ELA Argument Essay

 

Question: Is it fair that so much is riding on a single test for millions of chinese students?

Millions of chinese students are stressing out over one test that can determine the rest of their life including the job they get, the money they make and the people they meet. After reading the article “China’s Cram Schools” by Brook Larmer, it showed me that it is not fair that so much is riding on a single test for millions of chinese students. The hard and stressful test is know as Gaokao. This test makes 20,000 students train and study all day and sometimes night. Failing the Gaokao may likely mean that you will spend the rest of your left in a factory or having a construction job. This is not fair. Overall, students should not have so much riding on a single test that could determine the rest of your life.

The Gaokao test is unfair because it is too stressful on the students and families. For example a former student at Maotanchang high school says, “I only knew that the school was very strict, to the point that some students had supposedly committed suicide” This quote really shows the amount of stress students go through. This is horrible because its unfair to have that much pressure for students  to tragically committed suicide. Overall, this shows the Gaokao test is very unfair because it is too stressful for some kids to handle. Another example, is in the article a seniors at Maotanchang shows that,  “The previous three years, weekends included, stumbling to his first class at 6:20 in the morning and returning to his room only after the end of his last class at 10:50 at night.” This shows the intense training and studying students have to do to prepare for the Gaokao test. This puts a lot of pressure on the students which is very unfair. Overall, the Gaokao test is very unfair because it is too stressful on the students.

Some people think the Gaokao test is fair because if they do well it allows them to get into a good college. For example, in the article it states, “Xu scored 643 out of a possible 750. That enabled him to get into Tsinghua University in Beijing, one of China’s most prestigious schools.” This shows that the preparation for the Gaokao test was worth it because it helps some chinese citizens to get into a very good school. On the other hand, in the article it states, “Failing the Gaokao test likely means ending up in a factory or construction job.” Most people don’t want that and because they would rather get a job that makes a lot of money, is easier and so they have more options to choose what they want to do. Overall, the Gaokao test is not fair because it determines your future and it is very stressful for kids.

In conclusion, the Gaokao test is very unfair. It will determine your future and that is not fair because it is a lot to handle with studying and memorizing work. It is also not fair because it is very stressful and can result in suicide. The students miss their whole childhood prepare for this test. No games, no cellphones and fewer friends. The Gaokao test determines to much of a students life which makes the test very unfair.

Poetry Essay

Father and son relationships can be complicated. Both, “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden and “My Papa's Waltz” by Theodore Roethke show a father and son relationship, but each poem’s tone makes us think and feel differently about the father’s relationship with his child. “My Papas Waltz” is very happy, playful and fun relationship. In “Those Winter Sundays” the tone is depressing, sad and regretful. Overall, both poems have different tones that make us interpret the characters feelings and actions differently.

    In “Those Winter Sundays”, the tone is very sad and depressing because the son is very regretful about his past. For example, in the poem it states, “What did I know/what did I know /of love’s austere and lonely offices.” This shows us the tone of sadness and regret of his past. The speaker reflects on his behaviors and actions towards his father in the past. The speaker also wishes he had been more thankful and grateful to his father. This makes the tone of the poem sound sad and regretful about the father and son’s relationship. Another example is, in the poem it states, “Slowly I would rise and dress/ fearing the chronic angers of the house.” This makes the poem sound very depressing and dark. When the author says, “Fearing the chronic angers of the house” this makes us think of the poem as dark and scary. The author sets a scene like that to show the tone of dark .Therefore, the tone in “Those Winter Sundays” is very sad, dark and full of regret. This makes the father and son relationship regretful.

In "My Papas Waltz" the tone is very happy, playful and fun. For example, in the poem it states, "we romped until pans/slid from the kitchen shelf". " Romped" means to play. The father and the son had fun will they were playing.This shows and makes the poem more fun and lively. The author shows this by writing how the father and son played in the kitchen and they were having fun. Another example in the poem states,      "Then we waltzed me off to bed." This makes the tone sound relaxing because it is about dancing. When the the author says "waltz" it sets a tone of relax and fun because it is very happy and lively. The author in the poem says this not to only show the tone of happy, but to also show the relationship the son and the father had. The relationship is playful and fun because the father is waltzing all throughout the house and while putting his son off to bed.Therefore in "My Papas Waltz" the tone is the opposite of "Those Winter Sundays" it is very happy , playful and Lively because of the actions the father does such as waltzing.

