Big Words Being Abolished

        This article is about how big words are being eliminated from a person's everyday vocabulary. Nowadays people are online more than half the day. People are sending texts or tweeting, but in those texts or tweets people shorten words or use a very elementary vocabulary. By people doing this online it starts to take an affect with the persons speech. People don't talk elegant or smart anymore they take the easy way out. Also in the article it talks about people who talk using a strong vocabulary getting downgraded for the way the talk.

        I honestly think this is outrageous. Using a strong vocabulary is important. You don't want someone to think that you are dumb. Back in the day when people didn’t have phones, people spoke with more class and if you did that then you would be looked upon as a smart person who knew things. Nowadays if you say something smart people look at you differently and think of you as a “nerd.” At my house my dad always encouraged me and my sister to speak properly. To speak grammatically, and not to use slang. I think that is what's wrong with the world today. There is just too much slang in our vocabulary. Just the other day my friend got all mad that I use a strong vocabulary and she told me I was annoying. Well to be honest I wasn’t using a strong vocabulary at all she just didn’t have one herself. My story relates to an interview in the article, “But big words—the words that others perceive to be obscure or "fancy"—have also caused him trouble. In college, he bought his girlfriend the hair-straightening iron she had been hinting about for Christmas and told her, "I thought it was perfect for you, given your fastidious nature when it comes to your appearance."Mr. Bonneman says she threw the gift on the couch, snapped, "Well, aren't you smart?" and stormed out of the room. Then she broke up with him. "She claimed it had largely been due to my constant use of big words, which made her feel stupid," says the 28-year-old, who is chief executive of a Miami digital-design agency( Ramin)”. I think this story is crazy, but If she couldn’t deal with his big words then he should find someone who doesn’t care. Someone who will love him big words and all.

         This relates to my English class. My teacher has us do vocabulary every week. We are to correct sentences and also write essays. Within all this work Mr.Paul expects the greatest from us. He will not take anything that has a low vocabulary and is not grammatically correct.

        This article uses interviews and example to illuminate his article. This helps the reader get a feel for what the author is talking about. Also by him doing this it helps him talk about a wider range of topics.

Ramin, Martin.“Big Words Are Fading, But Many People Still Love Them.” The Wall Street Journal. n.p, 24 March 2014. Web. 17 April 2014. <http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304179704579459232432887244?mod=djem10point>

“Grape Jelly on Pizza.”. Photograph. Blogger. n.p, n.d. Web. 17 April 2014.<http://grapejellyonpizza.blogspot.com/2012/02/scrabble.html>

Why is the Internet So Slow?

Why is the Internet So Slow?

This article is about the one question that we Americans ask so many times. The question is, why is our computers running so slow? We were the first to invent the internet and we also have the biggest sites like Google and Microsoft. So why is it that we rank 42 in the world standings. In this article John also has Susan Crawford explain why we have fallen back so much.

Every time I’m no the computer doing school work or just messing around, I get so frustrated that my computer won’t work. The topic of this article could affect not only me but everyone else. If the companies fixed the the problems stated in the article the internet would run much faster. John writes about how this all happened, “How? The 1996 Telecommunications Act—which was meant to foster competition—allowed cable companies and telecoms companies to simply divide markets and merge their way to monopoly, allowing them to charge customers higher and higher prices without the kind of investment in internet infrastructure, especially in next-generation fiber optic connections, that is ongoing in other countries. Fiber optic connections offer a particularly compelling example. While expensive to build, they offer faster and smoother connections than traditional copper wire connections. But Verizon stopped building out fiber optic infrastructure in 2010 — citing high costs — just as other countries were getting to work” (Aziz, John). If the companies would just fix things problems then the internet would be much faster and we will be much happier. I honestly like this topic and I agree with it. The internet is so slow these days and everyone is not happy.

The writer of this article, John, is very organized in his writing. This organization helps stay with the topic. John also writes about what others have to say which helps get a feel for anothers point of view.

Aziz, John. "Why Is American Internet So Slow?."     kellygallagher.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.   <http://kellygallagher.org/resources/AoW%

“Reasons for a slow internet connection.” Photograph. TechsupportPro. n.p, n.d. Web. 24 March 2014. <http://pchelpplanet.com/why-is-my-internet-so-slow/reasons-for- a-slow-internet-connection/>

Conversations With Teenagers

This article is about teenagers and their communication with their parents. Kelly writes about different situations that parents are put through. Kelly also writes about the problems that occur when trying to have a conversation with their child.

