Alchemist Personal Legend 5 Paragraph Essay

My Personal Legend: Traveling

Nothing fills my heart with joy like traveling. My earliest memory of it was when I walked through the Andalusian countryside as a boy. I could travel for the rest of my life by being a shepherd, and by pursuing my dream of finding treasure in Egypt. There may be some challenges along the way, like getting robbed and selling crystal for a year, but I can handle them.  Traveling is my Personal Legend.

To begin with, I remember the first time I went exploring the hills outside my family’s village on my own. It made an impression on me because even though it was a little scary, I couldn’t resist the urge to see new places. Then there was that time when my uncle came to town and I stayed up late into the night listening to his stories about exotic foreign lands. Just the idea of hearing different languages, or tasting unusual foods, makes me dream of taking to the road. Traveling has been exciting to me for as long as I can remember.

There are lots of things I could do with my life in order to travel as much as possible. For example, I could buy some sheep and become a shepherd. Shepherds are always looking for new places to let their sheep graze. Additionally, if I pursue my dream about finding treasure, I’ll likely end up in Egypt. There are certainly many different things I could do in life to ensure that I can travel as much as possible.

Some may say that there are too many challenges for me to face if I want to travel. For example, travelers often get robbed. Though getting robbed is certainly no fun at all, I think my love of traveling will help me take setbacks like that in stride. Also, I know that living my Personal Legend won’t happen right away, and I may end up selling crystal in Tangier for a while, but as long as I keep my eyes on the prize, I’ll get there.  There will be obstacles, but just remember, “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.”

In conclusion, living my Personal Legend of traveling will lead to a life well spent. From the very first time I set my foot on the open road, I knew that seeing new places was my first love. I’ll get to try lots of different ways to embrace traveling, but becoming a shepherd seems like the best one for now. Getting robbed and stopping in Tangier will be obstacles that I’ll encounter, but as long as I remember how much I love traveling, I can overcome them. We only have one life to live, and I can’t think of a better way to live mine than to travel as much as possible!

 I got the image from http://aaronberchild.blogspot.com/2012/10/santiago-alchemist.html

Perfect Paragraph Practice

Getting out of bed is way too hard these days. It's so dark in the morning that when I wake up I still think it's night time. It seems like even an extra cup of coffee doesn't help. I spend every weekday dreaming of the weekends because I love sleeping in. With winter coming, and the days getting shorter, I don't expect getting out of bed to get any easier.

A Conversation to Remember: Telling Stories with Dialog

All of us have had conversations that we remember. Sometimes a conversation, or even just a few words from a conversation, can change our lives forever. Dialog is a great literary device, or writing tool, that authors can use to develop their characters and speed their stories along. Now it's your turn to take a dialog driven story out for a spin!

Goals for this Unit:

Write a 2 page personal narrative (handwritten and single spaced), centered around a dialogue that changed your life, and post it on your blog. It may be between you and anybody else you like. There could even be more than just two speakers involved. It could be about a serious and sad situation, or a funny and amusing one. It’s important to make sure your writing sounds like you – use your “voice.” Properly punctuated slang is acceptable (i.e. ‘cause, for because). Your final draft will be posted on your blog. Please include at least one image. Use the rules for punctuating dialog, below.

Include:

1. A clear description of the setting at the beginning, which sets the mood, or atmosphere, for the story (Where and when does this conversation take place? With whom are you speaking? What happened, or what was said to start the conversation?).

2. A dialog between yourself and one, or many, others. Your dialog should build to a dramatic climax, when that one memorable line was spoken, and then lead back “downwards” (falling action), towards your resolution.

3. A resolution that tells about what you learned, and how your life was different after the conversation.

4. At least 3 examples of different literary devices - including simile, metaphor, repetition, alliteration, foreshadowing and personification.

Rules for Punctuating Dialog:

When you are writing narrative, as in fiction, words spoken by a character are enclosed in quotation marks. Explanations of actions are not. Look at this dialogue closely to notice where words are capitalized. (Notice that “he said” or “replied Jane,” is not a complete sentence.)

