Formal Writing

Is Technology Ruining The Younger Generation.

Technology is destroying the younger generation! Our minds have been infested with the constant need to be online. Technology affects our physical and mental health and although we may not realize it now, technology is slowly reducing our capability to interact with other human beings.

People these days use a variety of digital devices, such as phones, computers, ipads, tablets etc. Constant use of the devices can lead to physical health problems. For example listening  through headphones at a high volume for a long time may damage hearing. Along with the risk of damaging one’s hearing, technology can also affect the eyes. Too much screen time drains our eyes, causing our vision to become blurry and drying out our eyes. “Nearly 70% of american adults have experienced digital eye strain.”

Phones nowadays have become so addicting and such a big part of our lives that if we are detached from it, it is like we have lost a limb. In today's society human interaction has become less and less. It’s like this generation has lost their feelings and emotions to texts and emoticons because it is is portrayed as easier to communicate with people online. “Teens today spend more than 712 hours a day consuming media.” If this time was spent doing this more productive or just talking to people face to face, human interaction would be a whole lot easier.

The use of technology combined with the power of social media portraying the ideal standards of beauty can really mess with someone’s mind. The constant reminder through technology of the “perfect body” or “perfect face” on social media negatively affects one’s confidence level and can lead to mental illnesses. Studies have found that girls as young as eight that spend a lot of time on social media tend to have lower self-confidence and social skills. Because everything is so easy to access online makes it even worse for those who suffer from low self-esteem.

In conclusion technology is slowly but surely destroying people’s minds through physical and mental health. Also the lack of human interaction is negatively affecting this generation and the generations to come. It may be helpful in some ways but if not properly used it could demolish human lives before our very own eyes.

Reading Blog 6

Reading Blog 6
A Brighter Fear
Text Type: Extended written text


A Brighter Fear written by Kerry Drewery is a story about a girl named Lina who faces hardships during the 2003 Iraq bombing. An impossible love story, for a country and a person too.

I felt devastated when Lina had to choose between saving herself or her uncle. She did not know if her uncle Aziz would still be alive after the kidnappers received their money. I thought it was so courageous of her to save her uncle rather than using her fathers life savings for herself. The fact that she had the chance to save herself, move to Europe and get away from all the bloodshed but didn't, showed the love she had for her family.

Reading Blog 5

Reading Blog 5
Schindler's Ark
Text Type: Extended written text

‘Schindler’s Ark’ written by Thomas Kenelly is a historical fiction novel that is about a man named Oskar Schindler, a Nazi party member who throughout the book becomes an unlikely hero to 1,200 Jews. He is a self-made entrepreneur who finds himself saving the Jews from the Nazi death machine.

Knowing that the novel is based on a true story, restores my faith in humanity. Even though there were men like Hitler back then there were also men like Schindler who although was a Nazi still helped Jews from the kindness of his heart. Just because he was Nzai it didn’t mean that he had to follow the evil ways of their leader in the 20th century. Oskar saved 1,200 Jews and even though he thought it wasn’t enough it showed how big his heart was and how much he was willing to risk for the sake of others. “Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” a quote engraved into a ring that was gifted to Schindler by Itzhak Stern on behalf of the Jews, as a small token of their appreciation, knowing that there is no way they could repay the gift of life. This shows us that change starts with one and something can be done even in the worst of times. The Jews want Schindler to know by saving them he has saved humanity.

Reading the book I find it so amazing what the power from one person can accomplish. Schindler used his power to save those in need, Jews. Whereas Amon Goeth used his power to kill Jews and shoot them from his balcony for no reason. Although Schindler could be as greedy and self-absorbed as Goeth he knew it wasn’t right to kill people just because of their religion. I felt disgusted by the amount of hate Goeth had towards the Jews and how he uses his power to kill them just because he can. Oskar explains to Goeth that “Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don’t”. Goeth is drunk to try and Schindler is trying to make him understand that violence and power is not the same thing. Goeth tries to follow his advice the next day but finds himself failing, this showing the difference between the two men use their power.

