Writing An Argumentative Essay - What To Write About In Your Argumentative Essay

Writing An Argumentative Essay - What To Write About In Your Argumentative EssayOne of the most common mistakes that many college students make when they are writing an argumentative essay is not knowing what to write about. Writing an argumentative essay can be difficult for any student as there are so many different points that need to be made in a short amount of time. For example, the subject line of your essay could be something as simple as 'I want to help you avoid falling for that old scams!'However, there are several other points that a student can take into consideration when it comes to writing an argumentative essay. A number of people think that you only need to write about your own opinion; however, this is not true at all. Most likely, you are going to need to learn about the information and facts that are going to be discussed in your essay.When you are writing an argumentative essay, it is a good idea to write down what the problem or issue is as well as the solution . It is important that you actually discuss what your opinion is and where it lies on the issues you are dealing with. You should also state your facts and information as they relate to the issue that you are writing about.Without factual information and facts about the topic, it is unlikely that you will be able to support your points. If you cannot find the information that you need, then you will have no chance of making any point about the topic. You can always look for other sources of information that support your ideas.When you are writing an argumentative essay, you should keep a couple of things in mind. The first is to ensure that you make a list of the specific details that you feel are important. Make sure that you keep these details as precise as possible.Secondly, you should look at the basics of how to structure an argumentative essay. There are several different ways that you can use to organize your information and facts. Look at the most basic way to organize an ar gumentative essay, which is where you break up the main topics of the argument.For example, you might want to include the key facts about your major topic and the main ideas. In addition, you can include the facts and ideas that you feel are relevant to the main topic as well as related information. You can also include a lot of detail about any supporting evidence that you may have found that supports your arguments.Remember that an argumentative essay can become very complicated if you do not know what to write about. You will need to research all of the information that you feel is necessary in order to be successful in your essay. Doing this will ensure that you have done the best that you can with your argumentative essay.

Essay Topic Ideas

Essay Topic IdeasIf you are a philosophy major, it is time to choose the appropriate topics for your essay topic. These topics will serve as your foundation for the rest of your course and can greatly help you in preparing for the tests.Before starting the process of choosing science essay topics, make sure that you have a certain idea of what you wish to write about. Some things you might want to consider include: the history of science, the findings of modern science, the importance of science in society, and the benefits of science in society. All these topics are explored in detail in various subjects.A basic theme for your science essay can be found with a short essay. In this type of essay, you will not need to worry about the facts that you will discuss. All you need to do is compose a brief and interesting paragraph. However, in order to increase your chances of a passing grade, the key is to use the correct guidelines and to consider all the possible factors involved in the topic.Now, in order to know the science essay topics that will suit you best, you need to be well-informed about the topic itself. Consider what the basic features are. A good start would be to find out if the topic deals with theoretical or experimental aspects of science. A subject such as chemical engineering can be of great use for you if you want to develop skills related to it.Another similar feature that you may want to consider is the institution or department that you will be writing for. For example, if you want to go to an Ivy League school, you might be able to focus on a subject that deals with the history of science.Once you have figured out the major features, you can then start thinking about the student's opinions. In the end, it would be better if you create a combination of topics that will not only support the information you have provided, but also provide a solid foundation for the test. For example, you may want to write about one topic that deals with scienti fic concepts. By concentrating on one specific topic, you can come up with more options that you can use when you are writing the essay.The important step is to spend some time thinking about the topic before you start writing. This way, you will be able to come up with the most suitable essay topic for your future education.

