Writing is Magic

Writing is Magic I have a personal blog that I write about my teenagers and I haven’t updated it lately. It’s not because I’m tired of writing- I’m not. And it certainly isn’t because of a lack of material. I have more material than ever lately with one kid on his way to college and the other on his way to a special arts program for his junior year. It’s because writing is hard. Some of you brilliant prospective MIT students know exactly what I mean. Writing well often means “being in the flow” and if you are not there, it’s kind of like plodding uphill knee-deep in mud on a hot humid day. Who wants to do that? When I do an info session for prospective students, I like to mention that there is a writing requirement here at MIT. To some of you, I know, that is not good news. But hopefully most of you already know how valuable it can be to learn to write and express yourself this way. My son has a pile of graduation thank you notes to write and I already know why he isn’t getting to them. He isn’t sure how to start. I have the same feeling when I look at my personal blog and realize it’s been months now without a new post. Where to begin again? But here is some advice for those of you worried about writing, or worried about writing your application essays this fall, or worried about writing a paper in college. (Yes, you will have to write at MIT even if you are a math and physics lover and were hoping to never experience that particular agony of the blank page ever again.) I have some good news. Writing is magic. Take a look at what one member of the MIT faculty, Nick Montfort, has done by merging his interests in puzzles and computer games with poetry. Think you don’t have a single idea, nothing to say? Just start writing. The process of writing is what creates the ideas. Sure, it’s ok to start with a few in your head and see what happens to them as you begin. But if you start with a blank mind, just the act of writing anything will get them to come. In my writing group we do an exercise when we all first assemble together. Before the socializing and advice sharing gets underway, we write. We put pen to paper the old fashioned way for 15 minutes. We might get a subject prompt, a first line of inspiration, or the suggestion of setting or theme, but the one rule is to create something with a beginning, a middle, and an end before the 15 minutes is up. True, sometimes you don’t create a masterpiece you wish to read aloud, but most of the time you are amazed to see that you have a written a story, an essay, or a finished poem. Most of the time, it’s actually something you can be proud of too, and in 15 minutes, really. It happens all the time.