Reading Blog 4

Reading Blog 4
Remember the Titans
Text Type: Visual Text

Remember the Titans

Remember The Titans directed by Boaz Yakin tells a story about a newly integrated school. At the start Herman Boone is asked to take the place of former coach Bill Yoast. Since the integration was fairly new no one wanted to accept the fact that blacks and whites would play together. As an African-American everyone seems to be against Coach Boone. It is up to him to pull the team together. As the movie progresses both coaches come to a compromise and all the hard work and friendship of the team shines through, which eventually helps change the view of all those who discriminated.

It enraged me to see both races not treat each other as equals. This is seen when Gerry says “I don’t want to play with any of these black animals”. It made me wonder why being different was such a big deal back then. Seeing this makes me feel glad that in 2017 everyone is treated as equals and are not being judged on where they came from.

I was delighted to see the team come together and not giving a damn about the colour of their skin even outside of camp. We see this when the team has practiced a dance routine for their warm up and performed it on the football field in front of everyone. This gave a sense of unity and a special bond no one can break. Many years later this bond the boys have is still not broken. This is proved when an older Sheryl says “People say that it can’t work, black and white. Here we make it work everyday. We still have our disagreements, of course, but before we reach for hate, always, always remember the Titans”.

In all I thought it was a great movie and the message of diversity was portrayed beautifully in the film ‘Remember The Titans’.

Reading Blog 3

Reading Blog 3
Go Ask Alice
Text Type: Extended written text

Go ask Alice, a tragic and deeply disturbing book that takes us on an emotional rollercoaster that is the life of an anonymous 15 year old girl, referred to as ‘Alice’. From doing drugs to running away, all being document of a horrifying reality.

I feel horrible and angry when Alice writes “I wish I were popular and beautiful and wealthy and talented.” seeing that the expectations of society were very similar in the late 1960s shows us that although our generation may have progressed with time there are still people out there who are insecure a feeling that will never leave this world no matter how many years pass. She states that “Sometimes I think we’re all trying to be shadows of each other, trying to buy the same records and everything even if we don’t like them.” I feel as though I can really relate to her when she writes this because I am constantly trying to fit in and like what other people like just because I don’t want to be seen differently but I don’t want to lose myself just to impress someone. Alice also feels this way when she continues on to say “...Kids are like robots, off an assembly line, and I don’t want to be a robot.”

I really like the way the author symbolizes the maggots and worms. “Gramps’ body all filled with maggots and worms.” I feel as those the corpse symbolizes the loneliness of her mind as it is being hid from others and the maggots being the society that is corrupting her mind. No one knows whats going on in her brain but somehow she was still pushed into doing illegal and  traumatizing things.

Reading Blog 2

Reading Blog 2
Slumdog Millionaire
Text Type: Visual Text

Slumdog Millionaire directed by Danny Boyle is an emotional movie that takes us on a journey of a poor boy's life and what it is like living in the slums in India. A new piece of Jamal’s life unfolds after he gives the correct answer on India’s ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’.

I think that it is disgusting how far people will go to earn a few rupees through human trafficking. We see this when Maman blinds one of the child beggars. He gets him to sing him a poem ‘Darshan Do Ghanshyam’ and because he has a good voice Maman gets on of his workers to make the kid go unconscious with chloroform. He then gets another worker to heat some acid and pour it into the boy’s eyes. We later learn that Maman does this because “blind singers earn double.” This scene made me think about how many poor children have to go through this because their kidnappers are greedy for money. It also made me think that when giving money to beggars it is going to their ‘bosses’ which is then used to disable these kids just to earn a little extra. It it repulsive the amount of human trafficking there is in India.

I admire the way Jamal's character never gave up on Latika. Whenever they were separated he would always find his way back to her even if she didn't want to see him. This is seen when Jamal's older brother Salim lets Latika go when they get on the train headed to an unknown destination because they betrayed Mamun. Even though Jamal would probably never see her again he still came back to Mumbai and asked around and went back to their begging ring. This is also seen when Jamal reunites with his lost love at the train station and says “I knew you’d be watching,” to Latika. Even from a young age Jamal knew he was destined to be with Latika it showed me that no matter how many hardships they go through they will always end up together.

