Practice Samples of Essay Writing

Practice Samples of Essay WritingBefore you turn in your essay or the assignment itself, take a moment to download and read some practice samples of essay writing. You may have one or several textbooks that come with practice essays. This is a good time to become familiar with the outline of your essay.For some students, the practice examples of essay writing are a wonderful way to sharpen their writing skills. You don't have to use them to write an essay of your own. You can take the examples and use them as you are writing your essay. This is a great way to use writing prompts, or 'rules' of essay writing.One rule you will be exposed to when you write your essay is to always end your first paragraph on a strong point. You want to grab the reader's attention as soon as you begin your essay. Once you grab the reader's attention and hold it, you have an opportunity to give your reader a strong argument.For example, if you have a strong point about a lack of good education choices, you could begin your first paragraph by sharing this information. It is also good to do this while you're outlining the article or assignment. Use an example, such as a graphic from an ad to make your point more clear.As you continue to outline your paragraph, be sure to mention the strengths and weaknesses of your subject. Sometimes you need to tie in other areas of your life to your topic so that you can tie in your personal life and the subject in your essay.When writing your essay, you want to highlight the topics that you are writing about and make sure that they are the focus of your essay. This will help to make your essay look more professional.Many college students are taught how to write essays and outline their paragraphs in class, but theses are just concepts that are learned through experience. Experience can lead you to make the right choices when writing. Practice your essay writing skills with practice samples of essay writing.These examples of essay writing will help y ou become familiar with the basics of the essay. This will help you become comfortable with the structure of an essay.

The Ladder At Leadership Toward Transpersonal Leadership

The Ladder to Leadership: Toward Transpersonal Leadership Writing about leadership is a challenge. It is a challenge that sets us in a difficult situation. Why? Because most people talk and know, or believe to know, about leadership. We must, or better, we need to admit that one of the biggest problems to describe Transpersonal Leadership and The Ladder to Leadership was to write the first paragraph. We debated among several beliefs: the meaning of leadership, are leaders born or do they learn to be? Should Hitler and Jesus Christ be considered, similarly, leaders? These issues brought to our minds philosophical and practical contradictions. It was like saying that apples and pears belong to the same tree. Writing about leadership, in the first paragraph, was the result of the free flow, without directionality, of our conscious. However, we found that this conscious’ free flowing was desirable, especially because it helped us to understand what is leadership about, and what experiences we needed to consider to make leadership in the next paragraphs easily comprehensible. We understood that there is not no-directionality. We found that the no directionality has to do with an adductive process, which, in our minds, moved us to confront amazing, and sometimes illogical events related to leadership, with day to day - local and international, personally or vicariously perceived - events that leaders have starred, or are starring. Transpersonal Leadership and The Ladder toShow MoreRelatedCompassion Fatigue9142 Words   |  37 Pagessickest patients in the hospital, the very critical care unit†. Generally speaking, the encounters with work stress had a negative impact on the nurses’ ability to provide care. They described feeling angry and displaying uncaring attitudes toward the patients. However, many described feeling a sense of accomplishment if they had been successful in coping with the work stress or if they felt that the nursing care provided had a positive impact on patient outcomes. Read MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pages3 THE CRITICAL ROLE OF MANAGEMENT SKILLS The Importance of Competent Managers 6 The Skills of Effective Managers 7 Essential Management Skills 8 What Are Management Skills? 9 Improving Management Skills 12 An Approach to Skill Development 13 Leadership and Management 16 Contents of the Book 18 Organization of the Book 19 Practice and Application 21 Diversity and Individual Differences 21 Summary 23 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 24 Diagnostic Survey and Exercises 24 Personal Assessment of Management

The Level of Understanding of Students in De La Salle Lipa...

