Opinion Writing Piece

Opinion Writing

SLO Practice

1. In the following, which news value is most clearly represented in the caption below?

Caption: Courtney Suel (left) and Lesia Bridges navigate a flooded Aquarena Springs Drive in San Marcos on Tuesday. One gauge in the city recorded nearly seven inches of rain.

C. Impact

2. In the following, which news value is most clearly represented in the caption below?

Caption: Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday in Nogales, Ariz: "This is a new era. This is the Trump era. The lawlessness, the abdication of the duty to enforce our immigration laws....are over."
A. Prominence

3. Which of the following is an example of a present tense action verb?

C. Paints

4. What is the most wrong with the following headline?

Headline: Big win

D. The lack of a subject

5. What information is missing from the first sentence of this caption:

Caption: On Wednesday, March 13 senior Sarah Smith captures the flag.

B. The location

6. What information is missing from the second sentence of this caption:

Caption: On Wednesday, March 13 senior Sarah Smith captures the flag in the annual senior games event held at Bowie High School. Smith lives at 10405 Johnston St. in Austin.

C. Background information about the senior games

Caption Writing:

Please write a correct 2 sentence caption for the following photo - remember that you get to make up all the information, but you still need to follow the correct format as described above:

On May 4th, the Prime Minister of Canada Joseph Delilah and Malala walk down a carpet in front of the Canadian Presidential Palace. A new law in Canada had just been announced regarding religious tolerance and religious freedom. 

Graffiti & Found Object Shoot

Personal Essays

1. What was one idea that the writer gave in the Wide Range of Topics section that you can use as you start deciding on a topic? One idea that the writer gave in this section was to find something that is controversial that I care strongly about.

2. What was one idea the writer gave in the Opinions Pieces section that you should remember as you are writing your piece? One idea that the writer gave in this section was to be specific. Generalizations in this type of writing aren't something that makes a person want to continue to read the piece.

3. List three suggestions the writer makes in the Personal Essays and Crafts section that you will use as you write.

• Construct a piece with rhythm and pace, not have every sentence begin with "I".
• Fact check any facts that I use in my essay.
• Create an essay that isn't more of a rant, the person who reads it should know where I stand on the topic and why. 

Nut Graf

A nut graf is slang used in the journalism community in regards to a paragraph or sentence that is a part of an article in newspapers and magazines. That paragraph summarizes the basics of the story, without giving away all of the details. It puts that story into context and tells the reader why the story itself is important. It helps to convince the reader to continue reading the story or article.

The nit graf follows the story's who, what, when, where and how, serving as the why of the story. It follows the lead, since it helps to continue to provide context for the story. The nut graf helps to determine what the story is about, which is beneficial for both the reader and the writer.

Student of the Month Story

This new Bowie tradition started this year, as a 2019 resolution. Bowie student Alli Wayman recently got named student of the month for March, the third recipient of the award. She was awarded for her hard work and dedication, especially that of which she put in her academics and into her extracurricular.

Wayman pushed herself to improve, putting her on her teacher's radar for the award. All of her teachers agree that she earned the award through her commitment to all of her classes.

Wayman had previously struggled with her courses and needed a way to show her devotion to her academics.

"I am very proud of myself because I showed myself I could excel in school" Wayman said.

Wayman's past struggles with academics only pushed her to do better. With the help and encouragement of her peers, parents and teachers, she was able to persevere through her struggles.

"I'm really proud of how Alli was able to push herself and turn around her grades. She tackled this challenge that she presented herself, in a mature way" Bowie English teacher Jennifer Warner said.

Wayman suggested many things that helped her excel academically that helped her to achieve a long term goal like this.

"Making school one of your top priorities and setting a goal for yourself and dedicating yourself to it is important" Wayman said.

As with all students, Wayman found ways to study that benefited her. Finding effective ways to study for classes are imperative for learning.

"I liked to study right when I get home from school, so it’s fresh in my brain" Wayman said.

Finding the right balance between school, extracurriculars, and free time is difficult.

“Sometimes I would have to give up free time at home to studying for tests” Wayman said.

Being on the swim team, Bowie’s “no pass, no play” policy also played a part in Wayman’s decision to turn her grades around.

“Alli was able to fix her grades and compete the best she could, at the same time. That takes a lot of self motivation” Bowie Swim Coach Terry Thompson said.

With the award come higher expectations, placed on Wayman by herself, her teachers and her peers. Wayman began to have more positive outlook on her future.

“I think I am more optimistic about my grades ” Wayman said.

