Welcome to the academic blog for all Central Catholic High School students currently enrolled in Writing The Essay. This weekly blog outlines and explains each and every writing prompt from the semester long class. Students should utilize the site to review the prompts in the event of an absence. Also, parents should feel free to check out the many different topics and styles of writing that their children are exploring throughout the school year.
Nov 17, 2010
DAY 3: SPORTS
Today you get an option between two sports related topics:
1. Jeff Reed->Do you agree or disagree with cutting him from the team?
2. Fighting in Hockey->Do you think it is good or bad for the sport?
Pick one of these options and read the article that accomanies each topic. Write a 250-500 word response that shares your position on this issue.
Nov 16, 2010
DAY 2: ART and ADVERTISING
Sometimes the art OF advertising is more impressive than the product that's being advertised. The following slideshow sheds some light on the advertising (aka propaganda) techniques that are used to persuade the consumer to think a particular way about a product. The goal is to make the consumer feel good about buying the product and potential not so good if they do not purchase the product. In many cases, this is harmless and it a great way to sell useful goods; however, there is also a darkside to advertising.
Problems arise when products are advertised in a misleading manner when the seller knows of the product's potential danger. One group of products that are commonly advertised and knowingly mislead consumers are alcohol companies. The article, Booze ads 'misleading' youngsters discusses this issue at length. After reading the article and reviewing the advertising techniqes, make a list of specific examples where alcohol commercials practiced some of the techniques mentioned in the slideshow.
Nov 15, 2010
DAY 1: MUSIC The music of The Beatles transcended the 60s Generation; starting out innocent and with romanticized visions of the world, and ending with a jaded perspective on higher authority while still holding on to idealized concepts of obtaining peace and love for all. One song that seems to challange some of these "hippy" values and ask the tough questions to this generation built on change is "Revolution." Some may see this song as a battle cry for the 60s counter culture, but is it really?
Listen carefully to the lyrics and decide for yourself. What is the song really talking about and forcing its listeners to think, do, or say about the world in which they're living? Then, once you decide what goal the song is working towards, discuss how this song could be applied to your own generation. Are there any lines in particular that stick out as significant or applicable today? If not, what other kinds of things do they need to hear? 250-500 word requirement.
You say you want a revolution Well, you know We all want to change the world You tell me that it's evolution Well, you know We all want to change the world But when you talk about destruction Don't you know that you can count me out Don't you know it's gonna be all right all right, all right
You say you got a real solution Well, you know We'd all love to see the plan You ask me for a contribution Well, you know We're doing what we can But when you want money for people with minds that hate All I can tell is brother you have to wait Don't you know it's gonna be all right all right, all right Ah
ah, ah, ah, ah, ah...
You say you'll change the constitution Well, you know We all want to change your head You tell me it's the institution Well, you know You better free you mind instead But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow Don't you know it's gonna be all right all right, all right all right, all right, all right all right, all right, all right
Oct 18, 2010
Literary Analysis:
For the next few weeks we will read and interpret literature. Momentarily we will get away from the daily cycle of blogs to focus on other important aspects of writing and expression. Short stories will be our main source of inspiration. Some of these stories will be strange or unorthodox to you; however, that is what makes them fun and interesting to interpret. Below is a video of Neil Gaiman, acclaimed science fiction author, reading one of his short stories. Follow along as he reads the story, Babycakes, aloud.
Oct 12, 2010
DAY 1: MUSIC "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You", Ben Folds
At some point in your life you have probably come across an individual who acts like he/she is better than everyone around him/her and is rude towards basically everyone. In many cases this individual is very concerned about their appearance and their social status. In the following song Ben Folds addresses these ideas in a candid and direct way. Please focus on the core message within the song. Think about anything else that Ben Folds may be trying to say? Then write about a time when you felt persecuted by someone like this or when you yourself acted in such a way towards another person. How did this make you feel? What did you learn from this experience. Write a narrative that outlines this situation. 250-500 words.
As always the lyrics can be found below. Please excuse the vulgar language.
WRITING PROMPT Once you come to a conclusion about the song's overall message, write a 125-250 word Journal Entry that explains the possible reasons for why some people are so concerned with how others view them. Then, continue the Journal Entry by writing about the following: In your opinion, why are people that fit into this category often rude to their peers as well? If possible, provide an example of when you were criticized by a peer for how you looked or acted and briefly explain why you believe this person treated you in this way. HAVE FUN! "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You", Ben Folds
Smile Like you've got nothing to prove No matter what you might do There's always someone out there cooler than you
I know that's hard to believe But there are people you meet They're into something that is too big to be
Expressed Through their clothes And they'll put up with all the poses you'll throw And you won't
Even know that they're not sizing you up They know your mom f***ed you up Or maybe let you watch too much TV
But they'll still look in your eyes To find the human inside You know there's always something in there to see
Beneath The veneer Not everybody made the list this year Have a beer (not literally, he just means relax)
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the sh*t but you won't be here for long Oh, there's always someone cooler than you Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Now that I've got the disease In a way I'm relieved 'Cause I don't have to stress about it like you do
I might just get up and dance Or buy some acid-wash pants When you don't care then you got nothing to lose
And I won't Hesitate 'Cause every moment life is slipping away It's ok
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the sh*t but you won't be it for long Oh, there's always someone cooler than you Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you Oh, there's always someone cooler than...
Life is wonderful Life is beautiful We're all children of One big universe So you don't have to be a chump
And you know (you know) That I won't (I won't) Hesitate (hesitate) 'Cause every moment life is slipping away (away) It's ok (it's ok)
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall Oh, 'cause there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the sh*t but you won't be it for long But there's always someone cooler than you Oh yeah, there's always someone cooler than you Because there's always someone cooler than you
Cooler than you (boy) Cooler than you (girl) Cooler than you (sir) Cooler than you (my lady)
Sometimes the art OF advertising is more impressive than the product that's being advertised. The following slideshow sheds some light on the advertising (aka propaganda) techniques that are used to persuade the consumer to think a particular way about a product. The goal is to make the consumer feel good about buying the product and potential not so good if they do not purchase the product. In many cases, this is harmless and it a great way to sell useful goods; however, there is also a darkside to advertising. 
Problems arise when products are advertised in a misleading manner when the seller knows of the product's potential danger. One group of products that are commonly advertised and knowingly mislead consumers are alcohol companies. The article, Booze ads 'misleading' youngsters discusses this issue at length. After reading the article and reviewing the advertising techniqes, make a list of specific examples where alcohol commercials practiced some of the techniques mentioned in the slideshow.