In conclusion, both “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden  and “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke both show different types of tones throughout the poem. “Those Winter Sundays” has a depressing and very dark tone and setting through the poem.The father and son’s relationship is very regretful. The son wished he was more thankful and grateful. “My Papa’s Waltz” has a very lively, happy tone and actions through the book. The father and son relationship is very playful and happy. Overall, both poems show different tones that make us feel differently about the father and son relationship.

Book Club Essay

When You Reach Me

by: Rebecca Stead

Of the many symbols in When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, the most important  symbol is the veil.Throughout, When You Reach Me the veil was mentioned. Veils, symbolize courage or confidence about life. Throughout When You Reach Me, veils are mentioned and shown in different times in the story. Miranda and her mom have lost and gained confidence about themselves and what they are doing. Therefore, veils are an important symbol in When You Reach Me.

Veils, symbolize courage and confidence a person has. If the veil is up then that person is confident about themselves.Veils also determines someones courage and confidence levels. For example, in When You Reach Me it states, “And when the veil lifts, we can see the world as it really is.” This shows when the veil is up that the world it shown clearly and you have courage, it also shows that if the veil is down it shows low confidence and shyness.Veils show that when you are lifting your invisible veil you can saw the world more clearly than you saw it before. The author explains how lifting your veil can define if you have confidence or not. Therefore, this shows that when you have your veil lifted it shows confidence about yourself. Another example, is when Miranda says, “To play in the winters circle, mom has to get herself in a certain frame of mind. She says it’s sort of like lifting one little corner of her veil, enough to see more then usual but not so much that she gets distracted by life, death and the beauty of it all.” This quote really shows the meaning of the veil and its levels. When the author says, “enough to see more then usual but not so much that she gets distracted by life…” this shows that when she has her veil up she can see life clearly and the way it is supposed to be. But, when her veil is down that she can’t see the world clearly. Overall, these quotes show how when your veil is lifted it shows confidence and courage about yourself and the world.

Veils symbolize courage and confidence levels when people don’t have any confidence or courage. For example, in When You Reach Me it states, “But sometimes our veils are pushed away for a few moments, like there is wind blowing in our faces.” This shows that veils also show how scary the real world it and that you don't have the courage to go out. Instead, have a veil in your face covering the truth. When the author says, “pushed away like theres wind blowing in our faces…” This shows that it is uncomfortable and that the real world is scary and you don’t have enough courage.  Another example, is in When You Reach Me it states, “Some people learn to lift their veils themselves. Then they don’t have to depend on wind anymore.” When the author says, “some people learn to lift their veil” I think this shows that it is hard to lift your veil. You must have the courage and confidence to do so. Therefore, Veils symbolize courage and confidence a person may have. In this case, Veils are a struggle and are very hard to lift. Overall, these quotes show how veils symbolize courage and confidence a person has and how veils can show low courage and confidence about the world and yourself.

In conclusion, in When You Reach Me By Rebecca Stead, the protagonist Miranda and her mom and many characters experience the veil in different and similar ways. The veil symbolizes the courage or confidence a person has. Throughout When You Reach Me the veil is lifted and sometimes not. If you have the veil lifted you can see the world as clearly as possible with courage and confidence about yourself. If the veil is not lifted and covers your face, you can not see the world as clearly as possible with any courage or confidence. Overall, there are many symbols in When You Reach Me but the most important it the veil.

Book club Essay

A Wrinkle in Time book club essay

Kristyn Pender

711

Throughout the story A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’engle, Meg, the protagonist changes into a hero. In the beginning she doubts herself a lot. She has low confidence and feels very unwanted and not appreciated. This greatly changes throughout the story. Towards the end Meg reveals her inner self. Meg overcomes her fear of “IT” and becomes much more confident. Overall, Meg changes throughout the book and becomes the hero.

In the beginning Meg really doubts herself. She doesn’t like who she is. For example, Meg says, “I wish I was a different person.” This shows that she doesn’t feel appreciated. Meg doesn’t like who she is. She has very low confidence and self esteem. Therefore Meg, in the beginning is not confident about herself. Another example on page 7 Megs school Principal says to her, “ Really Meg , I don’t understand how a child with parents as brilliant as yours are supposed to be such a poor student.” This makes Meg feel very unwanted. Since she is being compared, it makes her feel very bad about herself which shows self doubt. Overall, In the beginning Meg feels very lonely, unwanted and doesn’t have full confidence.