What Makes An Effective Leader - 1084 Words

There is leadership in all of us, although some of us may not realize that we are capable to lead others in some degree. The world has seen its fair share of leaders, both effective and ineffective ones; some had used their leaderships in negative lights such as Manuel Noriega, former Panamanian Dictator or positive ones such as that of Franklin D. Roosevelt. [The use of the pronoun ‘his’ to refer to the leaders is incorrect. Since you discuss a variety of leaders here, it must be used in the plural form.]Despite their differences, both leaders were very effective in their crafts. One may ask â€Å"What make an effective leader?† In my opinion, communication is the key. In order for leaders to succeed, they should be able to strategically communicate to their audiences. Strategic Communication [A topic sentence in your own words is missing. What is the main idea of the paragraph? Answer this question in your own words and then use the quote to support the point that you are making.] When it comes to strategic communication, one may think of a room full of CEOs, generals, and secretaries engaging in conversations around the table on how to solve world problems. The picture that it paints is very dramatic however, it’s just as simple as listening to other people and reflecting upon their ideas. Strategic communication is defined as â€Å"communication aligned with the company’s overall strategy, to enhance its strategic positioning.† (Argenti, Howell, Beck, 2005) The definition ofShow MoreRelatedWhat Makes A Effective Leader? Essay1168 Words   |  5 PagesI. What is Leadership? â€Å"At times of change or dealing with uncertainty or in a crisis-- that is when the best leader will shine† (Ellis, 2016). A leader who can work effectively in a complicated, unpredictable situation is a competent leader and he tirelessly works to improve his capabilities (Ledlow Coppola, 2010). All great leaders are known for communicating effectively what they want to achieve. They are visionaries who have the ability to lead others toward a shared goal (Gibson Weber,Read MoreWhat Makes An Effective Leader? Essay717 Words   |  3 PagesReview Press. Article 1: What Makes an Effective Leader Central Theme: Article one focuses on the idea that in order to have an efficient or successful environment, whether it be a business, project, or group, a leader must be effective in their way of working and addressing such environment. The first article focuses not only in what a leader needs to do but why those factors characterize an effective leader. An effective leader is someone who essentially does what needs to be done, and theyRead MoreEssay on What Makes for an Effective Leader?954 Words   |  4 Pages The mystery of what makes one an effective leader has fascinated people for thousands of years. There is a great difference between leadership and management. Leadership in my opinion differs from management and requires transformational approaches. Peter F. Drucker says, Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things (Goodreads.com,2014). Management capabilities can be developed mostly through personal experiences while leadership skills are inher ent and there are thereforeRead MoreWhat Makes An Effective And Successful Leader? Essay1706 Words   |  7 Pages2015 according to Forbes, in order to determine what qualities make an effective and successful leader. It’s impossible to respect, value and admire great leadership if you can’t identify what makes a leader great (Llopis, 2016). This interview was conducted during his recent visit to the US on thanksgiving holiday and more feedbacks via the email. He shares some philosophies, characteristics, principles, and common strategies of effective leader, but differ in his views of the role of personalityRead MoreWhat Makes an Effective Team Leader?1305 Words   |  6 PagesWhat makes a great team leader? According to Victor Parachin, Thomas Jefferson made an excellent leader because he was optimistic, made things happen, and had a vision that he expressed clearly, was able to sell to others and successfully turned into reality. Effective leadership is a neces sity. Leadership has been a requirement of society since the beginning of time. If a companys goal is to progress, effective leadership is the key. Leadership is a vigorous method of relationship buildingRead MoreWhat Makes Me An Effective Leader?1083 Words   |  5 Pagesgoals. As a potential leader if I analyse through my ability of skills, I possess the skills of wisdom, self- transcendence, emotional regulation and critical life experience to a greater extend, where in I am very much inclined to a level of perfection when openness, sense of humour, reminiscence and reflectiveness are concerned. I am quite average when it comes to the different dimensions of being affective and reflective. My attributes of wisdom makes me an effective leader to manage performanceRead MoreLeadership And Communication : What Makes An Effective Leader?858 Words   |  4 Pagesothers in some degree. The world has seen its fair share of leaders, both effective and ineffective ones; some had used his leadership in negative lights such as Manuel Noriega, former Panamanian Dictator or positive ones such as that of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Despite their differences, both leaders were very effective in their crafts. One may ask â€Å"What make an effective leader?† In my opin ion, communication is the key. In order for leaders to succeed, they should be able to strategically communicateRead More What Makes Jack Welch an Effective Leader? Essay971 Words   |  4 PagesWhat Makes Jack Welch an Effective Leader? ---ideas from the article â€Å"Will Legacy Live On?† Before I talk about what makes Jack an effective leader, I want to explain briefly why I chose him as my study subject. Why do I like him? Jack Welch created a new model for business leaders everywhere. His genius leadership and management techniques are an example to anyone aspiring to a successful career. Why is he so famous? He became the youngest CEO and Chairman of one of Americas biggestRead MoreThe Five Practices Of Ideal Leadership1250 Words   |  5 Pages Effective Leader Introduction Leaders come to be great, not because they utilize their title power, but for their ability to empower others. Leadership can be complex for the reason that it is about developing coworkers that have different personalities and characteristics. One of the first two questions a person should ask themselves when becoming a leader in an organization are; one, what is leadership? Second, what does great look like? The questions are simple enough, but then againRead MoreValues That Make An Ethical Business Leader972 Words   |  4 PagesValues That Make an Ethical Business Leader Values and ethics are essential for any good business leader, but what exactly does it mean to have good values and ethics? Both are extremely broad terms, however they both are very relevant in business leaders. â€Å"Values can be defined as things that are important to or valued by someone. That someone can be an individual or an organization. Values determine what is right and what is wrong, and doing what is right or wrong is what defines ethics. To behave

