Imagine by John Lennon -5 Paragraph Essay

Imagine that just listening to a song could influence you and the world that lies around you. Music -- lyrics, especially have a way of coming together to make you understand things, relate to them, and sometimes shed a new light to something you've never experienced before. The way things are written have a certain way to get under people's skin and allow them to see the deeper meaning of things. John Lennon's song Imagine does just that. In his song Imagine, John Lennon can visually express how he feels the world should be and what would happen if people came together. 

How a song or poem sounds is really important to whoever is reading it. In Imagine, John Lennon uses similies, metaphors, rhythm and repetition. One of the ways he uses repetition is that he is constantly reiterating the word "Imagine", and he has a chorus that repeats over twice. John Lennon also uses similies, such as "And the world will live as one". 

Using the power of words, John Lennon is easily able to paint a picture in my mind about how he feels the world should be. One of the lines that he says is "Imagine all the people sharing all the world", which creates a picture in my mind of peace and people looking after each other. Also, John Lennon's song Imagine appeals to my hearing as well. In the line "Imagine all the people living life in peace", it appeals to hearing because if everything is peaceful, then it is quiet and serene and there's no more yelling or screaming in the streets.

The song Imagine also allows me to see things in a new perspective. Everyday on the news you hear about people being killed and nothing really seems to be done about it. With John Lennon's song Imagine, it is somewhat inspirational because it pretty much says that people who come together can make a difference if they really strive for it.

National History Day Topic Selection: Aristotle

Kris Pearce
Brasof 1 / Thompson 3
November 12, 2008

National History Day

History today is constantly being made, no matter where someone is. People in general change everyday and do not realize it. There are many people who don't take the time to wonder why they are put on this earth, or why they are walking in the shoes they are in today. Philosophy is a huge part of history, for it is history in itself; however, philosophy digs a bit deeper and challenges history. Over the thousands of years, many philosophers have been studying the world, wondering of their existence, of what is real and what is not, and studying the human mind along with behavior.
The word philosophy is of the Ancient Greek origin, and it means "love of knowledge and wisdom". Philosophy is something that has always held my interest, however the philosopher that appealed to me most was Aristotle.
Aristotle was born in Stageira, Chalcidice in 384 BC. His father was a physician to the kind of Mecadonia and when Aristotle was seven, he was sent to study at the academy. He there began as a student, only to move on to a researcher and then a teacher. He was a member of the aristocracy, which is a form of government. Aristocrats often saw themselves as the highest of society and that no other government was above them.
Aristotle’s personality could best be described as very complex. He believed everything had souls and everything was living; however some had more primitive souls. He believed plans had souls but only in the nutritive faculty.
Aristotle believes in imagination and says that imagination is a bridge between sense perception and intellect. However, he doesn’t relate imagination to memory because he feels imagination requires perception as a foundation and can lead to understanding; in turn, according to Aristotle, imagination can’t be reduced to any combination of “perception, belief, knowledge and intellect.”
He believes intellect is something only humans have and that other creatures lack. Aristotle believes that there are two kinds of intellect which are passive and active. Passive is intellect that a person has prior to experience and active intellect is intellect that someone gains after something happens.
One of Aristotle’s most famous quotes was that “For it was their curiosity that first led men to philosophize and that still leads them.” By saying this, he means that the curiosity for knowledge is the essence of philosophy and believes that all philosophers try to overcome ignorance and obtain knowledge to use it for good.
Aristotle believes that everything harvests a body, such as tables and other miscellaneous objects. He calls inanimate objects artificial and real bodies natural. He believes both of them have the ability to be moved. He believes that bodies are separate from the physical world.
In 335 BC, Aristotle traveled to Athens to start teaching his students. He was a student of Plato who died a few years earlier and he wanted to teach people everything he learned from Plato and things that he came up with himself. He lectured people on logic, physics, astronomy, zoology, metaphysics, theology, economics, meterology, ethics, rhetoric and poetics.
Not everything he taught was written by him and a lot of it was later rewritten by his followers. Aristotle spent thirteen years as a teacher and decided to write. He wrote mainly about logic, which consisted of the classification of notions, judgments and propositions, the syllogism, demonstration, the problematic syllogism and fallacies. He had logical treatises which was called the “Organon” which was the first systematic treatment of the laws of thought in relation to the knowledge.
The four causes were also derived from Aristotle’s doctrines, which falls under metaphysics. The material cause, the formal cause, the efficient cause, or the final cause which are still used today. Metaphysics is the science of being as a being which he discovered.
His practical philosophy was something he was exceptionally known for. It all started with one question: In what does happiness consist? Aristotle dared to question such things and had other people try to answer it and learn from it.
Aristotle has also written many books. He wrote books on Physical treatises, which were Physica, Physica Ausculatio, De Cocelo, and Meteorologica. He’s written books on biological and zoological treatises, which are “Historiae Animalium, De Generatione et Corruptione, De Generation Animalium and De Partibus Animalium. He’s written books on psychological and anthropological treatises, which are De Anima, De Sensu et Sensibilli, De Memoria et Reminiscentia, De Vita et Morte, De Longitudine and et Brevitate vitae. He’s written books on ethical and political treatises which is Ethica Nocomachea, and Politica. He’s also written books on poetical and rhetorical treatises which are De Poetica and De Rhetorica. Aristotle wrote everything in a different language and usually used either Syriac, Arabic or Latin to publish his works
Aristotle is important to history because he encouraged others to think with their own minds. One of his famous quotes was, “We must not listen to those who urge us to think human thoughts since we are human, and mortal thoughts since we are mortal; rather, we should as far as possible immortalize ourselves and do all we can to live by the finest element in us – for it Is small in bulk, it is far greater than anything else in power and worth.”
His ideas are still used today and when most people think of philosophy, they think of Aristotle and his works. All of his teachings came from him and in the beginning they were just considered “myths”, however other people would listen to him and start to believe his “myths” because they made sense. Aristotle has proven that if you have an idea, you can definitely put it to work.

