Persuasive Analysis- “Smoking and How it affects Everyone”

Persuasive Analysis- “Smoking and How it affects Everyone”

To view article follow link: http://bg016.k12.sd.us/Persuasive_Writing/smoking_affects.htm

Summary

Smoking causes health problems like lung cancer, chest pain, and bodily malfunctions. This addiction is bad for the smoker and the people around him. Secondhand smoke is just as worst as smoking because of the strong fumes. This persuasive article encourages staying drug free. Becoming involved in smoking makes the body deteriorate due to the major health problems. Theses health problems could cause someone to die. The statistics of the human body information are important to know. These facts make the reader persuaded to not smoke if they are health conscious. Smoking leads to life-threatening effects that will change a person’s health to depression.

Analysis

The speaker includes relevant information to provide the audience an avoidance feeling. His intention to make smoking look harmful persuades smokers to quit smoking. The logical fallacies are supported by the evidence of health concerns. Most of this article includes statistics and ethical information. For example, “Did you know that a pack of Winston Cigarettes cost $3.85? If you would smoke a pack a day do you know how much that is a year? It would be costing you $1,405.25! But these costs are minor compared to the medical expenses that smoking causes.” The connection to the cost of one pack of cigarettes and the number of days smoking is an excellent piece of evidence to stop purchasing the cigarettes. Once people realize that they are spending over one thousand dollars on cigarettes a year, then they will go through a repression. A repression of saving money and purchasing other items that is more useful. The effect on smoking should make smokers realize that it is not worth it.

Persuasive Article- “Reality TV”

Persuasive Article- “Reality TV”

To view article follow this link:

http://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/97576.html

Summary

“Reality TV” is an article despising reality television as entertainment. The speaker uses rhetorical questions to make his point across. He feels as if reality tv is not worth the commotion. Reality tv is just average people filled with drama, sex, relationships, break ups, cursing, and much more. The main points in this persuasive article are the facts from reality television and its viewers. The viewers have been affected by becoming lazy and unproductive. They are the ones sitting at home on their couch waiting for reality shows to appear. The reality stars soon become famous because of their well known personalities on television. Some stars that are liked by the viewers return on the show for another season. Points from this article could have been more supported with a viewers own personal opinion. I would assume that this article would be more focused on the production aspect than the viewers. The production of reality tv is believed to be all set up to make more publicity. The behind the scenes aspects of the entertainment industry has technology to perfect anything with changes to the original.

Analysis

This persuasive article needed improvement. I decided to write about a poor persuasive article because they are the best for analyzing. Right, Parry? I felt as if his points were not as strong as they could have been. Sure, he provides ethical information by stating the facts throughout and at the end of the article. His facts weren’t supported enough to actually persuade me. The emotional fallacy used was red herring because the unrelated evidence did not support his conclusion. His conclusion was that the viewers should stop watching reality tv because of the events that are useless on television. Reality tv is not important to viewers; the viewers should be doing something more effective instead of gazing at a television screen. Once again, this persuasive article needs some work by improving the rhetorical fallacies. The statistics stated did not convince me at all. I still enjoy watching reality tv.

Persuasive Analysis- “When the Police become the Criminals”

Persuasive Analysis- “When the Police become the Criminals”

To view article follow this link:

http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=10337

Summary

“When the Police become the Criminals” is an article describing the police taking advantage of their power among people in the society. Most people feel intimidated by seeing a police car or a person with a police badge because they know that they are the ones in control. Then, some people believe that the police have too much authority. This authority causes the police to behave in a criminal manner. Police feel as if they can get away with things because of their job duties but, the real problem is that the police are becoming involved in crimes like drugs and scandals. The author of this article believes that the police are not communicating with the citizens. The miscommunication is between the racial and social classes. This means that the police are facing difficult challenges with the diverse groups in society. The police are being corrupted by their everyday use with illegal activity. This article explains the police corruption and the problems that need to be resolved.

Analysis

This article is mainly an example of an ethical fallacy. It proves that there is an advance over authority for a character. The policemen feel as if they have all the power and control over minor people. Police can easily commit a crime and not get caught because of their lawful job. For example, “Some police are using their power to do bad things, and society has come to fear police”. Police figures are known to be powerful with high remarks to punishment regarding the law and crimes. They believe that they are controlling the criminal’s future by arresting them. An example of this ethical fallacy is called false authority. False authority is defined as “asking the audiences to agree with the assertion of a writer based simply on the character.” This may mean that the authority taking control may not be completely liable to offer the assertion. Police corruption has been featured in movies and documentaries. This visualization makes the case of police corruption more applicable to citizens. Citizens should feel protected by the police; they should not have to worry about the police becoming the criminals. Another ethical fallacy used in this article is using authority instead of evidence. A police’s word against a common civilian would be more relevant because of the status of the police figure. The article “When the Police becomes the Criminals” demonstrates that not all lawful careers like policemen, firemen, doctors, or lawyers are what they seem to be. The “good guys” are not necessary good with the law.