Jails and Prison Comparison - 1067 Words

Jails and Prisons Comparison University of Phoenix CJA/234 Ms. Pamela Collinshill June 25, 2013 Introduction: For more than two hundred years the United States has used incarceration to punish any and all criminals. Jails and prisons are the institutions that judges send criminals to so they can serve time depending on the seriousness of the crime that the individual has committed. Being incarcerated is the humane form of punishment that is used considering how they used to punish individuals back in older times, when criminal justice was looked at differently. Jails Jail is a place where a criminal is confined to temporarily while awaiting trial or conviction of†¦show more content†¦Jails are used for short- term confinement facilities that are operated locally. Jails mainly hold people who are pending trials or ones who have just got arrested. So while federal prisons are to be considered maximum security levels, city jails can be considered minimum to low security levels, depending on the individual who is being arrested. State prison can be considered medium to high security levels. Comparing the two: A huge factor in the way jails, state and federal prisons are run is due to the growth in these facilities. â€Å"As of June 30, 2008, the states operated almost 1,250 prisons holding approximately 1.41 million inmates. Between 1980 and 2008, the federal inmate population increased dramatically from just over 24,000 to over 200,000. At midyear 2008, the nation’s 3,376 local jails held 785,556 inmates.† (Sieter, 2011) Some influencing factors as to why the number of inmates has increased is the get tough on crime way of thinking that society has encouraged. The public and judges do not want any individual who is to be considered dangerous to be back on the streets therefore they set high bails as to keep them locked up. Another reason is the pressure of the war on drugs the more individuals that they arrest and question the closer they are to ending the war. Society and the public have a lot to do with the increase of inmates, they want toShow MoreRelatedA Brief Co mparison of Jails and Prisons785 Words   |  3 PagesBrief Comparison of Jails Prisons A Brief Comparison of Jails Prisons It is common knowledge that one of the primary penalties of violating the law is incarceration. Civilians, those who are not in the business of law enforcement, and even some professionals in the criminal justice field, throw around the terms jail and prison quite often, using them interchangeably. Jails and prisons are not the same. This paper will elucidate some of the primary differences between jails and prisons as wellRead MoreJails and Prisons Comparison Essay1064 Words   |  5 PagesPrisons and jails hold some similar characteristics but are completely different models in which they serve in the criminal justice system. Some of the types of crimes that America faces today are: violent crimes, property, white collar or organized crime, and public order crimes (Worrall, 2008). The criminal justice system sets the regulations and policies of how an offender will be held accountable for their inappropriate actions. The criminal justice system is a process that takes time and m oneyRead MoreJail and Prison Comparison Paper1460 Words   |  6 PagesJail and Prisons Comparison Paper Jail is usually the first place a person is taken after being arrested by police officers. The authority of states to build, operate, and fill jails can be found in the Tenth Amendment, which has been construed to grant to states the power to pass their own laws to preserve the safety, health, and welfare of their communities. Jail is to protect the public and citizens of county by providing a wide range of constructive, professional correctional services forRead MoreJails and Prisons Comparison Paper1965 Words   |  8 PagesJail and Comparisons Paper David L. Alexander CJA/234 October 8, 2012 Robin Kemp In considering the jails, as well as state and federal prisons, and in modern America, one must understand the historical contexts in which the three institutions were conceptualized and put into practice. Then a discussion of the reasons behind the drastic recent growth off these three ancient institutions must be had. Finally, a review of the security classifications which enable these facilitiesRead MorePrisons : Prisons And Prisons1332 Words   |  6 PagesJails and Prisons Comparison Paper Throughout history, the general public often misinterprets the difference between jails and prisons. For long confinement terms, jails are not used to hold sentenced offenders. However, jails are the oldest of the correctional components. According to Seiter (2011), jails were initiated prior to halfway houses, parole, probation, or prisons. Also, jails hold various offenders such as those being held administratively for a criminal justice agency, waiting to transferRead MoreCorrectional Facilities1152 Words   |  5 Pageshistory of state and federal prisons, a comparison of the similarities and differences * * between security levels in jails, state prisons, and federal prisons ,and explanting factors influencing * * growth in jails, state prisons, and federal prisons. Jail is basically a place where an offender who committed a crime whether it is petty theft or murder goes to keep away from society, and hopefully change their ways and reform them for the better. The jails now days are not exactRead MoreMental Illness And Substance Abuse Problems1563 Words   |  7 PagesThis study examined how the characteristics of people with mental illness who are participants in post-booking jail diversion programs affect recidivism and time spent incarcerated (Case, Dupuis Morris, 2009). The study employed data from a multi-site, federally funded jail diversion initiative. A pre–post comparison design was used to compare experiences of arrest and days spent in jail of diverted individuals for the twelve months following enrollment with the twelve months before enrollment (CaseRead MoreJails and Prisons History and Development Final1591 Words   |  7 PagesJails and Prisons History and Development Introduction Jails and prisons lay at the heart of the Criminal Justice System. These facilities helped forge the concept of rehabilitation. These institutions have changed over time and now reflect the modern methods of housing convicted individuals who need to be reformed or punished. Description of jails The clear concise difference between a jail and a prison is the time limit a convicted person is sentenced to and what offenses were committed. InRead MoreJails And Prisons1418 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Jails And Prisons Adam Putnam CJA/204 February 18, 2014 Leroy Hendrix Jails And Prisons In the following paragraphs comparisons between the Rappahannock Regional Jail in Stafford County, Virginia and Federal Corrections Institution Petersburg Medium in Hopewell City, Virginia. The types of prisons will be identified. The major differences between the Rappahannock Regional Jail and FCI Petersburg Medium will be examined. Jail and prison culture and subculture as well as the violent behaviorRead MoreWomen are being incarcerated in today’s prisons at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, disparities in1600 Words   |  7 PagesWomen are being incarcerated in today’s prisons at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, disparities in policies, women’s programs, and treatment options in the criminal justice system are virtually non-existent which are causing major problems with overcrowding, health issues, and drug abuse problems. It is no secret that the number one reason women are being incarcerated is due to a large rate in drug charge policies. The war on drugs has had a major impact on the lives of women in the criminal justice

