In humanities we have written two essays.

One essay on the book, The Alchemist and the other on Julius Caesar by Shakespeare.

Ideas and Content

over the course of 8th grade I have learnt much about writing. Although I had plenty of time to construct my Alchemist essay, I did not have the technique that I had in the Julius Caesar essay. In my Julius Caesar essay, my writing makes sense so the topic is much clearer and I stay focused on that topic, not rambling on into other topics. Also, I think that my Julius Caesar essay displays my improvement in choosing quotes that relate to the topic and enhances the readers understanding of the message I am trying to get across. My writing makes sense more in the way that I don't repeat my self as much as I did in my Alchemist essay. In my Alchemist essay, I did not choose quotes that backed up my reasoning and they did not really add to the main idea of the essay, they were there just to be..there. However, I think I point that I did well in my Alchemist essay was adding details that made my writing more interesting, and fun to read. In terms of Ideas and Content I would say that my Julius Caesar is much more advanced and developed then my Alchemist essay.

Organization.

Again, my Julius Caesar organization was better then my Alchemist essay.

The organization of the Alchemist essay was all over the place. I kept repeating my self and would sometimes ramble off and lose the main idea that I was trying to get across.

I think that the time period might have something to do with this.

For the Julius Caesar essay, I only had 80 minutes of writing. Therefor I did not have time to go into greater detail, and ramble off the main topic of the essay.

For both essays however, I gave good leads to grab the readers attention, both were quotes from the books that gave the reader an idea of what the essay would be about but was also interesting enough to make the reader keep on reading.

In the subject of transition sentences, my alchemist essays are much better, because I had time to revise my essay and improve my transition sentences and topic sentences for my body paragraphs.

Personal Growth

I think I have grown as a writer in ways such as the techniques I have learnt in 8th grade.

I now know how to organize my writing better and how to link quotes to support evidence and add to the message of the essay. I have also grown in other ways in my writing such as being able to firmly state my reasons and put in words that create mood.

These techniques were not used in my Julius Caesar essay because of the time strain and that they were not needed in this particular piece of writing.

SLR's

A SLR I use when crafting an essay would be Learn Enthusiastically.

My reasoning is that when you are writing an Essay you have to revise, re-do it and be motivated enough to accept constructive criticism from teachers to strive for your best.Also, being enthusiastic enough to go to your teachers to get help, even if it is in your free time if you do this you not only will be able to improve your writing, but also get the best grade you can get because you cared enough about your work to come in to improve your writing.

Loyal to your friend? or Loyal to your country?

“It’s not that I love Caesar less, but that I love Rome more.” -Brutus, 3:2 ,pg 128

The quotation shows that although Brutus loved Caesar, his love his country was stronger. This is the main conflict for Brutus because he feels it is his duty to do what is best for the people of Rome. He feels that is his duty to keep the Republic. Although he does not want to kill his friend, he thinks that if he kills Caesar then Rome will free from the Dictator that Caesar may be become. It is Brutus’s love of Rome and how much he values his nobility and honor that in the end motivates him to Kill Caesar.

Brutus’s love for Rome is strong, and he would to anything for it. Even if meant killing his friend to keep the Republic his ancestors fought hard for. Brutus feels motivated to keep the Republic because he feels that it is his duty to stand up for the people of Rome, and do what is best for his country, because it was his family that drove out tyranny for a fairer, and more just way of ruling. Brutus wants to preserve the nobility and honor in his family’s name. Because Brutus thinks that it is his responsibility to do what is best for Rome he does not listen to others ideas well, and becomes very closed off to other suggestions. An example of this behavior would be when the conspirators are discussing Caesars death. When Cassius say’s “Let Antony and Caesar fall together” Brutus’s reply is “Our course will seem to bloody, Caius Cassius!”(-2:1, pg 74) This shows how Brutus does not want to accept others ideas, because he wants to be in control. However, Brutus is fast to act when he thinks the people of Rome need his help. When Brutus receives a note that he thinks is from the people of Rome saying “Brutus, thou sleep’st; awake, and see thyself. Shall Rome, ect.Speak, strike, redress!”(-2:1,pg 66) He decides to join the conspirators because he thinks that the people of Rome need him. Brutus loves the people of Rome, and therefore would do anything for them. This shows how much he values his honor and how he is willing to step for Rome when they need him.

