Opinions piece 2

Gone Girl Review

Gone Girl is a movie directed by David Fincher which was adapted from the book written by Gillian Flynn. This movie unfolds a story about a marriage between Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) and Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike). 

I thought this movie was thrilling and intense all the way through. The story was sick in an exciting way and was really well done.

I had not read the book before seeing the movie so I had no idea what to expect. This movie flowed together beautifully and transformed well on the screen.

The character choice was well done. Ben Affleck played Nick Dunne well, portraying his self-absorbed husband who is not satisfied with his wife.

Rosamund Pike was a great choice for Amy Dunne. Amy is a wife who turns crazy after finding out about her cheating husband and wants him to get what he deserves.

Her portrayal of Amy and how she is able to show Amy's happy side, her crazy side, her empty, cruel side, and her mischievous side. You could see all those parts of her in scenes.

The way the movie was taken on and shot was very well done. The movie starts with a clip of present day of Amy's disappearance and the interrogation following this missing persons case.

The movie goes through the events of trying to figure out Amy’s disappearance while flashing back to her diary and the voiceover and showing you the scene she is writing about.

Going through the movie with each diary entry it makes you think that Nick did indeed kill his wife as their “moments” are revealed in her diary. You will understand why I put moments in quotations later.

Nick finds out about his wife being 6 weeks pregnant and finds his anniversary present from Amy in his sister’s shed. She leaves the items he carelessly “bought” causing money troubles in her diary entry. The center gift is Punching Judy dolls that represent him, Amy and the “baby”.

The scene switches to Amy alive, telling out her plan to send her husband to jail. This by far was one of my favorite parts. The way they had Nick figure out the truth about Amy and then they flip it right to her.

This was a big shock to me because through all that I was sure that Nick had done it and you are slapped in the face to realize that Amy faked it all and how she wanted her husband in jail, and dead.

The way they show her plan as the voiceover goes was so smooth. It walked you through and explained exactly what she did and why. 

It also reveals the diary was written by her and the beginning of how they met and the early years are true. She then makes up the beatings and other things. The newer scenes of her diary are fake and you really have no idea what went on in their house the past couple of years.

That was a shocking scene all the way through and caught me off guard. I was mesmerized of how Rosamund Pike did all this and you could see her cold face while she wrote the diary and truly didn't care about sending her husband to jail.

While Amy’s hideaway life is going on it flips back and forth from her to Nick, the attorney and Margo, Nick’s sister putting the pieces together about Amy. I loved how they put this together and the great transitions between them.

Amy is forced to reconnect with her old high school, rich boyfriend, Desi (Neil Patrick Harris). Neil Patrick Harris, was great as the insecure guy with this incredible house they created for him.

Amy uses him to be able to come home to Nick. This brutal scene of her killing Desi was so real and creepy you see a whole other side of Amy you had never really scene.

The ending after Amy came home was a little strange. How she decided to come home and join her husband was a little weird for her. I know others might agree the ending was a little off.

The way Amy and Nick rub off when they first are back together on each other and almost meld at the end is crazy. Their reactions and acting really sold the different feelings about Amy being back home with Nick.

Overall this movie was so good and well put together. I was amazed with the cast and the story plot and the twists all around. I would recommend people to go see this if you like thrillers.

Editorials and Personal Columns

3 ideas for an editorial:

• Tumblr and it's popularity
• Bowie's recent football games and how they are doing in the school's opinion
• A freshman making the lead in the musical. 

I like reading Lauren Conrad's blog because she posts great stuff about beauty and that interests me.

Peer Reflection #2

1. Who wrote the story?

Ana Sibley wrote the story.

2. What is their story about?

Her story is about abortion.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

Her opinion is "I completely disagree with abortion, just because you cant take care of the child doesn't mean you kill it, if you truly can't take care of it allow it to be adopted but don't destroy something that could be good in the future."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

She did not really address the other side's opinion.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

Ana definitely wasn't wishy-washy with her opinion. She backed up her opinions with facts about abortion and why it is wrong.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

There are no quotes in the story.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

They wrote in 3rd person point of view mostly. 

