Speak or Be Heard

Author’s Note: This is a conflict piece. I explain the conflict and give my possible resolutions. I support my idea with examples from the story. This will be graded on the reading rubric.

In the book, Speak, Melinda is a brand new, freshman in high school, every girl’s nightmare. But something’s different from Melinda’s life than all the other girls. Something happened at a high school party that drastically changed her entire life! This caused a huge conflict in her life causing the sweet, social butterfly Melinda change into a cutting, depressing girl no one ever thought she would be.This conflict is a person vs. society because it's her against everyone else!

One possible resolution to this enormous conflict is having Melinda talk about what happened. If she talked about it, maybe people would understand why she called the cops and start talking to her again! Another possible resolution to the conflict is to try to get Melinda’s life under control by helping her get good grades again and to try to talk to her old friends again. Lastly, a possible resolution could be to transfer schools or states to start a whole, new brand life. Melinda could start fresh and not worry about people finding out about what happened.

In conclusion, even though there was a very problematic conflict that happened in Melinda’s life, there are many resolutions that could solve this. Melinda could get her life under control, explain what happened or transfer schools to solve this problem. So what will she do? Will the conflict ever be resolved?

The War that Changed Everything

Author’s Note: This is a comparative essay. This writing piece shows that know how to compare and contrast two different stories. I am comparing the movie the Patriot and the book, Sarah Bishop. I explain the similarities and differences between the two. I support my ideas with events from the story. This piece will help me reach of my language arts goals which is having a clear thesis statement and transitions for all paragraphs.

Imagine that you are in a cave all alone, with nothing but a snow, white bat to keep you company. What about if you were fighting in the revolutionary war, knowing you could die any second of the day? How would you feel in these situations? Frightened or brave? The book, Sarah Bishop, has many similarities with the movie, The Patriot, though they do have many differences.

           

            One of the big similarities between the two stories is that they are fighting for their lives. Sarah is trying to survive by killing wild animals and living in a cave with nothing but a blanket to keep her warm in the winter. On the other hand, Benjamin and his son, Gabriel, are fighting for their lives in the actual war. This causes many problems for both of them but fortunately Benjamin and Sarah live through it.

            Even though fighting for their lives is a huge similarity, trying to survive with a broken family is also an enormous similarity between the two stories. In the beginning of the story, Sarah lost her brother and father in the war. So she made her decision that she had to run away from the war and hide until it was done. Sarah basically had to take care of herself when she was only fifteen years old! However, Benjamin lost his wife and had to take care of seven kids by himself. So when he went to go fight for the war, after his second oldest son was shot by a British soldier, all the younger children stayed with his wife’s sister. Gabriel, the oldest son, went with his father to fight for what he thought was right, but sadly died in the war. Benjamin then had to survive without his two older sons, but still kept fighting!

            Although similarities between the two stories are valuable, the stories do show many differences. One of the main differences is that Sarah is running away from the war, and Benjamin is in the middle of it! British soldiers were chasing Sarah, proclaiming that she started a fire, and since of course, she didn’t, Sarah had to hide where nobody could find her. Sarah despised the war and didn’t understand why there even had to be a war, but after the war ended she finally understood. Alternatively, Benjamin was planning and setting up attacks where the patriots could kill as many British soldiers as they could. He took part in many battles and in the last main battle, Yorktown, the British finally surrendered. Benjamin was a big part of the patriots winning the war and that was because even when there was a bump in the road, he still kept going.

            As you can see, the two amazing stories have many similarities but do have extreme differences. Sarah is running away and living in a cave by herself, and Benjamin is fighting and killing red coats for their independence. Both of these main characters survive many adventures, some bad, and some good but overall they are both ecstatic that they are finally free from Britain. How would you feel if you were controlled by a country that was almost 3,000 miles away from you? Would you want to be free and fight for what’s right or take the “safe side” and fight for the British? What would you do?

The Miracle

Author's note: This is a creative piece, short story. This will be graded on the writing rubric. Hopefully, I can reach one of my goals with this piece. This piece is about a girl falling in love with a guy who she thinks that she is invisible to him. Will they get together or will she be heart broken? Hope you enjoy it!