Free Choice: Letter to Self

To me:

I’m writing a letter to myself to remind me of my thoughts about life. First of all, I would be unhappy if my life ended today. I have not lived life to experience its true meaning. Which I might add, I’m still pondering the true meaning of life. This makes me think about the song from the Lion King called “Circle of Life”. Everyone needs to experience the college environment and should start a family with their special loved one. I’ve realized that death is what people are thinking about. Some are dying at this young age which makes me sad because they have not lived up to the stages of a person’s life span. It’s hard to talk to someone when they had just had a friend or a loved one pass away. What do you say to them? Even though, you do not know the person that passed away, you should just assume that that person is accompanying God in heaven. Or the famous quote “He is in a better place now”. Life has its ups and downs but, it always becomes worth while to me. The reason for people committing suicide is unexplainable and there is no definite answer. They say “life was not worth living anymore”. How could anything so bad cause a person to commit suicide? I view suicidal people as weak because nothing in this world could be that depressing to cause them to take their own life away. For goodness sake, you should see a psychologist or get some help if you are contemplating suicide. Don’t just think that committing suicide will resolve your problems and be the solution.

Before I die, I want to travel around the world. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. Hopefully, I would get the opportunity to see the major tourists’ attractions in Europe. Then, I would read about the history and have a flashback on the past. History makes up life. Science just explains life aspects such as the environment, human body, atoms, and etc… English is the communication for life. And math is what you need in life to be successful. Education is important because it makes people live life with ease in their future career. Life should be cherished and mine is slowly progressing.

The End.

Poem: Amateurs

Amateurs

By: Cindy Tang

We seem Nothing

Worth defending.

Our Life is Nothing

Worth pretending.

For We are Nothing

But a couple of Amateurs-

Only imitating,

While we're waiting

To make it Big.

Waiting for a Scene

To burst in.

While we linger toward:

A Life to drop into,

A secret Avenue to

Fall in through;

For a Choice to become

Apparent, and

For someone Else to Choose.

We have no Perfect

Plans to speak of.

We're just a couple

Of Amateurs at Love.

Poem: What You've Done

What You’ve Done

By: Cindy Tang

Let me look into your eyes.

It’s everything I despise.

Based on what happened that night,

When you thought it was right.

To drink and smoke around me.

I wanted to just leave.

The different person you’ve become.

Has been a person downing a bottle of Bacardi rum.

Please stop this nonsense.

Drinking and smoking will soon be your conscious.

Fight the temptation,

With encouraging words and YOUR OWN motivation.

Poem: The Yearbook Signing Party

The Yearbook Signing Party

By: Cindy Tang

Twas a very hot day to have a party,

With groups of people dancing all hardy.

Some were smelly with B. O.

Who were trying to put on a Big Show.

The yearbooks were like Myspace.

Every drama on the internet teenagers will face.

The same people’s pictures were throughout the book.

Everyone tired of their same old look.

Hanna’s yearbook fell apart.

That was bad on Jostens’ part.

And Ashley’s picture made her head look big,

Which was bigger than it already is.

Laughter and pointing on the bleachers,

About some people’s not so good features.

Jerry’s band was playing.

While everyone was at the concession stand paying.

A yearbook that would sit and collect dust,

Just like an instrument will begin to rust.

High school memories are about to die.

Time for another blow up ride!