Towards the end of A Wrinkle In Time , Meg changes to a brave confident person. Me realizes how much Charles Wallace cares, loves and looks up to Meg. For example on page 25, Charles helps Meg relax and feel better, “Charles Wallace slipped his hand confidingly in Meg’s, and the sweet, little-boy gesture warmed her so that she felt the tense knot inside her she began to loosen.” This shows that Meg sees how nice her brother is. It made her feel really good about herself. Towards the end Me realizes that in order to save her brother she needs to build up her confidence and show her love for her brother. This quote reminded Meg of how Charles Wallace was always there for her and how she needs to be there for him . Therefore, towards the end we see Meg change by feeling loved and cared for by other people. Another example, is when Meg stands up to IT, “For an appalling moment Meg believed, and in that moment she felt her brain being being gathered up into IT. ‘No!’ she screamed at the top of her lungs. ‘No!You lie!’ ” This quote shows how Meg stands up to IT. She has gained so much confidence throughout the book. This quote really shows that. In the beginning she had no confidence she has self doubt. Now, she is very confident in herself. Overall, Meg becomes a very different and powerful person at the end.

In conclusion, Meg changes into a hero throughout the story. In the beginning Meg has very low confidence. She has self doubt and that prevents her from being who she is. Later, in the end of the book Meg reveals her inner self. Brave, Confident and Loved. Overall, Meg becomes strong,  powerful and the hero at the end of A Wrinkle In Time.

Argument Essay

Inquiry Questions: Should teens play contact sports?

Kristyn Pender 711

Argument Essay

According to Time for Kids debate article states, “3.8 million concussions happen each year in sports and recreational activities.” Everyday young teens are practicing and playing contact sports very roughly. Football players are tackling eachother,, soccer players are heading the ball and lacrosse and hockey players are pushing eachother around to the ground. Every year little kids are getting slammed and pushed around. This is very dangerous and unsafe. When teens play contact sports they are not aware of the injuries that they can get and how some can last for a very long time possibly or the rest of your life! Contact sports cause many injuries on the field and parents and coaches push their kids to hard. Overall, Young teens should be fully aware that they shouldn’t play contact sports because it is very dangerous.

Teens should not play contact sports because parents and coaches push their kids cover the limit. For example, the New York Times article by Jane E. Brody shows how parents  push their children to hard, “Every year more than 3.5 million children under 15 require medical treatment for sports injuries, nearly half of which are a result of simple overuse.” This article shows that many people require medical treatment because they are unaware of how harmful contact sports can be to themselves. Many people are getting hurt because of the way these sports are played. When teens play contact sports it is very dangerous, and coaches and parents need to realize that they should give their children a break especially when they are injured. The quote above shows that “3.5 million children” are getting injuries because of overuse. This is not only the children's fault, but mostly the parents and coaches for pushing their children to hard. Additionally, the kids health article shows when teens are being pressured and pushed too hard can make them feel very stressed. The article states, “Too much of it can exhaust a kids energy and drive, leading to sports burnout.”  Stress and being pressured can be very overwhelming and can lead to frustration. In this article it defines positive and negative stress. It states, “positive stress comes from taking part in something that’s enjoyable.” This is good in contact sports, but what ends up happening is teens are facing negative stress. “Negative stress comes from having to face too many unwanted demands.” Demands could be coaches screaming to do better, try harder when you already are. Overall, teens should not play contact sports because they are being pushed too hard.

Teens should not play contact sports because you can receive many injuries when you are playing on the field. According to New York Times by Jane E. Brody “players with long-term brain damage and lawsuits allegations that the national football league hid the dangers of repeating head trauma.” This shows that many players are angry  that they didn't know how dangerous contact sports are and the Injuries you get from which could be long lasting. Additionally, according to a video clip from today.com, shows a young teen who got hit in the head with the puck during a hockey game. She didn’t know it yet but that one hit changed her life. She had to learn how to many things again for instance walking. Overall, this really shows how dangerous contact sports are and that young teens should not play because of the injuries you may get.

On the other hand, without sports kids are not as active. According to The New York Times “For children in sports, a breaking point” by Jane E. Brody this article states, “I wish many more would move away from their computer, put down their ipods and cellphones and devote more time and energy to physical activities.” This shows that without contact sports children are not being active and as involved in sports.. Teens won’t go outside, instead be on their electronics and parents don't want that. But really, according to New York Times  “For children in sports, a breaking point” by Jane E. Brody the text states, “to many young athletes are being pushed-or are pushing themselves-to the breaking down, physically and sometimes emotionally.” This shows that teens don't and should understand not to push themselves too hard that they will hurt themselves. This shows that teens playing contact sports should not because it is very dangerous.