Peer Reflection #1

1. Who wrote the story?

Melissa W. wrote the story.

2. What is their story about?

Their story is about society. 

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

"but my opinion on the way others are treated because something as little as their race or even sexuality is a strong one. Being in the 21st century it still seems as if most people are unable to grasp the concept that all people are equal"

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

They did not address what the other side might think about their topic.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

They  were not wishy-washy with their opinion at all. They used examples they specifically heard and their true opinion on it.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

There are no quotes in the story.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

They wrote in 1st person point of view. 

Opinion piece

Animal Cruelty in Zoos

So many animals are stuck zoos all over the world when they should be free to roam around in the wild and I know that there are problems in zoos that are not suitable for animals. 

African elephants that live in the wild their whole life live 3 times longer than those that are kept in zoos and Asian elephants working in timber camps live longer than the ones born in a zoo. That is a defining number of how much longer wild African and Asian elephants live than the ones that live in zoos.

We do not have the right to capture, confine and breed wild animals even if they are endangered. Just because they are becoming endangered doesn't make it okay to take their species to try to make them breed in the zoo.

I understand that zoos are important to teach kids and adults about the animals in the world and that is important but animals should not be treated the way they are in zoos. You could easily research the animal or have a center where people can go and learn about animals.

If an animal is very close to extinction I understand breeding them but you need to release them after breeding because they won’t live as long and rarely does the breeding help endangered survive.

Of the 1,370 species involved in a survival plan by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, only 1.4 percent of the species were likely to be reintroduced to the wild after the captive breeding they had in zoos.

Animals are put in zoos to be able to live without harm and are safe within their cage but animals are on the earth to live in the wild and live freely and do what they are on the earth for.

All animals suffer from the habitats they are limited in because of the limitation of space for them to go and they are given anxiety due to that fact.

Their freedom is limited because a zoo is like a prison for animals who long to free in their own habitat as said by the People for the Ethical treatment of Animals.

Their habitats cannot be duplicated as much as zoos try they will never be the same size or environment as their natural habitats.

The cost of a zoo is more expensive that conservation. According to Wildlife New Zealand Zoo Watch Website, the average cost for a Black Rhino in captivity is about $16,000 while the cost of protecting a wild habitat for one rhino would be around $1,000 per year.

People do love the zoo and it is fun to see all the animals and they are card for and fed but it isn’t fun for the animals. They want to get out of there in that enclosed space and be free.

Something to fix this is decrease the number of zoos in the world and let the animals be free in the wild.  Instead of funding money to make zoos, people could be funding money to preserve habitats that are becoming less efficient.

This would let the animals be free in the world and even though there are predators that kill, that is a part of life and how it works in wildlife. We should not remove them from their habitat and let them live the life and have the freedom they are meant to have.

Current Events Quiz 2.7

1. Why were multiple same-sex schools started in AISD?
They were made to revive a school and help children learn in a different enviornment.
2. What is the name of the first person who is the first confirmed case of Ebola in New York City? 
Dr. Craig Spencer is the first person to be the first confirmed case of Ebola in NYC.
3. Who is the current favorite to become the new governor of Texas?
Gregg Abott is favorited to be the new governor of Texas.
4. What is former UT football star Vince Young's new job title?
He is a development officer for alumni relations in the university's Division of Diversity andCommunity Engagement.
5. In the Tech Extra section, on page SA3, which one of the 4 items in the main story on the page would you like to own and WHY?
I would want the UE Boom Bluetooth speaker because I want a bluetooth speaker for my room and that looks like a good quality and it has good ratings. 

Read BOTH of the articles on page A11 at the top under the headline Balanced Views. What arguments are both making about the current political situation in the United States? Why do you think there are titles "From the Left" and "From the Right" on those two stories? Why would the newspaper put this in on the opinions pages? What the the newspapers goals doing this?
They are both talking about the political standpoint and how it is bad right now. There are the titles are how they feel based on their political spectrum. The person "From the Right" is a Republican and the person "From the Left" is Democratic. The news paper would put this in opinions because it is their own opinion on the political standpoint of the U.S. The newspapers goals are to let you see both sides about politics right now and decide for yourself which side you agree with either side.