Unusual Article Uncovers the Deceptive Practices of Comparison and Contrast Essay Samples

Unusual Article Uncovers the Deceptive Practices of Comparison and Contrast Essay Samples Comparison and Contrast Essay Samples Explained Writing is a skill that someone can learn. Students could be asked to compose essays in practically every subject of study. Consult with the organizers as you compose the essay. Students are always requested to submit unique forms of essays, papers, reports, etc. When writing this kind of assignment, you should locate similarities and differences between two things or ideas you're writing about. If you're not that confident about your writing skills or are running out of time, there's a superior means that will help you submit the essay which you need. Based on the writing task which you have at hand, the things you may include in your comparative essay might vary. Keep in mind, ensure you do your research, and don't rush writing. So How About Comparison and Contrast Essay Samples? Thus, it is possible to easily find a great deal of different compare and contrast essay samples on our site. When writing any form of academic paper, an individual needs to be able to get familiar with the essentials of writing. Before you begin any paper, you want to get an understanding of the way to write it. By observing the differences between the two forms of bags, you are going to be able to observe that using paper is better than using plastic. Choosing Good Comparison and Contrast Essay Samples Generally speaking, private schools also generally have fewer students in every single class. It's common to be assigned to compose essays in every area of study, not just when taking a composition class. Citizenship and the rights it grants are really valuable, and thus arrive with amazing responsibility. If you're not entirely certain what subject you'd love to major in yet, it is worth it to attend a university in which you have access to numerous alternatives. What You Don't Know About Comparison and Contrast Essay Samples If you think differences instead of similarities are somewhat more important for your essay, you should wind up getting stressing differences, and vice versa. You could also on similarities initially, after which differences. As a way to submit a flawless paper, y ou need to do more than just underline the similarities or differences. To contrast is to search for differences. So as to continue to keep your essay informative and engaging, you will want to source for factual information which not only impresses the reader but also teaches them something they might not have already known. What's more, an essay writer must also have the ability to offer valid references on the arguments he would want to include in the paragraph. Begin with the topic title and a highly effective hook to produce the reader interested and mention a detail linked to the theme. To be sure that you relate all the info you've researched in a thorough fashion, you must stick to the prescribed compare and contrast essay format by your professor or the academe. If you'll write a comparative essay, you want to get a notion of the impacts of unique aspects to the result which you could get at the conclusion of the writing activity. You'll have far greater luck if yo u get unshelled nuts rather than shelled ones, since they resist oxidation longer. You don't need to select the risk either. The risk with any hazelnut is a sort of dead woody flavor together with the characteristic one. Top Comparison and Contrast Essay Samples Secrets Make certain that you don't compose each point and just concentrate on the essential ones. The thesis of your compare and contrast essay is crucial as it assists you to make a focused argument and provide your readers a road map so they don't get lost in the ocean of points that you are just about to make. Before you commence writing, you desire a very clear collection of points for comparing and contrasting. Then you would concentrate on men within the next section. Who Else Wants to Learn About Comparison and Contrast Essay Samples? You may explore them all and pick the one which best matches your topics and preferences. You have to research your topic to select three claims. Choosing the right topics mi ght take a while in case you don't have a list of sample topics before you. There are a number of factors that have to be considered if you wish to select a workable and intriguing essay topic. Research the 2 topics you've been given. These subjects are going to be in the exact same category, but different. It may be two subjects in the exact same category or they may not be related in any way.

