Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Cause and Effect Essay - Final Draft

The Effects of Smoking

Every year hundreds of thousands of people around the world die from diseases caused by smoking. One in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit. Half of these deaths will occur at middle age. Internal and external damage to the body, and also Second Hand Smoke are some of the effects of cigarette smoking.


One effect of cigarette smoking is the damage and hurt of certain internal organs due to disease. A statistic that shows approximately how many people smoking affects is, “About 90% of deaths due to chronic bronchitis and emphysema diseases are …” (Johnson). Some of these diseases are more serious than others and may have an immediate or a slowly progressing affect on your health and on your life in general. These diseases include emphysema, bronchitis, lung cancer, and physical and psychological addictiveness to the substance. More internal effects of cigarette smoking are delayed conception and fertility in women, amputation of limbs, heart attack and stroke, and swelling of the lungs. This is what causes the chronic coughing and wheezing in smokers. The swelling of the lungs causes the smoker to have hard time breathing. Smoking can damage your internal organs and hinder you from living a healthy life.


Another effect of cigarette smoking is the external and outward appearance of your body. Over time, smokers tend to look much older than they really are, “smokers in their 40 appear more like 60 year old nonsmokers” (Smoking and Beauty). This premature aging is due to the wrinkles in a smoker’s skin and the change in color and texture. Years of smoking can make your cheeks look hollow and increase the wrinkles around your eyes and mouth. More external effects of cigarette smoking include yellowing of teeth and nails, bad breath, weight loss, cataracts in eyes, and the decrease of saliva in mouth. It has also been proved that a smoker is three times more likely to lose their teeth than a non-smoker. Therefore, external appearance of your body can be altered by the smoking of a cigarette.


The final effect of smoking is the ongoing pollution of second hand smoke that has been passed on to others. Second Hand Smoke also known as passive smoking, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), or involuntary smoking. This action occurs when the exhaled smoke from one person's cigarette is inhaled by another person. The Environmental Agency issued a report in 1993 estimating that “3,000 lung cancer related deaths in the US were caused by passive smoking every year” (Johnson). Non-smokers exposed to second hand smoke are at greater risk for many of the health problems connected with direct smoking. Second Hand Smoking is especially risky for children and pregnant women who are carrying babies. It can cause them to have a low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), bronchitis, pneumonia, and middle ear infections. Cigarette smoking can also cause second hand smoke which has been killing millions of people.


Therefore, internal and external damage to the body, and also Second Hand Smoke are some of the effects of cigarette smoking. Please stay away from smoking and try not to be a victim of second hand smoke. It has killed hundreds of thousands of people already. Don't be another statistic.

Works Cited

Johnson, Len. “Quit Smoking Stop.” 2005. Oct. 22, 2007. <www.quit-smoking-stop.com/harmful-smoking-effects.html>
Johnson, Len. “Effects of Second Hand Cigarette Smoke.” 2005. Oct. 22, 2007. <
www.quit-smoking-stop.com/harmful-smoking-effects.html>
Smoking and Beauty. Oct. 22, 2007.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Cause and Effect Essay

The Effects of Smoking

Every year hundreds of thousands of people around the world die from diseases caused by smoking. One in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit. Half of these deaths will occur at middle age. Internal and external damage to the body, and also Second Hand Smoke are some of the effects of cigarette smoking.


One effect of cigarette smoking is the damage and hurt of certain internal organs due to disease. A statistic that shows approximately how many people smoking affects is, “About 90% of deaths due to chronic bronchitis and emphysema diseases are …” (Johnson). Some of these diseases are more serious than others and may have an immediate or a slowly progressing affect on your health and on your life in general. These diseases include emphysema, bronchitis, lung cancer, and physical and psychological addictiveness to the substance. More internal effects of cigarette smoking are delayed conception and fertility in women, amputation of limbs, heart attack and stroke, and swelling of the lungs. This is what causes the chronic coughing and wheezing in smokers. The swelling of the lungs causes the smoker to have hard time breathing. Smoking can damage your internal organs and hinder you from living a healthy life.