Reflection on the Election

I felt like this was an amazing election. Not only did the first African American win the presidency, but he won it by a landslide. It was clear to everyone who had won and who America really wanted as their president. It was also different for the republicans because it was the first time there was a woman in the vice presidential spot--even though most of us can't stand her; including myself. I believe that by electing Barack Obama, we have reestablished the hope that has been lost during these 8 years. I'm grateful to have been alive to witness his election and to follow his campaign. He has also beaten the odds and have shown everyone that if there's a will, there's a way.

I am almost certain that the Obama administration will aid the United States into recovery and that though it will be hard at first, it will be worth it. America definitely isn't going to be the same--but I'm sure it'll be ten times better.

Imagine always believing everything that you're told. What kind of world would it be if everyone believed every single thing they were told and listened to everything they were told to do? What if people were promised a democracy but were told that in turn, they would have to fulfill a few goals in order for this democracy to be established; only to have it blow up in their faces after they've worked so hard at achieving this. Animal Farm is a perfect example of a democracy gone wrong, where the dictators play their cards right and the other animals fail miserably at achieving happiness. In Animal Farm, the way character's respond to the stories has a strong connection on their ability to survive. First off, there's Squealer who's Napolean's right-hand man and he has a knack for twisting stories up; making the other animals seem crazy. For example, the 7 commandments were written, one being that "no animal shall sleep in a bed." Eventually, the pigs started sleeping in the beds in the farmhouses and the other animals found out about it and questioned it. Squealer happened to overhear and said, "you have heard now comrades, that we pigs sleep in the beds in the farmhouse..." He further went on to argue that a bed was a bed, no matter what, and that the real commandment was that "no animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets." In spite of that, he also tricked up the animals when the milk and apples went missing. Napolean was found eating them and Squealer explained that the pigs didn't even like milk and apples; they were just eating them to benefit the animals because it was good for their health. In the end, Squealer ended up living and kept his position as Napolean's right-hand man. Next, we have Benjamin who doesn't like to get involved in anything. He doesn't like to speak his mind much because he doesn't believe everything he is told and he questions everything that happens. He doesn't get too enthustiastic about anything either. For example, when the windmills were rebuilt, it was said that "Only old Benjamin refused to grow enthustiastic about the windmill, though, as usual, he would utter cryptic remarks that donkeys live a long time." Then, Benjamin questions Boxer's death. Since Benjamin is really the only literate one on the farm, he can read mostly anything. Boxer was taken away to the slaughter house and Benjamin didn't believe Squealer's lies when he said that Boxer died in the hospital, because Benjamin could read the side of the truck. In the end, Benjamin ended up living because he knew better than to open up his mouth and challenge the pigs. Lastly, we have gullible Boxer, who believes everything he is told. Boxer works extra hard on the farm and two of his mottos are, "I will work harder" and "Napolean is always right!" A few animals were killed on the farm and Boxer felt it was a bit wrong, but with a little reassuring from Squealer that they deserved it, Boxer soon believed him and called it a victory. The way Boxer was so easily persuaded and uneducated determined his fate, which was death in the end. The story Animal Farm is a perfect example of if people lack education, they get screwed in the ending. Squealer was pretty smart because he knew how to persuade people; Benjamin knew how to read but knew better enough to keep his mouth shut, and Boxer was oblivious to everything, and in the end, him and many others ended up dying. It's a perfect example of not being educated enough to see through the lies that you're being told.