Commentary articles

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?
A controversial issue that excites us, can make us laugh, or makes us angry would make an easy topic to write about.


2. What was one idea the writer gave in the Opinions Pieces section that you should remember as you are writing your piece?
That details draw a reader in and when you generalize it keeps them out.

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

• In a personal essay I have the freedom to write anything but the reader should leave with a good idea of why I feel a certain way
• To watch how I construct sentences and not start every sentence with "I".
• Avoid philosophical rants with no connection to the reader's experience and keep it personal while also relating it to a wider world.

Akins High School "The Roundup"
Story: Truth Be Told

1. Who wrote the story?

Gabriel Robles, Web Editor

2. What is their story about?

How Newsweek made a ranking of "Top High Schools".

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

They think how they did it was bad. "Stupidest statistical reading that any group of any people have ever done." 

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

They did not address what the other side might think about their topic.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

They were not wishy-washy with their opinion at all! They used quotes from the article and explained thoroughly why they thought the ranking method was bogus. 

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

Yes there are quotes of the analysis. 

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

2nd point of view.

Arlington High School "The Colt"

Story: Freshman forewarnings

1. Who wrote the story?

Meghan Williams, Reporter.

2. What is their story about?

10 things Freshman need to know for High School.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

"The transition from junior high to high school is a drastic change and can be quite daunting. To help incoming freshmen, I have compiled a list of the Top Ten Things You Need to Know about High School."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

No they did not.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

They were not wishy-washy about their opinion because they stated things that happen at school because they stated what they have seen at school and what happens.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

There are no quotes in the story.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

They wrote it in 3rd person point of view.

Nederland High School "Bulldog Beat"
Story: Which is Better: the Book or the Movie?Ashcraft Gives the Scoop on The Giver

1. Who wrote the story?

Alyssa Ashcraft, Co-Editor.

2. What is their story about?

If "The Giver" book or movie was better.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

They liked the book better. "As a general rule, the book is better than the movie. It just is. It is one of those great natural laws to life, just like ‘Never eat sushi from a gas station.’ and ‘Chocolate can solve anything and everything.’ It is universal, and it is final. The Giver was no exception to this rule, and, honestly, I did not expect it to be."

 4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

She addressed how the movie was well done but did not say why others would like the movie better.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

They were not wishy-washy because they stated parts of the movie that did not pertain to the book and there were certain things in the book that didn't convey in the movie.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

There are no quotes in this story.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

They wrote in 1st person point of view. 

Current Events Quiz 2.6

1. Where could one go to find out where they should vote and what hours they are open?
You can go to www.traviscountryclerk.org
2. Why is Whole Foods launching a series of national ads?
They are launching a series of national ads because they want to emphasize the high quality and the low price of their food.
3. What change could encourage football teams in Class 6A (which Bowie is in) to win their districts?
District champions would get home-field advantage and under this plan the higher seed would have the option of playing at home or agree to a mutual site.4. What kind of things might one find at the City-Wide Garage Sale? AND where and when is it? AND have you been? 
A person could find different vintage and antique things at the City-Wide Garage Sale. It is at the Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, this weekend from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and I have not ever been to the City-Wide Garage Sale.

5. Read the first letter to Dear Abby on page D5 (it is at the bottom) about halloween costumes. Do you agree with the advice and should the little girl wear the costume she wants?
I agree with the advice Dear Abby gave the mother about her daughter's costume because there are toy guns in movies that children watch and if it is a toy there should not be a problem with using it in her costume as long as she doesn't take it to school and her mom is okay with her having it.

Today begins early voting across the city. There are a number of important issues on the ballot and the last few days of the newspaper have been filled with information, advice and commentary. In addition, mailboxes across town have been filled with flyers and advertisements from people running for office. Do you think voting is important? Do you know if your parents vote? What do you think you are supposed to do as a responsible citizen in a democracy? Do you have any ideas what some of the major issues are this election? Do you think local elections play any role in the bigger national political process?
I think voting is important because your vote and opinions matter in the decision for who goes into office. My parents do vote. As a responsible citizen in a democracy when I am of age I should support my country by voting for those running for office and support democracy by voting. I do not know any of the major issues of the election. The local elections do matter because ventrally it  could involve in the bigger national political process.

