Spectacular+Student+Work

This is a place where I'll post exemplary essays and work. To begin, here is the collective period 1 essay. Each line represents a different student writer.

Period 1
I am from dreams of wearing the green jacket, from a basketball always in my hand, from a court of 92 feet, from the hard pavement where I can be alone with my thoughts. I am from playing football at recess with the boys, from a team who fights for those inches every Friday night, from the team who was expected to win that semi-final game. And didn’t.

I am from a family who has battled cancer and kidney stones, who has spent countless number of hours in emergency rooms. I am from a man where music makes more sense than words. I am from achievers and slackers, from overloaded schedules and never slowing down. I am from a rusted out maroon pick-up truck, from a deer stand and fishing boat, from a lifetime of filling my father’s shoes.

I am from a town where my mother and grandmother grew up, a town where small and simple meets happiness, a small town where pride is bigger than anything else, a town that resembles the sole definition of isolation.

I am from trial and error, from breaking curfew, getting secret tattoos and still going to church with my mom. I am from a family who truly believes I will be the first to succeed. I am from the endless nights watching a screen, from solitude where voices clear and thoughts gather.


 * Examples of quality journals:**

From //Into the Wild://

I believe that McCandless’s actions were out of self-righteousness rather than spite towards his parents. Although communications with his parents before he left were few and far apart, I don’t think it had anything to do with his reluctance to respond, but rather he was trying to detach himself from his family in order to lessen the burden of checking out from society. Chris was also a very self-enveloped child who rarely thought of others first. Therefore, it may not have even crossed his mind that his disappearance would have such a large effect on his parents. Instead he was more focused on what this trip meant to him and how he would benefit from it. This was shown in an interview with his parents through which it was said that, “ He could be generous and caring to a fault, but he had a darker side as well, characterized by monomania, impatience, and unwavering self-absorption, qualities that seemed to intensify through his college years.” (116)

Look at McCandless's journals on pages 163 and 168. Do you think he believed he found what he sought in Alaska? Give specific examples to support your ideas.

Many times in this novel, McCandless talked about his passion and desire to be lost in the wild. HE met many people during his long journey to Alaska. He was asked many times what his purpose or reason was for venturing away from his family, far across the country and into the Alaskan wilderness. Each time, Mc Candless gave the same simple answer, "I want to be lost in the wild." In McCandless's journal on page 163, he says, "Thou shalt not return 'cause 'the west is the best'" (163). McCandless truly believed he had found the right place for him to live. He was in wild Alaskan woods and returning. McCandless also says, "No longer to be poisoned by civilization he flees, and walks alone upon the land to become **__"Lost in the Wild"__** (163). McCandless feels as though civilization can ruin a person. He not longer wants to be persuaded by his surroundings. McCandless thinks civilization can ruin a person and he does not want to be that person. McCandless flees from civilization in hopes to become alone and lost in the wild. This is why I believe McCandless believed he found what he sought in Alaska.