Personal Narrative
For the Crossroads’ orientation on the first day, it was a very bright and sunny outside. It was windy and I felt like it’s going to be good day. (I really didn’t want school to start and hoped summer would be a little longer.) My mom checked the bus schedule so we could arrive at the orientation early. My mom doesn’t want to be late ever. She checked the directions the night before and knew when to get on the bus and what time we were expected to be at the orientation.
My mom said I needed to learn the directions to school so my sister and I can travel back and forth without my mom taking us to school. I was not a bit nervous about getting lost because my mom knew the directions. I felt very confident and just wanted the orientation to be done and over with.
“It’s time to go,” Mom called, and we headed out the door.
We arrived at the bus stop to wait for the bus. We were only there about a couple of minutes but to me it seemed like a hour. I really didn’t actually take SEPTA by myself before, and I didn’t know what it felt like. On the bus my mom told me where to get off and when the bus would be coming.When we got on the bus we found our seats.
There are not many people on the bus in the morning usually, so my mom decided to sit in the back so we could all sit together. My mom said that my sister and I should work harder in our new school. She said that this school year might be a little harder. I just looked out the window; a lot of places were strange to me but others were familiar. I really enjoy bus rides, just looking out the window when the bus moves.
A while later we arrived at the Wissahickon Transfer Station, we got on the 61 and my mom was a little confused so she asked for directions. At first there is not that much people, but as we went further down, there are awful lots of people and it was hard to see which stop we were. My mom told my sister and I that the 61 bus is usually like that, so be careful.
It took a little long time to get there because a lot of people were getting on and off the bus. When it was our stop we got off the bus and walked to the school. After the orientation my mom told us how to walk to school and where to wait for the bus. To be honest I really didn’t pay attention to what my mom was saying because I could learn it on the first day of school, right?
On the first day of school, my mom took my sister and I to school, and we arrived kind of late due to the traffic. Since my sister and I got up a little late and expect to be there on time, we knew that the following my sister and I needed to get up a little earlier to catch the bus. It’s enjoying taking the SEPTA with my mom because she tell us story about when she was small. She talked about how she listened to her mother and when she went to school.
Tuesday came, and without my mom we went to school by ourselves because I knew my mom was tired. After getting off the 61, my sister and I got lost. We turned directions this way and that way, but it seemed like we were walking in a circle. Finally, we give up and called my mom. With her directions, we were able to go to school. It was late though, and the classes had already started.
After school we tried to figure out the way to the bus stop, but ended up dumbfounded. The only choice we had was to call my mom and tell her the truth. I really wished I had payed attention to her the first time.
Now I know to pay attention and to cease being lazy. I knew my mom was trying hard to get us to learn the directions and I was not listening. Next time, I’ll pay attention to her, and I’m sure I won’t get lost like the time we went to school and had to walk around and around in circles!
My mom said I needed to learn the directions to school so my sister and I can travel back and forth without my mom taking us to school. I was not a bit nervous about getting lost because my mom knew the directions. I felt very confident and just wanted the orientation to be done and over with.
“It’s time to go,” Mom called, and we headed out the door.
We arrived at the bus stop to wait for the bus. We were only there about a couple of minutes but to me it seemed like a hour. I really didn’t actually take SEPTA by myself before, and I didn’t know what it felt like. On the bus my mom told me where to get off and when the bus would be coming.When we got on the bus we found our seats.
There are not many people on the bus in the morning usually, so my mom decided to sit in the back so we could all sit together. My mom said that my sister and I should work harder in our new school. She said that this school year might be a little harder. I just looked out the window; a lot of places were strange to me but others were familiar. I really enjoy bus rides, just looking out the window when the bus moves.
A while later we arrived at the Wissahickon Transfer Station, we got on the 61 and my mom was a little confused so she asked for directions. At first there is not that much people, but as we went further down, there are awful lots of people and it was hard to see which stop we were. My mom told my sister and I that the 61 bus is usually like that, so be careful.
It took a little long time to get there because a lot of people were getting on and off the bus. When it was our stop we got off the bus and walked to the school. After the orientation my mom told us how to walk to school and where to wait for the bus. To be honest I really didn’t pay attention to what my mom was saying because I could learn it on the first day of school, right?
On the first day of school, my mom took my sister and I to school, and we arrived kind of late due to the traffic. Since my sister and I got up a little late and expect to be there on time, we knew that the following my sister and I needed to get up a little earlier to catch the bus. It’s enjoying taking the SEPTA with my mom because she tell us story about when she was small. She talked about how she listened to her mother and when she went to school.
Tuesday came, and without my mom we went to school by ourselves because I knew my mom was tired. After getting off the 61, my sister and I got lost. We turned directions this way and that way, but it seemed like we were walking in a circle. Finally, we give up and called my mom. With her directions, we were able to go to school. It was late though, and the classes had already started.
