Reference no: EM13374232 , Length: 1075 words
Read the article/essay assigned this week, and summarize it. The summary should include a minimum of three direct quotes, a minimum of three paraphrases, correctly formatted APA-style in-text citations, and a correctly formatted APA Style reference page (containing the necessary information for the assigned article).
Quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing
Basics of APA formatting
Searching online databases
Selecting resources
Using the library and learning resource center
"It is in the shelter of each other that the people live." The Irish Proverb came to mind as girls and
adults gathered in the school living room to hear about the wrenching terrorist attacks on this country a
week and a half ago. Together, as we articulated our shock and our anger, we confirmed the power of
collective spirit, determination, and resilience. Confronted with unfathomable loss, we knew that our
country would prevail. In community, we performed the ancient task of teaching the next generation
that hope and trust are stronger than hate.
Perhaps it took the image of America uniting after tragedy for us to understand how important it is to
resist the loss of community in contemporary culture. Recent studies argue that Western societies have
experienced a noticeable decrease in social capital or social connectedness over the past few decades.
Suburban sprawl, busy parents, and the scatter of extended families have reduced the time we spend
together and imperiled our collective strength.
And now researchers tell us that the rise in social disconnectedness parallels the rise in children's
anxiety. How could it be otherwise? When our communities weaken, the individuals in them first
become distrustful, then anxious. Young people need sustained, healthy interactions in order to learn
how to trust themselves and others.
Adding to the rise in anxiety is girls' awareness that we expect more of them than ever before. In The
Hurried Child, David El kind says that today's youngsters are the "unwilling, unintended victims [of]
constantly rising expectations." As a result-oriented society, we are fixated on high growth rate and
strong performance as we try to compensate for the fractures in our collective life. These goals may be
perfect for the GNP, but they are not sufficient for adolescents trying to become effective and balanced
adults.
We are all familiar with the demands placed on young people. We expect high achievement, high test
scores, admission to elite colleges, and early steps toward a brilliant career. At one time, the important
challenges of school were tempered by the warmth of family and the relaxation of unscheduled time
with friends. Now, every minute not in school is scheduled. The bewildering changes in our society
leave us with kids who sometimes seem to be drowning in a sea of adult requirements.
Even without the added pressure from this culture, adolescence is an uneasy time. Think of what a girl
will accomplish between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. She must establish an identity, become
independent from parents, learn about relationships, clarify ethical positions, grow physically,
overcome awkwardness, deal with peer pressure, and maneuver through the social land mines,
confronting sex, drugs, and our media-fired culture. Then, of course, she's expected to excel in
Biology, Calculus, and U.S. Government and compete in team sports. Add onto that list getting into
her first-choice college and keeping her room clean, and we will acknowledge that there is a lot to be
uneasy about.
But a girl should not have to absorb all of the worries of the adult world just to grow up. She should
not have to experience life as an unrelenting test in order to achieve. A strong community guided by
wise and caring adults will empower her genius. It will let her know that she is not the only person
who has ever encountered difficulty and frustration. It will connect her to others who have met serious
challenges and accomplished great works. She will learn to trust the sufficiency of her person, and she
will develop a purpose that is greater than herself. Instead of feeling small and anxious, she will be
expansive and confident. She will relax and work from inside herself. She will do everything she needs
to do and more.
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Discussion 1: A short paragraph
1)When conducting research for an essay, how do you know if you are using a "valid source"?
2)How do you avoid "plagiarism"?
3)If you were asked to conduct field research at work, how might you approach this form of research? What would you do?
Discussion 2: A short paragraph
After reading "A Purpose Greater Than Oneself," examine the purpose of public education. How does it serve or not serve the individual? How does it serve or not serve the community? What improvements do you believe should be made, in order for students to be truly successful in their lives? Please make sure you support all of your claims using detailed examples.