Climate change.

Greta Thunberg

My perspective on Greta Thunberg is that I think she had a point and she is trying to get her point across the globe, I feel that her point was mainly aimed at highly praised people/powerful people/adults. It was very appropriate to approach her statement like that, so people know how much this affects her, mentally and economically. I feel that she wants people to know how she feels about climate changes and how they're affecting the human race and lifespan of everything.

'Hysterical' Thunberg

I think that the adult's reactions were very unnecessary and unkind to how they shared their emotions, I feel that they could've given their point of view in a different approach and that it wasn't necessary to make a mockery of a 16-year-old who's trying to change the world, and make a change to the climate. I feel that the ones that looked immature were the ones that gave a disrespectful statement and some that even made advertisements on her "stupidity".

What does the presenter suggest?

 I feel that the presenter was in the both for agreeing and disagreeing, I feel that he understood her points and agreed, but I also feel he was thinking it was maybe a little over the top, but he understood that she should be learning rather than being afraid of her future and what might happen.

How are the children constructed?

They are shown to be the victims of climate change, and that adults are depending too much on them, they are portrayed to be something they're not. They are too young to be worrying about their future. They are the victims of something big yet to come which could be changed or happen tragically.

What is the viewer's position?

They can either agree or disagree.

Gender Perspectives

In English, my class has been learning about the differences between women and men and how each gender is perceived in most common music videos. Watching these videos mean, I have come to an understanding that males that sing and do music videos, they mostly have women wearing revealing clothes and could be seductively dancing. This shows how most men see women and how they think women should be, sometimes it is even said in the lyrics. When females sing they either show men seductively dancing and being flirtatious or they perceive men as being weaker than females.

E-asTTle Writing Practice.

I am aiming to improve my writing in the following 3 areas: Structure, Ideas and language.

I will be doing this by adding more descriptive words that relate to my ideas, I will be focusing more on my language/spelling/language features, and I will also be watching my structure and be spacing out my writing.

Here is my Drafted first part of my paragraph for my persuasive writing.

There are multiple different types of sports in the world, and all most every sport has its own dangers that can happen or occur. You may be thinking about everyday sports, for example, netball, basketball, soccer etc. Those types of sports do have their dangers in them but they’re not nearly as dangerous as sports like, racing cars, horse riding, base jumping etc. 

Here is the updated paragraph of my persuasive writing, it is not yet finished.

Various types of sports are played all around the globe, from sports such as golf, compared to base jumping or wrestling. There are dangers in almost every sport. I feel that all sports shall not be banned, even though some can be dangerous its the fact that any sport can have dangers in, it doesn’t really depend on if its either a sport you could do by yourself, for example, base jumping, skydiving etc, these sports are known to be more dangerous than others, sometimes even life-threatening but so are everyday sports, they can also be dangerous in multiple ways, for example, netball, softball, soccer, basketball etc, the dangers in those could be minor, but they are still dangers that could physically affect and possibly change that person. I feel that any sports that include a ball shall not be banned, whereas other types of sports, for example, skydiving etc, should not be banned either, I feel that if people have a problem with the sport, then they should just not worry about it, or those particular types of sports should have an age/height limit to stop young ones from playing/doing it. For example, children are well known for wanting or doing crazy stuff, they like to be hypo and have fun, adults on the other hand also want this for their children but they would want them to be safe and obviously not to do anything too extreme, so I feel parents and adults would have fewer complaints if those types of sports had an age and some may need a height limit. 

Chapter Response pt 12 Chapter 79

Inan’s amber eyes trap me in the truth of his betrayal, but it isn’t the gaze I
know. He’s a stranger. A soldier. The shell of the little prince.
Note: It is interesting to think about how Zélie became an empty “shell” after Saran
tortured her. After talking with Saran, Inan became a shell, also.
Think back to when Inan said they had no choice but to kill the maji.
Zélie said, “There’s always a choice.”
A message I have taken from this scene is that those who are close to you and made you believe in them can also be those who are evil or feel trapped into doing something they feel is right even though it may seem wrong and could affect the type of relationship you may have together. This also relates to the real world by when someone you loves may not be allowed to love or cherish you, this could be because they might be afraid to go against their parents orders or they might be threatened by someone, so the love you both share together, may never get a chance to grow during to something that may be tragically keeping yous apart.

Chapter Response pt 11 Chapter 74

Note: This time you have not been provided a quote from the story. This is an
explanation.
King Saran firmly believes in duty over self. Peace between maji and kosidán
failed in the past, so he does not want to try again.
Inan believes he must make a similar choice between his country and his
heart. He makes the same choice as his father, even though the majacite
sword blisters his own skin (this is symbolism). Inan gives up everything to be
everything his Father wants.