Brutus loves Rome, but he also values his honor. This motivates him to keep doing what is best for Rome, and to keep the Honor in his family name. He is proud of what he and his ancestors have done for Rome, such as driving dictatorship out of Rome and replacing it with a Republic. Brutus wants to keep the family legacy strong.

When Brutus and Cassius are talking, Brutus tells Cassius just how much he values his honor. “For let the Gods so speed me as I love the name of honor more than I fear death.”(-1:2,pg 32) This quote shows that he loves his honor more then he is afraid to die. Although, this trait makes Brutus very naÔve, and he does not plan things carefully or think about consequences. He thinks that everyone wants what he wants, in this case to kill Caesar and keep the Republic. He does not think about the fact that people like Caesars supporters will be very angry that they have killed Caesar. When making his speech he does not have a good argument of why he killed Caesar apart from that he was “ambitious” so he says “Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor, that you may believe.”(-3:2 pg 128) This is Brutus’s argument, “believe me for my honor.” He has not thought of a good reason to explain to the public why he has killed Caesar.

Brutus’s has conflict on deciding if he should kill Caesar to keep the republic or let a tyranny rule Rome. He was motivated in the end, to kill Caesar by his love for Rome, and how he wants to do what is best for the Roman people. He also feels it is his duty to keep the Republic since it was his ancestors who got rid of Tyranny from Rome. He was also motivated by how he values his honor, and he wants to keep the honor in his family name alive. These factors, his Love of Rome and how much he values his honor was what motivated Brutus to kill Caesar.

20 years of Struggling

Think Creatively

one of the creative elements in my collage would be the drawing in the left hand corner.

I think this is creative because it symbolizes many things. Such as: the lost boys journey, the conflicts they faced in Africa and their hope for a better life. The bits of crumpled green paper by the American flag shows "the grass is greener on the other side" These pieces of paper add texture to the collage. Another creative element on my collage would be the splitting of the collage into two main ideas. The two main ideas are the two sides of Africa. The left side is the side of hope,culture and happiness. The feeling of happiness is symbolized by the pictures of children-they have so little yet they are contented and happy with what little they have. The right hand side is the side of war and misery. This side has pictures that show what the Lost Boys were seeing daily-the tragic effects of this civil war.

Reason Critically

The images and Text I selected are images that I think symbolize the Lost Boys journey.

Images such as the three pictures on the right hand side show the shocking affects of war. Pictures such as these ones allow people to visualize the Journey of the Lost Boys and what the Lost Boys see daily-Images such as the three on the right, except in real life not just on paper.

Allowing people to visualize the Lost Boys struggles means that they can know the full impact of the war and have a deeper understanding of the situation.

Communicate Effectively

My collage creates awareness for the Lost boys and the war in Sudan because the pictures show the truth and reality behind this 20 year old civil war. Some of the images are very powerful, and symbolizes the harsh times the lost boys have gone through. People will be aware of the struggles in Sudan and will know that this is a country in crisis that needs help. My hopes are that the viewer feels empathy for the Lost Boys and will want to help because they were affected by the images.Also, I hope that my collage will be powerful enough to get people to take action.

Live Ethically

Whilst looking at my collage my hopes are that people are now aware that the war in Sudan is a serious issue and that they decide to take action. The images would provoke an emotional response because many of the images are hard to look at, however this is the reality of the situation and I hope the viewer realizes this and that they don't just sit back,but are actually moved enough to take action and help the Lost boys. I think that I displayed a good visualization on the Lost Boys journey and that this will create some empathy from the viewers.