Inverted Pyramid

My First Interview

Student of the Month Interview- Alli Wayman

1. What did you do to get this award? I dedicated my time to completing all my school work.
2. How do you feel after accomplishing this? I am very proud of myself because I showed myself I could excel in school.
3. Why did you want to get this award? I wanted to get this award because I used to not do good in school and I wanted to try to get better grades.
4. How has this award effected your academic life? My grades have improved and its made me a faster learner in class.
5. What advice would you give to other people who would like to get the award? Making school one of your top priorities and setting a goal for yourself and dedicating yourself to it is important.
6. Did you want the award? I did, I set it as a goal for myself. 
7. Were you expecting the award? No, because I thought a lot of the other people around me were getting better grades.
8. How has the award effected you socially? I have met some new people because people like to talk to me about how I got the award.
9. What study habits do you have that helped you be successful? I liked to study right when I get home from school, so its fresh in my brain and not at night.
10. Are you apart extracurricular activities? If so, what? I am on the swim team.
11. What challenges did you face in trying to get this award? Sometimes I would have to give up free time at home to studying for tests.
12. Are you treated any differently by your peers? No, I don't think I am because a lot of my peers are smart too.
13. How has this award changed the course you saw yourself on? I think I am more optimistic about my grades in the future, as I used to get bad grades.
14. Do your teachers have a higher expectation for you? I don't think so, I think they have the same expectation for everyone.
15. Do you have higher expectations for yourself? Yes, because I've seen what I'm capable of by staying dedicated to it.
16. How did you work towards this goal? I made sure not to turn in anything late and kept a to-do list of things I had to do.
17. What are you planning in regards to future academic endeavors? I plan on taking all advanced classes and aiming to get into a good college.
18.  What field of work do you plan on going into?  I plan on going into the psychology field because I want to learn more about how the brain works and study the people around me. 
19. How do your parents feel about this award? My parents are very proud of me because they used to get on me for my bad grades and they're proud of me for raising my grades. 
20. Was this a long or short term goal? This was a long term goal that I set for myself about three months ago when my grades started becoming really low.

School Uniforms

Assignment #1:

Topic: School Uniforms

The school board has decided to create a district wide policy of enforcing school uniforms. Who would you need to interview to find out more information about this topic? What are some good questions to ask? (This is theoretical)

1. List three different sources you could interview for this topic. The students, the teachers, the principal, any student teachers and the school resource officers.

2. Create 20 questions you could ask each source and post them on your blog. It will be the same 20 questions for each, so you only have to think of 20 total questions.

1. How do you think this will effect learning?
2. How do you feel about the introduction of this policy?
3. What do you think about how the policy is being enforced?
4. What do you think about the design?
5. How do you think this will effect school security?
6. How do you think the policy will change?
7. What do you think about the consequences of breaking the dress code of uniforms?
8. What do you think about how the policy is being adapted to the school?
9. When do you think it would be appropriate to break the dress code?
10. How do you think they would deal with the supply and demand of the uniforms?
11. Are you for/against the policy?
12. Why are you for/against the policy?
13. Do you think the introduction of school uniforms will change social aspects of the day?
14. Do you think that the introduction of the policy will change student behavior?
15. How do you think the cost of the uniforms will effect the student population and their families?
16. How is the uniform policy different from the current dress code in place?
17. How do you think the introduction of the policy will change how the students express themselves?
18. Do you think that the introduction of the policy will alter the academic scores that we currently get as a school? Individually?
19. Do you think that the policy will effect the attendance rates? 
20. Do you think the introduction of this policy will effect the school and community spirit?

Architecture Shoot

Lighting

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Surroundings

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Angles

Architecture Preview #2

Hundertwasserhaus (Forest Spiral, The Hundertwasser Building), Germany

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Atomium, Belgium

 

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National Centre for the Performing Arts, China

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Turning Torso, Sweden

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Krzywy Domek (The Crooked House), Poland

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Architecture Preview #1

Hundertwasserhaus (Forest Spiral, The Hundertwasser Building), Germany

1. The architect was Friedrich Stowasser, who was also known by the pseudonym Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser.

2. It was built between 1998 and 2000. The architect died a few months before the building was completed.

3. It is located in Darmstadt, Germany. 

4. It is a private apartment building, so there are no amenities for visitors.

5. There is no information on the how much it cost to build, but the architect avoided individually designing all of the apartment rooms due to reducing the costs.

6. Hunderwasser's personal style was to have all of the corners of the building are rounded because the he was against using straight lines. He also is known for using multicolored painting on the outside of the building in earth tones, with colorful ceramic columns. None of the windows, which there are over 1,000 windows in this building, are the same. Also, none of the handles of the doors or windows are the same in each room.

7. I picked this building because it was in Germany. I would like to visit Germany and am always looking at places that I could visit when I end up going. I also thought that the name of the building was interesting. I purposely chose buildings that weren't in the United States because I wanted to look at the buildings from different cultures.

Atomium, Belgium

1. The building was designed by the engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak.

2. It was build in 1957.

3. It is located in Brussels, Belgium. 

4. The building is now a museum, so it is open to the public. There are a limited amount of people who can visit in one day and costs between $11 and $20. 