5 Paragraph Rough Draft for Animal Farm

Imagine always believing everything that you're told. What kind of world would it be if everyone believed every single thing they were told and listened to everything they were told to do? What if people were promised a democracy but were told that in turn, they would have to fulfill a few goals in order for this democracy to be established; only to have it blow up in their faces after they've worked so hard at achieving this. Animal Farm is a perfect example of a democracy gone wrong, where the dictators play their cards right and the other animals fail miserably at achieving happiness. In Animal Farm, the way character's respond to the stories has a strong connection on their ability to survive.
First off, there's Squealer who's Napolean's right-hand man and he has a knack for twisting stories up; making the other animals seem crazy. For example, the 7 commandments were written, one being that "no animal shall sleep in a bed." Eventually, the pigs started sleeping in the beds in the farmhouses and the other animals found out about it and questioned it. Squealer happened to overhear and said, "you have heard now comrades, that we pigs sleep in the beds in the farmhouse..." He further went on to argue that a bed was a bed, no matter what, and that the real commandment was that "no animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets." In spite of that, he also tricked up the animals when the milk and apples went missing. Napolean was found eating them and Squealer explained that the pigs didn't even like milk and apples; they were just eating them to benefit the animals because it was good for their health. In the end, Squealer ended up living and kept his position as Napolean's right-hand man.
Next, we have Benjamin who doesn't like to get involved in anything. He doesn't like to speak his mind much because he doesn't believe everything he is told and he questions everything that happens. He doesn't get too enthustiastic about anything either. For example, when the windmills were rebuilt, Benjamin said "windmill or no windmill, that's not going to help the farm". Then, Benjamin questions Boxer's death. Since Benjamin is really the only literate one on the farm, he can read mostly anything. Boxer was taken away to the slaughter house and Benjamin didn't believe Squealer's lies when he said that Boxer died in the hospital, because Benjamin could read the side of the truck. In the end, Benjamin ended up living because he knew better than to open up his mouth and challenge the pigs.
Lastly, we have gullible Boxer, who believes everything he is told. Boxer works extra hard on the farm and two of his mottos are, "I will work harder" and "Napolean is always right!" A few animals were killed on the farm and Boxer felt it was a bit wrong, but with a little reassuring from Squealer that they deserved it, Boxer soon believed him and called it a victory. The way Boxer was so easily persuaded and uneducated determined his fate, which was death in the end.
The story Animal Farm is a perfect example of if people lack education, they get screwed in the ending. Squealer was pretty smart because he knew how to persuade people; Benjamin knew how to read but knew better enough to keep his mouth shut, and Boxer was oblivious to everything, and in the end, him and many others ended up dying. It's a perfect example of not being educated enough to see through the lies that you're being told.

Animal Farm Paragraph

In the story Animal Farm, the animals are solely responsible for Napolean's rise to power. First of all, the animals allow Napolean to take advantage of them because they chose not to become fully educated. If they wanted, they could have stuck together and pushed to learn the whole alphabet. Therefore, by not being able to read properly, the animals aren't able to completely verify that Napolean has changed the commandments. Secondly, Napolean was also described as "not much of a talker, but always got his way", and the animals could have seen that coming when Napolean chased Snowball off. The windmill that they completed the first time was knocked down and then Napolean simply said that the animals would build another one - so they agreed. In spite of all of that, the animals should have acted out when Napolean had some of them killed. It was said in the seven commandments that "no animal shall kill another animal" and that "all animals are equal". The animals knew this was true, however, they did nothing to rebel against Napolean. Lastly, the animals knew something was up when the pigs started wearing hats and entering the houses. Squealer had said that you could "sleep in a bed without sheets" because "a bed was a bed" so that was their excuse for sleeping in the farmhouse bedrooms. In conclusion, because of this and many other reasons, the animals were responsible for Napolean and the pig's rise to power because they could have prevented it by acting out when they clearly knew something was wrong.

Thesis Statement & 3rd Annotation

Turner, William. "Aristotle." Catholic Encylopedia: Vol 1. October 27th, 2007. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01713a.htm

This article explains in full detail Aristotle's works and his youth. It's written in chronological order and is lengthy but is to the point. This article also discusses Aristotle's philosophy and has a few examples of his writings.

Aristotle is most famous for his physics and philosophies. 

