Features- Frist Draft

By: Gwen Gonzalez

 

There once was a girl, one day she woke up tired of her life, tired of the way she was living it, tired of the way she felt, tired of being alive. The girl decided it was time to get it over with, so she walked towards the kitchen as slowly as she could without making any noise. She opened the cabinet, grabbed the thickest knife and slit her throat. We’ll never know her name.

In the United States (2006) suicide was the third leading cause of death, with people between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surpassed by accidents and murder.

 We all know what suicide is, but do we know why it happens? Suicide may occur for a number of reasons. The most common are depression, guilt, physical pain, pressure, anxiety, and financial struggles.                                             [               Poll statistics          ]

Every year, newspapers as well as other types of media rarely report the deaths of those who kill themselves. Death by suicide is a story that usually remains buried in the darkness of our private misery unless it involves a public figure or had a movie-like touch to it. “There are so many different stories out there,” states MBSH social worker, Sasha Erinson “That we will never be informed about.”  

Features – Second Draft

[ Insert captivating title here ]

By: Gwen Gonzalez

 

The teenage years can be a time of confusion. There are too many experiences during this transitional stage, like having to make decisions about the future, starting new relationships, and having to deal with the physical changes that are taking place in our bodies.

 

In the United States for the year 2006, suicide was the third leading cause of death with people between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which was surpassed by accidents and murder.

Suicide may occur for a number of reasons. The most common are depression,  guilt, physical pain, pressure, anxiety, and financial stuggles.

According to research conducted by the American Psychiatric Association Over half of all teens who suffer from depression will eventually attempt suicide at least once, and more that 7% will die as a result. If the familes or friends of those 7% would have been a bit more informed, they would have seen the warning signs, and they would have known how to talk to them. 

   

 Every year, newspapers as well as other types of media rarely report the deaths of those who kill themselves. Death by suicide is a story that usually remains buried in the darkness of our private misery unless it involves a public figure or had a movie-like touch to it.

“There are so many different stories out there,” states MBSH social worker, Sasha Erinson “That we will never be informed about.” You would think that since most suicides occur within the teenage years, they would inform you about this in middle school or high school, but that’s not what is happening.  “Honestly, I don’t know anything about suicide or depression …” said Sophomore, Erika Garcia “I’m in health class, and I took a glance at the book we’re supposed to go by,  I saw nothing that has to do with suicide, or suicidal people .. and that’s just wrong.”  

 

 

 

 

Planner (Features)

Name:  Gwen Gonzalez

 

Story: Teen Suicide

 

Section: Features

 

Deadline: —

 

People I need to talk to for quotes / information                 When?

 

1. The Psychology teacher                                                        1. Between now and next week

2. Social worker at school                                                        2. Between now and next week

3. —                                                                                        3. —

4. —                                                                                        4. —

 

Angle:  What unique information will the reader get from this story that he or she wouldn’t get from a straight news story?

 

 

 

Six initial questions I’ll ask:

 

Who?

 

Depressed/ Suicidal Students

 

What?

 

Committing Suicide

 

When?

—-

 

Where?

 

Anywhere (Miami Beach area)

 

Why?

 

Depression

 

How?

—

 

Other questions I’ll need to ask:

 

Editorial and Column Ideas.

1. Why are most sites on the internet being blocked by the school? (wait … I know why!, it’s because too many students abuse the internet, and go on sites that are not “school appropriate”) I would research, and get some opinions about the school blocking internet pages (MySpace, facebook, email, and of course other sites) Most of us become annoyed, or mad when we try to go on these websites only to find out that they’re blocked, but then again the school has the right to do this because we are in school, and the computers should be used for school related topics.

2. Our school clinics serve many needs, but are our MBSH students abusing the fact that we have one? Many students tell their teachers they are sick in order to get a pass to the clinic, then pretend to be sick and tell the nurse that they want to go home because they are in fact very “sick”, they think believe they are being “cool” but all they’re doing is throwing away valuable learning time. Also what about the clinic’s policy about privacy? Should the parents be notified how many times their child goes to the clinic, and why they are there? Ex. Having a disease or are pregnant.

3. School lunch, a topic that is talked about almost every day. Many of us bring our lunch from home, or buy it here at school, it would be a great idea if students could be allowed to leave school for lunch, like having about 45 minutes to an hour to go and eat where ever they like (Fast food, Café, or maybe even a home cooked meal) Many students here at MBHS are constantly complaining about lunch, whether we bring our lunch or not, we all agree that it is extremely crowded at lunch time, therefore why shouldn’t students be able to leave for lunch?