A message I have taken from this scene is that even though you may be in love, you might think it is the wrong thing to love someone unliked by many. This also shows both points of views so you may think they are evil but they could think you are, and you wouldn't know because you haven't seen it from their point of view.

Chapter Response pt 10 Chapter 66

Father stands in his night robes, scanning a faded map. No sign of hatred. Not
even a hint of disgust.
For him, carving MAGGOT into a girl’s back is just another day’s work.
…
In that instant, it hits me: Zulaikha’s death. Zélie’s screams. They don’t mean a
thing to him. Because they’re maji, they’re nothing.

A message I have taken from this scene is people in power and are doing the wrong thing for example dictators etc, they probably had some mishaps in their childhood life causing them to act how they are to this day. This also shows that they have a heart, but it takes the wrong things to get it.

Chapter Response pt 9 Chapter 63

“You know what intrigues me about your kind? You always start in the middle
of the story. As if my father didn’t fight for your rights. As if you maggots didn’t
burn my family alive.”
“You can’t enslave an entire people for the rebellion of a few.”
Saran bares his teeth. “You can do whatever you want when you’re the king.”
A message I have taken from this scene is that even those in power can have deadly orders, they still feel to themselves that they are doing the right thing, and these thoughts could've occurred from trauma or something that had a big effect on them. This could have changed them and their perspectives on people and life drastically.

Chapter response pt 8 Chapter 61

Tears sear my vision, falling fast down my face. A Healer. A child.
Yet her last moments are stained with hate.
A message I have taken from this scene is that even the young and innocent can die by the cruelty of another's hand, another message I have taken from this scene is that people can die unexpectedly and in a horrible or cruel way. This relates to the real world because, people's deaths are unknown, and I feel that young children in poverty are suffering and are in need of help. People with power and feel like they are above you, may treat you like trash and can even threaten your life.

Chapter response pt 7 Chapter 59

“How will me coming back to Lagos solve any of that?” I ask. “As we speak,
your father calls for my head!”
“My father’s scared.” Inan shakes his head. “He’s misguided, but his fear is justified. 
All the monarchy’s ever seen is the destruction maji can bring.
They’ve never experienced anything like this.” He gestures to the camp, face
alight with so much hope his smile practically glows in the darkness. “Zulaikha
created this in one moon, and there are already more diviners in Lagos than
anywhere else in Orïsha. Just imagine what we could accomplish with the
resources of the monarchy behind us.”
A message I taken from this seen is that when you have doubts and may be confused, you can always find help from someone close by, and when you're misguided you can always ask for others opinion. I also feel that this seen allies with the real world, when people do actually get confused of hard decisions or choices and they may need help by either a lover, family member or friend, which they would be happy to give. This also shows how people can easily convince or influenced others and how others are either easily fooled or smart.

Chapter response pt 6 Chapter 52

“I’ll prove myself to you, to all of you,” Inan declares. “You’re on the right side
of this. My only desire is to stand there as well.”
“Good.” I lean forward to hug him, holding on to his promise.
But when his hands wrap around my back, all I can think of are how his fingers
are resting just above my scars.
This could be compared to / A message I take from this scene is
Do you trust Inan? Does he deserve a second chance?
Do people in real life deserve second chances?

A message I have taken from this scene is that some people can change even if you've had arguments or disagreements on things, they can still change if you have both seen the story from a different point of view/perspective. It also shows that your worse enemy can become your greatest ally. Do I trust Inan personally? I think that he does deserve a second chance and I do trust him, mostly because either way he HAS to work with them, this being because he is a maji and he has no choice but to go against his father's orders so he can save himself along with all the other majis and deviners. I also think people do deserve second chances but it may need good reasons.

Chapter response pt 6 Chapter 49

Strike, Amari.
Father’s voice rings in my head, but it’s not his strength I need.
Be brave, Amari. Binta soothes instead.
Be the Lionaire.
A message I have taken from this scene is that, someone closer to you can overpower another person's words, and that someone you love and cherish as a friend, family member or more could have powerful words, which can help your mind ease if you're ever in a difficult position or just need some time to think. This also shows that even some of your closest friends can help remove your darkest demons.

The power of one- (My assessment term 2) Reflections

(This is my Assessment on The Power of One, My thoughts and reflections will be below).