Free Choice: Australia Picture

This picture is very significant to me because of the story behind it. That rock that we are all sitting or standing on is the highest rock located in the city where we were in Australia. It started off as the bus driver telling the LeadAmerica students that only one kid climbed up that rock before. The bus driver said there was a secret method to climb the rock because there was literally nothing to hold on to or grip to pull your self up. Well, some boys tried different ways of getting up there like getting a running start and just staying in a fixed spot so, the other boys would push him up. I’m not sure what they did but three successful boys made it to the top. Then, everyone started trying to go up on their own. The girls couldn’t because it was too high for them. So, the three boys each helped everyone on to the top of the rock by lending a hand. It took some people three times even with the boys help to get up there. The rock was so slippery and soft. By this time, almost everyone was at least attempting to get to the top. There were two lines forming with people waiting for help. The funny part was that the bus driver did not realize we were trying to get our whole group on the top of the rock; he was still waiting on the bus. Then, he comes to see what happened and was shocked at so many people on that rock. He was surprised that everyone was working together and saying encouraging words. After all the students were on the rock, the students convinced the five team leaders to join us. Next, the bus driver was stuck taking pictures. Well, someone said that it would be fun for him to try to get on the rock. It took maybe five strong boys to pull him up. The bus driver is the guy on the far left with his arms in the air like a V. Luckily, we found some happy tourists to take pictures of the huge group. One of the tourists even made a video of everyone sliding down the rock when it was time to leave!

Free Choice: Letter to God

May 1, 2008

Dear God,

Everything is different now; I do not like all of the changes occurring. The people in high school have changed since sophomore year. I’m at the point where I have stopped talking to my friends since middle school. I know people loose touch but it shouldn’t be like this. I don’t think I deserve to be isolated from everyone just because of a certain person. That certain person can alter the thoughts from other people, just like a chain reaction of hatred. I shouldn’t have to keep everything inside because I feel as if I can not trust anyone, like literally. There are a few of my good friends that have always been there for me but, there will never be the one true best friend. Well, at least not in high school. The term “Best friend” is just a title everyone likes to be associated with or categorized as. Friends can be replaced; Best friends can not. These silly arguments and fights should just be forgotten. I did not do anything extremely wrong which caused me to be given the silent treatment and the fake smiles. I can see past that fake smile. That girl doesn’t even have a legitimate reason to dislike me; it’s just that everyone else does because of that one person. Then, she blames it on my attitude; well that is what I’ve heard. She should have the guts to tell it to my face and not go around talking or agreeing with that person. High school is filled with drama and fights all the time. I wish everything was the same to Oakbrook Middle School. And I know that I’m not the only one that wishes this. I just know that in reality nothing will be the same like it was in middle school. Everyone has changed so much that it couldn’t possibly be fixed.

I talked to you, God, the other day. I had the feeling of being lonely and unwanted again. But, then you were with me and made everything better. Your company was what I needed that day. I like your protection whenever I’m driving and whenever I’m walking by myself. I feel secure when I know that you are being my guardian angel and watching me.

xoxoxo Cindy

Free Choice: Cross- Stitch

Summary/Explanation

In my free time, I like to sit in front of the television and cross stitch easy patterns from a cross- stitching book that I have. My mother taught me how to cross stitch when I was like thirteen years old. She would let me practice on one of her designs she was working on. Then, slowly I began to become familiar with cross stitching and I started working on it by myself. My free choice is a bookmark I cross stitched for my mother. I decided to make her something because Mother’s Day is coming up soon and I needed crafty ideas as a gift. Home made gifts are always more valuable than store bought ones in my family. Well, since my mother taught me how to cross stitch, she would especially like the book mark I made her. My mother likes to read in her spare time when she is not busy with my little brother. I wanted my bookmark to be a surprise for my mother because she does so much for me and my family. I decided to make the bookmark with a simple design. I crossed stitched two M’s and a red heart in the middle that stands for the O in MOM. Red hearts symbolize love like for example, I heart NYC. And I was clever to do a simple design because I know I would not have enough time to finish a complicated one in time for Mother’s Day. Cross stitching consists of making multiple X’s that will form a larger design. I enjoy cross stitching because I like when the X’s come together to make something look appealing.

Note: Well, I think the picture looks bad on here. It looks better when you hold the actual bookmark =]

“Anything but Ordinary- Avril Lavigne” Analysis/Interpretation

Avril Lavigne- Anything but Ordinary lyrics

Sometimes I get so weird
I even freak myself out
I laugh myself to sleep
It's my lullaby
Sometimes I drive so fast
Just to feel the danger
I wanna scream
It makes me feel alive

Is it enough to love?
Is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please

To walk within the lines
Would make my life so boring
I want to know that I
Have been to the extreme
So knock me off my feet
Come on now give it to me
Anything to make me feel alive

Is it enough to love?
Is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please.

Let down your defences
Use no common sense
If you look you will see
that this world is a beautiful
accident turbulent suculent
opulent permanent, no way
I wanna taste it
Don't wanna waste it away

Sometimes I get so weird
I even freak myself out
I laugh my self to sleep
It's my lullaby

Is it enough?
Is it enough?
Is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please

Is it enough?
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please.

