" Zimmerman Faces 2nd Degree Murder" is an article from www.nytimes.com. This article is basically about how a man named George Zimmerman shot a boy named Trayvon Martin, but claims it was for self defense. I think that Zimmerman in guilty because in the article it states how Trayvon Martin was unarmed. So, why would Zimmerman want to shoot Martin for self defense?
To begin with, Zimmerman was arrested on February 26th, 2012 for shooting teenager Trayvon Martin. Trayvon Martin was unarmed when he was shot, Zimmerman claims he did the shooting for his own safety. Zimmerman says Trayvon Martin was stalking him on his way and had attacked him. "George Zimmerman, right, who said he was acting in self-defense.''( this quote was taken from a picture caption) Police also say that Zimmerman may not be lying because when police arrived they found Zimmerman bleeding from the nose. People believe that Zimmerman shot him for racial issues. Witnesses also hear Trayvon Martin scream for help before he was shot.
Secondly, I think that Zimmerman is guilty because when Zimmerman called 911, the dispatcher asked Zimmerman if he was following the teen. The dispatcher told Zimmerman not to follow him, but he still did.
'' This guy looks like he is up to no good or he is on drugs or something." He further stated that the person he was observing had his hand in his waistband, was holding something in his other hand, and was walking around slowly in the rain looking at houses.[85] On the recording of the call, Zimmerman is heard commenting "these assholes, they always get away." ( from www.huffingpost.com),but it turns out that Trayvon Martin went outside of the grocery to buy some chips and skittles for his younger brother because he and his dad were watching football. Trayvon Martin's girlfriend speaks out as well. His girlfriend who was unidentified have said that he called her and said that a strange man was following him and she told him to run. She also heard Martin's saying to Zimmerman "Why you following me?" and Zimmerman pushed him to the ground hard and the line went dead. Zimmerman also called the police saying he was wearing a hoodie. Martin's girlfriend say that he told her that he was really scared and wore the hoodie to hide his face.
Furthermore, during this crime a lot people called 911 saying that they heard a gunshot and wrestling . Police also say that Trayvon could've have hit Zimmerman trying to protect himself.
To wrap up, Even if Zimmerman was trying to protect himself he has no right to shoot an unarmed teenager. I don't even know Trayvon Martin, but I hope he is resting in peace and that his family will get all the support they need and I hope Zimmerman learns his lesson.
Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/12/us/zimmerman-faces-second-degree-murder-charge-in-florida.html?scp=1&sq=Zimmermanm%20faces%202nd%20degree%20murder&st=cse#
Plagiarizing is a serious issue which most student intend to do. Students plagiarize because they are lazy, just want the grade, or are too busy to do their own work or the problem can be they don't know how to cite a source. Plagiarizing is really bad because you take other people's hard work and you get credit for it.
To begin with, I read the example of student plagiarism on Ms.Galang's blog and when I read it briefly, at first I didn't understand anything. It didn't sound like a 8th grader would actually write like this. The sentence structure was way too sophisticated and complicated. I think what the anonymous student did wrong was copying and pasting the paragraph from another cite. I think if the student really liked this paragraph he/she should/ could have put quotations around it and should have cited the source. The student basically should have put it on her/his own words. For example if I were the student I would've written:
"There is a peaceful essence flowing from the structures. Perhaps the cool dark colors and the fiery windows spark memories of our own warm childhood years filled with imagination of what exists in the night and dark starry skies.". I liked this sentence which was from www.vangoghgallery.com. I agree with this sentence because in " Starry Night" the colors Van Gogh uses are dark colors. He usesa dark navy blue and a light blue and sort of blends them together. He also uses fiery colors like yellow and a light shade of orange (agreeing with text) for the stars. Vincent van Gogh's drawing really does look peaceful because of the colors he chose. So, I cited the source and put quotation marks around it and I also put this sentence in my own words too.
Secondly, Three ways to avoid plagiarism are to give your self some time and to avoid shortcuts. You should actually put as much as effort as you can to actually recieve your real grade. Another, way you can avoid plagiarism is get help from your teacher. If you do not know how to cite sources, then you should get help instead of being accused of plagiarism. The third way you can avoid plagiarism is you should cite sources and most importantly... PARAPHRASE!
To wrap up, Plagiarism is a crime and students should avoid plagiarism because plagiarizing won 't really benefit you. It will just bring your grade down lower and the teachers will obviously find out. It would be better if you just cite sources and paraphrase... you will get a much higher grade than you expect.
Aidan's blog "Unwinding a Life?" and Jamila's blog" Catcher in the Rye by: J.D. Salinger " are both blog's I truly enjoyed. Aidan and Jamila's blogs both have really good elements that made me enjoy their blogs and have also taught me few things that I should add to my blog next time as well.
To begin with, Aidan's blog " Unwinding a Life?'' has very good details. I like the way Aidan actually explains how abortion is illegal at the age of 13 and it can be performed at the age of 18: "Connor is the kind of person that decides on his first impulse. Based on his instinctual behavior, you couls say he's daring and audicious" This is a part from Aidan's blog. I liked Aidan's sense of vocabulary here and how he showed his opinions for Connor. Aidan also uses textual evidence from the book which I thought was another fantastic element Aidan used: "Then once he turns eighteen he's home free. After that, sure, they can throw him in jail, they can put him on trial - but they can't unwind them. Surviving that long is the trick." This quote shows that he plans to survive this journey with no mistakes occurring. Another Thing, I liked from Aidan's Blog was how he contrasted 3 different characters. ( Connor, Lev and Risa).
Aidan also wraps up his conclusion in a very nice way. In his conclusion he states how the 3 characters are different ( in a brief way) and I like the way he talks about his opinions about the book overall.
Secondly, I liked Jamila's blog because she also uses textual evidence. I never read " Cacther in the Rye", but Jamila's responce made me actually want to read this book. I like how she describes Holden's personality. On the 2nd paragraph, of her blog she uses textual evidence. Mr. Antolini tells Holden: "This fall I think you're riding for-- it's a special kind of fall, a horrible kind. The man falling isn't permitted to feel or hear himself hit the bottom. He just keeps falling and falling," (p. 243). In this part I really like how she includes the page number. Most people don't even put the page number, but this tells me that Jamila actually went back to the text. On her blog, she talks about how Mr.Antolini helps Holden understand about academic education. Jamila explains it using evidence and explains it in her own words.
To wrap up, I liked Aidan's and Jamla's blog because they both used specific details and Textual evidence. I've learned good techniques which I should use in my blogs in the future.
Good Job Jamila and Aidan!!