After school we tried to figure out the way to the bus stop, but ended up dumbfounded. The only choice we had was to call my mom and tell her the truth. I really wished I had payed attention to her the first time.
Now I know to pay attention and to cease being lazy. I knew my mom was trying hard to get us to learn the directions and I was not listening. Next time, I’ll pay attention to her, and I’m sure I won’t get lost like the time we went to school and had to walk around and around in circles!
Persuasive Essay
Joyce Lin
Mr. Southerton
Writing
1-15-13
High School Dropouts
Approximately one-third of all high school students in the United States fail to graduate (Career Connection). They end up homeless because they drop out. The job they applied for like a doctor, a lawyer, or a teacher needs a degree and four years in college. But according to many students their reasons for dropping out was because they were bored with school, had missed too many days and couldn’t catch up, spent time with people who were not interested in school, have too much freedom and not enough rules in their lives and were failing high school. Students should not be allowed to drop out before they turn eighteen because education is too important, adult life is harder without an education, and you won’t get the job you want.
Education is too important for high school students. According to the article “Dropouts-U.S. Department of Education,” the percentage of 16 through 24 years olds who are not in school and have not earned a high school diploma or an alternative credential. The number of high school students who drop out each day is 8,300 which is over a thousand students dropping out each day (Amy M. Azzan). When you plan to drop out, the choice you are choosing for yourself is homelessness. On the other hand, if you have a higher GPA and a good education you will get the job you want and the salaries you desire per month.
Adult life is harder without an education. 81% of people said that graduating from high school was important to success in life. According to the article “Special Report/Why Students Drop Out”, most high school students expressed regret for having dropped out of school. 74% of them said that if they could have relived the experience, they would have stayed in school (Amy m. Azzan). Typically high school dropouts earn $19,000 a year and high school graduates earn $28,000. Nationally, 68% of state prison inmates are dropouts (Career Connections), suggesting that if you graduate from high school and finish college, that’s the key to success in life and your life would be a lot less complex.
If any high school students decides to drop out, they won’t get the job they wanted. Because you didn’t graduate high school with a bachelor degree which is really important. A high school dropout earns nearly $10,000 less a year than someone with a diploma. That adds up. Over a lifetime, high school dropouts make about $1 million less than college grads (Career Connections). Dropouts are much more likely than high school graduates to get divorced and to be single parents of children who also drop out from high school. They even get sick a lot more often than people who have diplomas (Career Connections). High school students might not have enough money to pay their bills, mortgages, live in a good house or neighborhood.
Students should not be allowed to drop out before they turn eighteen because education is way too important, adult life is harder without an education, and you won’t get the job you want. High school students need to stay in school to get the education that were provided and the opportunities that were given. They shouldn’t drop out just because their friends are doing it, and thought school is bored. They would just end up broke and will have to spent the rest of their life out in the street. It’s a good choice that you stay in high school and continue to stay in school until you graduated from college and into a successful life.
Works Cited
Azzan, Amy M. "Membership." Educational Leadership:The Prepared Graduate:Why Students Drop Out. Educational Leadership, Apr. 2007. Web. 28 Jan. 2014.
Burea, Census. "Dropouts." Educational Week. Edweek.org, n.d. Web. 8 Jan. 2014.
Mr. Southerton
Writing
1-15-13
High School Dropouts
Approximately one-third of all high school students in the United States fail to graduate (Career Connection). They end up homeless because they drop out. The job they applied for like a doctor, a lawyer, or a teacher needs a degree and four years in college. But according to many students their reasons for dropping out was because they were bored with school, had missed too many days and couldn’t catch up, spent time with people who were not interested in school, have too much freedom and not enough rules in their lives and were failing high school. Students should not be allowed to drop out before they turn eighteen because education is too important, adult life is harder without an education, and you won’t get the job you want.
Education is too important for high school students. According to the article “Dropouts-U.S. Department of Education,” the percentage of 16 through 24 years olds who are not in school and have not earned a high school diploma or an alternative credential. The number of high school students who drop out each day is 8,300 which is over a thousand students dropping out each day (Amy M. Azzan). When you plan to drop out, the choice you are choosing for yourself is homelessness. On the other hand, if you have a higher GPA and a good education you will get the job you want and the salaries you desire per month.
Adult life is harder without an education. 81% of people said that graduating from high school was important to success in life. According to the article “Special Report/Why Students Drop Out”, most high school students expressed regret for having dropped out of school. 74% of them said that if they could have relived the experience, they would have stayed in school (Amy m. Azzan). Typically high school dropouts earn $19,000 a year and high school graduates earn $28,000. Nationally, 68% of state prison inmates are dropouts (Career Connections), suggesting that if you graduate from high school and finish college, that’s the key to success in life and your life would be a lot less complex.