SONG ANALYSIS/INTERPRETATION

“Anything but Ordinary” is a song featuring a girl with high dreams and ambitions for becoming a person that is not average. She makes the audience clear by her tone of voice that she does not wish to be like everyone else in society. The speaker’s actions are questioning if it is enough to fulfill life’s necessities. For example, “Is it enough to love? / Is it enough to breathe?” and “Is it enough?/ Is it enough to die?” are repeated throughout the song. This shows that these rhetorical questions are already answered by describing her life deteriorating in the beginning of the song. The beginning of the song starts off by explaining her bad motives and the actions she took when she did not know any better. The speaker was not sure where she stood in life. She explained that life was worth saving “Somebody save my life/ I’d rather be anything but ordinary please”. The significance of this song is to relate her life to an average person and have her transition to a better person than in the past. She becomes to change her life for the benefit of herself which makes her feel satisfied. The speaker was depressed because she needed another person to help her: “Somebody rip my heart out/ And leave me here to bleed”. This song describes the speaker’s life by a flashback of her past which causes her to have realization.

The voice in this song is depressing at first because of her uncertainty of living. The speaker needed to change if she wanted to be anything but ordinary. Ordinary people are average and not important without any excitement or spark in life. She realized she did not want to be ordinary because it was not like her. The structure of this song includes stages of her life. The final stage to her life is to not be ordinary but to be extraordinary: “I wanna taste it/ Don’t wanna waste it away”. She now realizes that life and the world are beautiful and a person needs to cherish their time.

“A Whole New World-Aladdin Theme Song” Analysis/Interpretation

Aladdin Theme Song- A Whole New World lyrics

I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming

A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But, now, from way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world
(Don't you dare close your eyes)
A hundred thousand things to see
(Hold your breath it gets better)
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be

A whole new world
With new horizons to pursue
I'll chase them aywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming

A whole new world
(Every turn a surprise)
With new horizons to purue
(Every moment red-letter)
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Anywhere, there's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you

A whole new world
That's where we'll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me

SONG ANALYSIS/INTERPRETATION

This well-known song is one of my all time favorites. The tone of this song is romantic and soft between the two lovers, Aladdin and Jasmine. It is as if they are the only two people existing in this world. Aladdin tries to fulfill Jasmine’s happiness by taking her on a magic carpet ride and serenading her. His soothing voice pleases Jasmine as she joins him in this song. “A Whole New World” represents a breathtaking atmosphere on a romantic night for the couple. The couple sails on the magic carpet through the night enjoying their own personal view of the world. Aladdin believes by showing Jasmine a whole new world that would make her heart desire the “dazzling place [he] never knew”.

Literary devices used in this song are imagery and similes. The imagery of the world that Aladdin is sharing with Jasmine is described as being remarkable and an “indescribable feeling”. The images that come to mind for me are the shiny objects like the stars and the glimmering buildings in the night. Aladdin and Jasmine share a close bond between them that dignifies their love for one another. This song signifies their love and the strong relationship they have. The true feelings of the couple singing make the reader feel they were destined to be together. For example, in the beginning of the song Aladdin tries to describe the journey ahead: “I can show you the world/ Shining, shimmering, splendid/ Tell me princess, now when did/ You last let your heart decide?” Aladdin knows that Jasmine has never been on a magic carpet ride because she has always been living in the palace. Jasmine had to experience this with Aladdin; this made their love even stronger. The simile in this song describes Aladdin like a shooting star: “I’m like a shooting star/ I’ve come so far”. The significance of the conclusion of the song shows that there are no boundaries or limitations stopping them from flying on the magic carpet: “No one to tell us no/ Or where to go/ Or say we’re only dreaming”. Aladdin and Jasmine are the perfect couple together.

Poem: English 4 Honors

English 4 Honors

By: Cindy Tang

We saved the best for last!

8^th period is such a blast!

What makes English 4 Honors so great?

It’s the literary theories, poetry explications, novel discussions, power point notes, portfolios, and Ashley vs. Jerry Debate!

What makes Nicenet not so nice?

It’s the posting before 8 o’clock before I eat my rice.

The random giggles and smiles is what 8^th period is all about.

“Shut Up” is always what people shout.

Let me mention the shocking pens, chocolate birthday cake, candy from Reggie, and Ashley’s fruit.

It’s all those things plus more that makes 8^th period a hoot.