This article references many primary sources, such as Plato and many documents written by Aristotle himself. This has been helpful to my research because most of the websites I went to were extremely long and drawn out, and though this is a bit lengthy, it's to the point and explains everything much better. I plan on checking out a book sometime soon on Aristotle because I believe reading directly from a book would be much better.

IRB Log # 2

Book: Lush
Author: Natasha Friend
Page #: Completed

Overview: I enjoyed the book and liked the way it was written. The author really knew how to protray a young girl who was having a rough time dealing with her dad's alcoholic addiction. She hid it from her friends, however, she eventually ended up telling them when she got drunk at a party and was found by one of her friend's older sisters. Her dad was put in rehab and continued to do better. Eventually, everything got better for her and she started to heal.

Annotation #2

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/34560/Aristotle; Online Encyclopedia

The second article tells about Aristotle's youth and his contributions to his academy. It also tells of his travels and where he has taught in the world. His writings, legacy and doctrines are also listed there, along with his major works. I believe this article was a bit more informative than the other one because this one was somewhat short and to the point. 

IRB Log

Title: Lush
Author: Natasha Friend
Page: 70
Summary: Sam lives with her mother, her brother and her drunken father. She can't stand living with her dad who comes home drunk every night, so she decides to find a penpal to write to about the problems in her life.
Rating: 8
Explanation: I really like this book so far because of the way the story is told. Sam is the narrator and potrays her life really well by going into detail.

The Most Dangerous Game

The Most Dangerous Game was quite an interesting story with very complex characters, though it only focused on mainly two. The author Richard Connell had two very different characters come together and change, and I believe Richard Connell values equality over liberty more. The reason I feel this way is because it's somewhat a good vs. evil type of thing. Rainsford is our main character and he's a hunter who happens to fall off a boat and end up on Ship-Trap Island; the island Zaroff happens to own. Zaroff hunts people for pleasure because animals got too boringfor him. In the end, Zaroff ends up dying when Rainsford beats him at his own game. Even though Connell doesn't elaborate his other characters that much, like Whitney, Ivan and the Spanish soldiers; I don't believe he has to because the main characters were Zaroff and Rainsford. I also beleive that he believes in equality because before Zaroff was defeated, he said, "I'll cheerfully find myself defeated" if Rainsford were to win. After Rainsford won, Zaroff played by the rules and said, "One of us has to make a repast for the hounds" so the game was equal and fair. In conclusion, I believe Richard Conell values equality more because in the end, good triumphed evil and Rainsford won the game fairly.

Service Learning Choices

For a few years now I've been participating in walk-a-thons around the city and never realized that it counts for service learning hours. I absolutely love doing the walk-a-thons because it goes toward a good cause. Over the past 4 years, I've been participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure on Mother's Day and I plan on doing so this year as well. Arriving early, I normally make a donation and the proceeds go towards a cure for breast cancer and breast cancer research prevention. I hold this walk very close to me because I lost my grandmother to breast cancer, so I always make sure to participate. 

At the ending of the walk (which averages to be about 2 hours or so long) people can go up to a podium to have the names announced of the breast cancer survivors and of those who have lost the battle to breast cancer. I make sure to get my grandmother's name announced every time I go. 

I believe that if more people got up and made a donation, it would make a huge difference. Every penny and dollar counts, and it's for a great cause. If people aren't willing to walk, they really don't have to but it's good to donate. 

Besides the breast cancer walk, there is also an autism walk and an AIDs walk that happens in October that I'm going to try to attend every year.

I do have other ideas as to what I want to do, but I'm pretty positive that I'm going to stick with this.

Annotation for NHD

On the website I was browsing, there wasn't just one article on Aristotle -- there were many. I read through mostly all of them and I now have a pretty good idea on what I'm going to write for my report. Of course, the beginning of the articles talks of Aristotle's past; where he was born, what classes/courses he attended and some of his earliest known works.  The first article talks of his life and what he studied, such as Physics, Metaphysics, Politics and Poetics.

The next article talks of his logic and understandings, such as the books he's written and his teacher, Plato. There is also a form of logic named after him called Aristotelian Logic which consists of categories, interpretations, prior analytics, and different topics.

The biggest article listed talks of Aristotle's scientific method, one of the things he's most famous for of course. His philosophy is geared towards the universe like most philosophers and a lot like his teacher, Plato. His way of thinking and some of his writings are listed here, along with his scientific predictions and his analysis of the planets.

Physics is the next article and it explains the five elements; fire, earth, air, water and aether. It also talks of causality and the four causes which are the material cause, the formal cause, the efficient cause and the final cause which I'll explain more about later on.

The rest of the articles are somewhat sub-articles because they're very short. Most of those explain his classification of animals and species, his views on politics, ethics, the loss of some of his works, legacy and medicine, along with a few more.