Mohandas K. Gandhi Research Paper Essays - Nonviolence, Gandhism

Anthony Thompson Gifted Language Mrs. Page Due March 29 Mohandas K. Gandhi Research Paper What was the legacy of Gandhi?s efforts in India? Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi?was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of?India?during the?Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of?Satyagraha?a resistance to?tyranny?through mass?civil disobedience, a philosophy firmly founded upon?ahimsa?or total?nonviolence?which led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi influenced important leaders and political movements. Leaders of the?civil rights movement?in the United States, mainly Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., drew from the writings of Gandhi in the development of their own theories about non-violence. Anti-apartheid?activist and former President of South Africa,?Nelson Mandela, was inspired by Gandhi. Time?magazine named Gandhi the?Man of the Year?in 1930. In 1931, Albert Einstein?exchanged written letters with Gandhi, and called him "a role model for the generations to come" in a writing about him. Gandhi was also the runner-up to?Albert Einstein?as "Person of the Century?. How did Gandhi?s methods of non-violent protest influence future social and political movements? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Christ gave us the goals and Mahatma Gandhi the tactics." Gandhi's life and teachings inspired many who specifically referred to Gandhi as their mentor or who dedicated their lives to spreading Gandhi's ideas. Satyagraha?is a philosophy and practice of?nonviolent resistance?developed by?Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Gandhi deployed Satyagraha in campaigns for?Indian independence and also during his earlier struggles in?South Africa. Satyagraha theory influenced?Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,?during campaigns he led during the?civil rights movement?in the?United States, and many other social justice and similar movements. ?Like most people, I had heard of Gandhi, but I had never studied him seriously. As I read I became deeply fascinated by his campaigns of nonviolent resistance. I was particularly moved by his Salt March to the Sea and his numerous fasts. The whole concept of?Satyagraha?was profoundly significant to me. As I delved deeper into the philosophy of Gandhi, my skepticism concerning the power of love gradually diminished, and I came to see for the first time its potency in the area of social reform. It was in this Gandhian emphasis on love and nonviolence that I discovered the method for social reform that I had been seeking.? How did the Indian independence movement influence future independence movements in other countries? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela both based their independence movements on Gandhi's teachings. In the United States, Martin Luther King, Jr. used non-violent tactics such as marches, sit-ins, and boycotts to combat racial segregation and discrimination. "Since being in India, I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity. In a real sense, Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of the universe, and these principles are as inescapable as the law of gravitation." Nelson Mandela was the first black president of South Africa and fought apartheid, a system of legal?racial segregation?enforced by the?National Party?government in?South Africa?between 1948 and 1994, with Gandhi's tactics. How did it help to end colonialism and change global power structures? When India gained its independence in 1947, it weakened the British empire. It also inspired other countries under control of the British to become independent, such as South Africa. It opened the world's eyes to the cruelty that the people of India had to grow through to gain independence. It helped to end colonialism and changed the world's empires from near dictatorship to a democracy.