During the first 35-46 dreadful years of apartheid, it was at it’s strongest point, people who had darker skin were labeled as “coloured” people. It was racial segregation created by the Afrikaaners. In the film The Power of One, directed by John Avildson, during the scene where Peekay and Gideon Duma were running through the village narrow pathways,  whilst passing through the crowd Peekay notices a prolonged extended line which had confused him, so he questioned Gideon about it, saying “What’s the queue for?” “toilet” Gideon replied, “Toilet?” Peekay questions, “The government only allows one of every 200 people”. In this scene you can see the racial differences made and you can see how white people were juxtaposed to black people, this scene, for example, you can see how the people in Alexandra have to share one toilet between 200 people, whereas the Afrikaaners or Englishmen had a toilet in each home, maybe even two if they wanted.

In this scene, we have a glimpse sight of a dolly shot, which can also be known as a tracking shot. This is validated by, when Gideon and Peekay are jogging to the drinking fountain, the camera is seen following the main characters first from in front, then from the side, this being called a tracking/dolly shot. Avildson’s purpose of this shot was to keep the main protagonists in the scene whilst moving into another area or atmosphere. This helps us come to an understanding of how the director wants us to mainly observe the scenery,  their body language and the dialogue. This scene can be juxtaposed from when the raid happened and when all the Afrikaaners such as Sargent Borman, were looking for Peekay and so they jostled their way through Alexandria, harming those who happened to be in the way, until he finally found Peekay, just to try eliminating him, but failed miserably.

In this scene, Avildson had chosen a warm homely atmosphere and particular diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. This is exemplified when Peekay and Gideon were running through the village, the non-diegetic sounds that can be heard are the sounds of a happy town, people having normal conversations, cars turning on and everything you'd see in a happily natural town. The diegetic sounds that can be heard, are a faint sound of a happy melody played by a flute. Avildson’s purpose of using both non-diegetic and diegetic sounds, was to help set the scenery, showing that people of Alexandria were in their own calm environment and that they also feel happiness even though they were treated differently. This technique impacted because, even though there were racial segregations against coloured people, if they still had each other, then they were accepting of how things were and were able to carry on living in peace as long as they stayed quiet. The sounds that are used can be contrasted to when everyone was screaming for their lives whilst the Afrikaaners raided their city. 

In the film The Power of One, long shots were used very effectively. For example, in this scene, just before they begin running, both Peekay and Gideon were to be seen in a long shot with the students and Gideon’s wife also known as Miriam Sisulu. The director’s purpose of using this type of angle is to show the characteristics of the person and their body language, also to show everyone who seems to be talking and the atmosphere behind them. This helps the audience come to an understanding of how he wanted to show us how he would perceive them to be. He is also trying to show us his perspective on how he thinks they would act, their body movement and clothing. This can also be juxtaposed to close up scenes, whereas in those particular scenes, you cannot see their costumes and you are unable to see their body language.

Overall I think that the film, The Power of One, was a very eye-opening film that was well related to the past and was like a vivid imitation of what actually used to happen during apartheid and racial segregation. I think Avildson had a wild but powerful imagination on how he has seen apartheid back in the early 1900s. I feel like this film is a direct message to the world, telling and showing them what the world used to be, and how “coloured” people were separated from white people. The film itself includes more than just apartheid but, racial segregations, wars also between white people, for example, when the Germans had a war against the Englishmen which happened to carry on for months. This particular film also shows parts of normal reality, such as how people treat each other just because looks may be different. This is a really good movie that should be showcased in all schools over the globe, this being so students of each generation should know what has happened in the past and what can happen in the future, showcasing this film to students can make them think about how each person is treated differently, and that a single person can make a big change.

My Reflection.

One thing I'm proud of in my assessment is I'm proud that I got my work finished on time and I am proud of my scores from it. Another thing I am proud of is that I stayed on task and I achieved my goals towards making the assessment. One thing I enjoyed about my assessment would have to be, being able to watch the movie twice, and how I learned more about Afrikaaners and Apartheid. For example, I didn't know what apartheid was and what it meant, now I know when it happened, how it occurred, the reasoning for it, and how long it has been around for, this assessment helped me also learn new camera techniques and camera angles. Something I found challenging about this assessment may have to be writing everything in a body paragraph, in a SEXXY formation and when I had to write my conclusion. Things I found helpful and useful for this, would have to be the example sheet my teacher had given us, I hope it will be given again for the next assessments because it is very useful. One thing I am wondering about is when am I going to use these tactics in real life and does it really help.