The story of Peter, a Lost boy of Sudan

The lost Boys of Sudan were forced to migrate from their homes in Sudan due to a raging 20 year old civil war. These Lost boys are Dinkas- A Sudanese tribe. The Dinkas were greatly affected by the conflicts in Sudan. These boys were lucky to escape, often the boys were out tending to cattle when their Villages were attacked. Because of this they could quickly flee from the attackers. While travelling to safety-refugee camps in Kenya, they then braved Wild animals, thirst, starvation,disease and exhaustion. After a long and tiring journey they finally reached safety in Kenya. They now had to live in camps with fellow Lost boys that had shared their experiences. After years in the refugee camps, some of the Lost boys were flown to America "A heaven on Earth" for a better life.

Among these people was Peter Nyarol Dut. Peter had spent most of his life in the Refugee camp, so when he migrated to America he experienced some difficulties, such as culture shock. Peter went from living in a refugee camp with people who understood his situation to living in America, with people who judged him by his race and who didn't understand what he had lived through. Peter was faced with problems such as how to fit into American culture but also stay connected to Sudan. Peter wanted to fit in with his peers, but he did not want to forget his roots. He was also getting pressurised by his family back in Kenya to send money over. Peter was finding it hard to provide for himself, yet alone send money back to his family.He was working to pay his rent, and provide the daily necessities for himself. However, his family did not know of Peters situation, and therefore could not sympathize with him.

He also had trouble making friends and fitting in to his school community, he felt left out because his was so different to his school friends. Peter was working to Pay for his rent, Food, clothes and graduate from High school to get into a good college, while his school friends were living with their parents and did not have to worry about having to pay the rent. Peter would work during the night and go to school during the day, but would have to do his school work after his work shift, so he found it hard to juggle all of his responsibilities. He was also under Estimated and Judged by his race and Background. For example, Peters high school counsellor didn't expected him to be able to do well in High school to go onto a Good college. Peter also faces racism. Because of his skin colour people think Peter is going to attack,hurt and steal from them, and Peter has no intention of doing so!Although,Peter has exceeded the counsellors expectations by Graduating with good grades, and doing well enough to get into a 4 year college.

Peter has to deal with allot of things while adapting to America, such as racism and juggling his responsibility's, but he continues to work hard to succeed and exceed peoples judgements of him.

A monologue From Julius Caesar

Anthony's speech, Act Three, Scene two, lines 71-105

"Friends, Romans, Countrymen,lend me your ears;

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

The evil that men do lives after them,

the good is oft interred with their bones;

So let it be with Caesar.The noble Brutus

hath told you Caesar was ambitious.

If it were so, it was a grievous fault,

And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it.

Here, under the leave of Brutus and the rest ,

-For Brutus is an honourable man ;So are they all,all honourable men -

Come I speak in Caesar's Funeral.

He was my friend, faithful and just to me;

But Brutus says he was ambitious,

And Brutus is an honourable man.

He Hath brought many captives home to Rome,

Whose ransom did the general coffers fill:

Did this Caesar seem so ambitious?

When that poor must have cried,Caesar hath wept;

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,

And Brutus is an honourable man.

You all did see on the Lupercal

I thrice presented him a kingly crown,

Which he thrice refused.Was this ambition?

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,

And sure he is an honourable man.

I speak not to disapprove what Brutus spoke,

But here I am to speak what I know.

You all did love him once, not without cause;

what cause withholds you then to mourn for him?

O judgement, thou art fled to brutish beasts,

And men have lost their reason. Bear with me.

My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,

And I must pause till it come back to me.

The Context

Antony, a great friend of Caesar's has come to speak at Caesar's Funeral, and to tell the public how he viewed Caesar.

The Significance

The significance is that Antony is capable of much more then playing games and enjoying a life style of leisure, he was greatly underestimated by the conspirators, for now he is showing how much he can do for Caesar, and how much he had loved him. It is also the beginning of the struggle for power and justice between Caesar's suppotors and the people who were against him. Antony is capable of great things, and has been fired up to fight for Caesar's name, and for Caesar's honour. He does not want all the good things Caesar has done to be forgotten, and all the evil and wrong things he has done to stay on. "The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones;" So he tells the public the side he saw of Caesar, and this is important because what the public think is what determines who will win over and get the power. The more suppotors the conspirators get then they will be able to rule, but if Antony get power from the public, by telling them the other side of Caesar and how he was so different to what the conspirators made him out to be then he may gain enough power to become a ruler, like the Caesar, and carry on what Caesar had wanted to do with his power.