“Home-Breaking Benjamin” Analysis/Interpretation

Breaking Benjamin-Home lyrics

I've got a little red bow
And I bought it for you
'Cause I know you're not fair
I don't get it, oh well
And you color my skin
And the colors don't blend
'Cause I'm gonna get you
And your little dog too
There's a yellow brick road
That we follow back home
'Cause I know you can't wait
Your belligerent hate
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Like home
I've, got a southern belle too
And ruby red shoes
With a body of straw
Are you sick of it all?
There's a man made of tin
With an oil can grin
And I'm gonna get you
And your little dog too
There's a yellow brick road
That we follow back home
And I know you can't wait
Your belligerent hate
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
There's a little white porch
And you wanted it so
Can you let me go down
To the end of the road
In the black and the white
A Technicolorful life
Can I stand by your side?
We can make it alright
Like home
'Cause I'm home
There's a little white porch
And you wanted it so
Can you let me go down
To the end of the road
In the black and the white
A Technicolorful life
Then another arrived
It's a cowardly lion
What I want from this world
What I wanna resolve
When I want you to stay
So I want you to wait
I don't wanna be bold
I don't wanna be cold
I don't wanna grow old
I don't wanna go home

SONG ANALYSIS/INTERPRETATION

The significance of this song is to express the speaker’s feelings towards his home. He gives the allusion to the “Wizard of Oz” by mentioning the yellow brick road, ruby red shoes, and the descriptions of the characters. In the “Wizard of Oz” Dorothy wanted to go to Kansas which was her home. The famous quote “There’s no place like home” is the speaker’s expression to the allusion and what he is thinking. Home is a comfort place to him and that is why his intentions of going back home are so relevant to this song. The imagery of a little white porch at the end of the road represents an American style country home. The speaker enjoys the allusion to the “Wizard of Oz” because that is what he is feeling. The significance of Dorothy being so persistent of going back home and the speaker’s own relationship to his home is the connection. The relationship of the speaker and Dorothy are similar. The speaker’s tone is deep with a determined attitude in the song. His voice is so powerful that it makes the audience believe that home is of great importance to him. The literary devices used were allusions, imagery, repetition, and rhetorical questions. The allusions to the “Wizard of Oz” are what make this song so personal. The speaker mimics the characters by describing their main element in the allusion. For example, Dorothy is known for her ruby red shoes, the lion is known to be cowardly; the little dog would symbolize Toto, the man made of tin, and the body of straw. The imagery of this song makes the visualization of a yellow brick road with a white porch house at the end of the road. The yellow brick road symbolizes the journey towards home or the pathway to a desired place. The repetition is the phrase “There’s no place like home”. Rhetorical questions such as “Are you sick of it all?” and “Can I stand by your side” helps the speaker’s organize his thoughts. His thoughts are going through his mind about home and the “technicolorful life” ahead of him.

“Animal I have Become-Three Days Grace” Analysis/Interpretation

Three days Grace- Animal I have Become

I can't escape this hell
So many times I've tried
But I'm still caged inside
Somebody get me through this nightmare
I can't control myself

Someone if you can see
The dark inside of me
Noone would ever change this animal I have become
Help me believe, It's not the real me

Somebody help me tame this animal (this animal x's 2)

I can't escape myself
So many times I've lied
But there's still rage inside
Somebody get me through this nightmare
I can't control myself

Someone if you can see
The dark inside of me
Noone would ever change this animal I have become
Help me believe, It's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal I have become
Help me believe, It's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal

Somebody help me through this nightmare
I can't control myself
Somebody wake me from this nightmare
I can't escape this cell

This Animal x's 7

Someone if you can see
The dark inside of me
Noone would ever change this animal I have become
Help me believe, It's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal I have become
Help me believe, It's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal

This animal I have become.

SONG ANALYSIS/INTERPRETATION

The theme for this song is to visualize an angry man locked up just like an animal. This might give the imagery of a man in a jail surrounded by other dangerous men. The animal that he has become is the reason behind him being locked up in a cell. The speaker to this song is angry at the decisions he made in life and is regretting them. The theme describes his feeling of fury for the times he could not control his actions. He relates himself to being in a nightmare of his own. A nightmare that is so real to him that he cannot escape the feeling of reality. He wants to believe that what he has done is not really him. The audience believes that it might be his alter ego self. The speaker describes the feeling of his actions as being animal-like because it is not like him to behave like this. This song interprets how a man is feeling like an animal because of the times he has lied and the dark side of him. For example, “I can’t escape myself/ So many times I’ve lied/ But there’s still rage inside/ Somebody get me through this nightmare” incorporates his feelings of remorse for his actions.

