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.