Like Brutus's speech(2:1, lines 10-34) this passage shows allot about Antony's character, how he was very trust worthy person, and a very good friend. He was the only friend Caesar could really depend on, and he is now fighting for Caesar legacy. Antony was truly Caesar's greatest Friend

The school of Athens-By Raphael

The School of Athens- by Raphael mirrors society by summing up what the renaissance era was all about. The Renaissance was the " rebirth" of new knowledge and ideas, and old information being rediscovered. Many people were learning and discovering ideas that went against the churches teachings. In the left hand corner, the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, is shown writing like the other figures in that left corner. During the renaissance people began to record information so other people could learn and have easier access to people’s ideas and knowledge on a certain subject. The printing press was also invented during the renaissance, and this helped getting knowledge to different parts of the country. On the right, you can see people with globes and other tools such as a compass, which a man is using to mark something on a board. This mirrors society because at the time of the renaissance people started to wonder what was up in space, an began to question if the church was really giving out the correct information, so Galileo created the telescope, which helped scientist's prove their ideas about space and the universe with scientific facts. The globe and compass show the advanced tools and objects that could assist the astrologers in their discoveries. It also shows their understanding of Mathematics, Astrology, and Science. The school of Athens shows the viewer people learning and discovering new ideas, which is essentially is what the renaissance is all about.

If I was a person in The School of Athens I would be Epicurus, Epicurus taught that to maintain a happy life family is very important, and that you should live a peaceful self suffient lifestyle to be satisfied in life. He also taught that war only made problems worse and killed many men for no reason. I completely agree that to be content with your life family should come first. Often, when I am over at a friends house I will leave early so I can spend time with my family before the week starts over again, and family members will be to busy to really spend time with each other. To me, war is pointless, it kills many people in great numbers but still, world leaders cannot come to a decision, and so lives were destroyed and caused many families grief. Instead of war, the leaders of the world should have a disscusion instead of resulting to violence, which often leads to more conflict. As Epicurus taught, peace is key to a happy lifestyle.To be self suficent means to be able to do things for your self. When I am watching someone do something I sometimes get frustrated when I feel like they are not doing it correctly. This can be a good or bad trait, and it depends on the situation. For example, it is a good trait to have because it means I can do jobs or tasks by myself without having someone to tell me what to do every-step of the way. This means I can be an independent thinker. But when working in a group I always want to take matters into my own hands.Which can frustrate my group members. Overall, Epicurus has many traits of which I have , which is why if I were in the painting School of Athens I would choose to be Epicurus.

Think Big

The definition of the renaissance is “re born, or rebirth" Da Vinci played a big part in this “re-birth of ideas", he was adventurous enough to challenge the churches ideas and think for himself. Leonardo was able to think big, and create new ideas, many of which we still use today. He excelled in engineering, art, architecture, science, mathematics and the human body. Leonardo Da Vinci was obsessed with nature. He was able to incorporate his obsession with nature into his designs and inventions. It was one of Da Vinci’s dreams to design a machine that would allow man to fly, so he studied birds with great interest. He recorded how they flew, the design and structure of their wings and many other things about birds. After collecting his information Leonardo set to work on building a machine that would let man fly. This is why I consider Leonardo to be a true renaissance man, he started to test new and old ideas, and try new things. He found new ways information and helped his city state flourish. Hence “re-birth” with people like Leonardo Florence and the rest of Europe once again excelled in the arts, architecture and mathematics. Along with old information, Leonardo also found new information and improved ideas. Leonardo was truly an artist, he was not afraid to be different or have different ideas and opinions from other people, and this is why many people see Leonardo as a true renaissance hero.