4. There is no doubt that students here at MBSH have used their cell phones or IPods during school hours at least once. Electronics are not a bad thing at all, but security, and teachers … better yet all of our school staff makes it seem like a big deal when in fact we’ve all seen at least one member of school staff with some type of electronic. If MBHS students were allowed to use their cell phones or MP3’s during lunch or have a free time period or recess, then we wouldn’t be as tempted to use our electronic devices during class. We would be able to communicate with our parents or friends during the time that is given to us, rather than using it during class which causes us to not pay attention in class, or get caught using it and get it taken away.

5. We’ve all seen movies, and TV shows, or even when you’re at Publix … PDA (public display of affection) but is it okay to see it when you’re at school?

Differentiation Articles.

In the second article “the-election-lives” it is an Opinion article because, throughout the whole article the author always has something to say. He made it funny, and not as uninteresting as the first article, which is an Editorial article. there is a part of the article which basically just spelled out OPINION ARTICLE ”You may notice that there are a lot of percents missing. They went to Dean Barkley, an underfunded Independence Party candidate who did rather well by running on a platform that boiled down to: 1) Not crazy 2) Not Norm Coleman and 3) Not Al Franken.”  

for the second aerticle I could tell it was an Editorial because, The author never really stated his thoughts about it.

Opinion Aritcles.

In the first Article, the writer starts off by telling us a fact, The United Nations mandate that allows troops to operate in Iraq expires by the end of December. The writer tell us what he (or she) believes is the “good, and bad news”. The good news is that both Baghdad and the Americans have to agreed that it is time for the American troops to start withdrawing. He says the bad news is that the Bush administration fought for the idea of a withdrawel.

In the second article, the Op-Ed, The writer has quotes, and he writes about his expireinces, he uses words that are not objective. His writing style is much more different than the style of the writer in the first article.

Survey.

Survey.

Name:

Grade:

Are you in any after school clubs?

If so, which club?

What type of classes do you take? (Honors, AP, Regular, Intensive)

How much homework do you get daily?

What do you usually do when you get home?

On average how much sleep do you get?

On a scale of 1-10 how stressed do you think you are?

Features planner.

Name:  Gwen Gonzalez

 

Story:   Stressed out teens.

 

Section:   Features.

 

Deadline:

 

People I need to talk to for quotes / information                 When?

 

1. Students in after school clubs.                                            1. This week.

1. Students in Honors/ESL classes.                                        2. This week.

3. Teachers teaching in after school clubs.                              3. This week   

 

Angle:  What unique information will the reader get from this story that he or she wouldn’t get from a straight news story?

 

 

Ranks:

 1. A&E

2. Features

3.Opinion

4.  News

5. Sports

My top ranked was A & E,  I love talking about new movies, or songs and the different kinds of arts, so basically I just like being part of anything that has a creative side to it. I think that A&E writing is the one that fits me the most because you get to have fun with what you are reporting about.  For this journalism class I have not turned anything in because, honestly, I’m barely there. When I was in Orlando I was one of the A&E writers for the DPHS school paper,  and I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I think I’m a pretty great writer.

A&E Review Planner

Name:   Gwen Gonzalez

 

Name of Event/Item to be Reviewed:  Britney Spears’ new CD “Circus”

 

Date and Time I Will See this Event/Item:  Today after school I will buy the CD.

 

Place where Review Will Occur:  ——-

 

Some Facts I know about the Event /Item to be Reviewed Include:

The CD has 13 songs.

It was released on the second of December.

The average price is about $10.99

There is also a “Deluxe” Edition.

 

Some Expectations, Opinions or ‘Buzz’ I’ve Heard about the Event/Item to be Reviewed Include:

It is her supposed “comeback” CD.

I’ve heard that this CD is one of her best, yet.

 

Five Things People Who Will Read My Article Will Want to Know about this Event/Item Include:

1. Is the CD any good?
2. What are the songs really about?
3. Is it a different style of music than before?
4.  

 Descriptive words that relate to the Event/Item

                                ——————-

People/Historical Events/Objects I can compare this Event/Item to:

                                  —————–

 

Other witty literary devices I can employ in my review:

                                     ———–

A&E

The author of this A&E article,  uses different styles of writing mixed alltogether.  The main style of writing that you could say it resembles would have to be