Reading Blog 1

Reading Blog 1

Noughts and Crosses
Text Type: Extended Written text

Noughts and Crosses written by Malorie Blackman is a romantic, adventures and action story set in the 1960’s but also had technology included from the 1980’s. In those times whites were higher up but in this book Blackman flipped and made it seem like it was an alternate universe where Crosses (blacks) were superior and Noughts (whites) were inferior. Callum and Sephy had a forbidden love that was looked down upon by many. Not many people could look past skin colour and be open-minded about it. In the book most Crosses had thought of Noughts as low lives and people they shouldn’t interact with. Whereas most of the Noughts thought of the Crosses as stuck-up people with materialistic life styles. Both parties discouraged the thought of Noughts and Crosses getting along.

This book made me feel disgusted with the amount of racism in it. For example when four Noughts are accepted into Heathcroft High School the Crosses started a protest in which they said  “No blankers in our school.” Noughts were also referred to as blankers. They were given this name because according to the Crosses they were “Blank, white faces with not a hint of colour in them. Blank minds which can’t hold a single original thought. Blank, blank, blank.” I could really relate to the Noughts when I read that sentence because I have also have had my fair share of racist comments thrown towards me, along with the feeling of not fitting in because of my race and religion. I always felt the need to act and present myself a certain way to be an accepted member of society. Which is exactly what Callum felt the night before school started. We see this when he is unpacking and repacking his bag and saying the same sentence over and over again in his head. “I’m lucky.. I’m lucky.. I’m lucky.. I’m going to school.”

A really big theme in Noughts and Crosses is betrayal. This theme is seen near the end of the novel at the beach. The beach, where Sephy was kidnapped, turns the symbol of friendship into the symbol of betrayal. “Meet around nine o’clock at our special place. It’s very important.” Callum wrote in his letter. Sephy heads to the beach with the thought of meeting her former best friend, but when she gets there she is in for a great shock. I chose this because the picture of Callum stabbing her in the back makes me believe in the saying “Trust is a fragile thing. Easy to break. Easy to lose, but one of the hardest things to get back.”

Dr. Jykell & Mr. Hyde

Chapter 5 “Incident of The Letter”

1.. What does Jekyll say in response to Utterson’s inquiry regarding Hyde’s whereabouts?

Hyde has fled.

2. Why does Jekyll want Utterson to have the letter?

So he can get Utterson to trust him again.

3. Who is it from and what does it say?

The letter is from Mr. Hyde assuring Jekyll that he has means of escape, that Jekyll should not worry about him, and that he sees himself as unworthy of Jekyll's generosity.

4.  How can Poole be so positive that no messenger delivered the letter?

Poole checks the mail.

5. Who is Mr. Guest?

Mr Utterson's  trusted clerk.

6. Utterson says, “There was no man from whom he kept fewer secrets than Mr. Guest; and he was not always sure that he kept as many as he meant.” What does this mean about the relationship between Guest and Utterson?

Mr Utterson doesn’t trust Guest.

7. What special ability does Guest have?

He is an expert on handwriting.

8. How does Guest have an opportunity to compare the handwriting of Jekyll and Hyde?

He has a dinner invitation that he compares the letter to.

Chapter 6 “Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon”

1. Utterson feels that the death of Sir Danvers was more than paid for by what?

The disappearance of Mr Hyde.

2. How does Dr. Jekyll behave at the time of Hyde’s supposed disappearance?

He goes back to his regular self.

3. Between the days of January 8 and January 16 what change has occurred in Dr. Lanyon?

He becomes distant because he knows about Jekyll's secret. He starts to look older and tired.

4. What reason does Lanyon give for his current condition?

Shock.

5. What does Lanyon say in response to Utterson’s mention of Jekyll?

To never speak of him again.

6. What type of document does Utterson receive the night of Lanyon’s funeral?

An envelope that includes a letter.

7. What instructions are given on the second document?

Not to open it until the death or disappearance of Jekyll.

8. What does Utterson do with the two documents?

He puts them in his safe.

Practice Reading Blog

"The Milgram Experiment", written by Saul Mcleod is an article about seeing how far ordinary people will go to obey authority. Milgram conducted an experiment at YALE University to see if there was a relationship between authority and people below.