Writing Notes

Poetic and Literary Devices:

1.Irony

Something that is opposite to what it seems to be.

2.Paradox
A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory, but in reality expresses a possible truth.

3.Symbolism
When an inanimate object represents a larger idea.

4.Motifs
A repeating idea throughout a text.

5.Allusion
A brief reference to a character, place, idea, etc. of significance.

6.Tragedy
A literary work involving the theme of sorrow and suffering.

7.Simile
A sentence that compares two things using words such as ‘like’ and ‘as’.

8.Metaphor
A figure of speech for a comparison between two unrelated things made to sound to have common characteristics.

9.Hyperbole
An exaggerated description used for emphasis.

10.Alliteration
A repetition of the same sound at the beginning of multiple words in a sequence.

11.Allegory
An entire piece of literature that has a deeper meaning that often involves real life issues. It is similar to symbolism.

12.Anaphora
Using a phrase or word multiple times in a sentence to convey emphasis.

13.Couplet
Two lines of a verse joined by a rhyme to form a piece of literature.

14.Imagery
Visually descriptive language to portray a feeling or action.

15.Onomatopoeia
A grouping of words used to express sounds.

16.Personification
The representation of an abstract quality in human form.

What Makes it Alive?

Viruses are not “alive” because they can not reproduce.  According to Dr. Luis P. Villarreal, PhD, University of California Irvine, “they depend on the host cell for the raw materials and energy necessary for nucleic acid synthesis, protein synthesis, processing and transport, and all other biochemical activities that allow the virus to multiply and spread”.  Viruses need a host cell in order to reproduce, so while they are metabolizing organisms, they can not complete basic functions of a living thing.  They can not carry on their population without the help of a host cell, therefore would not survive on their own. For this reason, viruses are not considered to be alive. Researchers at the University of Illinois might argue that a virus are alive because it shares many of the same properties as a cell, such as many of the same protein folds. However, the Miami museum of science says that viruses can not grow, move, or reproduce without a living cell to help. This shows that viruses are not alive because they need a living cell in order to fully function. A cell is considered alive, because it can perform these basic functions on its own. Viruses are in between the line of living and nonliving things, yet they can not be considered living because they can not reproduce on their own like other living things can.

Should We Stop the Sugar?

Foods with high sugar and fat content should be taxed, because without it the obesity levels in the United States  will continue to skyrocket. According to U.S. Center for disease and control, it is predicted that by 2030, 42% of Americans will be obese, compared to the current 34% of obese Americans (Meera Senthilingam. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine). Obesity in America is a huge health risk which can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Taxing sugary drinks and foods with a high fat contents, consumers will be more likely to buy less of it because it will be priced higher. By putting taxes on food with high sugar and fat content, supporters are hoping that it will lower the obesity levels of Americans. Many voters against the tax say that the tax will not stop people from buying fatty and sugar filled products. However, this tax has been placed in Mexico and Oakland with promising results.  In Mexico, a 10% tax put on sugary drinks resulted in a 6% decrease in buying of those drinks and a 4% increase in water and non-taxed beverage sales, according to CNN.com international. After seeing how Mexico has decreased the sales of sugary drinks, there is potential  for the same to happen in the United States. Even if there is only a small decrease in the sales of sugary and fatty foods, it would be a step in the right direction for reducing the number of obese people in America. Food and drink with high fat and sugar content should be taxed in the United States, because it will help us reduce the percent of obese Americans.