Short Story Never Let Me Go Notes - 2343 Words

Emmett Janczak British Literature Never Let Me Go Notes Characters: Kathy H. main character and narrator, carer, went to Hailsham. Friends with Ruth and Tommy. Grew up with them both. Had special relationship with Tommy. Ruth friend of Kathy. Also went to Hailsham. Bossy, controlling but in the end shows regret for being so controlling. Admits to keeping Kathy and Tommy apart, feels remorse. Tommy D. Grew up with anger issue. Had problems being creative. Extremely caring and concerned for the well-being of Kathy and Ruth. Dated Ruth for years until setting with Kathy in the end. Miss Emily the â€Å"principle† of Hailsham. was very concerned for the treatment of donors. Set up an entire school to prove how human donors were. Madame/Marie-Claude supported Miss Emily in her efforts with Hailsham. would collect artwork from the students to try to prove to the public how perfectly human the â€Å"students† were Miss Lucy believed the â€Å"students† should know exactly how terrible the last days of their life would be, the admin at Hailsham believe otherwise, that they should live normal lives for as long as possible Harry C. a boy who Kathy talked with and planned to have sex with during her time at Hailsham Keffers an old man who looks after the Cottages and is very conservative and religious, gives Tommy his first notebook for his animals Chrissie highly dependent on her boyfriend Rodney, looks at Hailsham like a place with special privileges, low self worth Rodney in aShow MoreRelatedA Poetical Analysis of Queen ¡Ã‚ ¯S Bohemian Rhapsody1503 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Night otherwise known as Eve, or Lily). The actual Cosmic Battle in Bohemian Rhapsody concerns the Denial of Love, both Black and White (The March Of The Black Queen etc.). Bohemian Rhapsody could also be about the Lily and Phoenix story. The Lily and Phoenix Story is an overall theme that runs throughout Queen ¡Ã‚ ¯s music. Lily and the Phoenix play the roles of The Black Queen (Eve/Night) and the White Queen (Adam/Day). The Black Queen would obviously take on such roles (music-wise) as The KillerRead MoreExample Of Annotations In Dandelion Wine By William Shakespeare1530 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Colonel and Doug’s relationship. I brought the discussion back to the thematic topics of time, aging and growing up. I labeled all the chapters and made good inferences in the text. I used MACVP throughout all of the stories. A good example of using MACVP is in Never let me go, I used the C from MACVP to connect with the characters on page 149 where they were in the cottages growing up. In general as a reader, I became closer and closer to being alive and claiming my education farther into theRead MoreEssay about Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights1382 Words   |  6 PagesEmily Brontes Wuthering Heights 1) The story takes place in the early XIXth century. There are two characters in this extract : Mr Lockwood and Catherine Linton. Mr Lockwood is the first narrator of this novel, he was one of Mr Heathcliffs tenants. At the beginning of the story , there were three characters : Heathcliff, a foundling, his sister Catherine and his brother Hindley. Catherine fell in love with Heathcliff, but was married with Edgar Linton. So, the second character we meetRead MoreQuote Integration Essay examples944 Words   |  4 Pagespapers, I would expect at least 3-4 really strong quotations used to prove your topic.   The important word in the last sentence is â€Å"prove.†Ã‚   You do NOT use quotations to establish facts from the story.   You use quotations to PROVE something.    For example – I don’t need a quotation from the book to tell me that Tom Robinson is found guilty.   I have read To Kill a Mockingbird and I know that he is found guilty.   Be sure you are using quotations not to pad your paper, but to strengthen it.    ThereRead MoreI Was A Last Year Old Girl, Living Inside Myself Essay1005 Words   |  5 Pagesput up a mental shield between me and the rest of the world. No emotions, no trust, no love. Nothing. No one ever picked up on it, though. When my emotions had first started fading, I started paying attention to how other people acted, and got really good at feigning emotions. I had even perfected pretending to cry and laugh. No one ever noticed that I went without them. I never thought I would feel again. One day, in 6th grade, I got an email from a name I had never seen before. Hey. I was just wonderingRead MoreThe Importance Of Writing1196 Words   |  5 Pages I’ve always loved to write. Something about creating a new world that people could just get lost in is so fulfilling. I’d find whoever I could to read my work and praise me. It’s baffling thinking that stories and pieces of writing are all just words. Words put together with capitalization, punctuation, and style. The kicker is how those words are put together though. Words put together poorly can be incomprehensible. But, words put together just right can spark interest, thought, and amazementRead MorePhiladelphia Story Character Analysis1316 Words   |  6 PagesPhiladelphia Story Character Analysis George Cukor’s star studded romantic comedy, The Philadelphia Story (1940), offers modern viewers a look at changing personalities in 1930s/40s American high society. The film stars Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, and James Stewart in a clash of cultures centered around a wedding. Macaulay Connor (Stewart) is a reporter for tabloid like Spy Magazine, on assignment to write an exposà © on the marriage of wealthy Tracy Lord (Katherine Hepburn) with the helpRead MoreThe Love of a Woman in Paulo Coelho’s Novel The Alchemist Essay1121 Words   |  5 Pagesnovel The Alchemist the story of the shepherd boy Santiago and his journey to fulfill his Personal Legend unfolds from beginning to end. On his journey Santiago meets several significant male characters that play very important roles in the development of his character, his journey, and his story. There are only a few female characters in The Alchemist, as men dominate the story; however, one of these female characters also plays a very significant role in Santiago’s story. Santiago falls in loveRead MoreCourtney Hunt s Frozen River, And Edwidge Danticat s The Dew Breaker1584 Words   |  7 Pagesidea of sonder, writing their novels so as to focus on how sonder impacts people’s perspective on other people’s lives. In Yuri Herrera’s Signs Preceding the End of the World, Courtney Hunt’s Frozen River, and Edwidge Danticat’s The Dew Breaker, the stories explore the idea of sonder in two ways: the authors either show how characters gain different life perspectives, or they exhibit a version of dramatic irony where only the readers, and not the characters, are aware of how the characters’ lives intertwineRead MoreA Rose for Emily and The Yellow Wallpaper1723 Words   |  7 PagesThe stories, â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† both display how external dominance, isolation, and judgment from the outside world may cause one to lose their right mind. In both stories, the main characters begin to sink into further isolation from the outside world, leaving reality in the past. The point of view of each story is told from a firsthand account of the events that occur. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† the story is told from an outsider’s point of view, someone who has watched

