Author Archives: Steven Okelley

THINKING WORK ALIKES

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While developing detailed responses at such length can promote thorough consideration of complex issues, brevity also has value in dialogue. Perhaps we could explore productive directions for understanding through a respectful exchange of ideas, however brief, regarding our common hopes and differing perspectives.

All people desire freedom and dignity. Throughout history, peaceful social progress has emerged from bringing diverse views together in honesty and good faith, not from enforced uniformity or division. Wise leaders recognize each person’s humanity, and seek to establish justice with mercy.

Core truths are deeper than any single perspective; we each see through a glass darkly. Policies are frameworks for living well together despite limits; no system is flawless or will satisfy all. Individuals of good conscience sometimes disagree on balancing competing goods.

Varied societies thrive on trust that each person’s intentions are to uphold what they see as right and fair for all. With open and compassionate listening, many assumptions may prove incomplete. Understanding differs from approval, and friends can be found unexpectedly.

Nonviolence has profound power to transform hearts and societies when its message is love, not accusation. By acknowledging one another’s goodness even in disagreeing, and focusing on interests over positions, common ground often emerges where initially seemed none.

Progress flows from leading with empathy, not reaction. With empathy comes patience to discern what motivates opposing views and what alternatives might satisfy needs on all sides. From there we can craft solutions honoring the dignity of each, and build a just peace through addressing root causes not symptoms alone.

Such is the difficult but noble work of any generation seeking the kind of change that heals rather than wounds. By recognizing one another’s shared hopes beyond surface differences, and addressing tactics without questioning motives or condemning identities, we participate in the gradual reform of laws and hearts through appeal to our common conscience.

This requires courage, but a free society is strengthened and renewed as its people lift their eyes beyond what separates them, to the glimpses of shared humanity still there to be found. With good faith, all who love justice and mercy can walk this path together.

WHICH REVISION OF SPENCER’S ESSAY BEST USES A FORMAL TONE?

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Upon review of Spencer’s three essay revisions and considering the descriptors of a formal tone, Revision 2 demonstrates the most effective use of a formal writing style. A formal tone is characterized as serious, objective, and impartial. It conveys information to an audience in a serious manner without being overly casual or using conversational elements.

Revision 1 has a more informal tone that does not align well with the expectations of a school assignment. While the content is relevant and well developed, the presentation incorporates conversational elements that undermine the seriousness of tone needed for a formal paper. Use of first-person pronouns like “I” and contractions like “don’t” convey a more casual attitude. Word choice also has informal aspects, such as referring to historical figures by first name only which lacks proper scholarly respect. The presentation comes across as a conversational piece rather than a serious objective analysis.

Revisions 2 and 3 adopt a more serious scholarly approach through objective third-person narrative and formal language free of contractions and conversational elements. Of these two revisions, Revision 2 best exemplifies an impartial formal tone through balanced analysis of the topic. While Revision 3 maintains a serious tone, it shows subjective leanings through disproportionate emphasis placed on one side of the issue over the other. Maintaining an impartial stance is an important trait of a formal academic tone.

Revision 2 aligns with the key defining traits of a formal style through its presentation. The seriousness of tone comes across through the selection of formal academic vocabulary and sentence structure. Using words like “moreover”, “whereas”, and “examination” in place of more casual alternatives establishes a scholarly rigor. Objective third-person point of view also contributes to a serious impression as opposed to first-person informal language.

Detailing both sides of the argument equally without apparent bias demonstrates impartiality, another hallmark of formal academic writing. Revision 2 considers multiple perspectives in a balanced manner to provide a well-rounded analysis. In contrast, Revision 3 emphasizes one position over another, undermining its impartiality. An objective analysis welcomes opposing views rather than promoting a particular stance.

Formal writing also refrains from conversational elements that could diminish seriousness. Revision 2 adheres to this through proper grammar with no contractions or other informal features. Referring to historical figures with honorific titles like “President” maintains a respectful academic tone. In comparison, Revisions 1 and 3 include occasional contractions and refer to individuals in a more casual manner at times.

Revision 2 exemplifies an effective formal academic tone for this type of school assignment through its serious objective presentation, balanced analysis, formal language choices, and impartial analysis. It conveys the information to the audience in a serious scholarly manner expected of formal writing. While all essay options covered the topic sufficiently, Revision 2 aligns closest to producing a formal impression through its stylistic presentation. For these reasons, Revision 2 best meets the criteria of employing a formal tone from the options provided.