Olmec Religion - the First Mesoamerican Civilization

Olmec Religion - the First Mesoamerican Civilization The Olmec civilization (1200-400 B.C.) was the first major Mesoamerican culture and laid the foundation for several later civilizations. Many aspects of Olmec culture remain a mystery, which is not surprising considering how long ago their society went into decline. Nevertheless, archaeologists have been able to make surprising progress in learning about the religion of the ancient Olmec people. The Olmec Culture The Olmec culture lasted roughly from 1200 B.C. to 400 B.C. and flourished along Mexicos Gulf coast. The Olmec built major cities at San Lorenzo and La Venta, in the present day states of Veracruz and Tabasco respectively. The Olmec were farmers, warriors and traders, and the few clues they left behind indicate a rich culture. Their civilization collapsed by 400 A. D. - archaeologists are unsure as to why - but several later cultures, including the Aztec and the Maya, were profoundly influenced by the Olmec. The Continuity Hypothesis Archaeologists have struggled to put together the few clues that remain today from the Olmec culture which vanished well over 2,000 years ago. Facts about the ancient Olmec are hard to come by. Modern researchers must use three sources for information on the religion of ancient Mesoamerican cultures: Analysis of relics including sculpture, buildings and ancient texts when availableEarly Spanish reports of religious and cultural practicesEthnographic studies of modern-day traditional religious practices in certain communities Experts who have studied the Aztecs, Maya and other ancient Mesoamerican religions have come to an interesting conclusion: these religions share certain characteristics, indicating a much older, foundational system of belief. Peter Joralemon proposed the Continuity Hypothesis to fill in the gaps left by incomplete records and studies. According to Joralemon there is a basic religious system common to all Mesoamerican peoples. This system took shape long before it was given monumental expression in Olmec art and survived long after the Spanish conquered the New Worlds major political and religious centers. (Joralemon quoted in Diehl, 98). In other words, other cultures can fill in the blanks in regards to Olmec society. One example is the Popol Vuh. Although it is normally associated with the Maya, there are nevertheless many instances of Olmec art and sculpture that seemingly show images or scenes from the Popol Vuh. One instance is the nearly identical statues of the Hero Twins at t he Azuzul archaeological site. The Five Aspects of Olmec Religion Archaeologist Richard Diehl has identified five elements associated with Olmec Religion. These include: A cosmos which identifies the socio-cultural context within which Gods and man interactedDivine beings and gods who controlled the universe and interacted with menA shaman or priest class who acted as intermediaries between the common Olmec people and their gods and spiritsRituals enacted by shamans and/or rulers that reinforced the concepts of the cosmosSacred sites, both natural and man-made Olmec Cosmology Like many early Mesoamerican cultures, the Olmec believed in three tiers of existence: the physical realm they inhabited, an underworld and a sky realm, home of most of the gods. Their world was bound together by the four cardinal points and natural boundaries such as rivers, the ocean and mountains. The most important aspect of Olmec life was agriculture, so it is no surprise that the Olmec agricultural/fertility cult, gods and rituals were extremely important. The rulers and kings of the Olmec had an important role to play as intermediaries between the realms, although it is unknown exactly what relationship to their gods they claimed. Olmec Deities The Olmec had several deities whose images repeatedly appear in surviving sculptures, stonecarvings and other artistic forms. Their names have been lost to time, but archaeologists identify them by their characteristics. No fewer than eight regularly-appearing Olmec deities have been identified. These are the designations given to