5. There is no information on how much it cost to build the structure originally, but it cost $33,886,450.00 to renovate in 2004. A third of the renovation costs was financed by Brussels and the Atomium Association, while the Belgian government financed the other two-thirds.

6. The building was built for the World Fair in Brussels in 1958 and is now the most popular tourist attrition. It is also the symbol of Europe's Central Capital. The building was only supposed to last six months, but it became a loved structure in Brussels.

7. I picked this building because the name Brussels reminds me of brussels sprouts and it made me laugh. I thought that the name of the building was interesting and thought that it would look modern and cool. The name of the building also reminded me of outer space. I think that it would be pretty cool to visit. I also picked it because it was not in the United States. 

National Centre for the Performing Arts, China

1. The building was designed by Paul Andreu, a French architect.

2. The building was build in December of 2001. The inaugural concert was held in December of 2007.

3. The building is located on Chang'an Avenue, Beijing, China. 

4. The building is a performing arts center, with 5,452 seats in three different halls of the building. The building is open to the public, with the purchase of tickets for a show or opera.

5. It cost $340,020,000.00 to build.

6. The building was completed in time for the 2008 Olympics that was hosted in Beijing, China.

7. I picked this building because I wanted to know what a performing arts center would look like in China. I thought that it would be interesting to learn more about famous and unique architecture in China. Not only did I pick it because it is not in the United States, I chose it because I am also going to Beijing. I think that I would actually get to see the building, which sounds interesting. I will also know more information about it if we do see it, making me seem smart.

Turning Torso, Sweden

1. The architect of the building is Santiago Calatrava.

2. Construction of the building began on February of 2001 and opened in 2005.

3. The building is located in Malmö on the Swedish side of the Öresund strait. 

4. The building is residential, so therefore is only open for visitors for more than three weeks during the summer. 

5. The original cost of construction was almost double the estimated cost.

6. The building is the first twisted skyscraper in the world.

7. I thought that the name of the building was interesting. I thought that I may as well learn more about it because of that. I thought that it would be unique and was willing to learn about the landmark. I also chose it because it is not located in the United States and because Sweden is cool.

Krzywy Domek (The Crooked House), Poland

1. The building was designed by Szotyńscy & Zaleski, who were inspired by the fairytale drawings of Jan Szancer.

2. The building was build in 2004.

3. The building is located in Sopot, Poland as a part of the Rezydent shopping center. 

4. The building is a popular tourist attraction. The building contains shops, office space, restaurants and the Polish version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

5. There is no information on the cost of the building because it was privately funded.

6. The building was inspired by the illustrations of Jan Szancer.

7. I picked this building because I saw that the name of the building was in a different language. I thought that it would be interesting to learn about the details of the name. The english name itself sounds interesting and lives up to what can be imagined. I picked it because it was in Poland, which is not the United States. 

Sensory Overload

1. "I believe that more and more, we are defining our environments not as the spaces themselves, in terms of the buildings or architecture, but rather by the objects and devices that we buy and surround ourselves with. ... I would like that message to carry through universally," Seymour said.

What do you think about this statement? I think that this statement is a very valid one. People are beginning to get more attached to the material objects that they make or buy. This also shows how someone can "climb" the social ladder, by beginning somewhere that the person feels does not define them and create a new environment through the things they purchase.

Do you agree or disagree? I agree with the statement because material items are becoming more and more valuable. The things that a person choses to surround themselves with is a good way to see how a person works, as well as the characteristics of a person. It is also interesting, because in the article, the sellers chose to surround themselves with the items that they sell, which doesn't say anything about them besides their need to make a living. 

As an aspiring photographer how does this make you feel about your photography? This makes me feel that I'll be able to tell a story through a photograph easier. Specifically, I'll be able to show different characteristics of both myself, as a photographer, and the person that I am shooting.

2. When you looked through the images, did you want to visit this place and take your camera? I really did want to visit. I think that I would be able to get a lot of really cool photos that I could then use for references in drawing or painting. I think that the diversity of the place could be overwhelming, but I would like to find the places that aren't and photograph them.

3. What do you think it would be like to be the child of someone who worked at this place? I think that it would be cool to be able to grow up experiencing the type of diversity that is located in this market. There would probably be a push to learn more than one language due to the diversity of the buyers. Being able to learn about the market and the cultures that exist in it are great life lessons.

4. Describe your favorite photo to me. My favorite photo has stuffed Santas lining the entire right side wall. There are Santas also hanging from the ceiling, with other stuffed animals in bins and on the wall on the left. On the far back wall, there are nutcrackers and other Christmas themed dolls on glass shelves. Two of the women in the shop are asleep on the orange counter, while the third woman is on her phone. There are rocking horses on the floor lining the right wall.