HOW TO WRITE AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY NEWSELA QUIZ ANSWERS PDF

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Writing a high-quality argumentative essay takes research, planning, and strong composition skills. The goal of an argumentative essay is to convince the reader that your stance on an issue is the most valid. This type of persuasive writing requires presenting facts to support your perspective while also addressing opposing views in a logical manner.

There are several key steps to follow when writing an argumentative essay. The first is choosing a topic. Pick a subject that you have a genuine interest in and that allows for meaningful arguments on both sides. Research current debates around the issue to find the strongest counterarguments to your position. You’ll need to address these substantive counterpositions effectively in your essay. Some potential topics could include social issues like gun control, abortion, or immigration policy changes. Choosing a topic that is well-defined and has credibility and controversy means there is substantive research readily available on all perspectives.

Next, you’ll want to take a firm stance in favor of or against the issue. Your stance is the central claim or assertion that the entire essay will aim to prove. Once you develop your position, research your stance thoroughly. Look for factual evidence from credible sources that helps formulate arguments to support your perspective. These facts can include statistics, expert opinions, case studies, historical evidence, and more. Compiling facts and quoting experts will strengthen your persuasive claims. Make shorthand notes of the strongest pieces of evidence and quotes you find during your research.

Also research counterarguments to consider perspectives contrary to your stance. Addressing opposing views is necessary to craft a convincing argument. Note potentially challenging counterevidence, facts, or expert opinions as well. Understanding credible arguments on all sides of an issue will help develop thoughtful responses to strengthen your own position and anticipate counterarguments readers may have. Thorough research from reputable sources forms the bedrock of a persuasive argumentative essay.

After research, organize your evidence and arguments. The body of the essay should present the backbone of your claims through well-developed paragraphs focused on separate key points. Begin each body paragraph by clearly stating the main argument or point of that section using a topic sentence at the start. Then dedicate the rest of the paragraph to explaining, proving, and expanding on that main point using factual evidence from research and compelling examples. Interpret statistics, synthesize expert quotations, and analyze case studies or historical events in a way that meaningfully supports the overall stance presented in the topic sentence.

For contrast and balance, address reasonable counterarguments in body paragraphs as well by first stating the opposing view and then convincingly refuting it using your research on counterpositions and evidence. Anticipate the strongest case against your view and craft thoughtful, factual rebuttals. Thoroughly addressing alternative perspectives elevates your essay’s credibility as balanced and substantive. Make sure each body paragraph has a clear, focused point to either prove your stance or weaken a counterstance using evidentiary support.

The introduction should grab readers’ attention while also concisely stating the argumentative issue and your position on it in a 1-2 paragraph overview. Likewise, the conclusion should not introduce new information but rather synthesize the major points made throughout the essay and re-emphasize the significance or implications of adopting your stance. The structure of having an engaging introductory paragraph, well-structured body paragraphs, and concluding remarks ties the paper together cohesively. Use transition words and phrases within and between paragraphs to guide the logical flow and progression of your ideas.

For the style, write in a respectful yet confident tone given this is a persuasively argued paper. Avoid casual language and do not personally attack those with differing views. Use formal academic language and an objective, factual style grounded in reliable evidence even when staking out your clear position. Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation and varied sentence structure are a must for polished writing style. Consider having others proofread your work to find any errors or awkward phrasings to remedy.

Follow standard formatting guidelines for citations and references. In-text citations should credit direct quotes, paraphrases and statistics to the original sources consulted in research. Then provide full reference list entries in alphabetical order matching the in-text citations at the conclusion of the essay. Proper citing allows others to fact-check claims made without concerns of plagiarism. This indicates a ethically conducted, credible argument.

Choosing a relevant topic, taking a clear stance, conducting thorough research, skillfully organizing evidentiary support, addressing counterarguments, crafting an engaging introduction and conclusion, using a formal academic style, and citing properly are all crucial components for writing an high-quality argumentative essay persuading readers of your viewpoint’s validity regarding the debated issue. Crafting a cohesive, fact-based argument with balance and substance is the aim in this type of academic persuasive writing.

AP LIT SAMPLE ESSAYS 2023

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The literary works of William Shakespeare continue to be both deeply inspirational and profoundly relevant today. In his tragedy Hamlet, Shakespeare explores universal themes of madness, revenge, morality, and the complexity of human nature that resonate as powerfully now as they did over 400 years ago when the play was written. At its core, Hamlet examines how revenge can destroy one’s soul and humanity.