Opinions writing preview

Story 1: "Dress code? What's dress code?"

1. Who wrote the story?
It is an Editorial and there is no writer listed.

2. What is their story about?

The story is about dress code and people's opinions of it.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

"To put it simply, dress code is not an issue in the face of things happening in the world that are bigger than us."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

I do not think they really addressed the other side's opinion on the topic.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

They were not wishy-washy with their opinion. They stated the excuses the staff make about dress code and their scenarios of why certain clothes like wearing thin tank tops are banned.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

There were no quotes in the story.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

They wrote in 2nd person point of view.

Story 2: "Counselors have electives saying 'Et tu, Brute?'"

1. Who wrote the story?

Ashlee Thomason was the Managing Editor.

2. What is their story about?

The story is about you having to pick between certain electives because of scheduling conflicts and the difficulty of changing their schedule. 

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

She does not like having to choose between electives. "I propose that the scheduling system be updated to a more flexible system that can allow students to make quick, easy, accessible alterations to their schedules."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

I didn't really see a side of how the other side would feel.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

They were not wishy-washy with their opinion. They told facts of what happens when students try to get schedule changes and what has happened in the past.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

There are no quotes in the story.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

They wrote in 1st person point of view.

Story 3: "The summertime blues"

1. Who wrote the story?

Gabby Bourgeacq the Sutdent Life Editor.

2. What is their story about?

Their story is about having to do summer work in summer.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

Their opinion is that  summer work should not be required. "I don't think it's fair for summer homework to be required."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

They did address the other side. "On the other hand I do understand why teachers think it's a good idea for us to do. It keeps us educated through the break and keeps us focused on school."

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

They were not wishy-washy with their opinion. They stated how it is unfair and why and the how making it optional would be better.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

There are no quotes in the story.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

They wrote in 1st person point of view.

Story 4: "Racism here at home"

1. Who wrote the story?

Justice Capello the Online Editor wrote the story.

2. What is their story about?

Their story is about the shooting of Michael Brown and how racism is still a problem in the U.S. and racial profiling.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

Their opinion is racism is still a problem and so is racial profiling. "Racial profiling is an act that exists in our communities today. I have experienced this in my own neighborhood hang ben stopped by a cop for simply walking my bike down the street. Racism is not impartial to Austin. It lives, and is thriving."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

They did not address what the other side might think.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

They were not wishy-washy with their opinion. They stated facts and a story that supports of what he thinks about racism.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

There is a quote in this story of the Bill of Rights. 

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

This was written mostly in 3rd person point of view.

Story 5: "School improvement lacking"

1. Who wrote the story?

Michelle McDonagh the Staff Writer.

2. What is their story about?

Their story is about how the school needs more improvement and completion.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing.

They think the school could use some more improvements. "I believe that our school needs a lot of changes that have not been completed to make this school look and feel good as I know it could be."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic?

Yes they did address the topic of how the school does look better than it did.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

They were not wishy-washy with their opinion because they were stating the facts of what could be improved around the school and what is lacking.

6. Are there any quotes in the story?

There are no quotes in the story.

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)?

She writes in 3rd person for most of the article but switches to 1st person point of view for certain parts.

A. What do you think the major differences between a hard news story and an opinions piece? Come up with at least three.

1. Hard news stories usually have a current event that causes the story to be written

2. Opinion stories don't really have quotes because they don't need them because it is their opinion not others.

3. On opinion stories they are bias to what they are writing and have the other side in it but it is not the whole story whereas on a hard news story they cannot be bias and have to have quotes evenly from both sides.

B. Why do you think there aren't very many photos on this page?

I think there isn't many photos on opinions because it may not be a current event or story that recently happened or an accurate enough photo to represent the opinion story.

C. What are three topics you think would be good to write an opinions piece on?

1. Animals being kept in a zoo.

2. Juniors not being able to go off campus.

3. Is the death penalty effective.