This relates to me because my mom and I have the same issue. It becomes really hard when the screaming begins. I personally do not like when people yell at me, so I shut down. I storm off and hide. These days teenegers are a lot alike. People don’t really realize it when they do it. I’m not going to say bad things about my parents because they’re great, but it really is hard to talk to them. They just do not understand what I’m trying to say or they take it the wrong way. Another problem that my parents and I have is the awkward conversations. Teenegers just do not enjoy those conversations, so the walk off and ignore you. Kelly writes in her article about a mom trying to have a conversation in a different view point, “Uneeka Jay, a mom of five in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, relies on humor and spontaneity. For instance, when her 15-year-old son Shawn comes to the kitchen for a snack, that might be the exact moment she asks him, "You ever have sex?" out of the blue."It's really weird," the high school freshman and basketball star said during a conversation at his family's home, although he admitted he doesn't feel as uncomfortable after the fact”(kelly). That is probably a great perception to have. Just cut up and have fun. Don’t make conversations awkward.

        The author of this article, Kelly, writes in a way to explain her topic well. She uses real life examples like, “Michelle Staruiala, a mom of three in Saskatchewan, Canada, follows the same advice with her three children, ages 13, 15 and 23."I don't judge or make them feel stupid when they have tough questions," she said. "We all know growing up isn't always easy”(Kelly). I think that this method is very helpful. Kelly gives an example and then explains it well. With these examples people can relate and know that they are not the only ones.

“Ten Tips for Parents on Talking to Teens About Sex.” Photograph. OWN. OWN,n.d. Web. 10 March 2014. <http://www.oprah.com/own-our-america-lisa-ling/Ten-Tips-for-Parents-on-Talking-to-Teens-About-Sex>

Wallace, Kelly. "OMG! Your Teen Actually talks to your?". CNN Living. Cable News Network, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 6 Mar. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/19/living/talking-to-teens-communication- parents/index.html?hpt=hp_c4>.

3D Printer

3D printer Helps 9 yearold Matthew Live a Better Life

    There is a nine year old boy named Matthew who was born with only his palm of his hand. Matthew did not have any fingers, therefore couldn't do hardly anything until Mason Wilde showed up. Mason has always had a passion for building things. When he found out about Matthew and his disability he had to do something. Mason went to the library and printed 3D blueprints of a mechanical hand. He then built the hand, and by doing this he changed the little boys life forever.

     In class we always talk about changing the world. Inventing new things or even studying on how to build new things has always been a topic in my class. My teacher in eighth grade talked about how doing something for someone else will not only change your life but also the person you're building it for too.
     I think that this is an awesome idea. There is so many people in the world that are born with some sort of disability. Inventing a new way to change a person life is a kind thing to do. As humans without a disability, we think nothing of our hands or legs. There just there and we’re used to it. The thing is that what if someone took your hand, you wouldn't be able to do much would you? Well that's what these people think. We all need to help to make this world a better place. The article talked about how other kids were dealing with it “Every day, kids were asking him, ‘What happened to your hand, what happened to your hand,’ and I noticed it was wrecking his spirit,”(Mara). Now this isn’t right. I know that kids are going to be kids and that they really don’t know better but still. I’m really glad that this little boy is now happy and living a normal life.

"Mason Wilde aand Matthew." Photograph. Impact Lab. Impact Lab, n.d. Web. 22 Feb 2014. <http://www.impactlab.net/2014/02/20/kansas-teen-makes-hand-for-a-friend-using-3d-printer/>

Williams, Mara. "Kansas teen uses 3-D printer to make hand for boy." Wichita Eagle. Mara Williams, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 22 Feb. 2014. <http://www.kansas.com/2014/01/31/3261314/kansas-teen-uses-3-d-printer-to.html>

Justin Bieber's Arrest

         This article is about Justin Bieber’s arrest. I’m sure everyone has heard about it since it’s all over the television. Justin was arrested for driving while impaired and also doing drugs. In this article people came out and gave their opinions on the matter. Many say that this star is a good example of what not to do. "Kids can come to an accepted belief that it's not the talent that makes you great. It is what you do with it and your contribution to the whole that defines you," said Howard. "It is okay for kids to love (Bieber's) voice but differentiate that from him being a model of behavior." (Wallace) This is a great quote from the article of why people care so much for the Justin and why his actions are now being looked at.
       Right now I am in Drivers Ed and we are talking about drinking and driving. My teacher Mr.Elmore has taught us a thing or two about the effects of drinking and driving. Not only can you hurt yourself, but you can also hurt others.
       I have never really been a fan of Justin Bieber but I know that a lot of little girls have. These little girls worship what he does and what he says. What are they going to think when they find out what he did? My opinion is that Justin is just a teenager and he going to make mistakes. I don’t think what Justin did was right and by all means not putting the blame on age. Justin is only 19 and I’m sure that he knows better. He could have killed someone or himself. I think that Justin should be in jail and that he should go to therapy if he is addicted to alcohol or drugs. He really needs to realize what he did and how its going to affect how people now look at him.

