Editorials and Personal Columns

• The homecoming dance
• The homecoming game
• Children Shows

A columnist I read on a regular basis is Ann Shoket from Seventeen Magazine. I read them because her articles are always about new trends for young adults and interviews with celebrities. I keep going back to read them because there's always something new to learn or great tips for that time of year.  

CE Quiz 2.3

1. In Tuesday's paper on page A3 "Ellis Island", what do you know about Ellis Island? Would you like to visit the island? WHY or WHY NOT

I know that Ellis Island was where immigrants were taken to become citizens back in the early 1900s. I have visited the island before and it is so magnificent! I would definitely go again, there is so much history and a lot of things to learn, along with seeing the Statue of Liberty which is amazing!

2. In Tuesday's paper on page A7 "Thanks, Texas..." What points are the author trying to make about Texas? Do you agree or disagree with his perspective? WHY or WHY NOT

The author states that Texas is sacrificing their own poor people so that the poor people in New York could have free health care insurance. Basically, he is being very sarcastic towards Texas and how they are running things, and I disagree with his perspective because he is going about things the wrong way by ridiculing and being rude.

3. In Tuesday's paper on page B1 "School staff to get ...." What are your reactions to the story? Do you think the Bastrop staff should get the training? WHY or WHY NOT

I was shocked at some of the things that were happening in the Bastrop School district. I definitely think the Bastrop staff should get the training because things will only get worse if they don't work on changing the way they are doing things in the district.

4. In Wednesday's paper on page A11 "NFL not..." Do you think the concussion issue is enough to cause changes in the NFL? WHY or WHY NOT

No, because when going into the NFL, you know you are putting yourself at risk. They should make more protective head gear for people in football though for safety.

5.  In Thursday's paper on page A1 "Guards at lockup..." What should happen to guards at the facility?

I think the guards should lose their jobs. I don't agree with the way they are handling things. Using physical violence isn't going make troubled kids feel any better towards the world or improve their lives.

6.  In Thursday's paper on page A1 "Sebelien apologizes: Obama tries..." Should the computer problems plaguing the ACA be reflective on the job the President is doing as the leader of the United States? WHY or WHY NOT?

I don't think it should reflect on the job of the President, because he didn't do anything intentionally. 

SNO online papers

1. Who wrote the story?

Aleah Goldberg

2. What is their story about?

Their addiction and the problems with the game Candy Crush. 

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

"I'm glad the Candy Crush Saga era is coming to an end"

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

No.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

No.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

No.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

1st.

1. Who wrote the story?

Carley Rogers

2. What is their story about?

The lack of school spirit at football games.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

"Instead of sitting around talking with friends, students should stand up with their friends and cheer on the team."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

Yes.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

No.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

No.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

2nd.

1. Who wrote the story?

Sasha Johnson

2. What is their story about?

Girls playing football.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

"I believe that girls should be able to play football."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

Yes.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

No.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

No.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

First.

Personal Essays

1. What was one idea that the writer gave in the Wide Range of Topics section that you can use as you start deciding on a topic?
Conversational topics that get you excited.
2. What was one idea the writer gave in the Opinions Pieces section that you should remember as you are writing your piece?
Details draw the reader in, generalizations keep them out. Be specific.
3. List three suggestions the writer makes in the Personal Essays and Crafts section that you will use as you write.

• Personal essays by definition contain a personal perspective. You should be there. Watch your construction. If every sentence begins "I", you need to rephrase to provide a better rhythm and pace to your piece.
• No extra points for the number of facts you include. Academic essays contain more facts than opinions personal essays contain more opinions than facts. But ensure the facts you use are accurate. Check names, spellings, numbers. Two sources of confirmation are better than one.
• The hook is the device you use to get your reader's attention. It's the doorway through which you  welcoming them to the piece.

Opinions Piece

The social media, including magazines, television, and celebrities, is affecting the way girls perceive beauty.  It is forced in our heads that super skinny is the only way to be truly beautiful. I don't think girls should be constantly comparing and striving to be what they are told is "beautiful", and the social media is to blame for this.

From a young age, girls start watching television shows or reading magazines that glamorize these skinny flawless women. In reality, only 5 percent of women are this type of "beauty" that girls want to be. It's sad that girls don't see that they are the true beauty. Approximately 91 percent of women are unhappy with their bodies. Girls need to realize that true beauty isn't what's on television and in magazines, that is only made to seem like it is. So many girls are feeling bad for themselves for no reason.

Another issue that comes along from this image of "beauty", is eating disorders. I think this is so sad to see happen to girls, especially young girls. I don't think people truly understand how badly this is affecting the youth and it's only going to get worse. 95 percent of women with eating disorders are between the ages 12 and 25. The way a person thinks about themselves coincides with self-esteem. A low self-esteem in young people can lead to eating disorders.

Because of these problems, I think the social media needs to focus on advertising women who aren't anorexic or size zero. Girls at a young age are fragile and are going to look up to what they see and want to be that way. I think that things will only get worse if the media doesn't change what they're doing. Showing women of all different sizes and showing that they are just as beautiful, will solve so many issues now, and for the future.

Opinions writing

1. What do you think the major differences between a hard news story and an opinions piece? Come up with at least three.

Opinions pieces don't seem to follow the pyramid like most hard news stories do.

Opinion pieces mostly show one side of the story while hard news stories show the facts from every side.

Opinions pieces are as harsh or as light as they want to be while hard news stories can't put their opinions no matter how bad something could be.

2. Why do you think there aren't very many photos on this page?

There isn't an event that has happened or photos, and it's more focussed on the opinion being given.

3. What are three topics you think would be good to write an opinions piece on?

Cafeteria food

Movie theatre food prices

Halloween costumes at school 

Opinions writing preview activity

FIT

1. Who wrote the story?

Elyas Levens

2. What is their story about?

His opinions on FIT.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

"FIT has the potential to help the academic success of students because if they need extra help in class, tutoring, or even a simple study hall there is now time and a place to get it accomplished. "

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

Yes

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

Yes

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

Yes

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

3rd

DRESS CODE

1. Who wrote the story?

Elyas Levens

2. What is their story about?

Dress code.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic?

"Saying a person's dress is immoral is like saying that a gun picks itself up and shoots someone."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

Yes.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? 

No.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

No.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

1st.

SOCIAL MEDIA 

1. Who wrote the story?

Ashlee Thomason

2. What is their story about?

The social media.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic?

"Life would be less complex without social media."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

No.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion?

No.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

No.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

1st.

SENIORS ARE STEREOTYPED

1. Who wrote the story?

Meagan Prehn

2. What is their story about?

Seniors taunting freshman.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic?

"I feel that freshman should not take anything the seniors do personally because one day they are going to be in our shoes and want to do the same thing."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

Yes.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion?

No.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

No.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

1st.

STRESS, PRESSURE, AND GRADES

1. Who wrote the story?

Maryam Hussain. 

2. What is their story about?

The pressures of school. 

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic?

"As a junior I feel that I am constantly worrying more about my grades than the content of the work being studied."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

No.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion?

No.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

No.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

1st