"So this is a dialog, " said Tarzan.
"Yes, that's right.” Jane untied the vines around her grammar and punctuation handbook. "You'll notice that whenever a new speaker starts talking, he or she begins a new paragraph, even if it's very short."
"Really?" Even a single word gets its own paragraph, if it's a new speaker taking a turn.
"Yes , " replied Jane. "It's a great convenience to the reader. And that way the writer can skip some of the boring ' he said/she said ' stuff, as long as it's clear who's talking." Notice that a quotation within a quotation is enclosed in single quote marks
"The paragraphs have to be indented and everything?"
"Yup. But of course if the same speaker keeps on talking, it stays within the same set of quotation marks. If one speaker talks for a while and changes the topic, so that you'd want to start a new paragraph, then you show that by not closing the quotes at the end of the paragraph, but opening the quotes at the beginning of the next.
"Tarzan, where are you going with that grammar book? Please give me that." Since Jane continued to speak when she changed the subject, her words got a new paragraph, but didn't close the quotation in the previous paragraph.

© 2006 Ellen Gruber Garvey – New Jersey City University

Science Systems Essay: A Letter to the Human Body Corp.

Dear Human Body Corporation:

Today, I found out that you are planning to fire me, your endocrine system, and you need to know that that would be a huge mistake. I've done so much to look out for you all these years, and this is what I get? How could you be so ungrateful? Clearly, you've forgotten about what it is exactly that I do for you; it's time for a reminder. Seriously, even though there are other body systems, the endocrine system shouldn't be fired because that would cause growth disorders, a nasty disease called P.O.S., and diabetes.

Hey, you're not even fully grown yet, and if you fire me, you might not ever be! Without me you'll be overweight for your height. Your growth would slow down dramatically. In fact, your face would always look younger than your actual age, and not in a good way. People would think you were some kind of little fat freak because of all of your growth disorders.

Then there's P.O.S. - polycystic ovarian syndrome. Think you're a pizza face now? Well you wouldn't believe how bad your zits will be without me! Oh, and you'll develop some lovely velvety dark skin around your neck and armpits! By the way, if you're a lady, you can expect to have to start shaving - your whole body! Lose the endocrine system, and say hello to P.O.S.!

By getting rid of me you'd also risk getting diabetes, another serious disease! Diabetes can lead to heart disease. Also, you might go blind. Kidney disease would also be likely if I weren't around to take care of you. Diabetes is a frightening disease, and without me there's a good chance you'll develop it.

Don't fire the endocrine system if you want to avoid growth disorders, P.O.S. and diabetes! Sure there are other body systems, but we're all important! I know that times are tough, but you should seriously consider maybe just shaving off all your hair if cut backs are absolutely necessary. We've come a long way together, and I think we can still have a great future. Hey, would you really want to be a short, fat, blind, pizza face with a mustache? Let's work this out.

Sincerely,
The Endocrine System

Picture

Debate Essay Competition

Now that we've practiced the construction of an expository 5 paragraph essay, it's time to get down to business and write a real one! We've been debating in class so that you all understand that this kind of essay is really like a written debate, or argument, even if it is one sided (that is, no one will be rebutting your arguments as you state them).

We voted on the poll on this blog, and the proposition for this debate will be...

A laptop computer should be provided to every student at BMS.

You may choose to write on either the affirmative or negative side of this debate.

Prize: There will be a drawing for an 8 gig iPod Nano at the end of this unit. Upon completing each stage of the assignment, students will receive a single ticket to submit to the drawing. There will be an additional ticket for those who choose to play Devil's Advocate, and write on the negative side of the debate. This ticket will be handed out upon completion of the 3rd stage of the assignment.

In order to be eligible for the iPod, the first 3 stages of the assignment must be complete. The drawing for the iPod will take place during announcements on the day before winter break.

Time line:

1. Day 1 - Complete outline: Notes only (not complete sentences), properly organized and color coordinated. Grabbers and clinchers may not be the same as the thesis statement.
A Day = 12/2 B Day = 12/3

2. Day 2 - Rough draft: Heading (name, class, date in upper left corner), title properly capitalized, double spaced, hand written in pencil, color underlined reasons and supporting paragraphs.
A Day = 12/8 B Day = 12/9

3. Day 3 - Clean draft: All of the above, plus, neat and no apparent errors, After approval by me, posted on the wall outside the classroom.
A Day = 12/10 B Day = 12/11

4. Blog post - Final Step: Post on blog, no errors and a picture.
Due for A & B Day 12/15

Getting Connected with Fun Poll Assignment

One of the best ways to get ideas about how to improve your blog, and how to complete assignments for your blog, is to look at some of your classmates' fine blog work. For this assignment you will need to do the following:

1. Gather the Gmail addresses for five of your classmates.

2. Email all five with a fun note saying 'hi'!

3. After you've received email from your five friends, create a 'group' in Gmail so you can email all of them with a single message.

