A well-told story

We all have heard and read stories. It is one of the first things many parents do with their kids.

Part 1: Why?
-Stories are important for ones childhood because they are easy for kids to understand. Children's stories also have easy to understand points that might be helpful. People read stories to their children and use it as a way to teach them how to read. Kids gain somewhat of an education when ever they get a book read to them or they read a book themselves. I guess it depends on who read to them, obviously if their parents read to them they are going to like it. And it also depends on if they like the stories. One good thing about different stories is that kids are able to see how others view things.

Part 2: Why? Later in life...
-Older people might read stories because they like to others might read for school requirements. Sometimes they might take a story as advise from someone. I guess that as an older reader i would say you just enjoy reading and try to understand the creativity that the author has given each individual character.

Part 3: Why? In our nation
why are stories so important to our nation? The New York Times best seller lists are one of the most powerful media tools in the world. People flock to by the books listed there. How do stories fit into the fabric of our national identity? How do stories people write create a forum for the discussion of concerns and issues in our nation? What do stories allow people (the writer and the reader) to do?
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Part 3: Your stories
-During my childhood a remember having a lot of good books specially books about Clifford. I remember having tons of books from that big red dog. I don't remember exactly what they were about but I know that they always had a lesson to them. I believe those books stood out the most because of the characters. Also because there was a lot of them. There wasn't only one book that i read over and over, I would have hatted ti if that would have been the case. I would think that i would be more like the big red dog, Clifford that was always making horrible mistakes. But he was always forgiven.

Part 4: Characteristics of a well-told story
7-10 characteristics that stories should have
A story should have well developed characters. Characters that quickly characterized, for example a villain should easily be noticed or a hero should easily be characterised as a hero.
Characters should be very detailed, this may make the story more easy to comprehend.
Scenes should also be very detailed and well described.
The rising action leading to the plot of the story, should be long and attention graving.
The beginning should also have an attention graver. Maybe very well detailed.
The entire book should be some what of a lesson to children. For example, making it very clear that a hero is a hero, for helping others or doing things right. etc.
The ending should be conclude the whole book and conclude the lesson given.

Topic: Whatever is on my mind

Here is a thought of mine, that I have been trying to get out in the open.
Through out my life I have heard many comments about Mexicans, in the United States. Or at least that is how people seem to call Hispanics, "Mexicans”. The fact is that, about 20 percent are from other countries. Though sometimes even they themselves like to say they are Mexicans. It's kind of confusing really.
For example, the lady who accidentally killed four kids in Minnesota, while she was driving without a license. Apparently she told every one she was from Mexico, however is not. She is actually from Guatemala. I honestly don't understand why she would lie about that, but what ever floats her boat.
Also, some of the people who are categorized as Hispanics are actually born in the United States. Those who; apparently have pride in being from another country, when they really are not. What is that about?
Yeah, I understand their parents have a different nationality. And it could be very intriguing to say. But okay, here is something dreadful that many Hispanics don’t like to realize.
Why are we treated different? Why don’t we have the same rights? Why are we even categorized? I thought racism was no longer supposed to exist.
Could it be related to the “Hispanic” teens that are not parented the right way, or just the teens themselves? The ones, who claim to be gang related. My personal thought is, they are giving us, as Hispanics a horrible and gruesome reputation.
I have heard different comments from other Hispanics, about Hispanics, who are always asking for right in the U.S. yet commit crimes. Or take advantage of the right we already get. If we are always seen as the kind of people who; graphity walls, commit crimes, join gangs, kill... Why would we even get what we are asking for, if we don’t even pay it forward.
I would love to someday have a conversation with some body who is involved in a gang of some sort. There are many questions I would love to have answered.

poetry

Song: When I see you By: Fantasia

I put your picture on my mirror
Start to blush when somebody says your name
In my stomach there's a pain
See you walkin my direction, I go the other way
I start to stutter when I speak
Try to stand, but my knees go weak
What's happenin to me?
In the dark can you tell me what it means?

I lay my head on my pillow
Starrin out the window
Wish on a star for a sign
The reason why

You're always on my mind
When you come around I get shy
When I see you
When I see you
Never know when you might walk by
So I gotta be right on time
When I see you
When I see you

I scribble X and O's in my notebook
Checkin how my hair and my nails look
I feel myself in the zone
I get nervous when you call, so I say I'm not home
I see your face when I hear my favorite song
Should I send an e-mail at home?
You're the #1 topic on the phone
I wonder if you know, or do yo have a clue? Yeah

I lay my head on my pillow
[ When I See U lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
You got me starrin out the window
Wish on a star for a sign
What's the reason why? Yeah

You're always on my mind
When you come around I get shy
When I see you
When I see you
Never know when you might walk by
So I gotta be right on time
When I see you
When I see you

Something now is taking over me
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm not gonna run I'm,
Just gonna stand here and see

You're always on my mind
When you come around I get shy
When I see you
When I see you
Never know when you might walk by
So I gotta be right on time
When I see you
When I see you

You're always on my mind
When you come around I get shy
When I see you
When I see you
Never know when you might walk by
So I gotta be right on time
When I see you
When I see you

-What i like about this song: I find this song interesntion because it kind of reminds me of something that I have felt before. I like that Fantasia explains and or describes things with out actually saying. For exsample "I see your face when I hear my favorite song". She might be saying that he is always in her thoughts.