Proper education is one of the main factors for a progressing nation. With the increasing cost of living, education cost also increases. This research, â€Å"The Level of Understanding of Students in De La Salle Lipa on Tuition Fee Increase† is conducted to determine students understanding on the possible cause of tuition fee increase in our school and tuition fee allocation. It is also an objective to indirectly help the students to be aware of the fees theyre paying and the allocation and breakdown of the tuition fee. After a long research online, reading articles and conducting a survey related to our topic, the researchers come up to a result that the students in Dela Salle Lipa have an average understanding on tuition fee increase. On the†¦show more content†¦Robert Kiyosaki once said that it is parents’ responsibility to send their kids to school but it is also important for parents to teach their children financial education in order to survive the real world†. The students should have the responsibility to understand the financial aspect of attending school not just the value of it. With this knowledge, students should be able to plan and adjust to sustain the cost increase on attending university/colleges. (Grant) In DLSL, tuition fee increase is most of the time unpublished. The students accept the increase without fully understanding the details and where the increase is allocated. Tuition fee breakdown is as follow: Tuition fee, Athletic Fee, Guidance Fee, Medical and Dental Fee, Library fee, Audio Visual fee, Registration fee, Deployment fee, NSTP fee. The first process that the researchers did was to search for related studies which are related on their topic. After analyzing the related studies of this research, the researchers conducted a survey to know if the students have a background about the level of understanding of the students in De La Salle Lipa on tuition fee increase. Once the survey was done and all the needed information was gathered, the researchers made the tallying of the variables. The variables used by the researchers are

