My opinions story

I personally do not like some high schools having mandatory uniforms, but they do have its benefits.

It helps students stick to dress code and prevents them from getting dress coded constantly. It also saves time in the morning while students are getting dressed because they wear the same outfits.

But, I do not like how everyone is dressed the same. I think that all students express themselves through the outfits they wear everyday. Having school uniforms cause all of the students to not be original and not express themselves.  

Some people like the idea of students wearing school uniforms because they think it helps them focus more on school instead of what they wear the next day at school. I do not agree with that statement because if students actually care about their grades they would focus on them regardless of uniform or no uniform. I think instead of uniforms, the school should enforce what the rules for dress code are. 

School uniforms percentages have gone down since the 20th century. Some schools think that scool uniforms are not important.

Personal Essays

1. "Be sure your essay is about something you care strongly enough about to wax eloquent and passionate about it. Readers wants to know what you know, feel what you felt, and understand where you’re coming from."
2. "Avoid using abstract expressions and phrases such as “the best day of my life”, “my happiest moment as a parent”, “I’d never known greater grief” to describe emotions of love, loss, anger, joy, satisfaction, etc. Make these emotions real and immediate by noting specifics and details that draw the reader into the experience, rather than just setting them aside as observers. The old “seduction not instruction” rule — showing rather than telling — makes for a more compelling essay, as it does almost any piece of writing."
3.

• Personal essays by definition contain a personal perspective. You should be there. Watch your construction. If every sentence begins “I”, you need to rephrase to provide a better rhythm and pace to your piece.
• No extra points for the number of facts you include. Academic essays contain more facts than opinion, personal essays contain more opinion than facts. But ensure the facts you use are accurate. Check names, spellings, numbers. Two sources of confirmation are better than one.
• Make connections. If you’re writing about a global theme (poverty, unemployment, child abuse) bring the subject closer to home by relating it to specific, individual examples. If you’re writing about more mundane subjects (left-hand turn signals, the search for the best French Fries, your daughter’s graduation) again, set your views against a wider backdrop or perspective so the reader can relate to it.
• Writing essays in a great way to get your opinions off your chest, but avoid philosophical rants which make no connection to your reader’s experience. Again, keep it personal while relating to a wider world.
• The hook is the device you use to get your reader’s attention. It’s the doorway through which you welcome and orient them to the piece.

Opinions writing preview activity

Our great tree is worth saving

1. who wrote the story?
- Ian Miler
2. What is their story about?
- It is about the huge old tree in the middle of the bowie courtyard.
3. What is their direct opinion about that topic?
- "It's absolutely worth the price to save it."
4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?
- "Our courtyard would seem so much more empty."
5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion?
- I personally think yes. He could have used more detail to describe their opinion.
6. Are there any quotes in the story?
- Yes
7. What point of view did they write in?
- He wrote in 1st person.


Going above the norm for college importance of physics class

1. Jake Brien
2. It is about college and how physics is important for college.
3. He thinks physics is important knowledge to have going into college.
4. Most students don't want to study or learn about physics.
5. I think the writer explained his opinions well.
6. No there aren't quotes in the story.
7. 1st person

Immigration laws getting out of hand

1. Editorial
2. Immigration laws getting out of hand
3. They think the laws for immigration are ridiculous
4.
5.
6.
7.

Betsy Devos unfit to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education
1. Reagan Wallace
2.

SLO practice information

1. d

2. a

3. c

4. d

5. d

6. c

Portfolios

1.
a. Alyssa Schukar
b. Eating Disorder
c. Photos are too far away, downer, and they don't feel the emotion she is trying to show.
d. Caribbean guy, and girl who fell off the hurtles.
e.  The photos were basic and boring. I liked the idea of it though. It could have been done better.

2.
a. Travis Haughton
b. Genetic condition, death
c. Pictures of signs, blocking faces, cropped some important things out.
d. Does not look staged, Good quality.
e. Some of the photos don't make sense, and some are not important enough to take.

4.
a. Jordan Birnbaum
b. Humor and real life situations.
c. Good humor and realistic pics, good quality.
d. Random photos and some are distracting.
e. I like the moments that were caught.

2.
a. The judges liked how creative the photos were,
b. The judges looked through portfolios.

3. They looked back on all the photos.