In conclusion, teens should not play contact sports because it is very dangerous, can cause many injuries and can be very overwhelming and stressful. Teens aren’t always fully developed which gives them a higher risk of getting hurt. On top of this, they have parents and coaches yelling and making them feel pressured, which they don’t need. Therefore, teens should be fully aware that they shouldn’t play contact sports because it is very dangerous.

Bibliography

• Murray, Elizabeth. "Teens playing through pain, not taking sports injuries

    seriously, says study." Today.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2015.

<http://www.today.com/health/teens-playing-through-pain-not-taking-sports-injuries-seriously-says-1D80274256>.

• Winchester, Elizabeth. "Debate!" Times for Kids 16 Nov. 2012: n. pag. Print.
• Competitive Sports: Helping kids Play it Cool. kidshealth.org. N.p., n.d. Web.

    31 Jan. 2015. <http://kidshealth.org>.

• Brody, Jane E. "For children in sports, a Breaking Point." The New York Times.

    N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2015.

"Building Bridges" Essay

It is not unusual for guardians and their children to have arguments. Throughout the short story “Building Bridges” by Andrea Pinkney a grandma named Mama Lil and her granddaughter a teenage girl named Bebe, struggle  with letting go. Through various aspects of “Building Bridges”, Bebe wants to help repairs the Brooklyn Bridge her dream job, but Mama Lil is scared to let her go.  Throughout the short story, Pinkney teaches the reader that family bonds are hard to keep strong but Mama Lil and Bebe learn how to move on and forgive each other through this story.

In the beginning of “Building Bridges” Mama Lil and Bebe weren’t nice to each other and their relationship contentious. For example, Mama Lil said, “ I weighed too much and dressed badly.” Then Bebe thought back after Mama Lil said that, “ She smoked too much and overdid it with her fake gold chains.” The author really wants to show the reader how Mama Lil and Bebe fight and don't agree a lot. Mama Lil is reluctant to letting her go. They are very mean to each other and fight a lot. Mama Lil doesn’t think Bebe is the perfect person she wants her to be because she said Bebe,  “... weighed too much.” Mama Lil makes Bebe feel very upset. This shows how their relationship is complicated. They are both very opinionated. They love each other but can’t agree. For instance, after Bebe begged Mama Lil to sign the permission slip Mama Lil says, “ain’t no black woman doing no engineering...trying to cross the white man’s line.” The phrase “trying to cross the white man’s line” shows me that Mama Lil will not let bebe go and will not support her. Bebe is trying to understand why Mama Lil will not let  her go. Mama Lil doesn’t want to be alone and if Bebe goes and repairs the bridge she will be. Their relationship complicated  because both Mama Lil and Bebe don’t always agree. “She took another drag a heavy one this time and blew out a long quick breath. She was doing her best to tune me out.” This shows some of the struggles many  family’s relationships go through. It is very hard for guardians to let their kids go and Mama Lil loves Bebe so much she is afraid to let her go. Overall, in the beginning of “Building Bridges” Bebe and mama Lil don’t listen to each other and agree with each other.

In the middle of Building Bridges” Mama Lil and Bebe’s relationship is very fragile. They couldn’t just talk to each other without saying mean things or not agreeing. But, Bebe finally expresses herself. For example, when Bebe got really mad that Mama Lil was refusing to sign the permission slip she said, “Your eyes are closed, closed to seeing me.” Bebe gets frustrated because Mama Lil isn’t supporting her and listening to her. When Bebe says, “closed to seeing me” you can see that she is irritated because Mama Lil will not listen to her.  I think that Mama Lil is just too scared of letting her go because then she will be all alone. But Bebe doesn’t know that, so she feels alone and unsupported. Mama Lil is stuck between letting Bebe go and keeping her home with her. Overall, this shows how Mama Lil and Bebe can’t agree and let eachother speak without saying mean things. Additionally, when Mama Lil says, “Your dreams are the kind that’ll take you away from here, Bebe-- away from your Mama Lil. You got big hopes, child but they are gonna leave me alone.” This quote really shows Bebe what she has been missing. Mama Lil wants to send her, but she is just very scared to. She is afraid to be all alone. Bebe really wants to comfort her but she can’t because she is very committed and determined to achieve her dream which is to help repair the Brooklyn Bridge. Overall, this really shows how Mama Lil and Bebe’s relationship got stronger because they expressed their feelings.