The literary devices used in this song are metaphors and imagery. Throughout the song, the speaker repeats “animal I have become” to show the connection between himself and an intimidating animal. The metaphor compares the speaker to an animal because of the speaker’s way of behaving. The speaker behaves like an animal because he can not control himself. Animals are wild and can get out of hand. The imagery in the introduction relates the speaker to be “caged inside”. This defines that the speaker is like an animal by being literally locked up in a cage. This quote describes that he may possibly be in a jail cell. “Animal I have Become” by Three Days Grace is a great song that describes how a man feels like an animal because of his animal-like behavior. The speaker makes the connection that he is not the same. He has changed for the worst by doing things that was not like him. The animal he has become was his way of saying that his behavior made him feel like an animal. An animal that is unjust and wild that is in a cage. The lyrics to this song are simple and straightforward. It is easily understood by the audience because everyone can relate to someone being at their lowest point in life.

Literary Devices

1. “Father’s hands are lined with dirt from long days in the field” (Nickelback).

This is an example of imagery because the listener can visualize his father working long days in the field.

2. “But there’s still tomorrow, forget the sorrow” (Lost Prophets).

This is an example of rhyme because ‘tomorrow’ and ‘sorrow’ rhyme.

3. “Patrollin’ and tryna catch me ridin dirty” (Chamillionaire).

This is an example of diction because he uses a different word choice, ‘tryna’ is substituted for ‘trying to’.

4. “So, why can’t I turn off the radio?” (Ne-Yo).

This is an example of a rhetorical question because it is not supposed to be answered.

5. “I’m fast as lightning bro ya better use ya Nike’s bro” (T.I.).

This is an example of a simile because he is comparing himself to be fast as lightning.

6. “He worked so hard his bones are breaking, he wore them down but long ago he lost the feeling” (Smile Empty Soul).

This is an example of imagery because the listener can visualize his father working so hard that his bones are breaking.

7. “And now the ring that’s on my hand was given to me by her” (Nickelback).

This is an example of symbolism because the ring symbolizes marriage.

8. “Circling your, Circling your, Circling your head contemplating everything you ever said” (Trapt).

This is an example of repetition because ‘circling your’ is repeated.

9. “Cause every day we’re getting older and every day we all get colder” (Lost Prophets).

This is an example of rhyme because ‘older’ and ‘colder’ rhyme.

10. “All good friends, they stood by you and one at a time, one at a time they fall down. They fall down” (Burden Brothers).

This is an example of repetition because ‘one at a time’ and ‘they fall down’ is repeated.

“Once Upon a Mattress” Critique

The Fort Dorchester Students performed brilliant by singing and dancing in this musical performance. I enjoyed watching them perform onstage. The male performers were funny and spiteful. The students that had singing parts were on key and carried the right tone. I was surprised that the male students did such a good job singing and dancing. The costumes were amazing and just like wardrobes from a royal kingdom. I liked how the students were acting as if they were honorable people of importance. The dances from the performance were energetic and simplistic.

The scene from the ball before Princess Winnifred’s good nights sleep was fun to watch. Queen Aggravain invented a dance that was especially tiresome and wacky. She intended on Princess Winnifred to dance all night which would cause her to become tired. When the actors and actresses were dancing in pairs, Princess Winnifred accidentally dropped her mic from underneath her costume. I noticed this right away because the pair was dancing center stage and it was easily observed that a black string was hanging and she was holding a black box. The mic also got caught in her hair while Prince Dauntless was making a turn. After the ball, Princess Winnifred passed the mic to a lady in waiting. The lady in waiting was standing near the right section of the stage and she carefully snuck back stage to put the mic away.

My favorite character was Princess Winnifred played by Caitlyn Oenbrink. Caitlyn was the perfect student to play this princess who is witty and humorous. She had the voice to sing all of the solo parts. Princess Winnifred was the main character that danced with everyone. Caitlyn did a good job acting and singing in this musical. Even though, there was a minor issue with the mic falling out of her costume, the play was still a success.

This musical was a good performance overall. The students trained consecutively and practiced on their songs. The dances were incorporated with the songs perfectly.