Chapter response pt 5 Chapter 33

Gods help us. I close my eyes, trying to drown the tragedy out. Through it all,
the cheers never stop. The praise never ends. As we stand on the platform, the
crowd rejoices as if there’s a reason to celebrate this bloodbath.
Beside me, Tzain holds me close; he hasn’t really let go since he carried me
from the ship. He keeps his expression vacant, but I can sense his remorse.
Though the competitor in him has prevailed, we’re still covered in the blood of
those who have fallen. We may have triumphed, but this is no victory.
A message I have taken from this scene would have to be that, your family will always feel the need to be protective, and they would want to be by your side in you're in a vulnerable state or even if you're perfectly fine. This shows that Tzain will always be there for Zelie even through rough arguments, they will always be there for each other. This relates to the real world because, everyone has someone protective of them, family or not, they always have someone who either secretly looks after them, or just generally looks after them, and feels like they need to protect and take care of that person.

Chapter response pt 4 Chapter 28

Be brave, Amari.
This time I hold onto Binta’s words, wrapping them around my body like a suit
of armour. I can be brave.
A message I take from this scene is that when we keep the people we love the most in our hearts, their words can make us feel stronger and it gives us more courage and will to do so. This can relate to the real world when people may feel anxious if they have to say a speech, for example, then they might think of memories with someone special, they'd want to try and make them proud by being confident and just doing the speech or whatever it is.

Chapter response pt 3 Chapter 26

“How long?” she breathes. “How long have you been a maji?”
She hisses the word like it’s a curse. Like I’m the spitting image of Lekan. Not
the boy she’s known since birth. The soldier she’s trained for years.
“The girl infected me. It’s not permanent.”
“You’re lying.” Her lips peel back in disgust. “Are you…are you working with
her?”
“No! I was looking for clues!” I step forward. “I know where she is–”
“Stay back!” Kaea screams. I freeze, hands in the air. There’s no recognition in
her eyes.
Only unbridled fear.
A message I received from this scene is that once people find out who you truly are, they either stay on your side or betray and go against you. This can relate to the real world because people all over the world have their own secrets, some no people may know of, and some that are kept confidentially.

Chapter response pt. 2 Chapter 23

Metal gates fly open on the sides of the arena floor, and an endless flow of
water rushes in. This has to be a mirage. Yet liter after liter flows in. The water
covers the metal ground, crashing with the expanse of a sea.

“How is this possible?” I hiss under my breath, remembering the laborers no
more than skin and bone. So many dying for water and they waste it on this?

A message I have taken from this scene is that people who are in need, would normally have to fight for their life literally or would have to go through a really hard time, trying to survive on what they can get, this relates to the real world because, people who are in need, or have money problems, normally have to go through a hard time, and they have to go through heaps of work or sometimes even illegal things just so they can get enough food to survive or for their families.

Chapter response pt 1 Chapter 22

I pause for a moment, aghast at the number of them filling the narrow path.
Before today, I caught only glimpses of the laborers brought in to staff the
palace—always pleasant, clean, groomed to Mother’s satisfaction. Like Binta, I
thought they lived simple lives, safe within the palace walls. I never considered
where they came from, where else they might have ended up,
“Skies…” It’s almost too hard to bear the sight. Mostly, diviners, the laborers
outnumber the villagers by hordes, dressed in nothing but tattered rags. Their
dark skin blisters under the scorching sun, marred by the dirt and sand
seemingly burned into their beings. Each is hardly more than a walking
skeleton.
A message I have seemingly taken from this scene is how Amari finally came to a realization that not everyone was fed by and a silver spoon, and not everyone had or has a great life with their families. This can relate to the real world because, not everyone gets to grow up in a palace with a happy family, and not everyone gets to take a seat and rest for more than half the time most people have to work. I feel that some people also mistakenly grow up thinking that it is normal, and so they might feel different when they see people who aren't as powerful or as rich as they are, and they could take it as a good, sad, or other types of viewpoints.

All summer in a day- Ray Bradbury

Here is a link to the story my class read together, and here are some questions and answers.
STORY LINK

Find 3 words you don't know the definition to, look them up and write the definitions in your words.
tumultuously, Apparatus & tremors.

Tumultuous- When an unintentional noise happens and you have many ideas on what could've made that sound, or just a loud noise like applause.

Apparatus- Any machinery or equipment needed for a project or to create a structure of some sort.

Tremors- Shaking of some sort, or small shakes for example- Mini earthquakes.

Discuss the Exposition of the story -- what are the characters, setting, and mood?
Margot, students, William and the teacher.
The setting- On Venus
The dark, gloomy and dreary.