If any high school students decides to drop out, they won’t get the job they wanted. Because you didn’t graduate high school with a bachelor degree which is really important. A high school dropout earns nearly $10,000 less a year than someone with a diploma. That adds up. Over a lifetime, high school dropouts make about $1 million less than college grads (Career Connections). Dropouts are much more likely than high school graduates to get divorced and to be single parents of children who also drop out from high school. They even get sick a lot more often than people who have diplomas (Career Connections). High school students might not have enough money to pay their bills, mortgages, live in a good house or neighborhood.
Students should not be allowed to drop out before they turn eighteen because education is way too important, adult life is harder without an education, and you won’t get the job you want. High school students need to stay in school to get the education that were provided and the opportunities that were given. They shouldn’t drop out just because their friends are doing it, and thought school is bored. They would just end up broke and will have to spent the rest of their life out in the street. It’s a good choice that you stay in high school and continue to stay in school until you graduated from college and into a successful life.
Works Cited
Azzan, Amy M. "Membership." Educational Leadership:The Prepared Graduate:Why Students Drop Out. Educational Leadership, Apr. 2007. Web. 28 Jan. 2014.
Burea, Census. "Dropouts." Educational Week. Edweek.org, n.d. Web. 8 Jan. 2014.
Flash Fiction
Joyce Lin
Mr. Southerton
Writing
4-17-14
Making a New Friend
Just a month ago my family was packing up our things getting ready to move. Alice, a slave girl that we brought, helped me with my clothes. I glanced around room. The picture of the family vacation we went on last year to France, the trophy I won for the spelling bee, and the awards that I won for the art contest were all taken down. Now this room would soon be someone else’s, not mine. I walked over to the window. I remembered the time when I was grounded for coming home late and my best friend, Emma, put my food into the basket and shipped it up to me. And the time we laughed and joked together. We had been best friends since kindergarden. Emma and I even built a treehouse where we spent most
time together.
Ring! Ring! There goes the school bell which had interrupted my thoughts.
But the one problem is: I am stuck in the girl’s bathroom. The “Queen of Mean” is in sight so I don’t dare to open my stall door. I can hear her talking to her friends, Emma and Jessie. They always talked about fashion. Like what clothes they’re going to wear tomorrow or where they’re going to go after school. Boring! Ever since I moved here they had been the biggest bully. Always tease those who wear plain clothes. I have only been in this school for only one month, and I have turned out to be the main target.
As soon as they leave the bathroom I went to my first period class, which is english. I can’t wait until study hall, where I get to go to the library. By the way, I love books. The morning classes went by fast. Super fast! By lunch time, I am so hungry I can eat a whole cow. While sitting in my regular lunch table, I sat a new face that I haven’t seen before. I looked at her and she look back.
“Hi,” I said trying to be friendly.
“Hi,” the new girl answer.
“My name is Jennifer,” I said. “What is yours?”
“Rosa,” she answered softly.
I invited her to sit near me so she won’t have to be Sarah’s main target. Even though she is the new girl now. Her hair is as straight as a long rope and shiny as the sun. Rosa looked really nice. Now I feel that I finally have a friend that I can trust and spent time with. She doesn’t look like the other girls in the school. And I am sure she don’t belong in Sarah’s group.
After school I waited for Sarah at her locker. She appeared after a while and walked toward me.
“Hey,” I said. “Want to come over to my house to play today?”
“Sure,” Rosa said. “I don’t think my mom and dad would mind.”
“Ok, grab your stuff and let’s go,” I rushed her.
I just can’t wait to show my mom my friend, Rosa. My and Rosa can be friends like how Emma and I were. We would laugh and play games together. Or we could even build a treehouse outside my house. Since the tree is big and wide enough to do that.
Mr. Southerton
Writing
4-17-14
Making a New Friend
Just a month ago my family was packing up our things getting ready to move. Alice, a slave girl that we brought, helped me with my clothes. I glanced around room. The picture of the family vacation we went on last year to France, the trophy I won for the spelling bee, and the awards that I won for the art contest were all taken down. Now this room would soon be someone else’s, not mine. I walked over to the window. I remembered the time when I was grounded for coming home late and my best friend, Emma, put my food into the basket and shipped it up to me. And the time we laughed and joked together. We had been best friends since kindergarden. Emma and I even built a treehouse where we spent most
time together.
Ring! Ring! There goes the school bell which had interrupted my thoughts.