Another effect of cigarette smoking is the external and outward appearance of your body. Over time, smokers tend to look much older than they really are, “smokers in their 40 appear more like 60 year old nonsmokers” (Smoking and Beauty). This premature aging is due to the wrinkles in a smoker’s skin and the change in color and texture. Years of smoking can make your cheeks look hollow and increase the wrinkles around your eyes and mouth. More external effects of cigarette smoking include yellowing of teeth and nails, bad breath, weight loss, cataracts in eyes, and the decrease of saliva in mouth. It has also been proved that a smoker is three times more likely to lose their teeth than a non-smoker. Therefore, external appearance of your body can be altered by the smoking of a cigarette.


The final effect of smoking is the ongoing pollution of second hand smoke that has been passed on to others. Second Hand Smoke also known as passive smoking, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), or involuntary smoking. This action occurs when the exhaled smoke from one person's cigarette is inhaled by another person. The Environmental Agency issued a report in 1993 estimating that “3,000 lung cancer related deaths in the US were caused by passive smoking every year” (Johnson). Non-smokers exposed to second hand smoke are at greater risk for many of the health problems connected with direct smoking. Second Hand Smoking is especially risky for children and pregnant women who are carrying babies. It can cause them to have a low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), bronchitis, pneumonia, and middle ear infections. Cigarette smoking can also cause second hand smoke which has been killing millions of people.


Works Cited

Johnson, Len. “Quit Smoking Stop.” 2005. Oct. 22, 2007. <www.quit-smoking-stop.com/harmful-smoking-effects.html>

Johnson, Len. “Effects of Second Hand Cigarette Smoke.” 2005. Oct. 22, 2007. <www.quit-smoking-stop.com/harmful-smoking-effects.html>

Smoking and Beauty. Oct. 22, 2007.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Bartleby Analysis

Bartleby is a Satire

In “Bartleby the Scrivener,” Melville uses examples of individualism and simplicity to explain how this short story it is a satire and to ridicule and criticize the Transcendentalist lifestyle.

Bartleby started to live alone and refrain from external conversations and interactions, he seemed to like being by himself which is similar to Thoreau’s attitude during his life.

An example of this is when the narrator came to the store one morning and realized that “Bartleby ha[d] take[n] up quarters in the office…spending days and nights there, eating and sleeping there…” (Oliver 69).

Melville gets a laugh out of this bizarre behavior and helps to explain the fact that Bartleby was a squatter and individualist who cared more about his thoughts than the world around him.

When Oliver compares Thoreau and Bartleby’s behavior he presents good evidence that they had simplified their life to the extend of not eating.

An example of this is when Bartleby was sent to jail (much like Thoreau) and replied to the grub-man “I prefer not to dine today” (Melville 40).

Melville makes fun of this scene because it is absolutely ridiculous that Bartleby and Thoreau both lacked personal up keep and did not see the importance of nutrition.

Therefore, through Oliver’s analysis we can now understand that Bartleby is a satire because of Melville’s criticism of Thoreau and the Transcendentalist lifestyle.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Thanatopsis Poem

The Riches and Debts of Life

Your present life will determine your eternal fate.


If you become doers of the word such as Samaritans,
Then you will be welcomed by the Savior.
Once you hear the tears rushing down the faces of others,
Your time on earth has expired.

Your spirit will gently float up through the clouds,
Like a slowly rising balloon.
This is when you will meet the Heavenly father,
Who has patiently been waiting for your arrival.
When accepted, you will hear a beautiful melody
Like those of an angels choir.


If you wander about the earth such a lost sheep
You will be greeted by the Devil.

Once you hear the quiet whispers of the wind,
Your time on earth has expired.
If you fall swiftly like a feather,
Your spirit is passing below the hot molten lava.
This is when you will meet Lucifer,
Who is rejoicing over your fall.
When entering, you will hear yells and screams
Like those of a dieing animal.


