conclusion

Remember that while these strategies are intended to help you approach an academic reflection paper with confidence, they are not meant to be prescriptive. Academic reflection essays are often unique to the writer because they ask the writer to consider their observations or reactions to an experience or project. You have distinctive ideas and observations to discuss, so it is likely that your paper will reflect this distinctiveness. With this in mind, consider how to most effectively compose your paper based on your specific project guidelines, instructor suggestions, and your experiences with the project.

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