MEdieval Renaissance conflict in Dr Faustus Essay Example For Students

MEdieval Renaissance conflict in Dr Faustus Essay In the play, the protagonist, Doctor Faustus, is a well-respected German scholar who grows dissatisfied with his studies of medicine, law, logic and theology. He wants a career to match the scope of his ambition, a subject to challenge his enormous intellect; therefore, he decides to turn to the dangerous practice of necromancy, or magic. He makes a pact with Mephistopheles to sell his soul to Lucifer in return of twenty-four years of absolute power. Later, in his study, when Faustus begins to despair, a Good Angel and a Bad Angel appear to him; each encourages him to follow his advice. Mephistopheles appears and Faustus agrees to sign a contract in blood with the devil even though several omens appear which warn him not to make this bond. Faustus begins to repent of his bargain as the voice of the Good Angel continues to urge him to repent. To divert Faustus, Mephistopheles and Lucifer both appear and parade the seven deadly sins before Faustus. After this, Mephistopheles takes Faustus to Rome and leads him into the popes private chambers, where the two become invisible and play pranks on the pope and some unsuspecting friars. After this episode, Faustus ND Mephistopheles go to the German emperors court, where they conjure up Alexander the Great. At this time, Faustus also makes a pair of horns suddenly appear on one of the knights who had been skeptical about Faustus powers. After this episode, Faustus is next seen selling his horse to a horse-courser with the advice that the man must not ride the horse into the water. Later, the horse-courser enters Faustus study and accuses Faustus of false dealings because the horse had turned into a bundle of hay in the middle of a pond. After performing other magical, nonsensical tricks Faustus returns to his study, where at the request of his fellow tries to get Faustus to hope for salvation and yet Faustus cannot. He knows it is now too late to turn away from the evil and ask for forgiveness. When the scholars leave, the clock strikes eleven and Faustus realizes that he must give up his soul within an hour. As the clock marks each passing segment of time, Faustus sinks deeper and deeper into despair. Finally, the Doctor Faustus ends with Faustus awaiting the final hour of his life before he is carried off to eternal damnation by the agents of the underworld. THE MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE CONFLICT Scholar R. M. Adkins famously remarked that Doctor Faustus tells the story of a Renaissance man who had to pay the medieval price for being one. This quotation throws light on one of the plays central themes- The conflict between Medieval ideals and the Renaissance ideals, and how Faustus is caught in the grip of the changing times. Certain aspects of the drama can be used to support an interpretation of Faustus as a Renaissance hero and other aspects suggest he is a medieval hero. According to medieval view of the world, everything revolved around God and religion whereas the Renaissance view put more emphasis on the individual, on classical learning, and on scientific inquiry into the nature of the world. In the middle ages any attempt or ambition to go beyond the assigned place was considered a great sin of pride. For the medieval person, pride was one of the greatest sins that could be committed. This concept was based upon the fact that Lucifer fall was the result of his pride when he tried to revolt against God. Thus, for the medieval person, aspiring ride became one of the cardinal sins. The Medieval View According to the medieval view, Faustus has a desire for forbidden knowledge. In order to gain more knowledge than he is entitled to, Faustus makes a contract with Lucifer, which brings about his damnation. In the prologue, Marlowe writes Till swollen with cunning, of a self-conceit, His waxen wings did mount above his reach. With these lines, he portrays an image of Cirrus, who flew too close to sun which melted his waxed wings. This story was popular as an image of self-destructive will and ambition. .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 , .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 .postImageUrl , .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 , .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3:hover , .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3:visited , .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3:active { border:0!important; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3:active , .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3 .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf41459d616bb612f8f1e405ec2807ee3:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Renaissance art cardAlso, at the end of the play, Faustus learns that supernatural powers are reserved for the gods and that the person who attempts to handle or deal in magical powers must face eternal damnation. So, by the medieval standpoint, Faustus deserves his punishment hence the play is not so much a tragedy as it is a morality play. The ending is an act of Justice, when the man who has transgressed against the natural laws of the universe is Justifiably punished. The chorus at the end of the drama re-emphasizes this position when it admonishes the audience to learn room Faustus damnation and not attempt to go beyond the restrictions placed on humanity. The Renaissance View According to the Renaissance view, Faustus rebels against the limitations of medieval knowledge and the restriction put upon humankind decreeing that he must accept his place in the universe without challenging it. In his opening soliloquy in scene l, Faustus considers and rejects this medieval way of thinking. He resolves, in full Renaissance spirit, to accept no limits, traditions, or authorities in his quest for in his quest for enlightenment and absolute power. His desire, is to transcend the limitations of humanity and rise to greater achievements and heights. In the purest sense, Faustus wants to prove that he can become greater than he presently is. Because of his desire to go beyond human limitations, Faustus is willing to chance damnation in order to achieve his goals. Faustus, thus, may be considered as a Renaissance Hero- a hero of the new modern world, a world free of God, religion, and the limits that the medieval ideas had imposed on humanity. CONCLUSION Christopher Marlowe lived the time of the Middle Ages and the start of the Renaissance. These were two very different historical eras with quite different values, One of the reasons for the popularity of his play was that it traumatized the tug-of- war between the admonitions of the church and the exciting possibilities of knowledge suggested by the advance of science and the revival of classical learning. Marlowe own attitude toward the clash between medieval and Renaissance values is quite ambiguous. He seems hostile toward the ambitions of Faustus, and keeps his tragic hero squarely in the medieval world, where eternal damnation is the price of unman pride. The disappointment and mediocrity that follow Faustus pact with the devil, as he descends from grand ambitions to petty conjuring tricks, might suggest that the new, modern spirit, though ambitious and glittering, will lead only to a Faustian dead end. On the other hand, his renaissance ideologies are reflected in Faustus character, he hears Renaissance voices which tell him Just the opposite extend the boundaries of human knowledge. Seek wealth and power. Live this life to the full because tomorrow youll be dead. This theme of eat, drink, and be merry for morrow we die was a popular theme during the Renaissance period.