List and label one metaphor, one simile, and one example of sensory language from the story.
Metaphor- "The children lay out laughing on the jungle mattress"
Simile- "The sun is a flower, that blooms for just one hour".
Sensory language- {They were taking off their jackets letting the sun burn their arms}

List and label an example of show not tell from the story.
"It was the colour of flaming bronze and it was very large" - The sun
"The sky was a blazing blue tile colour". - The sky colour description

My Final Reflection On My Show Don't Tell post.

My final reflection-

Have I learned anything while working on this topic, if so what and how is it going to help me become a better writer?
While I have been working through this topic, I have started to learn on how to write and create mini proper stories, I have also learn't new words, and I am able to understand and say the meanings. For example the words 'Protagonist & Antagonist'. I think this can help me in life, if I feel like becoming author of novels, or if I would have a job that includes a big amount of writing, it can also help me through writing essays or assessments. It can help me become a better writer, because I would know how to use proper punctuation, and I would be able to explain and be descriptive in my words/sentences.

What activities have I enjoyed from this unit of work and why?
The one that I enjoyed mostly would have to be, creating my own personal 'show don't tell' stories, I found it very fun, and I enjoyed coming up with funny ideas and I got to create a story line while trying to get others to understand and see what I see or can imagine.

Which styles of learning works best for me, can I identify any obstacles to my learning?
I think the style I prefer to work with would have to be setting it up part 1, because I like creative and imaginative stories. I also think a obstacle I had to try harder for would be 'setting as a backdrop' because I don't think I am good at trying to get people to see the background or imagine it.

Show don't tell

Show Don't Tell Sentences

What do you think "Show don't tell" means?
I think it means when, you are telling a story but you're being very descriptive, you are trying to show someone what you can see or have seen, or its trying to get some else to have a view of your story or picture it.

Original S.D.T.S- These are not well descriptive short stories.

The buildings were tall.

My version- The height of the buildings looked as they were the height of a mountain.

Sarah was really upset.

My version- The anger on her face could not be described, she was as red as a Santa hat.

She was so happy to see him.

My version- Her face seemed brighter than ever, her smile going from ear to ear, you could tell she was excited as she waited.

The lake was beautiful.

My version- The light from the sun glistened onto the water as the warm breeze was flowing with the water, it was like you were in a dream.

Setting it up:
A Ghost Town In The Wild Old West-
I can hear the loud cries and groaning from a distance. I am slowly following the silent screams, as I take a glance around where I'm at, there is no person in sight, I am out in a desolated place. I am sensing a dark and gloomy entity, my eyes have adjusted to the dimness of night, the only light to be seen is the moonlight that glistens from my pocketed gun. In the distance I see a small town hall and a couple of stores, but no light to be seen, and no person around, the sand has built up a wall around the buildings, it is dark, gloomy and dead. I get out my flask, take the last sip and let the liquid linger on my tongue. The sweetness and saltiness are all I can savour. The End.

Taking a dip-
I am swimming for my life, I start to take notice of the sirens as I'm being pulled under more into the rip. I start taking short breaths, begging for air, the bitterness of salt from the water is lingering on my tongue. I'm moving too far out, the sirens start becoming faint, I am trying to hold myself above the waves, I suddenly get pushed against the side of a large rock, giving me time to grab and climb onto safety, waiting for the lifeguards to notice me. I can feel a warm liquid slowly going down the side of my cheek, remembering my head hit the rock, noticing the blood starts to get me frightened and confused, my mind turns blank and I pass out. I woke up in a warm bed, noticing that everything was a dream. The End.

Into the flames-
I start inhaling the toxic gases in the air, I am feeling nauseous, my mind is spinning, I am tripping over furniture whilst trying to get my way to my family outside, the smoke begins to make my breathing heavy, my vision begins to blur, I slowly hit the floor, hearing in a distance screams of my name from my family, and I feel the floor begin to shake as wood planks begin to fall, and the walls. As tears were rolling down my face, ash lands inside my mouth. I start gasping for air and all I could think about in that moment is if I would get to see my family one last time. As my eyes get heavy so I close them, I can sense someone lifting my body but I am too weak to respond, so I pass out, the next day I wake up in the hospital and gladly my family were fine and I just had some cuts and small burns.

Setting as a backdrop-
The concert-
The building is as packed as a field of corn, the sound was deafening and the lights were as blinding as staring into the sun. The vibrations from the speakers had spread through the floor, I could feel my chest bumping with the beat and vibrations, drinks ended either down every bodies throat or on the floor. Glow sticks were cut opened up and ended up on the walls, the place was like a loud neon room.

Creating a protagonist-

Definition-
Main character/lead of a movie or novel-any story line.

Here is a link to my QUIVER I made on my personal protagonist.
LINK