Acer Group Free Essays

The Acer Group Acer global mission statement â€Å"fresh technology enjoyed by everyone, everywhere†. The Acer group allied with other companies is globally one of the largest Manufacturers for PC, computer parts. Mobile computers, network server components etc†¦ Starting in Taiwan, Acer was the market leader in thirteen countries around the world and ranked top five in thirty countries globally. We will write a custom essay sample on Acer Group or any similar topic only for you Order Now With more than 120 enterprises in 44 countries, supporting dealers and distributers over 100 countries, 23,000plus employees around the world excl Taiwan, , US$500million operation in OEM manufacturing, Concentrating on the 3E market- education, entertainment, e-commerce with all its abilities Acer truly made itself a Global Organization, in 1997. Working with Acer Operating independently, yet working together was one of the features of the Acer Group. Decentralization in organization allowed the Acer employees to become responsible in decision making process. The senior management however tried to preserve the concept of â€Å"Symbiotic common interest†, assuaging any difference of opinion and consolidating them, and keeping up the centralized core. The Acer group had a long term vision to transform as a high-tech global corporation, hence taking a smart step to enter foreign markets by allying with the local distributors, retailers, suppliers, Managers, labor etc. Every region has its own need in case of electronics; Acer kept up to the local needs and customized their products accordingly. A local touch was achieved by Acer with every person associated with be it the customer or supplier or its own employee. The Acer aimed at expanding its manufacturing globally, by setting 17 plants in different countries. However it faced the difficulty in transportation of the materials or assembled parts due to various custom restrictions in each region. Different countries applied ISO regulations independently. Certain times these made it difficult for the Acer to continue the traditional way of working as they had planned. The most affected area was the inventory at the global level. It was difficult to predict the inventory level in the market with rapid changes happening around, moreover the product supply was far away. It was now necessary to set up a centralized kitchen to each production unit to reduce the freight and material handling costs. Hence it adopted the ‘Fast Food Model’, wherein the perishable and non-perishable goods were handled and transported separately as per their need. The inventory turnover was however now reduced to half once the fast food was implemented. Each production unit now had its assembly plant, developed RD, which helped them in shortening the time and cost of component production to delivery. The quality of service they provided was of the foremost importance. Exploring Chinese Mainland Acer wanted to secure a firm footing in the niche market. After suffering the losses in 1996-97, Acer realized that to win over the large markets it has first capture the smaller surrounding the larger ones. The big markets like Japan and USA had so many competitors trying to find its place that it was impossible for Acer to step in or sustain. However Acer tried entering USA, facing a big time loss. This Failure motivated the Acer to apply the â€Å"Go† Game philosophy of the WAR. Capture the villages to win over the cities. Hence seeing immense scope in the mainland Acer had plans to set up the unit in the Mainland. The Acer Group assumed that being aware of the Chinese culture and ethics would make them easy to establish in the mainland, however the reality was not very pleasing. Initially the political issues between china and Taiwan since the World War II were the major concern. Neither did Taiwan Govt. allowed the invasion of Acer in China mainland, nor was China willing to welcome the setting of Acer in the mainland. However, later after few years in 1998, Taiwan opened its port for Chinese materials; china was still reluctant to do so. Every exchange of goods happened via the south port of china which increased the freight cost. The manager at Acer still thinks moving to china is a good decision as the political issues seemed to be sorting out to some extent as well the WTO granting them membership. Moreover he assumes to see immense resources which could ascend them to their destination. Yet again, there stood another problem the human resources. Though Taiwan and China are closely related traditionally both share complete different work cultures and ethics. The labor in china though was cheap; no guarantee was given about the reliability. No family bonding, no tax incentives, nothing worked. Moreover, the Taiwanese workforce, whether the manager or labor was reluctant to relocate; reason- safety issues, status and standard of living, higher level of education in Taiwan, ocial living which were genuine! Finding reliable, efficient, skilled work force another major issue Acer has to deal with. Discussion China is emerging country in manufacturing. It possesses abundant resources that could catalyze the success of any growing manufacturing industry. The case study indicates about the plans of Acer as well the problem they are facing implementing it. The sales exhibit shows the dr op downs of the company during 1996-97. Reason: move to bigger markets in its first step rather taking smaller ones. Hence capturing the niche is surely a wise decision. China has immense resources in terms of land, workforce, etc. Major PC manufacturers now realized the advantages of moving the plants to china, being among the first ones and nearest ones, Acer should not leave the opportunity of growing, for some hurdles across their way. †¢The Acer groups seems to lack with the international expertise from the previous experiences, networking is important in supply chain;they should associate with the locals to understand work culture of the Chinese labors, the incentive policy. Acer has been hiring the locals, and should follow the same and not force the Taiwanese to relocate. †¢However the senior management will have to relocate, in need of a skilled employee who can centralize the autonomy within each plant. The Taiwanese managers however can be provided with better social living facilities, relocation incentives that could maintain their standards. †¢Setting a plant in sparsely industrialized region, closer to east coast. More employment for the locals- cheap labor plus ready to learn. Maximize information flow; minimize material flow between Taiwan and China to avoid Political conflicts and custom issues by utilizing resources within. †¢Not many major PC manufacturers have their units in China, Setting a unit in China will help Acer to invade Asian and European countries. Reducing operation and transportation efforts and cost. To overcome the past loses, Changes in organizational working is necessary, hence risk is inevitable! Acer to man ufacture in China?! (Review) How to cite Acer Group, Papers