Herbal Medicine Essay Example

Herbal Medicine Paper Lagundi (scientific name: Vitex negundo) is a large native shrub that grows in the Philippines and has been traditionally used as herbal medicine. The Philippine Department of Health has conducted research and study for Lagundi and has suggested that the lagundi plant has a number verifiable therapeutic value Lagundi is an erect, branched tree or shrub, that grows to as much as 5 m high. Lagundi has a single thick, woody stem like a trunk and is usually seen in swamps of the Philippines. Lagundi leaves appear palmately, in the form of five pointed leaves which splay out like the fingers of a hand. Lagundi leaves are 5-foliate, rarely with 3 leaflets only. Lagundi leaves are 4-10 cm long, slightly hairy beneath. The lagundi flowers are blue to lavender, 6-7 mm long bearing fruit globose of about 4mm in diameter that turns black when ripe. Lagundi, Herbal Medicine Health Benefits Lagundi has been traditionally used as herbal medicine by Philippine folks. The efficacy of Lagundi has also been verified by the Philippine Department of Health and other Philippine based scientists which concentrated on its use to ease respiratory complaints. Lagundi is generally used for the treatment of coughs, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems. Lagundi is also known for its analgesic effect that helps alleviate pain and discomfort. Other traditional benefits that are derived from the use of Lagundi are as follows: †¢Relief of asthma pharyngitis We will write a custom essay sample on Herbal Medicine specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Herbal Medicine specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Herbal Medicine specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer †¢Recommended relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea †¢Treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders †¢Alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox †¢Removal of worms, and boils Lagundi Herbal Medicine Preparation Lagundi leaves, root, flowers, and seeds are believed to have medicinal value. Lagundi concoction is prepared by boiling, steeping, and then straining various parts such as lagundi leaves, roots, flowers and seeds. †¢wash fresh or dried Lagundi leaves †¢chop then add in 4 cups of water for every 1 cup of lagundi parts †¢let it boil for 10 to 15 minutes †¢Let it steep then strain the various parts. †¢Drink half cup of Lagundi three times a day. †¢Lagundi concoction can be stored in suitable glass container for later consumption. Lagundi Availability Commercially, lagundi can be purchased in the form of syrup or capsules to make it easier to handle. It is also blended in with cough medicines and other herbal remedies. Lagundi tablets (300 mg) are available from the Department of Healths Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) Telephone # (632) 727-6199. Lagundi syrup is now commonly formulated as cough medicine which can also be bought in leading drugstores and supermarkets. Warning and Side Effects of Lagundi Lagundi use is widely acceptable as safe for use for children and adults and no adverse reaction has been reported. However, moderate use is recommended for pregnant women, and treatment should not exceed one week. If symptoms persist and irritation occurs, stop the use and consult your doctor.

Pre-2013 Common Application Personal Essay Tips

Pre-2013 Common Application Personal Essay Tips Important Note for 2019-20 Applicants: The Common Application essay options have changed twice since this article was written! Nevertheless, the tips and sample essays below will still provide useful guidance and essay samples for the current Common Application, and both the old and new applications include the topic of your choice option. That said, be sure to read the most up-to-date article on the 2019-20 Common Application Essay Prompts. ________________________________ Heres the original article: The first step to writing a stellar personal essay on your college application is to understand your options. Below is a discussion of the six essay options from the Common Application. Also be sure to check out these 5 Application Essay Tips. Option #1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. Note the key word here: evaluate. You arent just describing something; the best essays will explore the complexity of the issue. When you examine the impact on you, you need to show the depth of your critical thinking abilities. Introspection, self-awareness and self-analysis are all important here. And be careful with essays about the winning touchdown or tie-breaking goal. These sometimes have an off-putting look how great I am tone and very little self-evaluation. Read Drews essay, The Job I Should Have Quit, for an example of option #15 tips for essay option #1 Option #2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you. Be careful to keep the importance to you at the heart of your essay. Its easy to get off track with this essay topic and start ranting about global warming, Darfur, or abortion. The admissions folks want to discover your character, passions and abilities in the essay; they want more than a political lecture. Read Sophies essay, The Allegany County Youth Board, for an example of option #25 tips for essay option #2 Option #3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence. Im not a fan of this prompt because of the wording: describe that influence. A good essay on this topic does more than describe. Dig deep and analyze. And handle a hero essay with care. Your readers have probably seen a lot of essays talking about what a great role model Mom or Dad or Sis is. Also realize that the influence of this person doesnt need to be positive. Read Maxs essay, Student Teacher, for an example of option #3Read Jills essay, Buck Up, for another example of option #3Read Catherines essay, Diamond in the Rough, for yet another example of option #36 tips for essay option #3 Option #4. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence. Here as in #3, be careful of that word describe. You should really be analyzing this character or creative work. What makes it so powerful and influential? Read Felicitys essay, Porkopolis, for an example of option #4Read Eileens essay, Wallflower, for another example of option #47 tips for essay option #4 Option #5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you. Realize that this question defines diversity in broad terms. Its not specifically about race or ethnicity (although it can be). Ideally, the admissions folks want every student they admit to contribute to the richness and breadth of the campus community. How do you contribute? Read Carries essay, Give Goth a Chance, for an example of option #55 tips for essay option #5 Option #6. Topic of your choice. Sometimes you have a story to share that doesnt quite fit into any of the options above. However, the first five topics are broad with a lot of flexibility, so make sure your topic really cant be identified with one of them. Also, dont equate topic of your choice with a license to write a comedy routine or poem (you can submit such things via the Additional Info option). Essays written for this prompt still need to have substance and tell your reader something about you. Read Loras essay, Eating Eyeballs, for a sample of option #6