Lastly, in the end of “ Building Bridges” Mama Lil and Bebe’s relationship becomes more open and honest because Mama Lil realizes that Bebe’s dream is too big to let go and ignore. For instance, Mama Lil said, “ Bebe, that bridge is lucky to have you.” This shows that Mama Lil finally let go. She is finally supporting Bebe and will help her achieve her goal. This is an example of a true, open and honest relationships. Their relationship is more powerful and better than the beginning of the story because Mama Lil is making Bebe feel more appreciated then before. Another example is when Mama Lil said, “ I been up most the night—thinking, praying and trying my best to read the confounded permission paper. They sure got a whole bunch of words typed on that thing, just to say I’m gonna let you help fix the bridge.” This quote really shows the Mama Lil realizes how she is old and doesn’t have a lot to look forward to and since Bebe has a dream, she realized that she has to do her best to support her and help her achieve it. Therefore, in the Bebe and Mama Lil become really close and their relationship became very open and grew stronger from the beginning of “Building Bridges”. Family relationships are a struggle and it’s normal for guardians to be unsure and nervous about letting their loved ones go and Mama Lil and Bebe’s relationship showed us.

In conclusion, in the short story “Building Bridges” Bebe and Mama Lil’s relationship grows. In the beginning of the story Both Mama Lil and Bebe were at odds. They fought a lot but, deep inside they still loved each other very much. In the middle, Bebe expressed herself and she told Mama Lil she was going to the bridge and nothing was getting in her way. Lastly, in the end Mama Lil learns to let Bebe go and Bebe finally feels supported, just as Mama Lil always really wanted her to be.This short story showed me that you have to be determined and never give up when you are so close to your dreams. It reveals the struggle your guardians could may go through but they sometimes realize that there loved ones dreams matter just as much. This message relates to many teenagers in the real world because many give up when people get in their way. But just like Bebe, you must stay determined and be confident about yourself to make your dreams come true. Readers respond to this short story because many go through this. In the end, you realize that it is important for guardians to let their children achieve their dreams.

My name piece

Kristyn

My name doesn’t have any special meaning or story behind it. Kristyn means “follower of Christ.” I like this because it relates to my religious beliefs.  My parents told me when I born they looked at me and said “ are you a…?” They have a very thick book with baby names underlined and circled. When my mom came across kristyn she was having trouble trying to come up with spelling. Kristen, Kristin, and Krystin then she came up with Kristyn. This spelling is very uncommon which is why she chose it. Whenever I go to a store and my brothers and sisters, and they find a key chain with their name on it. I never see the correct spelling of my name on one of those key chains. It makes me feel very upset. But at the same time it shows me how my name is very unique.

My middle name, Marie, it is passed down from my mom’s family. It is very simple and suits me best because it’s short and sweet. Marie means a type of sweet biscuit and extremely fun, caring, intelligent, very funny and beautiful person. I feel this name best suits me because all of those adjectives make me who I am. I am glad Marie was chosen for me because the sound of my full name flows well.

My name is like the color brown. This color is very unique because nobody really likes this color, as they’re favorite because it is not a very popular. This is the type of color you don’t pay attention to. The color brown relates to my name because of the spelling. Spelling my name with a y at the end makes this spelling very uncommon. I like the fact that is very original and was given to me because I don’t want to be like everyone else I want to stand out in a many different, and good ways.

My name is like the number seven. Seven is a prime number and a prime means no other number can be multiplied or fit in to seven. I like how my name is spelled with 7 letters because it shows that I am a special number and nobody can fit or act like me. Lastly the number seven is not a very popular number and that is like the spelling of my name. I like that because it makes me feel different and special.

At school my name changes from Kristyn, to Kris Kris or Kristy. Also at dance and soccer I am called by Kris. I think all my nicknames are okay. They aren’t my favorite. But kristyn, is a very hard to come up with nicknames. All my siblings and friends have cool nicknames that everyone calls them. For example I friend Agnes’s nickname is “aggie” a lot of people call her that. I wish I had a cool nickname too. I wouldn’t change my name just for that. It shows me one of the disadvantages of having my name but at the same time I can deal with it and kristyn has many other advantages including spelling and sound.

I feel my name best suits me. Everyone say I only look like a Kristyn and I guess that is a good thing. My name shaped me on becoming the person I am today. My name is very special to me because it is what I have been called my whole life. My name is what makes me who. Kristyn.