“Once Upon a Mattress” Summary

“Once Upon a Mattress” is the modern day version of “The Princess and the Pea” with the intentions of a prince trying to find a real princess in hopes of marrying her. The prince, Prince Dauntless has been searching for a princess for the twelfth time. Twelve princesses have been eagerly waiting to meet Prince Dauntless. He has found many hopeful applicants but, has only been turned down because of his mother Queen Aggravain. Queen Aggravain believes in testing the princesses to find out if they are real princesses. Real princesses would pass the tests and prove they deserve to be with Prince Dauntless. Prince Dauntless wishes that his mother would not make up silly tests because the princesses always seem to fail which, leaves him with nobody. Queen Aggravain’s real motive for quizzing the princesses these ridiculous tests is because she does not wish her son to marry a princess that will be apart of the throne. She wants her son to be patient in finding someone that will soon be with him for the rest of his life.

Other characters in the play were The Minstrel, The Wizard, Lady Larkin, The Jester, Princess Winnifred, and Sir Harry. The Minstrel was the narrator and a stand off character that made observations on the scenes. Lady Larkin and Sir Harry were in a relationship; Lady Larkin has been pregnant during the play. The Wizard, The Jester, and Prince Dauntless’s father King Sextimus were the three characters who exhibited the comical lines. However, King Sextimus has lost his voice due to a curse put on him. He can only gain his voice back if a mouse seizes a lion. The Jester has found a princess for Prince Dauntless; a princess who is from the swamps of the land. Queen Aggravain already disapproves of Princess Winnifred; she believes she is not suitable to marry her son. Princess Winnifred is the witty character with an extraordinary personality. She has a keen sense of humor and is liked by most of the ladies and gentlemen of the court. The Minstrel and the Jester are destined to match Princess Winnifred with Prince Dauntless because they are tired of searching for other princesses. In order, for them to succeed in their task, they have to be knowledgeable of the test Queen Aggravain will give to Princess Winnifred. The Minstrel knew that the Wizard and Queen Aggravain have been talking and deciding on which test to give to her. Queen Aggravain decides to test her on sensitivity. She plans to have about twenty mattresses on top of a single green pea. And if the so-called princess can feel the pea under the twenty mattresses, then, she would be suitable for the prince. After her long, restless night of sleeping, Princess Winnifred has passed the sensitivity test because she did not sleep at all. In conclusion, Prince Dauntless had yelled at his mother which caused King Sextimus to speak again. The Jester explained that the mouse (Prince Dauntless) had seized the lion (Queen Aggravain). The gentlemen and the ladies of the courts revealed the true reason behind Princess Winnifred’s restless night. Under all the mattresses, there has been armor and hard objects which caused her to feel them throughout the night. “Once Upon a Mattress” has been a delightful musical to watch with humorous changes to the original fairy tale.

“Miss Fort Dorchester 2008 Pageant” Critique

I attended the Miss Fort Dorchester Pageant with my friend Nikki Newsome. It was fun going with a friend because we made side comments about every contestant as they walked across the stage. Most of the contestants did a great job performing onstage and with their talent competition. The audience could sense the contestant’s stage presence and nervous feeling. The casual competition was judged on the girls’ outfits they had chosen before. Some of the outfits were casual and some were like dressy casual. Casual dress can mean a sundress or dress slacks and a nice top. I would think that casual means the outfits a person would wear to school, which usually consists of jeans and a nice shirt. None of the contestants wore jeans as casual wear. The talent competition was my favorite part of the pageant. I enjoyed watching the girls dance to some extent. Most of the girls danced to a soft music in the background or Hollywood. I wanted at least someone to dance to the style of hip hop. Hip hop is so much fun to watch. Some of the talents, I did not consider a talent. For example, a soccer presentation was just a girl drippling a ball and speaking about her experience as a soccer player. Then, another contestant had a PowerPoint with pictures of herself and her friends and spoke about her life in high school. The judges chose Caitlyn Oenbrink as Miss Fort Dorchester 2008. Caitlyn was overall the best contestant because of her experience on stage and outgoing personality. She has confidence when she is performing in front of people. Some of the girls carried a fake smile as they walked which made them seem like they just wanted to get off stage.

“Miss Fort Dorchester 2008 Pageant” Summary

The Miss Fort Dorchester 2008 Pageant contained eighteen talented contestants all competing to be named Miss Fort Dorchester 2008. These contestants were in different grades: four freshmen, five sophomores, two juniors, and seven senior girls. They all were performing in an opening number. The opening number involved an arrangement of everyone dancing onstage. The Mistress of Ceremonies announced all of the girls and the judges’ background information. The entertainment of the pageant involved the former Miss Fort Dorchester 2007 dancing and singing to a song which was her talent portion last year and other Fort Dorchester Dancers performing their original pieces of work. The eighteen contestants competed in competitions like casual wear, talent, interview, and evening gown competition. The talent competition involved girls dancing, singing, presentations like monologues and photography. Each girl was talented in their own unique way. The interview competition was not seen by the audience because it was before the pageant started. Other guests that were featured in this pageant were visiting queens. The visiting queens were queens from relay for life.