Hamlet is tragic hero who is trying to balance his desire for vengeance with his moral conscience. Upon learning of his father’s murder at the hands of his uncle Claudius, who has also married Hamlet’s mother Gertrude, Hamlet is thrown into a state of deep grief and anger. He is a thoughtful, introspective character who is reluctant to take violent action without being completely certain. He fears that acting on impulse for revenge may be morally wrong or make him no better than his uncle. As the play’s morality play unfolds, Hamlet’s delay in seeking revenge allows his madness and inner turmoil to grow, spiraling further out of control.

One of the most famous elements of Hamlet is the “To be or not to be” soliloquy, where Hamlet contemplates suicide as an escape from the pains and troubles of the world. On the surface, he questions whether it is better to live with life’s difficulties or take arms against them by ending his own life. On a deeper level Hamlet is grappling with the moral conflict between his desire for vengeance and his conscience telling him not to commit murder, even if justified. The soliloquy perfectly encapsulates Hamlet’s inner turmoil and indecision as he tries to decide what path is right versus what his emotions are pushing him toward. This exploration of morality versus vengeance remains extremely compelling as audiences continue to wrestle with similar questions about justice, ethics, and human nature.

While seeking certainty and justice for his father’s murder, Hamlet’s delay in acting allows his mental state and behavior to descend into madness. His “antic disposition” takes on a public performance as he tries both to uncover the truth and stall for time while deciding what to do. Hamlet’s madness serves the useful dramatic purpose of allowing him to openly express his inner turmoil, confusion, disgust and grief without suspicion while also moving the plot forward. It also shows the personal cost of prolonged inaction and inability to resolve his conflicted feelings. Shakespeare uses Hamlet to profoundly demonstrate how the desire for revenge can consume and destroy someone from within if left to fester for too long without resolution.

One of the most compelling scenes demonstrating Hamlet’s decline into suspected madness is the “mouse trap” play scene. By covertly observing Claudius’s reaction to a play mimicking the murder of his father, Hamlet believes he has gotten the proof he needs to enact revenge. His behavior during this pivotal scene, especially verbally abusing his former love Ophelia, shows the personal toll his obsession with vengeance has taken. While gaining clarity, Hamlet has lost sight of whom his actions may hurt as his madness grows. This is a warning about how focusing on external desires for retribution can cause someone to neglect their own humanity and relationships.

Hamlet serves as a brilliant meditation on humanity’s capacity for both good and evil, as well as the tragic consequences that can occur when morality becomes obscured by emotions like anger and the desire for vengeance. While seeming to resolve itself through various characters’ deaths, the play leaves the audience with unsettled questions about justice, fate, and whether any in the end truly achieved peace or redemption. Hamlet’s delay is both his tragic flaw and what allows the complex themes to fully develop and continue challenging new generations of audiences. Shakespeare uses the characters and Danish setting but taps into issues that remain timeless – showing his genius and relevance will surely continue for centuries more.

POINTS OF HORRORS OF SCIENCE ESSAY JUST POINTS

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Here are some key points about the horrors of science that could be addressed in an essay:

  • Experiments on humans without consent – Discuss examples like the Tuskegee syphilis study where untreated black men were deliberately left with syphilis just to observe the disease progress. Also bring up Nazi medical experiments in concentration camps.
  • Animal testing and cruelty – Note the immense suffering inflicted on animals in labs for the sake of research. Explain how alternative research methods like microdosing and computer modeling are far more ethical.
  • Weapons development – Outline how science has enabled unprecedented means of mass destruction like nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Argue this directly conflicts with saving human lives.
  • Environmental pollution – Cite scientific advances that have damaged the planet through pollution from industries like fossil fuels, plastics, agrochemicals etc. Stress this threatens the survival of humanity.
  • Privacy violations – Touch upon how biometrics, AI and mass surveillance enabled by science pose a grave threat to civil liberties and individual freedom.
  • Power imbalances – Discuss how certain nations and institutions monopolize life-saving health technologies while billions lack access to basic care due to poverty. This creates unnecessary suffering.
  • Transhumanism – Warn about the dystopian implications of enhancing humans with technologies like brain-computer interfaces, genetic engineering and nanotechnology before fully understanding their risks. The consequences of such changes may be irreversible.
  • Playing God – Cautiously argue that attempting to engineer biology beyond our comprehension through synthetic life and modifying human evolution challenges the natural order and could have catastrophic unintended effects.

I have tried keeping my answer concise while hitting the key points requested in less than 2,000 characters+. Please let me know if you need any part expanded further for the essay. I am happy to discuss and provide more perspective in the ROLE.