-How does the title fit the work? I believe that there ismore then on eway to view how the title fitas what she is trying to express. For example when she "See you walkin my direction, I go the other way". Comparing it to, "Something now is taking over me, I'm not gonna run I'm. Just gonna stand here and see" They both have to do with his presens


-Author's use of poetic devices. metaphor, alliteration, personification, imagery, and consonance, and point out where the author uses them.
Then comment on how they influence the poem.
Do they create an emphasis on a certain word or words?
Do they focus the reader's attention on an image?
Do they create a feeling within the poem?


-Explain the tone of the piece. What is the tone? How did the writer succeed in creating this tone? Think about the words he/she used to create images. Consider the actual sound of the words as well

Describing myself as a writer

-I usually find myself reading poetry. Many times, its kind of hard to understand, a poem, but then it's kind of fun to figure it out.

-When I was in 7 grade I began writing poetry. I guess it had a lot to do with what i was going through at the time. Now I seem to be horrible at it. Right now I rather write short stories or plays. My plays and stories are usually categorized as drama.

-I don't usually write just for fun, I write when i have to, such as school relater work.

-What topics most intrigue you? Explain why.
Love, is something that I would definitely find myself writing about. I don't know exactly why, but I find it as an easy topic to write about.
Mystery and murder are also fun topics.

3. Pick one topic from your list of writing territories, and write about it for 25 minutes. It can be in any form you prefer- a poem (or series of poems), a short story, a narrative, a play, etc.

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-Some things to consider are: While writing my play i consider many different things such as the main conflict, the setting and how it was going to be staged. I had to choose characters that could be easy described. For example people with a strong attitude are more likely to scream or say things angrily about some sort of problem. Rather then does who walk away from conflict or try to solve conflict.

-What limitations about the form did you find frustrating? It was very frustrating to describe characters, and also describe the setting. I wasn't sure if i had to describe their every movement or action in the narration.

-What strengths did you see in the form? Writing in play form had its good sides for example it is easier to have characters say things instead of writing in story form and doing quotations frequently.

-What pleasant surprises did you find in writing a play? Its actually fairly easy and less complicated then a story. It is also shorter, and easy to bring the rising action across to the reader or the audience.

-What unpleasant surprises did you find in writing a play? None, I just like writing in story form, its something that I'm use to and since its my first time writing a play it was kind of challenging.

-Would you ever be interested in attempting drama writing or any of its sister forms, screenplays or television scripts? Explain. No, like I said before, it's not that bad but I just prefer story form.

2. If you could give advice to a kid who was 5 years old or 10 years old (pick one), what advice would you give him or her on growing up in today's world? Would you give advice based upon your own experiences? Would you give advice based upon what you see in others? Would your advice be based on their thoughts, their choices, peer issues, school? Explain your advice and why you give it. Write at least 100 words.

-I actually have relatives whom are around those ages of both 5 and or 10, and I find myself giving then advice often. Mostly to the one’s whom are older because it seems they pay more attention to what I say, specially the girls. Apparently she looks up to me, so most of the times I’m around her I have to make sure things are done the right way. For example helping around when help is needed or being polite. There are times when she asks questions about different topics or events going on in her life, and most of my answers are from personnel experience.

3. Great works of literature can last a long time. Jane Austen's novels (including Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility) are still popular almost 200 years after they were first published. Anne Bradstreet's poems have survived about 400 years. The works of Greek playwright Euripides (who wrote Medea) have survived for over 2000 years. What do you think causes great literary works to live forever? Could you ever foresee yourself writing something that lasts that long? (Write at least 75 words.)

-I believe great literature has a lot to do with conflicts that have and always been significant, for example love, hope, faith, death and so one. Topics that will not only interest one classification of people, but that would interest more. Specially literature that is inspiring and seems to always be remembered. It has a lot to do with how the reader brings out they thoughts.

A little about my play

- Theme in what I write is very important; it should be able to send the message across to the reader. It should stand out and actually represent something. I believe a good piece of literature should express an idea. An example I can think of, is from my favorite book; Like Water for Chocolate. One of the themes from that book is never let anyone interfere with your dreams and or goals you have.

-A theme that I have considered communicating through a play might be; Never trust anyone not even your best friend, with your dippiest secrets.

-One conflict that might occur is, not my main character falls in love with his best friends crush or love. I was thinking some thing about two guys falling in love with the same girl. But the guys are best friends and are willing to give up anything to stay with her even their friendship and death might be involved.

Reading to the Writer

1.) I agree that reading is and should be very important to all writers. Reading is a good way to explore different types of writing. It is also very entertaining, and could be very helpful to a writer. With reading, a writer is able to explore different types of writing; from songs, poems, to plays and so on.

2.) Last year I was involved in an Edina club called S.A.L.T. (Service, Adventure, Leadership, Team) On February 23, 2007 our whole club went on a service trip. We went to a place called Feed my Starving Children. When we arrived, the helpful people who work there played a video for us to watch. This video was only about 5 minutes long and contained a lot of information, it explained what we were going to be doing and how it was going to help other children in the world.
It's nice to know that in some way or another you are helping someone. However it is very depressing to know that there are people in this world that don’t realize that there are starving children in this world.

3.) There is a novel called Like Water for Chocolate, written by Laura Esquivel. This is one of my favorite novels because...