After the entertainment and the competitions, the awards ceremony and crowning was the finale. The Mistress of Ceremonies presented the girls with trophies, plaques, and crowns. A People’s Choice award was presented to the contestant that had the most votes by other students and faculty. This pageant was entertaining to watch because of the contestant’s talents and their own personal style of clothing.

“The Wizard of Oz” Critique

This children’s play was perfect for a younger audience. I enjoyed watching the elementary school children act as munchkins in the beginning of the play. The munchkins were cute and fun to watch. They behaved by singing little children’s songs and having small parts in this performance. In the scene, where Dorothy first discovers she is in Munchkinland, she hands over the dog, Toto to a little boy munchkin. When the munchkin was holding Toto, Toto lets out a yelp and the Good Witch took the dog. I thought that was really adorable.

When the group arrived at Oz and was waiting at the gate, the gate had slowly begun to fall. The Cowardly Lion noticed the gate falling and saved it by holding it up. He quickly ran towards that gate while it was falling. He had to spur out lines like “Ohhh, that was scary!” Then, the gate fell down completely a second time. Dorothy had burst into giggles and laughter when the gate fell down. Throughout, the play the actors and actresses incorporated lines about the gate falling down. For instance, the Wizard of Oz mentioned he wasn’t sure he should grant them wishes since they ruined his gate. The adlib lines and sudden comical scenes was a good cover up to something like this happening.

The performance was funny to watch because of the actors and actresses in the play. They are very talented and theatrical performers who made a children’s play a big success. The presentation of “The Wizard of Oz” was different from the book and the movie. Hocus and Pocus were introduced as new characters. And Ogma The Wizard’s Secretary and Ozma were used as helpers for the Wizard. The Wizard was not really a magical person with powers. I liked how the ending of the play was different than expected. Everyone expected the Wizard to be powerful with his voice and intimidating personality. Then, he appears onstage to be a small, short man with no powers at all to grant them there wishes. He did grant them their wishes, but, in a different way.

“The Wizard of Oz” Summary

Dorothy is a young girl who lives in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Then, suddenly a tornado is about to appear in Kansas. Aunt Em tries to yell for Dorothy to get inside. Suddenly, Dorothy is awakened to be in a village. She realizes that the house is now on top of a pair of red sparkly shoes with striped socks. Dorothy is surprised and confused on where she is; she realizes she is not in Kansas anymore. She discovers from the munchkins that she is in a small village called Munchkinland. Then, Glinda The Good Witch arrives magically to welcome Dorothy. She speaks to Dorothy and tells her that she has killed the Wicked Witch of the East. Dorothy did not mean to kill the Wicked Witch by the house falling on her. Glinda tells Dorothy that she must wear the ruby red shoes and follow the yellow brick road to Oz.

Along her voyage to the Land of Oz, Dorothy meets friends like Mrs. Crowe the Scarecrow, Mr. Woodman the Tinman, and Mr. Lyon the Lion. The Scarecrow does not have a brain and would like to go to Oz hoping that the wizard would give him a brain. The Tinman does not have a heart and joins the group to seek for a heart. The Cowardly Lion would like to become scary since, he is a lion. This group travels to Oz by following the yellow brick road. During their journey, the Wicked Witch of the West and her two sidekicks Hocus and Pocus try to prevent Dorothy and her friends from seeing the wizard. The witch tries to capture Dorothy because she wants to have the ruby red shoes. She sends Hocus and Pocus to bring the group back to her place. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion have all been poisoned by the flowers. The flowers make people drowsy which caused them to sleep. After they escaped the witch and managed to kill her; the group continues to follow the yellow brick road to the Land of Oz.

Once, they arrive in the Land of Oz, they ask to speak with the wizard. The wizard seems to grant the Scarecrowe, the Tinman, and the Lion’s wishes. He grants them in a different way than expected. He does reveal that he does not have magical powers. Dorothy was left without her wish to go back to Kansas. The Wizard did not know how to bring Dorothy back to Kansas. Then, Glinda the Good Witch appears and advises Dorothy to tap the red shoes together and say ‘There’s No Place like Home’ three times. This apparently works and brings Dorothy back to Kansas.