Roper,+E.

Roper, E.

My dear Tabitha, First off, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to answer your letter sooner. As you might have read in the papers, one of my best friends, Emmitt Till, was murdered. Even now as I sit here writing this, my mind keeps playing back to the image of my dear friend lying dead. I couldn’t believe that the mangled face in front of me, was once the happy face of my companion. I was only able to look at the face for a moment before turning away. You see, the longer I looked, the more I began to imagine the awful things that were done to him.

It gets me so mad when I think about what happened to him. Why would anyone do something like that to another human being a? Why couldn’t they have just talked it out, instead of killing him? I wish I could’ve been there with him in that store to tell him to stop himself. If he had just stayed quiet none of this would’ve happened. They told me that the reason for his murder was that he whistled at a white woman. I keep wondering if all this was not because of a whistle, but because of the darkness of his skin. Were those people so shallow and unforgiving that they would judge a boy by the color of his hands? I can’t help thinking now that if I’m not careful, the same thing could happen to me. Just think, all this happened because a little boy whistled at a woman. Well, I think I’ve said enough. If Emmitt were here, he would want me to move on. Please write back, -E.R.

Comments: I think that the part of E.R. wishing she could have done something to prevent the death, for example, telling him to stop himself is a very creative way of feeling their sadness. It also seems to be a normal thing to do, (wishing you could have done something to prevent the death). -Hope

Nice job Evlyn! I like how it was written, and I especially like how you ended it. -Xia Madonis

I like what you said about if Emitt were here, he'd want you to move on. It's interesting how you stepped into his shoes a little bit. I like it! -Monica

Kayla: I like how you ended it. You also did a good job at making it seem like you really were there.

The way you start this letter sounds personal and real. The questioning in the second paragraph is also valid. I understand why this circumstance would change your perspective. Could you add a bit more detail? Mrs. Brooks

My Excuse form:

Yesterday afternoon, I was coming from the bus stop, when I saw my neighbor walking outside. I really wanted to get home so I could do my English homework, but, being very polite, I waved hello. Just as I did, a huge truck came roaring down our street. I tried to call to him, but being deaf and blind, he didn’t notice me. I am sad to say the truck didn’t see him and hit him. After colliding with him, the truck driver sped away. I ran over to my neighbor and realized he was still breathing. Since no one else was around, I picked him up.Then using an inhuman strength that all Ropers have, I carried him 3miles to Lancaster General. When I got there, I ran to the ER and asked for help. The nurses told me that all the doctors were on strike and couldn’t help me. Quickly, I rushed into the street yelling for help. Finally, I found a man who said he could help. After performing open-heart surgery with a ballpoint pen, the stranger stood up. When I saw his face, I realized that this was no ordinary man. It was Justin Timberlake. Just as I was about to thank him, I heard people screaming. As I turned I saw a giant purple dinosaur walking toward the city. As I looked into its face, I recognized it. Suddenly, I knew who it was. It was Barney on steroids! I had known he had been visiting Park City, and my guess was he had been hiding the steroids in his tail the whole time. People all around me were running and screaming. Quickly I pulled out my cell phone to call 911. Just as I did so, I heard the sound of planes. The air force had arrived. Just as I regained hope, Giant Barney grabbed two of the planes and smashed them to the ground. I decided to myself this must be the end, when in the midst of the chaos, I saw a single white car pulling threw the streets. It was Barak Obama. As he stepped out of his car, Giant Barney turned toward him. Awstruck by his beauty, Giant Barney fell to the ground. After disposing of his body humanely and enviromentally and finding a bum off the street to play the new Barney, Barrak took me and Justin out to cofee at Starbucks. Now, Mrs. Brooks, I would go into how I rescued the Prime Minister of Guam from a fire in Starbucks, but I believe you get the idea. And so, this is why I was unable to finish the delightful homework you so graciously assigned.

I LOVE IT!! especially the Barack Obama part!! annak

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When a child is born, they are born with a blank slate. Now, some might say that this means we born good. If this is so, then why are we drawn to the bad right away? I believe people are born wanting the bad, but they can strive for good. Society seems drawn to the negative aspects of life. This fact comes from the human desire to always be the best. When everyone is striving to be the best, others will try to become better by lowering the competition. This is when all the different types of gossip and bullying enter. However, there are people who instead of striving for evil, seek the good. When certain people want the good, and work for it, they can make the difference. Once society realizes this fact, then we will be able to make a change.

As Beatrice drolls on and on about the fat dogs and other meaningless things, here are the thoughts that are going through Maxim's head:

I wish she would just close her mouth already. Can't she see that we are all bored out of our minds from her conversation. Ugh...I'm so hungry. I do wish that Frith would come in already. I'm completely famished! I wish that we had crumpets or rasberry tarts or something that could quench my hunger. Oh, I do love raspberry tarts! ....I cannot believe that she calls my dogs fat when her husband is the size of an elephant and seems to get fatter every visit. I believe that she is just self concious about her husbands lack of descretion when it comes to food,so she must criticize my poor puppies. Besides, they don't know any better. They can't help it if they gain a pound or two. Her husband on the other hand could most certainly use some of that "outdoor sport" that she always talks about. Well, on the upside, Mrs. De Winter is looking quite nice today. That plaid skirt becomes her quite nicely...unlike the choose of wardrobe that my sister's companion is wearing.I wonder if he acctually believes that his shirt matches those trousers...Oh,where is that Frith?! I simply cannot hold on much longer. Does he not realize that there are people dieing from starvation at th very moment? Yes, I do believe I will fall down dead if he does not com in soon...now that would make great headlines: "Maxim De Winter, Keeper of Manderley, Dies From Starvation". I wonder what people would have to say about that. Finally, Frith has arrived. I sincerely hope the conversation at dinner will be much more enjoyable than this one was.