These articles were extremely helpful in my research because it's the base of everything. I'm using these articles to build up my report, along with many other websites, however this was the first one I stumbled upon. I guess the intended audience is people who are interested in philosophy and history. This is a secondary source because it's on an online Encyclopedia and it's a biography, rather than an autobiography.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle ** 

Website where I obtained the information

Political Issues -Which candidate best stands on the issue?

Healthcare is one of the most important issues in the Presidential Election. I believe if the country elects Barack Obama, healthcare will be issued to everyone. Currently there are 47 million people lacking health care and Obama has a huge plan to ease this problem. He wants all people 18 and under to have required health care. He also wants to issue Comprehensive Benefits which will cover all essential medical services, including maternity, preventive and mental health care. Financial aid will also be issued to those who did not receive it before, as well as simplified paperwork that makes it easier for the people. Barack Obama claims it will be an easy enrollment process and provide ready access to healthcare coverage. Barack says no person will be turned away because of pre-illnesses or conditions. He wants seventy five percent of the total health care dollars to be spent on patients with one or more chronic conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. 

However, John McCain feels differently. He only wants to lower the prices of healthcare by introducing cheaper drugs and cheaper care for chronic diseases. John McCain's focus is also viewed towards smokers and believes more places should be introduced for smokers to quit, however, I believe that should be the least of his worries and he should be focusing on the 47 million people in America without healthcare.

NHD

So I'm officially doing Aristotle. I'm doing the writing in a form of an essay and I'm going to be working alone. Philosophy has always been something that's interested me and I always wanted to do a report on my favorite philosopher, Aristotle. I'm not sure how many people do philosophers for their National History Day projects, but I'm pretty sure it's not a lot. I could have picked anyone from history, such as MLK, Malcolm X, or Thomas Jefferson but I kinda want to stray away from those people who are used constantly... don't want to bore the judges and feel like a broken record.

Hm, so, this is what I have so far (not very good at all; needs a lot of editing) but in a nutshell...

~

History is constantly being altered, no matter where someone is. People in general change everyday and do not realize it. There are many people who don't take the time to wonder why they are put on this earth, or why they are walking in the shoes they are in today. Philosophy is a huge part of history, for it is history in itself; however, philosophy digs a bit deeper and challenges history. Over the thousands of years, many philosophers have been studying the world, wondering of their existence, of what is real and what is not, and studying the human mind along with behavior.

The word philosophy is of the Ancient Greek origin, and it means "love of knowledge and wisdom". Philosophy is something that has always held my interest, however the philosopher that appealed to me most was Aristotle.

Aristotle was born in Stageira, Chalcidice in 384 BC. He was a member of the aristocracy, which is a form of government. Aristocrats often saw themselves as the highest of society and that no other government was above them.

~

It's not much at all, but I love introductions. Everything I write needs to have a creative introduction that draws the readers' attention.

I'll be working on it time and time again and hopefully I'll have it done soon.

National History Day

So, I've got a pretty clear idea of what I'm going to do for National History Day. I've always loved Philosophy, so I'm probably going to end up doing something on Aristotle and Plato. I've already started the paper and it seems to be going pretty well... however I need to find a way to make it at least 1500 words... which I really don't think will be that hard.

I'll have the rough draft of what I have done so far up soon.

Why should our country elect Barack Obama?

Our country should elect Barack Obama not only because he would be the first African American President ever in office, but he would change the United States for the better. I believe that if Barack Obama is put in office, he will not only speak of his plans for the United States, but he will put them in effect.

Healthcare is a big issue in the United States. As of now, there are almost 47 million people without healthcare; 8 million of them just being young children. Most people cannot afford premiums, co-pays and even deductibles and with Barack Obama in office, I believe that all of those issues regarding healthcare will change. He promises to issue healthcare to everyone, irregardless of pre-illnesses or conditions. He also plans to lower the prices of drugs and insurance to help those who already have healthcare who are struggling to keep it.

Barack Obama is also for women's rights. I am completely for women's rights and don't think abortion should be illegal because it's a woman's right with what she wants to do with her body. John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin is against abortion and sex-education in school... but how contradictory! Sarah Palin's daughter has a kid and has another one on the way!

I am also all for Barack Obama's efficent energy plan which should be put in effect if he is elected. He plans to have everyone have hybrid cars by 2015.

Barack Obama seems to know exactly what he wants. I want a president who actually cares about what the people think and will actually go as far as to contacting the citizens of the United States and reaching out to them and their problems. If Barack Obama is put into office, America will not only be a better place, but the American Dream will be revived.