I stood there in the darkening shadows, watching Ethan crack jokes with his two best friends, Brandon and Spencer. His emerald, green eyes sparkled in the sunlight as he threw his head back and laughed. My diminutive, 18 year old, heart melted. Ethan was my true love, I knew it. Every time I was around him I got butterflies in my stomach and I could barely breathe! The bad part is, I’m invisible to him, nothing more than just an acquaintance. But to me, he’s my knight and shining armor, my prince and my hero.

When the guys finally decided to leave, I hopped out behind the itchy bush, got in my zebra, hot pink convertible and drove home. “Mom, I’m home!” I screamed, my stomach gurgling because I skipped lunch to spy on Ethan. “Hi honey! I’ll be right down, I’m on the phone with your aunt. I just made home-made brownies! They’re in the kitchen.” The second I heard brownies I grabbed a fork and took the whole pan up to my room. I plopped down on my queen size, black and white bed and ate a few brownies. All of a sudden, I heard an irritating noise coming from my laptop. An IM. My heart started racing, hoping, maybe it was from Ethan. I slowly walked to my desk and silently prayed it was from him. And guess what? It was.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!” I screamed at the top of my lungs! Ethan, the Ethan, my true love IMed me! Me out of all people! “Hey.” It said. I tried to calm down, but was practically hyperventilating! My mom opened the door, “Is something wrong?” She questioned. I quickly closed my IM down and clicked on my “homework.” “Everything’s fine! I was just confused on a problem and finally figured it out.” I explained, biting my nails, hoping she would believe me. “Okay.” Mom said with a suspicious look on her face. She picked up the half- eaten brownie pan and closed the door behind her.

“Hey. What’s up?” I typed, my fingers practically shaking. “Nothing, I just wanted to ask you about the physics project. Do you want to be partners? I have to pick a girl and I thought I’d pick you.” I about fainted. No, you know what; I was going to explode into a million pieces. What should I say? Of course? Sure? I would love to? This was so complicated! “Yeah, sure.” I finally typed. “Awesome, could you come over tomorrow after school to work on it?” I, about, died. “Of course!” I typed. “Cool. See you then.(;”He logged off. I couldn’t contain myself any longer, I bellowed as loud as I could until I got out of breath and collapsed onto my bed, with a prodigious smile on my face.

The next day I got up super early so I could prepare for my “date” as I like to call it, with Ethan. I did my make up extra attractive and curled my hair into long, wavy curls. My outfit was the next challenge. After many outfits, I finally picked a long sleeve, gray top from forever 21,  a jean mini-skirt with gray leggings, a long heart necklace and black boots. I was ready to go to Ethan’s!

School went like a blur. I was so nervous about Ethan’s that I couldn’t pay attention in class and probably bombed my Trigonometry test too. When the final bell rang, I raced out of the class and went straight to the bathroom to touch up my make- up. After that, I went to my locker and guess who was waiting for me. That’s right. Ethan. My heart melted and I thought I was going to faint right there infront of him. “Hey.” He said and smiled with his sparkling, white teeth.”Hi” I finally managed to get out of my tongue-tied mouth, smelling his amazing cologne. I gathered all my stuff and walked with Ethan to his car. He opened the passenger door for me, what a gentlemen, and got in. We talked about family, sports and different hobbies. Surprisingly, I started to feel more and more comfortable with him even though I was still jittery inside.

When we finally got to his house, my jaw dropped. It was a mansion, and no, I’m not exaggerating. “Well here we are!” Ethan beamed and rushed over to my door, to open it for me. I got my bag and thanked him. We went into the enormous house and said hello to his mom. “Do you guys want something to drink or eat? There are fresh baked cookies in the oven! I’ll come and give them to you when you’re done!” His mom smiled and watched us go to the basement to work on the project. “So let’s start working on that project!” He exclaimed. “Okay” I got out all the books and started to work. We got most of the project done, but got bored so we just started talking. All of a sudden there was a moment of silence and our eyes met. That’s when he leaned over and kissed me. That second, his mom walked in with a surprised look on her face, dropping the fresh bakes cookies on the floor.

The Woman That Changed His Life

Author’s Note: This is a predicting piece. I read the story, Thank You Ma’am, and wrote a new scene. I include evidence from the story to support my ideas. This will be graded on the predicting section of the reading rubric. This will help reach one of my quarter 3 goals. I believe this event will happen because it seems in the story that they will run into each other again and become friends.

(1 year later…..)

“Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, is that you,” questioned the boy. It was a year later since he last seen that familiar face that started his brand, new life.

