Wendy AP Language

The separation between public schools and private schools are very distinguished in certain aspects.  Arguing from an objective standpoint, I will argue that private schools are better than public schools.  Each have aspects that are better than the other, but overall I believe that private schools are better.  I will use my experience in private schools verses the opinions and ideas of friends who attend public school and general research.  The criteria that make up a good school would be safety, strong cirriculum, preparation for the “real world,” and a pleasent social atmosphere.  Of course, many of these things vary from school to school whether it is public or private, but I will simply use the ones I know best.  Fights and drug-busts are regular events at many public schools.  Having gone to private school all my life, I have never witnessed a fight that was any more than a little pushing.  I would say that the cirriculum at private schools is heavier than that of public school.  There is more variety in level of classes at public school, so depending on the ones you choose to take you may have an intense class schedule.  But even if you take the easiest classes at private school they are generally more challenging that that at public school.  Just in comparing with friends who are also in honors classes, they almost always are doing less than we are.  On the subject of preparation for the adult world, I think that is where private schools fall short.  Private schools are only a small group of advantaged people and there is not nearly as much diversity.  Friends from public school often tell me that I am “sheltered,” because I go to a school that is far from everyday life.  Although public school is better than private school on social and diverse levels, I think that safety and challenging classes are more important for high school.

Popularity is something that many people desire in life.  Even if things like being in the “popular group” are related more to middle school, it still persists throughout one’s life.  The common perception of popularity is what many teens strive for, only to find that it is not satisfying.  So what does it really mean to be popular?  Often scenes from movies like Mean Girls come to mind.  The common perception people have of being popular is having countless “friends,” having a new boy/girlfriend every other week, being attractive, athletic, and involved.  Hidden behind these admirable qualtities is low self esteem.  Could anyone of those “friends” be considered a true friend?  You could probably begin to see each of them as two-faced or backstabbing, but then couldn’t that perception be thrown on you?  An immense amount of emptiness could come to one who pursues becoming popular to fill a hole in their life.

However, the dictionary definition of popular is simply “commonly liked or approved.”  Somehow, what it means to be popular has morphed into something not considered so great.  Each person may have their own idea of popularity, but I will argue that popularity can come with many things that are true to heart.  You don’t have to be wealthy and stuck up to be “popular,” but rather, you can be genuine, driven, and loving.  You can be intelligent.  What matters is that you are happy.

The argument of definition I am going to make will be operational.  I will describe what the common perception of popularity is and compare it to what I believe it encompasses.

I can totally relate to Lynn Peril’s Pink Think. The standard to be mannerly, kind, and “lady-like,” was enforced upon me beginning at a young age and instills today.  I think women are still encouraged to live up to the “pink think,” but it is becoming more lenient.  I feel that women are still supposed to act a certain way in order to be acceptable in society, but other things, such as staying at home raising your kids is becoming a thing of the past.  Women are finally starting to be accepted and encouraged in the work force, although there are still people who disapprove.  I think the world is slowly becoming more open to different types of people with younger generations, but overall the “pink think” is still intact.

There are also standards that go along with being a Christian, according to many Christians and just as many non-Christians. Books, media, and the evangelists shown on TV teach Christians that you are supposed to obey the Bible’s every word, and most likely you are doomed for eternal damnation in hell if you do not follow every belief.  Christians are supposed to perceive homosexuality as wrong and sinful.  Evolution is just plain blasphemy.  Christian women are supposed to succumb to men.  A Christian is not supposed to drink, smoke, dance or curse, because all will lead to a life away from God.  These views are placed within and outside of the Christian church.  Non-Christians believe that Christians look down upon them, and are also intimidated because of the fear that a Christian will spite them for sinning.  However, most Christians believe that each individual may have a slightly different idea of what it means to be Christian.  Christians are supposed to be good people who honestly try to be kind and loving to others while praising God.  Christians should be accepting of all others, and look upon them with equality.  Certain hardcore Christians may agree with the standards mentioned earlier, but a true believer in God would strive for equality and love.  People who do not know make assumptions and create ideas that define people in postive or negative ways, affecting people either way.

The argument I am proposing to make is that listening to iPods cause hearing loss in those who listen to them frequently.  Although this handy music player provides much more convenience than a CD player, there are certain aspects of the iPod that increase risks of damage to your hearing.  Unaware of the possible hazard, many people young and old, but especially young, will have their music blaring for long periods of time.  Because of the headphones being inside the ear, and certain devices like earbuds, the “hair cells of the inner ear have a greater chance of becoming injured,” causing hearing loss.  Many people have already experienced the effects that iPods can have on their hearing, and there are scientific studies to prove it.

Turning to my handy Seventeen magazine, I began to read an article about America Ferrera, a popular role model for teenagers.  Something I found very distinct about the sentences was that instead of semi-colons being used, dashes were used in between sentences.  Often a longer, more descriptive clause was at the beginning, and then a shorter, more precise clause came at the end- as such.  “America doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone- she is a star.” The length of each sentence does not vary a whole lot, but I think that the style of writing with the dashes (not sure of techincal term) connecting clauses makes a certain appeal.  It makes the writing very casual and gives it a certain tone, which I would say is laid back.   Not exactly something you would read to become informed or learn something new, simply for entertainment.  Parallel structures are used to an extent.  The article begins talking about “girls who act really fake” but follow it by saying “in walks America Fererra- who is as real as it gets.”  By stating one thing and opposing it with another idea, it is a suprise to the reader and they may want to read more.  The article is very readable.  The sentence structure is not complicated and mostly common language is used, which accounts for the ease in reading it.