Wallace, Kelly. "Justin Bieber's downward spiral: What to tell the kids?." CNN. Cable News Network, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 9 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/24/living/justin-bieber-arrest-talk-to-kids-parents/index.html?hpt=hp_bn11>.

“Justin Bieber mugshot” Photograph. Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 9 Feb 2014. <http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Justin_Bieber_mugshot,_front.jpg>

Given Grades

        This article is about how athletes can’t read. Mary Willingham is trying to figure at how to get these athletes at an appropriate level in school. Most of the athletes only can read to an eighth grade level. Mary’s main concern is that many of the universities won’t take athletes that are this low with their scores. Mary survived around 183 athletes who played football or basketball, "She found that 60% read between fourth- and eighth-grade levels. Between 8% and 10% read below a third-grade level."(Willingham) You may ask, how did they get into college reading like a third grader. It’s almost impossible to do right? Well not for the athletes at UNC. These athletes cheated their way into this school. They took classes that did not exist. They paid a teacher money to act like he was teaching and he really was just giving them their grades. This teacher was charged for fraud when the people found out. 

       This has to do with not only my classes but also my school. In my school people are barely passing but you will never see my school giving out grades like candy. No, we work for what we get no matter what.

        This whole situation just infuriates me. I am a hardworking student and I earn my grades. It’s not right for the students at UNC who actually work their butt off to pass. There is people at UNC that may struggle but at least they tried. These football players have it easy. No school work, all you have to do is play football. Life is given to them on a silver platter. It’s just not right for the athletes to get special treatment. They should have to work as hard as the rest of us, no matter how good their playing skills are.

Ganim, Sara, and Brian Rokus. " Some college athletes play like adults, read like 5th-graders." CNN. Cable News Network, 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 25 Jan. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/07/us/ncaa-athletes-reading-scores/index.html?hpt=hp_t1>

Stuart, Scott .“O'Brien Schofield chases Terrelle Pryor.” Photograph. Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 10 October 2009. Web. 25 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:20091010_O%27Brien_Schofield_chases_Terrelle_Pryor.jpg>

Current Event 1

This article is about how a teenage boy got away with manslaughter of 4 people. It all started on June 15, Ethan went to Walmart and stole beer with his friends. He then crashed into a woman’s car that was broken down on the side of the road. He also killed three more people. When the police took him in they gave him a drug test and found out that his blood alcohol level was throw the roof. So not only did he get away with manslaughter he also got away with under age drinking.

 

In health class we talked about the effects of drinking and driving. The teacher said that nothing good comes out of driving drunk. Even though Ethan got away with what he did, he will probably feel guilty  the rest of his life.

 

I think this is the craziest thing I have ever heard of. Just because he’s rich doesn't mean that it’s okay. I could go and do the same thing that he did and I would get charged. It shouldn't matter whether he’s rich or not, he should be in jail. Ethan killed four people, think about the peoples families. This could affect me because what if it was my car that was sitting on the side of the road. I would be dead and the killer would still out there free to live his life.

   

The central idea of this passage is that if you have money it’s okay to go kill someone. The passage states that, “Texas sentencing guidelines for crimes like this call for fines of up to $10,000 and between 2 and 20 years in the state penitentiary. But instead Couch got 10 years of probation and zero time” (Grey). This statement proves that Ethan got nothing for manslaughter. Throughout the passage it keeps saying that money is important. Grey Miller says, “He had the cars and he had the money. He had freedoms that no young man would be able to handle.” Apparently Ethan never got punished and so the state of Texas gives him pity.

Sagdejev, Ildar. “Wrecked Honda Civic DX on Gregson St in Durham”. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia Commons, 30 May 2010. Web. 12 January 2014.<http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2010-05-30_Wrecked_Honda_Civic_DX_on_Gregson_St_in_Durham.jpg>

Grey, Madison. “The Affluenza Defense: Judge Rules Rich Kid’s Rich Kid-ness Makes Him Not Liable for Deadly Drunk Driving Accident”. Times News Feed. Madison Grey, 12 December 2013. Web. 12 January 2014.<http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/12/12/the-affluenza-defense-judge-rules-rich-kids-rich-kid-ness-makes-him-not-liable-for-deadly-drunk-driving-accident/>