• First, send a quick reply to the people you got emails from. This will make them a 'contact'. Then, click on 'contacts' to the left of your inbox > select the people you want in your group (select 'all contacts' to see a list you can pick from) > click on 'groups' > new group, and give your group a name > groups > select the group you just created
  

Adding a parent or grandparent would be really awesome! You can always see who's in your group, and manage that list, by clicking on the name of the group in 'contacts', on the left hand side of your main screen.

4. Now let's go to your blog and create a poll (a multiple choice survey question) for the people in your group to answer.

• From your Blogger dashboard select 'layout' > add gadget > poll > insert your question (properly capitalized and punctuated!) and insert the answer options > save
  

Have fun with this. Think of something silly you'd like to know about your friends. View your blog to make sure it looks right. How cool would it be to have family members vote on something like what everyone wants to do with your next vacation?! The possibilities are endless!

5. Return to your Gmail and 'compose mail'. Start writing the name of the group in the 'To' line and select it when it pops up. 'Subject' line, "Come vote on the poll on my blog!"

6. Create a link for them to follow to your blog.

• From your blog's front page, select and copy the entire address from the main address bar at the top.

• Back in the email you're writing, click on the button that looks like a chain link. In 'Text to display', write, "Click here to see my blog." In the 'Link to box', right click and 'paste' your address. Click 'ok'. Add a personal message if you like and press 'send'.

7. Follow the links sent to you by your friends when you get their emails - and vote on their polls! Have fun!

Now you know how to create email groups and send email to them, and how to create a poll on your blog. Keep your friends and family members updated on your language arts work, or any other cool stuff you post! Cheers!

5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay Practice

The motto for effective persuasive essay writing is, "Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em. Tell 'em. Then, tell 'em what you told 'em!"

In your first paragraph, or introduction to your essay, your primary goals are to describe the main point you'll be trying to persuade your reader to agree with you on (this is known as the Thesis Statement), and to lay out the main ideas you'll be using to support that point.

In the body, or middle, of your essay, you'll use a paragraph to explain, give details and examples, for each of your main ideas.

Finally, in the conclusion, your last paragraph needs to restate your Thesis Statement, summarize the main points you covered in support of it, and leave the reader with a memorable and powerful final statement of your position, known as the Clincher Statement.

Here's an example for you to follow. Note the Transition Words at the beginning of each paragraph, to help guide the reader through the argument. Cheers!

Mr.A - The Best Rodeo Clown There Ever Was!

When I grow up, I think I'd make a great rodeo clown. I've always enjoyed being trapped in small places with dangerous animals. One of my favorite things to do is to redirect the attention of bullies in the classroom, so that nice kids don't have to deal with them. I even have some experience with barn-yard animals. I'm comfortable with dangerous animals, I don't mind risk taking to help other people and I like barn-yard animals, therefore, I will be the best rodeo clown there ever was!

The first reason why I'll be a great rodeo clown is that being around dangerous animals has always come naturally to me. There was that time when I was hunting, when I sat twenty feet away from a sow and two cubs as they ate salmon out of a stream. I'm always watching dangerous animal shows on the Discovery Channel. When ever I'm close to a man eating animal, I feel more alive than ever. Being able to be comfortable near dangerous animals is the first step to becoming a rodeo clown.

Also, helping people in danger is another thing I really enjoy. It's so exciting to see the look of relief on a person's face when you save them. When I'm helping people avoid physical harm, I feel like a super hero. I am to helping people in danger, what a fire extinguisher is to a fire! Being able to help people in danger for the rest of my life would be fantastic!

Finally, working with barn-yard animals takes a special talent. I gained a lot of experience with bulls and other large animals on my relative's farm. I learned a lot about the way bulls think. For example, if you run across a bull's corral with a red bandanna hanging out of your back pocket, he'll start chasing you! The time I spent on a farm is sure to give me an advantage when it comes to becoming a rodeo clown.

In conclusion, the three most important ingredients required in order to become a successful rodeo clown are being comfortable with dangerous animals, a willingness to help people in danger and barn-yard experience, and I've got them all! I want to be the best rodeo clown of all time. I'm never so happy as when I'm in the midst of farm life. It's like Ben said, "Mr.Allison, you're a clown!" When I streak across a field in front of a raging bull, my soul is filled with delight, and that's why I'll be the best rodeo clown there ever was!


My rodeo clown picture came from http://photo.monkey.net/index.php?showimage=247