Sauropods - The Biggest Dinosaurs

Sauropods - The Biggest Dinosaurs Think of the word dinosaur, and two images are likely to come to mind: a snarling Velociraptor hunting for grub, or a giant, gentle, long-necked Brachiosaurus lazily plucking the leaves off the tops of trees. In many ways, the sauropods (of which Brachiosaurus was a prominent example) are more fascinating than famous predators like Tyrannosaurus Rex or Spinosaurus. By far the largest terrestrial creatures ever to roam the earth, sauropods branched into numerous genera and species over the course of 100 million years, and their remains have been dug up on every continent, including Antarctica. (See a gallery of sauropod pictures and profiles.) So what, exactly, is a sauropod? Some technical details aside, paleontologists use this word to describe large, four-legged, plant-eating dinosaurs possessing bloated trunks, long necks and tails, and tiny heads with comparably small brains (in fact, sauropods may have been the dumbest of all the dinosaurs, with a smaller encephalization quotient than even stegosaurs or ankylosaurs). The name sauropod itself is Greek for lizard foot, which oddly enough counted among these dinosaurs least intuitive traits. As with any broad definition, though, there are some important buts and howevers. Not all sauropods had long necks (witness the oddly truncated Brachytrachelopan), and not all were the size of houses (one recently discovered genus, Europasaurus, seems to have only been about the size of a large ox). On the whole, though, most of the classical sauropodsfamiliar beasts like Diplodocus and Apatosaurus (the dinosaur previously known as Brontosaurus)followed the sauropod body plan to the Mesozoic letter. Sauropod Evolution As far as we know, the first true sauropods (such as Vulcanodon and Barapasaurus) arose about 200 million years ago, during the early to middle Jurassic period. Preceding, but not directly related to, these plus-sized beasts were smaller, occasionally bipedal prosauropods (before the sauropods) like Anchisaurus and Massospondylus, which were themselves related to the earliest dinosaurs. (In 2010, paleontologists unearthed the intact skeleton, complete with skull, of one of the earliest true sauropods, Yizhousaurus, and another candidate from Asia, Isanosaurus, straddles the Triassic/Jurassic boundary.) Sauropods reached the peak of their eminence toward the end of the Jurassic period, 150 million years ago. Fully grown adults had a relatively easy ride, since these 25- or 50-ton behemoths would have been virtually immune to predation (although its possible that packs of Allosaurus might have ganged up on an adult Diplodocus), and the steamy, vegetation-choked jungles covering most of the Jurassic continents provided a steady supply of food. (Newborn and juvenile sauropods, as well as sick or aged individuals, would of course have made prime pickings for hungry theropod dinosaurs.) The Cretaceous period saw a slow slide in sauropod fortunes; by the time the dinosaurs as a whole went extinct 65 million years ago, only lightly armored but equally gigantic titanosaurs (such as Titanosaurus and Rapetosaurus) were left to speak for the sauropod family. Frustratingly, while paleontologists have identified dozens of titanosaur genera from around the world, the lack of fully articulated fossils and the rarity of intact skulls means that much about these beasts is still shrouded in mystery. We do know, however, that many titanosaurs possessed rudimentary armor platingclearly an evolutionary adaptation to predation by large carnivorous dinosaursand that