 “It sure is. Hey, I remember you. You tried to steal my pocketbook and I took care of you.” She looked down at his shoes. A small smile appeared on her face. “I also bought you those shoes you have on.”

 The boy laughed and said,” Yes you did. You also taught me how to take care of myself and how it felt like to be loved. Well, I finally sat down with my folks and told them how irresponsible it was of them not taking care of me. They were mighty mad, but I think a light switched on in their heads. It was like a whole, new, different life for me. You changed my life.” The woman smiled. “I tend to do that.”

 “Would you want to get some coffee? I was just getting some food from the market for my family, but I don’t think they’d mind if I sat down and caught up with the woman that changed my life.” The boy asked. “Well I would absolutely love that.”

The boy and the woman talked for a while about how he was doing and how she was doing. They made sure to keep in touch. I mean without  Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, the boy would still be stealing and living in the life of crime. The following years they became great friends and even though the woman was getting very old, and the boy now had a family, they kept in touch through their whole life. The boy will never forget that large woman with the large purse that changed his life forever.

I Know Your Secret..

 This is a retelling piece. I used my book ad summary and added on to it. This shows I know how to summarize a story. I support my ideas with the main topic of the book and the most exciting part.

Blue Is For Nightmares

The thrilling story of two best friends fighting for their lives will leave you wanting for more! The most exciting thing that happened in this book was when Stacey started having crazy things happen to her! Nightmares, strange phone calls and high school drama will reveal a horrible death that no one could ever think of happening. Will the two best friends survive, or will it be too late?

The Job of a Lifetime

Author’s Note: This is a predicting piece to improve my score on predicting on the reading rubric. This writing piece demonstrates I know how to synthesize my predictions using relevant textual support. I am creating a new scene about what will happen next. I am having this piece not be graded.

“You’re fired!” Obi’s boss exclaimed angrily. Obi’s face fell and tears began appearing in his eyes. “Please reconsider your decision. I will change and make a new beginning for the school, but with the ancient charm!” Obi pleads, grasping his hands together. The boss looks at him, knowing what it was like when he was once a young, twenty six year old. “You have one more chance. If you don’t change your ways, you’re out of here.” He said, making up his decision. Obi’s eyes lit up like he just won one million dollars. “Thank you! You will not be disappointed!” Obi vociferated and dashed through the door, already having new ideas popping up in his head.

The next two weeks, Obi and his wife, Nancy, created a whole different school, modernizing it but keeping the historical pieces so everyone could keep the past with them. Obi changed his ways and finally understood what was really happening. His boss was very impressed with his work and even gave him a raise! The school progressed and succeeded throughout the next several years. Obi and his wife made it basically a family business for Obi’s children and grandchildren. The school is still here and Michael and Nancy Obi will be remembered forever.

Pretty Little Liars

Author’s Note: This is a new retelling piece. This piece shows that I know how to explain and summarize a story in an informal essay. This will improve my goals for 3^rd quarter and hopefully raise my grade for retelling to a 10.

Imagine your best friend getting murdered out of now where. One second she’s there and the next thing you know, she’s gone. Then all of a sudden you’re getting these weird messages about all your secrets. But the only one who knew your secrets was Ali, your best friend, and she was dead. This is what Emily, Hanna, Aria and Spencer have to deal with throughout the book series, Pretty Little Liars.

In the beginning of the story, the old best friends split apart after Ali was murdered. Her murder was never solved and after a few months people basically stopped caring. The four, old best friends don’t really know how to take it, so they basically create new lives, without each other. Everyone is perfectly happy but then their lives start turning upside down. All the girls start getting text messages, emails and IM’s about their deepest, darkest secrets that only Ali knew. Every message ends with –A. They eventually tell each other and try to figure out who this person is.

Next, the girls start to do crazy things because of A. If they don’t do these things, A would tell all their secrets and the biggest one of all, the Jenna Thing. That secret could never get out because they could get in huge trouble with the police or worse, prison. One big event that happened in Pretty Little Liars was when Toby killed himself. This made a huge impact in the four girl’s lives because they thought A was Toby, but they still kept getting messages from A. This caused a lot of problems for Emily, Aria, Spencer and Hannah and now they didn’t know who to trust.

 So now you’re probably wondering, who is A? Who killed Ali? Throughout the book series they start getting clues about who did all these horrible things and eventually they find out. Through friendship, betrayal and high school drama the four Pretty Little Liars will never be the same again.