For some Death is the end.
For others Death is only the beginning.
Plum=Metaphor
Gold=Personification
Sky Blue=Simile

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Expository Essay Final Draft

Raspberry Lemonade Punch
Whenever you want a nice, cool refreshing drink, raspberry lemonade will hit the spot! This is a fantastic drink that is found in most restaurants and cafes. They can also be used for special occasions such as birthday parties, barbeques and even weddings. It is tasteful beverage for the summer time and it has a stylish appearance. There are many different versions of lemonade such as original, strawberry, pink, mango and raspberry lemonade. So there are variations to choose from.

Before you even start preparing your drink, you will need to gather up these much needed ingredients. They include: a half cup of frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, half a cup of water, half a teaspoon of lime juice, and half a can or bottle of lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage. You will also want to have a half cup of crushed ice, a half cup of clean raspberries, and a half cup of fresh mint leaves. All of these items are available at any local grocery store.

In order to create this amazing refreshment, you must first follow these easy steps. First, in a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine the appropriate amount of raspberry lemonade concentrate, water and lime juice. Then stir in the lemon-lime carbonated soda and the crushed ice into the mixture. (I know it already looks delicious, but there is one more step that would make this raspberry drink even more spectacular.) Once the refreshment has been made, pour a serving into a tall glass. Then garnish or decorate your class with a fresh raspberry and mint leaf.

You have successfully created and designed your own raspberry lemonade punch! Imagine, you can make this fantastic drink in less than ten minutes. Don’t forget to share this easy recipe with all of your friends and family. Anyone can make this drink. Now slowly enjoy your lemonade and take in the rich raspberry flavor.


Monday, October 8, 2007

Walden Reflection

In “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau, the author is speaking in present tense and expresses many of his opinions on how to live your life. He discusses simplicity with your belongings and possessions. He also explains how not to be pressured by the world and to make your own path to success.
He gives some background information about himself and where he is living. For example, he describes the reason why he decided the live in the woods is “because I wished the live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life…when I came to die, discover that I had not lived” (Thoreau 376). This quote connects with the title, “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For.” This shows that the author wanted to live in the forest to escape the society that he was living in. He only wanted to live on the essentials of life and not be caught up with what the world said he needed.
The author also discusses the importance of simplicity and how we should want only what we need in life and not what we desire. He explains how our lives can be destroyed by the “luxury and heedless expense, by want of calculation and worth aim” (Thoreau 377). This shows that we should not live out of greed and self want. We should not focus so much on the worldly possessions and their costs but on the things that will help us survive. We should be proud of our circumstances, even if they are not the best.
The author describes how we should choose our own path to successfulness by saying, “perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer, let him step to the music which he hears” (Thoreau 378). Here he explains that we should follow our hearts and we will be victorious in our lives. We are all going to live our independent lives.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Expository Essay Rough Draft

Raspberry Lemonade Punch

Whenever you want a nice, cool refreshing drink, raspberry lemonade will hit the spot! This is a fantastic drink that is found in most restaurants and cafes. They can also be used for special occasions such as birthday parties, barbeques and even weddings. It is tasteful beverage for the summer time and it has a stylish appearance. There are many different versions of lemonade such as original, strawberry, pink, mango and raspberry lemonade. So there are variations to choose from.
Before you even start preparing your drink, you will need to gather up these much needed ingredients. They include: a half cup of frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, half a cup of water, half a teaspoon of lime juice, and half a can or bottle of lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage. You will also want to have a half cup of crushed ice, a half cup of clean raspberries, and a half cup of fresh mint leaves. All of these items are available at any local grocery store.
In order to create this amazing refreshment, you must first follow these easy steps. First, in a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine the appropriate amount of raspberry lemonade concentrate, water and lime juice. Then stir in the lemon-lime carbonated soda and the crushed ice into the mixture. (I know it already looks delicious, but there is one more step that would make this raspberry drink even more spectacular.) Once the refreshment has been made, pour a serving into a tall glass. Then garnish or decorate your class with a fresh raspberry and mint leaf.
Congratulations, you have successfully created and designed your own raspberry lemonade punch! Imagine, you can make this fantastic drink in less than ten minutes. Don’t forget to share this easy recipe with all of your friends and family. Now slowly enjoy your drink and take in the rich raspberry flavor as it reaches your lips. Umm… that’s good. :]

