In case it is not enough that I will be ruthlessly murdered and earth will be in severe danger, I have a few other reasons why I would be the best one to stay in this class. First of all, I have only missed one class, which was due to illness (the Hehamaba ruther virus). In all of the classes I have attended, I have never been tardy. I have completed all assignments on time and to the best of my ability. I may not always participate by expressing my opinion (due to the Hehamaba shyness gene), but I am always alert in class and aware of what is going on.

     To wrap up, I would just like to express how much I value my life and wish for peace among the universe. I have enjoyed my stay on earth and I do not wish any harm to happen to this planet. I truly value the knowledge I have gained in this class. What a great opportunity it would be to complete the course, continue living, and share my knowledge with the Hehamaba’s leaders in order to bring peace to all. Pick me, how could it not be a good choice?

Claim A: These organizations provide an excellent networking opportunity

Evidence A: “Greek organizations maintain active alumni relations programs that offer possibilities for career networking and mentoring. Many groups have active alumni/graduate chapters providing opportunities for continued involvement.” ( http://ofsa.rutgers.edu/how_to_join/faq.htm)

Assumption A: All members would want or need the opportunity to network

Claim B: These organizations provide solid academic support

Evidence B: “A major goal of Greek life is to encourage and assist members in attaining their academic potential. Each Greek organization offers academic support programs including national and local scholarships and grants, incentives and awards, study skills workshops, tutoring programs, established study sessions, and grade point requirements.” (http://ofsa.rutgers.edu/how_to_join/faq.htm)

Assumption B: All fraternities and sororities are focused on academics

Claim C: These organizations provide a life-long brotherhood or sisterhood

Evidence C: “For many individuals, the most important component of Greek life is the lifelong friendships. The fact that members call themselves “sister” and “brother” demonstrates the sense of family that the groups provide. In this often overwhelming university environment, Greek women and men find that a sorority or fraternity offers a place to be
comfortable and at home.” http://ofsa.rutgers.edu/how_to_join/faq.htm

Assumption C: All members become close to their pledge brothers or sisters and stay in touch with them

Subject 2: Belonging to fraternities and sororities is harmful to its members

Claim A: The initiations into fraternities and sororities can be dangerous and even deadly

Evidence A: “A series of 168 cases of injuries and deaths related to fraternity hazing activities…[occurred] in the United States between 1923 and 1982″ (http://www.essaydepot.com/essayme/650/index.php)

Assumption A: Initiations always include hazing and excessive drinking

Claim B: Peer pressure among the members often makes people do things they otherwise might not do

Evidence B: “I felt sophisticated and savvy going in, but quickly discovered I was out of my league among the Rolex-clad Texas debutantes and new-moneyed California beauties. Yet I reveled in the acceptance and status my sororityinstantly conferred. The attendant freedoms and social opportunities overwhelmed my tender brain. I indulged, partied hard and, a scant two months into the semester, lost my virginity.” (Valen) 

Assumption B: Sororities and fraternities often lead members down a dangerous path

Claim C: Many sororities and fraternities have a “cookie cutter” type of person they want

Evidence C: “For weeks I coasted in a daze until one day my sisters placed me on probation, ostensibly for failing to dress in ”appropriate sororityspirit.” The sweat pants I preferred to de rigueur Laura Ashley prairie dresses weren’t cutting it, they said.” (Valen)

Assumption C: People who don’t fit the mold are left out or kicked out

     Another of my favorites movies is The Italian Job. The makers of this movie do a great job with filming techniques such as lighting, cross-cutting, close-ups, and camera movement. The lighting in the movie was often darker than normal. The filmmakers used cross-cutting in the scenes where the people stealing had a chance of getting caught by others in close proximity and in scenes where there was surveillance occurring. The close-ups were used to emphasize the characters facial expressions, whether it be to show nervousness, determination, anger, or even fear. Finally, the camera movement was excellent during the high speed chases and quick actions. All of these techniques went a long way in emphasizing the action and suspense in film, which are the elements I enjoy about it.

     My next favorite movie is The Notebook. In this movie, the filmmakers seem to use soft lighting and somewhat distant camera shot.  The soft lighting adds to the romance of the movie and the somewhat distant camera shot seems to tell the viewer that the movie is about the whole story, not just each specific scene. The filmmakers also set this movie in a time period where life was a little slower and the setting was more old-fashioned. This also brings about the romance in the movie because it allows the viewer to focus on the love between them rather than things more modern day movies focus on.