But the one problem is: I am stuck in the girl’s bathroom. The “Queen of Mean” is in sight so I don’t dare to open my stall door. I can hear her talking to her friends, Emma and Jessie. They always talked about fashion. Like what clothes they’re going to wear tomorrow or where they’re going to go after school. Boring! Ever since I moved here they had been the biggest bully. Always tease those who wear plain clothes. I have only been in this school for only one month, and I have turned out to be the main target.
As soon as they leave the bathroom I went to my first period class, which is english. I can’t wait until study hall, where I get to go to the library. By the way, I love books. The morning classes went by fast. Super fast! By lunch time, I am so hungry I can eat a whole cow. While sitting in my regular lunch table, I sat a new face that I haven’t seen before. I looked at her and she look back.
“Hi,” I said trying to be friendly.
“Hi,” the new girl answer.
“My name is Jennifer,” I said. “What is yours?”
“Rosa,” she answered softly.
I invited her to sit near me so she won’t have to be Sarah’s main target. Even though she is the new girl now. Her hair is as straight as a long rope and shiny as the sun. Rosa looked really nice. Now I feel that I finally have a friend that I can trust and spent time with. She doesn’t look like the other girls in the school. And I am sure she don’t belong in Sarah’s group.
After school I waited for Sarah at her locker. She appeared after a while and walked toward me.
“Hey,” I said. “Want to come over to my house to play today?”
“Sure,” Rosa said. “I don’t think my mom and dad would mind.”
“Ok, grab your stuff and let’s go,” I rushed her.
I just can’t wait to show my mom my friend, Rosa. My and Rosa can be friends like how Emma and I were. We would laugh and play games together. Or we could even build a treehouse outside my house. Since the tree is big and wide enough to do that.
Poetry Evaluation Essay-Alice Walker
Joyce Lin
Mr. Southerton
Writing
June 6, 2014
“Women”: by Alice Walker
The poem “Women” by, Alice Walker is about segregation between the black and the whites, and the tone of her poem was strong and full of hatred. The theme of the poem was “making a stand for what you believe.” Alice Walker’s tone toward the poem “Women” is strong; she makes her tone strong by meritoriously using diction, imagery, and metaphors.
Alice Walker uses diction in her poem to make her tone well defined. By using strong connotations in the poem, she easily generates emotion in the reader. Walker use diction such as “battered” (7), “starched” (10), “booby-trapped” (17), “husky” (3) and “ditches” (18). She chose these connotations to show how strongly she felt about women. She used the word “battered” to indicate the women being injured by repeated punishment.
Alice Walker also uses metaphor to express her tone. We can evidently understand that Walker uses “armies” to describe the women (10-15). Walker acknowledges that women are like armies because of their braveness and their strength. They powerfully stand up for what they believe in by protesting, knowing that their kids should be in school where they truly belong.
Walker uses imagery in her poem to empathize the tone. In the poem she states: “Husky of voice / stout of / Steps / With fists as well as / Hands / How they battered down / Doors” (3-8). Walker is comparing their hand to their soft side and their fists to their strong side. And it’s true that from time to time women may have a soft side.
In conclusion, Alice Walker powerfully used diction, imagery and metaphor to empathize her tone. She did a magnificent job emphasising her tone. Throughout Alice Walker’s poem, she told us how the women back in day were, and how strong they were even though it was a coarse time for black Americans.
Mr. Southerton
Writing
June 6, 2014
“Women”: by Alice Walker
The poem “Women” by, Alice Walker is about segregation between the black and the whites, and the tone of her poem was strong and full of hatred. The theme of the poem was “making a stand for what you believe.” Alice Walker’s tone toward the poem “Women” is strong; she makes her tone strong by meritoriously using diction, imagery, and metaphors.
Alice Walker uses diction in her poem to make her tone well defined. By using strong connotations in the poem, she easily generates emotion in the reader. Walker use diction such as “battered” (7), “starched” (10), “booby-trapped” (17), “husky” (3) and “ditches” (18). She chose these connotations to show how strongly she felt about women. She used the word “battered” to indicate the women being injured by repeated punishment.
Alice Walker also uses metaphor to express her tone. We can evidently understand that Walker uses “armies” to describe the women (10-15). Walker acknowledges that women are like armies because of their braveness and their strength. They powerfully stand up for what they believe in by protesting, knowing that their kids should be in school where they truly belong.
Walker uses imagery in her poem to empathize the tone. In the poem she states: “Husky of voice / stout of / Steps / With fists as well as / Hands / How they battered down / Doors” (3-8). Walker is comparing their hand to their soft side and their fists to their strong side. And it’s true that from time to time women may have a soft side.
In conclusion, Alice Walker powerfully used diction, imagery and metaphor to empathize her tone. She did a magnificent job emphasising her tone. Throughout Alice Walker’s poem, she told us how the women back in day were, and how strong they were even though it was a coarse time for black Americans.