the biggest titanosaurs, like Argentinosaurus, were even bigger than the biggest sauropods. Sauropod Behavior and Physiology As befitting their size, sauropods were eating machines: adults had to scarf down hundreds of pounds of plants and leaves every day in order to fuel their enormous bulk. Depending on their diets, sauropods came equipped with two basic kinds of teeth: either flat and spoon-shaped (as in Camarasaurus and Brachiosaurus), or thin and peglike (as in Diplodocus). Presumably, spoon-toothed sauropods subsisted on tougher vegetation that required more powerful methods of grinding and chewing. Reasoning by analogy with modern giraffes, most paleontologists believe sauropods evolved their ultra-long necks in order to reach the high leaves of trees. However, this raises as many questions as it answers  since pumping blood to a height of 30 or 40 feet would strain even the biggest, most robust heart. One maverick paleontologist has even suggested that the necks of some sauropods contained strings of auxiliary hearts, kind of like a Mesozoic bucket brigade, but lacking solid fossil evidence, few experts are convinced. This brings us to the question of whether sauropods were warm-blooded, or cold-blooded like modern reptiles. Generally, even the most ardent advocates of warm-blooded dinosaurs back off when it comes to sauropods  since simulations show that these oversized animals would have baked themselves from the inside, like potatoes, if they generated too much internal metabolic energy. Today, the prevalence of opinion is that sauropods were cold-blooded homeothermsthat is, they managed to maintain a near-constant body temperature because they warmed up very slowly during the day and cooled off equally slowly at night. Sauropod Paleontology Its one of the paradoxes of modern paleontology that the largest animals that ever lived have left the most incomplete skeletons. While bite-sized dinosaurs like Microraptor tend to fossilize all in one piece, complete sauropod skeletons are rare on the ground. Further complicating matters, sauropod fossils are often found without their heads, because of an anatomical quirk in how these dinosaurs skulls were attached to their necks (their skeletons were also easily disarticulated, that is, trampled to pieces by living dinosaurs or shaken apart by geological activity). The jigsaw-puzzle-like nature of sauropod fossils has tempted paleontologists into a fair number of blind alleys. Often, a gigantic tibia will be advertised as belonging to an entirely new genus of sauropod, until its determined (based on more complete analysis) to belong to a plain old Cetiosaurus. (This is the reason the sauropod once known as Brontosaurus is today called Apatosaurus: Apatosaurus was named first, and the dinosaur subsequently called Brontosaurus turned out to be a, well, you know.) Even today, some sauropods linger under a cloud of suspicion; many experts believe that Seismosaurus was really an unusually large Diplodocus, and proposed genera like Ultrasauros have been pretty much discredited altogether. This confusion about sauropod fossils has also resulted in some famous confusion about sauropod behavior. When the first sauropod bones were discovered, well over one hundred years ago, paleontologists believed they belonged to ancient whalesand for a few decades, it was fashionable to picture Brachiosaurus as a semi-aquatic creature that roved lake bottoms and stuck its head out of the surface of the water to breathe! (an image that has helped fuel pseudo-scientific speculation about the true provenance of the Loch Ness Monster).