Paraphrase: Sipher points out that many children are forced to attend school when in reality, they have no desire to be there. He then goes on to say that these children interfere with the education of children who really do want to learn.

Quotation: In his essay, Roger Sipher argues with one of his sox points, “Public esteem for schools would increase. People would stop regarding them as way stations for adolescents and start thinking of them as institutions for educationg America’s youth.”

     One of the biggest reasons we picked this vacation spot was for the opportunity to go on the four hour canoe trip down the Pere Marquette. All of us would get in groups of three or four, pack up some food, rent our cold metal canoes, and take the car ride to be dropped off upriver. Once we arrived at the launch spot, we would get in the canoes, get in rank in the water, and head off on our journey.

     Usually, the weather was impeccable, with clear, sunny skies, and the perfect warming temperature. Besides, the canoe renters would not let us take off if there was a chance for bad weather. However, Mother Nature doesn’t always listen to the weather men. On one occasion, we were all set to take off, the skies were clear, and the same was true for the weather report. It was going to be another perfect journey, or so we thought. We were about two hours into our voyage, when out of nowhere, the sky started to become an angry swirl of charcoal and steel. We could hear the cracks of thunder away in distance. We did not have many option since we were in a river, had metal canoes, and were surrounded by trees, all excellent conductors of electricity. The adults of the group decided it would be better to take our chances on the shore under the trees than try to keep going on the river. Thus began a whole new adventure.

    The storm lasted what seemed like hours, but was really only about forty minutes. All of us were huddled together, each trying to not only calm themselves, but look brave for everyone else. This was especially true for the adults. One of my uncles tried to calm us by singing the infamous, “If all the raindrops were…” song. This worked pretty well, mostly because his version depicted the raindrops being tequila shots, so we all got a pretty big kick out of that.

     After the storm blew over, it was like it had never happened. The sky turned bright and sunny. The water was calm again and the wind only blew softly. We got back in the canoes and we were on our way downriver. We made it back safe and sound. All in all, this memory is one that I am glad I have, but I hope I never have to experience again.

     With all of these types of images and subtle messages behind them, it is hard to go against what the rest of the world thinks a person should look like. I think younger kids have only a small chance of not being impacted by magazines and the media’s idea of how people should look and dress and even act.  As long as there is such overwhelming pressure to be in shape and be thin even if it means becoming unhealthy, a big change in how the next generation will want to look or see themselves will not happen.

     We started out from Fort Wayne, which is where we lived, and our final destination was going to be South Dakota. We drove straight through and as one may guess, driving that many hours with that many people in one small RV was an adventure in itself. During the night, my aunt was driving and she took a U turn so fast that my mom, who was sleeping on one of the benches due to lack of space, flew off and got stuck between the bench and the table.

     Once we arrived in the town we were going to be staying in, we learned that the condo we had rented was at the top of a very large hill and the road to get up there was nowhere near big enough for our RV. Well, my dad decided to try it anyway and thankfully, after a lot of smoke from the tires and screams from my scared-of-heights sister, we made it. We did not have much time to settle in before my parents wanted to start seeing the sights.

     During our ten day stay, we were able to see Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, the Badlands, take many hikes, visit Wall Drug store, take an old fashioned train ride around a mountain, horseback ride through the mountains, and look out from the place where one can see four states at once. One night at dinner, my aunt even convinced my sister and me to try Rocky Mountain oysters. They tasted just like chicken!

     This trip was definitely last minute and a little unplanned, but it was certainly an adventure that is impossible to forget. Seeing new things and trying new things is always fun and exciting especially with people like those in my family. Sometimes my parents may seem a little crazy, but the experience of this trip is something I could never thank them enough for giving me.

     Another aspect of college that is different than I expected is how easy the transition from high school to college was. Also how leaving home was not as bad as I imagined. The first day was hard just because I felt like I was being thrown into this whole new situation, but after that, I just got used to being on my own and loving the new freedom. Even though college comes with a lot more responsibility, it is completely worth taking on to have the opportunity to be out on my own.