English 10
Course Description: English 10 is a class that all sophomores at San Marin high school are required to take. In this class students read and decipher multiple works of literature such as "All Quiet on the Western Front" and "Fahrenheit 451". Alongside this students have the opportunity to test and build upon their own writing skills in assignments such as CLEAR paragraphs and the Sophomore Speech.
Book Review Assignment Description: For this assignment we were instructed to write a book review on a book we had read during the year and form an opinion on whether it was a good book or not. The book I chose was "All Quiet on the Western Front" which depicts the First World War from the point of view of a German soldier.
Book Review Assignment Description: For this assignment we were instructed to write a book review on a book we had read during the year and form an opinion on whether it was a good book or not. The book I chose was "All Quiet on the Western Front" which depicts the First World War from the point of view of a German soldier.
All Quiet on the Western Front Review:
All Quiet on the Western Front, written by Erich Maria Remarque, is a fantastic war novel that embodies the true nature of combat during the First World War. The story follows the experiences of Paul Baumer, a German soldier during World War 1, as he fights in the trenches and loses his comrades to the brutality of warfare. The purpose of the book is to show war as it truly is, hell. He does throughout the story by visualizing to us the extreme violence, terror and carnage of the trenches. One quote in the book that truly captures this is, “We see men living with their skulls blown open; we see soldiers run with two feet cut off…(134).” This vivid imagery stands as a gruesome anti-war statement and is a great depiction of the war itself. There is an argument that the book is boring during the long stretches where there is little action. This is wrong however because the book shows the mindset of the soldiers and their humorous actions such as stealing geese or pulling pranks on their drill instructor. During these times it also shows in great detail the PTSD of the soldiers and the war at home. All Quiet on the Western Front is a great read and is highly recommended for anyone interested in war or the military. It does a superb job at realizing the war in actuality and serves as a grim reminder of what people can do to one another.
All Quiet on the Western Front, written by Erich Maria Remarque, is a fantastic war novel that embodies the true nature of combat during the First World War. The story follows the experiences of Paul Baumer, a German soldier during World War 1, as he fights in the trenches and loses his comrades to the brutality of warfare. The purpose of the book is to show war as it truly is, hell. He does throughout the story by visualizing to us the extreme violence, terror and carnage of the trenches. One quote in the book that truly captures this is, “We see men living with their skulls blown open; we see soldiers run with two feet cut off…(134).” This vivid imagery stands as a gruesome anti-war statement and is a great depiction of the war itself. There is an argument that the book is boring during the long stretches where there is little action. This is wrong however because the book shows the mindset of the soldiers and their humorous actions such as stealing geese or pulling pranks on their drill instructor. During these times it also shows in great detail the PTSD of the soldiers and the war at home. All Quiet on the Western Front is a great read and is highly recommended for anyone interested in war or the military. It does a superb job at realizing the war in actuality and serves as a grim reminder of what people can do to one another.
Sophomore Speech Assignment Description: For this assignment we were tasked with finding a problem that was interesting to us, as well as relevant to the time of the project, then propose a solution, and finally write and deliver a speech on it. For my speech I spoke on the divide in professional lacrosse between the PLL and MLL, which was important to me because I played and followed the sport, and still do.
The Bright Future of the True American Sport:
When I was in kindergarten, my best friend at the time was the first to introduce me to lacrosse. He was given the opportunity to sit in the class rocking chair and talk about whatever he wanted. He chose to talk about lacrosse and he displayed a picture of himself in an overly large jersey holding a lacrosse stick. His presentation immediately instilled in me a sense of infatuation with the sport. Currently there is a great divide in the world of professional lacrosse. Besides the now almost 20 year old Major League Lacrosse (MLL), there has sprung up a rival league that now threatens the preexisting one. It is headed by the biggest star in lacrosse, Paul Rabil, and is promising to be a better alternative. Although it is true that the MLL is more stable, the PLL is better for the future of lacrosse because of its focus on individual players, promise for better benefits, and its ability to attract big investors.
Firstly, the Premier Lacrosse League has more of a focus on its individual players. This promises hopes for more big lacrosse stars. In an article from Yahoo Finance, author Daniel Roberts writes, “Rabil says that’s exactly right: PLL is laser-focused on making its players into marketable stars.” (Roberts). This shows Rabil’s determination and vision to grow the league while the MLL is barely staying afloat. In an interview with Rabil, he said, “ Millennials and Gen-Z follow the athletes; new media has enabled that” (Roberts). This shows his attentiveness and intelligence when it comes to managing the league and making stars out of his players which would then then attract more players and publicity. Whereas the commissioner of the MLL has only shown to be incompetent.