them by Joralemon: The Olmec DragonThe Bird MonsterThe Fish MonsterThe Banded-eye GodThe Maize GodThe Water GodThe Were-jaguarThe Feathered Serpent Most of these gods would later figure prominently in other cultures, such as the Maya. Currently, there is insufficient information about the roles these gods played in Olmec society or specifically how each was worshiped. Olmec Sacred Places The Olmecs considered certain man-made and natural places sacred. Man-made places included temples, plazas and ball courts and natural places included springs, caves, mountaintops and rivers. No building easily identifiable as an Olmec temple has been discovered; nevertheless, there are many raised platforms which probably served as bases upon which temples were built of some perishable material such as wood. Complex A at La Venta archaeological site is commonly accepted as a religious complex. Although the only ballcourt identified at an Olmec site comes from the post-Olmec era at San Lorenzo, there is nevertheless much evidence that the Olmecs played the game, including carved likenesses of players and preserved rubber balls found at the El Manatà ­ site. The Olmec venerated natural sites as well. El Manatà ­ is a bog where offerings were left by the Olmecs, probably those who lived at San Lorenzo. Offerings included wooden carvings, rubber balls, figurines, knives, axes and more. Although caves are rare in the Olmec region, some of their carvings indicate a reverence for them: in some stonecarvings the cave is the mouth of the Olmec Dragon. Caves in Guerrero state have paintings inside which are associated with the Olmec. Like many ancient cultures, the Olmecs venerated mountains: an Olmec sculpture was found close to the summit of the San Martà ­n Pajapan Volcano, and many archaeologists believe that man-made hills at sites such as La Venta are meant to represent sacred mountains for rituals. Olmec Shamans There is strong evidence that the Olmec had a shaman class in their society. Later Mesoamerican cultures which derived from the Olmec had full-time priests who acted as intermediaries between the common people and the divine. There are sculptures of shamans apparently transforming from humans into were-jaguars. Bones of toads with hallucinogenic properties have been found at Olmec sites: the mind-altering drugs were presumably used by shamans. The rulers of Olmec cities probably served as shamans as well: rulers were likely considered to have a special relationship with the gods and many of their ceremonial functions were religious. Sharp objects, such as stingray spines, have been found at Olmec sites and were most likely used in sacrificial bloodletting rituals. Olmec Religious Rituals and Ceremonies Of Diehls five foundations of Olmec religion, the rituals are the least known to modern researchers. The presence of ceremonial objects, such as stingray spines for bloodletting, indicate that there were, indeed, important rituals, but any details of said ceremonies have been lost to time. Human bones - particularly of infants - have been found at some sites, suggesting human sacrifice, which was later important among the Maya, Aztec and other cultures. The presence of rubber balls indicates that the Olmec played this game. Later cultures would assign a religious and ceremonial context to the game, and it is reasonable to suspect that the Olmec did as well. Sources: Coe, Michael D and Rex Koontz. Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs. 6th Edition. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2008Cyphers, Ann. Surgimiento y decadencia de San Lorenzo, Veracruz. Arqueologà ­a Mexicana Vol XV - Num. 87 (Sept-Oct 2007). P. 36-42.Diehl, Richard A. The Olmecs: Americas First Civilization. London: Thames and Hudson, 2004.Gonzalez Lauck, Rebecca B. El Complejo A, La Venta, Tabasco. Arqueologà ­a Mexicana Vol XV - Num. 87 (Sept-Oct 2007). P. 49-54.Grove, David C. Cerros Sagradas Olmecas. Trans. Elisa Ramirez. Arqueologà ­a Mexicana Vol XV - Num. 87 (Sept-Oct 2007). P. 30-35.Miller, Mary and Karl Taube. An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya. New York: Thames Hudson, 1993.