Pertussis Essays - Pertussis, RTT, Bacterial Diseases, Vaccination

Pertussis (whooping cough) What is pertussis? Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease involving the respiratory tract. It is caused by a bacterium that is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. Approximately 100 to 200 cases are reported annually in New York State. Who gets pertussis? Pertussis can occur at any age. Although most of the reported cases occur in children under five years, 50 percent of these are in children under one year of age. How is pertussis spread? Pertussis is primarily spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected individuals. Frequently, older siblings who may be harboring the bacteria in their nose and throat can bring the disease home and infect an infant in the household. What are the symptoms of pertussis? Pertussis begins as a mild upper respiratory infection. Initially, symptoms resemble those of a common cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of numerous rapid coughs followed by a crowing or high pitched whoop. A thick, clear mucous may be discharged. These episodes may recur for one to two months, and are more frequent at night. Older people or partially immunized children generally have milder symptoms. How soon after infection do symptoms appear? The incubation period is usually five to 10 days but may be as long as 21 days. When and for how long is a person able to spread pertussis? A person can transmit pertussis from seven days following exposure to three weeks after the onset of coughing episodes. The period of communicability is reduced to between five and seven days when antibiotic therapy is begun. Does past infection with pertussis make a person immune? One attack usually confers prolonged immunity. What are the complications associated with pertussis? Complications of pertussis may include pneumonia, middle ear infection, loss of appetite, dehydration, seizures, encephalopathy (disorders of the brain), apneic episodes (brief cessation of breathing) and death. What is the vaccine for pertussis? The vaccine for pertussis is usually given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus. Immunization authorities recommend that DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine be given at two, four, six and 12-15 months of age and between four and six years of age. A vaccine with an acellular pertussis component is now licensed for children age 15 months of age who have completed their primary series of DTP (first three doses). What can be done to prevent the spread of pertussis? The single most effective control measure is maintaining the highest possible level of immunization in the community. Treatment of cases with certain antibiotics such as erythromycin can shorten the contagious period. People who have or may have pertussis should stay away from young children and infants until properly treated.