Secondly, Paul Rabil promises to give better benefits and to better support his players. The treatment of players in the MLL is atrocious. Currently in the MLL a player can only expect around a $10,000 annual salary with a max of $25,000. This is pitiful compared to the NFL or NBA where players make millions. Paul Rabil on the other hand has proposed that his players will receive a full-time wage that is four times higher than the MLL, healthcare, and the same share of the league as executives. This will aid in growing the league and attracting new players, something that the MLL has struggled at. The issue of salary and player benefits will prove decisive in emergence of the PLL as the mainstream professional lacrosse league.
Lastly, the PLL has managed to pull in big investors to fund its start up. With great marketing and promise the PLL has managed to bring in big names to help it rise to prominence. The PLL has successfully gone out and gathered investors from Wall Street as well as NFL player Chris Hogan. This feat ensures that they have gained the funds they need and garnered popular support as well as possible new fans. There is a belief that the competition between the two leagues is going to drive a wedge between the fan base but this is not true, the MLL is on the decline and the transition is only natural and needs to be allowed to happen.
The hope for a bright future with the PLL brings back the same feeling I had as a kid when my friend first introduced me to the sport and I hope that if this future becomes a reality more kids will share this same feeling. The Premier Lacrosse League is the shining pinnacle of what the sport can look forward to. It is far superior to the ill maintained MLL due to its addressment of player treatment, ability to garner support and investment, and focus on making stars of its players. The future of lacrosse is bright but in order for this to be realized followers of the great sport have to put their full support in it by purchasing tickets and watching their games.
When I was in kindergarten, my best friend at the time was the first to introduce me to lacrosse. He was given the opportunity to sit in the class rocking chair and talk about whatever he wanted. He chose to talk about lacrosse and he displayed a picture of himself in an overly large jersey holding a lacrosse stick. His presentation immediately instilled in me a sense of infatuation with the sport. Currently there is a great divide in the world of professional lacrosse. Besides the now almost 20 year old Major League Lacrosse (MLL), there has sprung up a rival league that now threatens the preexisting one. It is headed by the biggest star in lacrosse, Paul Rabil, and is promising to be a better alternative. Although it is true that the MLL is more stable, the PLL is better for the future of lacrosse because of its focus on individual players, promise for better benefits, and its ability to attract big investors.
Firstly, the Premier Lacrosse League has more of a focus on its individual players. This promises hopes for more big lacrosse stars. In an article from Yahoo Finance, author Daniel Roberts writes, “Rabil says that’s exactly right: PLL is laser-focused on making its players into marketable stars.” (Roberts). This shows Rabil’s determination and vision to grow the league while the MLL is barely staying afloat. In an interview with Rabil, he said, “ Millennials and Gen-Z follow the athletes; new media has enabled that” (Roberts). This shows his attentiveness and intelligence when it comes to managing the league and making stars out of his players which would then then attract more players and publicity. Whereas the commissioner of the MLL has only shown to be incompetent.
Secondly, Paul Rabil promises to give better benefits and to better support his players. The treatment of players in the MLL is atrocious. Currently in the MLL a player can only expect around a $10,000 annual salary with a max of $25,000. This is pitiful compared to the NFL or NBA where players make millions. Paul Rabil on the other hand has proposed that his players will receive a full-time wage that is four times higher than the MLL, healthcare, and the same share of the league as executives. This will aid in growing the league and attracting new players, something that the MLL has struggled at. The issue of salary and player benefits will prove decisive in emergence of the PLL as the mainstream professional lacrosse league.
Lastly, the PLL has managed to pull in big investors to fund its start up. With great marketing and promise the PLL has managed to bring in big names to help it rise to prominence. The PLL has successfully gone out and gathered investors from Wall Street as well as NFL player Chris Hogan. This feat ensures that they have gained the funds they need and garnered popular support as well as possible new fans. There is a belief that the competition between the two leagues is going to drive a wedge between the fan base but this is not true, the MLL is on the decline and the transition is only natural and needs to be allowed to happen.
The hope for a bright future with the PLL brings back the same feeling I had as a kid when my friend first introduced me to the sport and I hope that if this future becomes a reality more kids will share this same feeling. The Premier Lacrosse League is the shining pinnacle of what the sport can look forward to. It is far superior to the ill maintained MLL due to its addressment of player treatment, ability to garner support and investment, and focus on making stars of its players. The future of lacrosse is bright but in order for this to be realized followers of the great sport have to put their full support in it by purchasing tickets and watching their games.
Reflection on Sophomore Speech Assignment: Reflecting on the project I remember it being very challenging and difficult and the speech giving being awkward and uncomfortable. However it was worthwhile because it taught us valuable skills in writing and giving speeches. Personally, it also gave me a platform to discuss my issue and declare my passion for the topic.