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

The Devil and Tom Walker: Tone Paragraph (New and Improved)

The Devil and Tom Walker: Tone Paragraph

In “The Devil and Tom Walker,” Irving demonstrates how the reader should feel no sympathy for Tom Walker because of his actions by showing that the tone influences the characterization in the story. For example, when Tom first becomes a violent churchgoer he “prayed loudly and strenuously, as if heaven were to be taken by force of lungs” (Irving 243-244). This shows that Tom is a hypocrite and a two faced man who is only going to church to try and cheat the Devil. For this reason the reader feels no empathy for Tom and agrees with the author that he deserves to be caught for everything he has done. In addition, right before Tom was whisked away by the Devil, “a poor land jobber begged him to grant a few months’ indulgence. [He] had grown testy and irritated, and refused another day” (Irving 244). This shows that even though Tom had enough riches, he still wanted to rob other people of the little money they had. Tom Walker did not under go a personal change and was the same greedy and selfish man up until the moment he was taken away. Therefore, no compassion is felt for Tom Walker during the story because the author shows how the tone influences the characterization in “The Devil and Tom Walker.”

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

The Devil and Tom Walker: Tone Paragraph

The Devil and Tom Walker: Tone Paragraph

In Irving’s short story, the tone influences the characterization in that the reader is presented a certain point of view by the author, which is to feel no sympathy for Tom Walker. For example, in the beginning of the story when Tom first meets the black man he is describes as, “a hard-minded fellow, not easily daunted, and he had lived so long with a termagant wife, that he did not even fear the Devil” (Irving 239). This shows that Tom is a very stubborn man and that he is not fearful of anything. The way the author describes Tom makes it seem like he does not deserve any empathy. In addition, right before he is whisked away by the Devil, “a poor land jobber begged him to grant a few months’ indulgence. Tom had grown testy and irritated, and refused another day” (Irving 244). This shows that even though Tom had enough worldly riches, he still wanted to rob other people of the little riches they had. At the end of the story, Tom still hasn’t changed and is the same greedy old man who sold his soul to the Devil. Therefore, no compassion is felt for Tom Walker because the situation he got himself into could have been prevented, and the tone influences characterization in this way in The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving.

Monday, October 1, 2007

The Devil and Tom Walker & Snowbound


The Devil and Tom Walker & Snowbound

While reading The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving, I noticed some irony and symbolism. Snowbound by John Greenleaf Whittier displayed a lot of color imagery. These are two very different kinds of readings.
Tom Walker meets “Old Scratch” in the forest where he was taking a shortcut to get home. He thought about the preposition he was made and, “he might have felt disposed to sell himself to the Devil…” (Irving 240). Old Scratch is a symbol of the Devil. Once the black man intrigued him and encouraged him to sell his soul, Tom became his usurers. Now, Tom is forever in the Devils hands. The two men only talk secretly about their wrong doings and schemes in the forest. The Black Man helped Tom Walker gain the earthly benefits that he sought for in return for his loyalty.
There was also some irony within the story. You would not expect that Tom Walker suddenly, “became a violent churchgoer” (Irving 243). Tom would attend the Sunday devotions and pray very loudly. He began to feel anxious about the day that the Devil would come and have his due. For this reason, Tom would also carry a small Bible in his coat pocket and often read his folio Bible. Now that he secured his riches of this world, he wanted to make sure what was going to happen in the next.
In Snowbound, there are a lot of signs of imagery. For example, in the beginning of the story the day is being described as, “unwarmed by any sunset light the grey day darkened into night” (Whittier 268). This shows how the day turned into night unnoticed. There are many other examples of imagery throughout the poem that describe the snowstorm. It also describes the disappearance and reappearance of many important buildings and landmarks. This is a very important literary device used in this poem.

Sudoku Puzzles

Pretty Colors

Hey everyone,Run your mouse over the box and click to change the color. If you right click and zoom out a little you'll see a red flashing heart <333 click on it and see what happens... Have fun and create your own masterpiece :)