How to Overcome Teenagers Problem Essay Example

How to Overcome Teenagers Problem Essay Example How to Overcome Teenagers Problem Essay How to Overcome Teenagers Problem Essay Random acts of kindness are a means by which we make a deliberate attempt to brighten another persons day by doing something thoughtful, nice, and caring for them. Kindness is a way of showing others that they count and that even in the face of hostility and selfishness, youre making a stand for kindness.Originally associated with Anne Herbert, who is said to have once written Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty on a place mat in a restaurant,this concept has become an organized celebration through various events around the world, as well as referring to a general call to action in the name of kindness. And you dont need to wait for someone else to instigate a day or week of celebrations to practice random acts of kindness; you can put them into play any time you like!By doing kind acts for others, youre helping to create kindness-aware communities that value generosity of spirit and action and kindness toward others as essential parts of a healthy community . Here are some suggestions for encouraging others with your random acts of kindness. EXAMPLES OF ACTS OF RANDOM KINDNESS!!!!! Be kind. Kindness as an attitude is infectious. When youre willing to share your kindness, others will be inspired by your example and think about doing something as kind themselves.Fan that flame by being kind to everyone. Be thoughtful. Random acts of kindness can be shown through thoughtfulness about the needs of others. Use your manners as a form of kindness. Manners arent dead, theyve just been forgotten in many ways. Yet, manners are the bedrock of courteous and kind relations and their use is an indication of respect for others. Hold doors open for others, hold an umbrella over someone in the rain, and be on time for everyone youve promised to meet. Give out compliments generously.Theres usually an awkward silence when youre stuck in an elevator or waiting in a queue with a stranger. Instead of staring at the floor, find something you like about the o ther person and compliment him/her on it. Not only will it make him/her feel good, it just might kick off a conversation with a new friend. Volunteer. Offer helping hands. Do you ever see homeless people and feel overwhelmed by your inability to make a difference? Even if you cant save them all, you can do a lot with one small act.Buy a pair of gloves or dig up an old blanket, and give them to someone whos living in the cold streets or to any organization that serves the homeless. Share a little wealth around. Forgive somebody. You be amazed at the ripple effect an ounce of forgiveness can have in your life and in the lives of others. Unburden yourself of the past and think kind thoughts again about that person. Share a smile. When meeting a new person, or even chatting with an old one, express joy. Show that youre happy to be with them, and that they make you happy

The Definition of Hydrophobic With Examples

The Definition of Hydrophobic With Examples To be hydrophobic means to fear water. In chemistry, it refers to the property of a substance to repel water. It isnt that the substance is repelled by water so much as it has a lack of attraction to it. A hydrophobic substance exhibits hydrophobicity and may be termed hydrophobic. Hydrophobic molecules tend to be nonpolar molecules that group together to form micelles rather than be exposed to water. Hydrophobic molecules typically dissolve in nonpolar solvents (e.g., organic solvents). There are also superhydrophobic materials, which have contact angles with water greater than 150 degrees. Surfaces of these materials resist wetting. The shape of water droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces is called the Lotus effect, in reference to the appearance of water on a lotus leaf. Superhydrophobicity is considered a result of interfacial tension and not a chemical property of matter. Examples of Hydrophobic Substances Oils, fats, alkanes, and most other organic compounds are hydrophobic. If you mix oil or fat with water, the mixture will separate. If you shake a mixture of oil and water, the oil globules will eventually stick together to present a minimum surface area to the water. How Hydrophobicity Works Hydrophobic molecules are nonpolar. When they are exposed to water, their nonpolar nature disrupts hydrogen bonds between water molecules, forming a clathrate-like structure on their surface. The structure is more ordered than free water molecules. The change in entropy (disorder) causes nonpolar molecules to clump together to decrease their exposure to water and thus decrease the entropy of the system. Hydrophobic vs. Lipophilic While the terms hydrophobic and lipophilic are often used interchangeably, the two words dont mean the same thing. A lipophilic substance is fat-loving. Most hydrophobic substances are also lipophilic, but exceptions include fluorocarbons and silicones.