10 Things You Should Know About Gender in Spanish

10 Things You Should Know About Gender in Spanish Here are 10 facts about Spanish gender that will be useful as you learn the language: 1. Gender is a way of classifying nouns into two categories. Spanish nouns are masculine or feminine, although there are a few that are ambiguous, meaning that Spanish speakers are inconsistent in which gender is applied to them. Also, some nouns, particularly those that refer to people, can be masculine or feminine depending on whether they refer to a male or female, respectively. The grammatical significance of gender is that adjectives  and articles referring to nouns must be of the same gender as the nouns they refer to. 2. Spanish also has a neuter gender that applies to one definite article and a few pronouns. By using the definite article lo, it is possible to make an adjective function as if it were a neuter noun. The neuter pronouns generally are used to refer to ideas or concepts rather than to things or people. They can also be used to things whose identities arent known, as in  ¿Quà © es eso? for What is that? 3. Except when referring to people and some animals, the gender of a noun is arbitrary. Thus, things associated with females can be masculine (for example, un vestido, a dress). And things associated with males (for example, virilidad, masculinity) can be feminine. In other words, there is no way to predict a nouns gender from its meaning. For example, silla and mesa (chair and table, respectively) are feminine, but taburete and sof (stool and couch) are masculine. 4. Although feminine words as a general rule refer to females, and masculine words to females, it is possible to do the opposite. The words for man and woman, hombre and mujer, respectively, are the gender youd expect, as are words for girl and boy, chica and chico. But it is important to remember that the gender of a noun attaches to the word itself rather than to what it refers. So persona, the word for person, is feminine regardless of who it refers to, and the word for baby, bebà ©, is masculine. 5. Spanish grammar has a preference for the masculine gender. The masculine might be considered the default gender. Where masculine and feminine forms of a word exist, it is the masculine that is listed in dictionaries. Also, new words that enter the language are typically masculine unless theres a reason to treat the word otherwise. For example, the imported English words marketing, suà ©ter (sweater), and sndwich are all masculine. Web, referring to a computer network, is feminine, probably because it as a shortened form of pgina web (web page), and pgina is feminine. 6. Many words have separate masculine and feminine forms. Most if not all of these are used for referring to people or animals. In most cases for singular nouns and adjectives, the feminine form is made by adding an a to the masculine form or changing an ending e or o to a. A few examples: amigo (male friend), amiga (female friend)profesor (male teacher), profesora (female teacher)sirviente (male servant), sirvienta (female servant) A few words have irregular differences: tigre (male tiger), tigresa (female tiger)rey (king), reina (queen)actor (actor), actriz (actress)toro (bull), vaca (cow) 7. There are a few exceptions to the rule that words ending in o are masculine and many exceptions to the rule that words ending in a are feminine. Among the feminine o words are mano (hand), foto (photo), and disco (disco). Among the masculine a words are numerous words of Greek origin such as dilema (dilemma), drama, tema (subject), and holograma (hologram). Also, many a words that refer to occupations or types of people - among them atleta (athlete), hipà ³crita (hypocrite), and dentista (dentist) - can be either masculine or feminine. 8. As the culture in which Spanish is spoken changes, so is the way the language treats gender as it applies to people. For example, at one time la doctora almost always referred to a doctors wife, and la jueza referred to the wife of the judge. But these days, those same terms usually mean a female doctor and judge, respectively. Also, it is becoming more common to use terms such as la doctor (rather than la doctora) and la juez (rather than la jueza) when referring to female professionals. 9. The masculine form is used to refer to mixed groups of males and females. Thus, depending on the context, los muchachos can mean either the children or the boys. Las muchachas can refer only to the girls. Even padres (padre is the word for father) can refer to parents, not just fathers. However, the use of both masculine and feminine forms - such as muchachos y muchachas for boys and girls rather than just muchachos - is growing more common. 10. In colloquial written Spanish, it is becoming more common to use as a way of indicating that a word can refer to either males of females. In traditional Spanish, if you were writing a letter to a group of friends, you might open with the masculine form, Queridos amigos, for Dear friends even if your friends are of both sexes. Some writers these days would use Querids amigs instead. Note that the at symbol, known as the arroba in Spanish, looks something like a combination of an a and an o.