Graphic Organizer for Essay #7

Nolan B.

Mr. Salsich

English 9

11/2/10

Graphic Organizer

Paragraph #1

TS: Don't think of peace much when reading TOTC

SD: Dickens is more of a dark type of writer

CM: Some of his characters are far from peaceful like Monseiur Marquis

CM: Some are so depressed and believe they'll never find peace like Carton

SD: Book takes place around Civil War

CM: Many references to "blood"

CM: (Use another reference to blood)

SD: Only peaceful thing is Manette's being reunited

CM: Being reunited after 20 years would definitely put mind at peace

CM: Lucie and the Doctor seem much more at peace now

Paragraph #2: Freestyle Writing on Poem

I. Poem makes me emotional, women still at peace even though is in wheelchair

II. The rain keeps the woman at peace (Explain further in sentences after)

Paragraph #3: Freestyle Writing About Life

I. Basketball is peace

II. Have everything I need, family, friends, and should be thankful

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Nolan B.

Mr. Salsich

English 9

11/4/10

TS: Peace doesn't come to my mind often when thinking of Tale of Two Cities. SD: Some of Dickens character's have dark personalities, keeping to themselves, caring about no one but themselves, not worrying whatsoever about being peaceful, as if they have no conscience at all (Cumulative Sentence with a Simile). CM: Monseiur Marquis is that character of Dickens that really cherished no one other then himself. CM: Others, like Sydney Carton, are so depressed all the time that they seldomly ever smile. SD: This book takes place around the time of the civil war, a time where peace wasn't even mentioned, a time where no one felt safe, a time where much blood was spilt. CM: Dickens has exemplified "blood" quite a few times in the book so far. CM: In one chapter, a man writes the word "blood" on a wall using wine, stating the coming forth of the civil war. SD: There is only one part of this book that actually some what reminds me of peace, and that is when the Manette's reunite. CM: Being brought back together after 20 years must have unequivocally brought peace back to them. CM: When Doctor Manette was first described to us in the book before being reunited, he was old and deathly looking, but now he is more full of life and peaceful. TS: Dickens, in my eyes, believes that peace isn't very realistic, and that's why he doesn't mention it much in this book.

A Rainy Morning by Ted Kooser is a very emotional poem, but to me it directly relates to peace. The women in the poem has lost her ability to walk, but that doesn't stop her from finding peace. Being in wheelchair for her is something that she actually enjoys, even though it stops her from doing multiple things like most sports. She forgets all about her unfortunate disability and is able to be cheerful because of it. It is also raining in the poem, making an even more peaceful scene for the women in the poem. She is in love with the rain; the feeling of it makes her blessed to be alive. The rain helps her get through being in a wheelchair; the rain helped her master the wheelchair; the rain is her guide to peace. The women in this poem is a very strong person, and a great role model. She pushes on and finds peace, letting nothing at all stop her.

Peace can be found anywhere in your life, like sitting in your room just relaxing or running around in the rain. I consider it universal or infinite because anyone can find peace in their own way. I can find it in playing basketball, each shot taking complete concentration, a skill i've picked up, a form i've been practicing to find my perfect shot (Appositive). When I go to take a shot, everything seems to go into slow motion, creating a peaceful scene in my mind. Even watching it puts a good feeling inside me -- creates a feeling that wishes it could be just like the people it sees ( Verb Appositive). My life has everything I could possibly need at the moment to achieve peace. Family is a huge factor for my peace. Just being with my parents creates a sense of safeness for me. They always have the right things to say when I'm in need of it, pushing away and making me forget everything bad happening to me. You could almost speculate them bringing peace into my life as their duty, and I am exceedingly thankful for having them. On the court, at home, with family or watching television, are all kinds of places that peace can be found (Compound Subject).

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Self - Assessment

1) I'm still continuing to work on splitting up the amount of short and long sentences I have. I tried to have more longer sentences than I usually have in this essay, and I hope it helped improve my writing. It also makes the essay way more interesting to write by thinking of long, clever sentences.

2) I really thought my last paragraph in my essay was well written. I really put a lot of thought into it and said everything from the heart, making it a very powerful paragraph.

3) A weak point in this essay would most likely be my special effects. I had trouble finding spots to fit them in, and that's why I didn't put in a second verb appositive. I couldn't find a spot to put it where it would improve my essay.

4) I would give myself a C+ on this essay.