Category: English9

Business Letter to Nintendo

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23027 Weybrigde Sq.
Ashburn, VA 20148


October 8th, 2014


4600 150th Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052


Dear Mr.Reggie Fils-Aimé,


I recently have bought the new Wii U console and I have been immensely enjoying it. The device is great; the ability for the games to have stunning and beautiful graphic makes gameplay much better. The other features placed in it are amazing such as the dual screen, fluidness in motions, and new control possibilities with the gamepad, once again, making the gameplay great. I recently bought the game Super Smash Bros for the Wii U. This game has been awesome! I really love the features of the game and the updated graphics make the game really enjoyable to play and watch. Also, the 8-player brawl feature is an amazing feature added in. On top of that, the many new characters added in such as Lucina and Robin from the Fire Emblem Series and Shulk from the Xenoblade Chronicles series make the game have a much higher variety which, once again, makes the game very exciting. The old characters that seemed to be overpowered were also fairly debuffed and vice versa.


However, I do have a few concerns, the first being that there is no adventure mode inside this new game. Inside Super Smash Bros. Brawl there was an adventure mode called the Subspace Emissary. Throughout this, we had to stop some force from taking over the land where all the characters seem to live. This led us to the final boss, Tabu who we had to destroy in order to bring peace back to the land. My friends and I spent a countless amount of hours playing the adventure and the fact that there is no adventure mode was upsetting. When it comes to the next patch of the Super Smash Bros.4 series, please keep this in mind and make an adventure mode as exciting, if not, even more exciting than the one in Brawl.


My second concern is the lack of understanding of the controls. Before playing, I wanted to know how to do a “smash attack,” the attack that enables the user to more easily launch up the opponent into the air. I spent at least 5 minutes for searching how to do this, as this feature was described in the tutorial. I understand that there is the manual in order to do this, but reading the manual is not very exciting to do. However, I was desperate and I went through the manual. I feel the best way to integrate this lack of knowledge of controls is into an interactive tutorial rather than a quick 30 second video that does not explain the controls that well. I also later found the controls button hidden in the bottom right hand corner of the settings. Please make the controls more easily to be seen as Smash Bros. has some of the simplest controls to use compared to other fighting games but new users and people (like me) who did not even thoroughly understand the controls of the previous games will not be able to figure them out too easily.


I highly appreciate you for taking the time to read my critiques on your new game, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. In addition, if this letter is not sent to the correct area, please forward this letter to the place it should be.


Thanks again,


Harish Karumuri


Being Harish Karumuri

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Being Harish Karumuri

When I first picked up Being Henry David by Cal Armistead through my club, Battle of the Books, I groaned. I was tired of these books about some guy who I don’t even know having amnesia who is trying to find out who he was. I mean, really? This is not a bad concept, but it is so overdone that the genre is no longer interesting. But then I started reading the first page. And the second. And the third. Before I knew it, I was reading the last page of the book, staying up until 2 o’clock in the morning to finish it.

The book is very well written, using a sense of living life to its fullest, feeling loss, and joy of a person trying to find out who he really is. This also has a scenario of what to do when life is controlling you, not the other way around.

The main character, who goes by many different names, but mainly as a character named “Hank”, wakes up at Penn Station without knowing who he is. The first person he sees is a psychopath named “Frankie,” a guy who will eat anything from ID cards to wallets and pages of books. The only items Hank has are a 10 dollar bill and a book called, “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau, an abolitionist with many careers such as an author and a poet. Thoreau has a major effect on the book by giving Hank a pathway through the story, giving him a person to connect and feel to, especially when no one was with him. This book personifies a quote by Thoreau; “Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.”

A good component of the story is the adventure. Hank has no idea about who he is or where he is from, but tries to figure out when life starts to stress him out, especially when he accidentally kills someone. Led by the book in his hands, he goes to Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts in order to see if he can remember who he is.

The upbeat part of the story is when Hank meets a person named Jack, who gives him shelter, food, and a job at the library. He then befriends many people, and even gets a girlfriend. Life seems to be simple, and most of all, he seems to be happy. However, he still goes searching for who he is and wants to figure out how he got to the place he was at now. Throughout the book, there seems to be a struggle between himself and a “beast” that seems to guard his memory and prevent him from remembering his past. However, once he finally gets information about himself, he freaks out trying to figure out what he should do next.

The end was very beautiful, as he begins to see everything come through. In spite of the hardships to leaving this new life, he decides to go back to who he really was and live his old life. That “struggle” is what makes the entire story very well written and enjoyable to read. This was one of those moments where I wished I could cry. It was just that moving.

As I mentioned before, the story gives a meaning behind “build your life”. You have control of your life; your life does not control you.

I feel that a story is made through emotions, actions, and interactions. The emotions are what the person is thinking behind his actions, and those actions lead into interactions with other people, other objects, and themselves. Cal Armstead has used those components very well making the book have an uplifting feeling inside of you after seeing or witnessing something emotional and inspiring.

I clearly remember the feeling that I got after I finished reading the book. I was struggling to go to sleep as the thoughts I had about the book were swirling through my head. I was and am truly glad about joining the club and deciding to give the book a shot.

As Thoreau said in Walden, “However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so bad as you are. It looks poorest when you are richest. The fault-finder will find faults even in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. You may perhaps have some pleasant, thrilling, glorious hours, even in a poorhouse. The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the almshouse as brightly as from the rich man’s abode; the snow melts before its door as early in the spring. I do not see but a quiet mind may live as contentedly there, and have as cheering thoughts, as in a palace.” This quote is the meaning behind this story and for that reason, and the reasons before, I highly recommend anyone and everyone to read this book.

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Missing Slippers

By: Sreya Palnati

I wake up to the sound of an awfully loud airplane. As I roll out of bed, I take a quick glance at the clock and realize that I am thirty minutes behind my schedule! I loudly groan as I make my way through the maze of bed sheets, comforters, and pillows. As soon as my feet touch the bare ground (at the precise location where I had placed my baby pink laced slippers the night before), a wave of coldness washes through me as if I were getting frostbite starting with my feet. “Slippers, where are my SLIPPERS?” I yell. I make sure to yell the “slippers” part louder so that my sister across the hall can hear. Little Jessica is seven and we pretty much hate each other. In fact, I can’t remember a time when we weren’t fighting. This is one of the pranks she likes to pull on me; she takes my slippers in the morning because she knows that I hate it when my feet get cold! Little kids! So immature! Jessica comes skipping down the hall like little red riding hood, skipping through the woods just in time to see her grandmother eaten by the wolf. This was the third time this week that she played this prank on me and I can’t believe that I forgot to check for my slippers again.

“Yes, my dear sister? What do you need?” she says in such a sweet, mocking tone, which kind of surprises me because I didn’t know someone so evil could talk that way.

“STOP TAKING MY SLIPPERS!!!” I scream at her.

“What slippers? You can’t blame me for everything Sophia.” she says with a mischievous smile and skips back out of the room. Again, so immature! I would’ve run after her, but at this point I really didn’t have the time. I walk into my bathroom and stop in my tracks. Tiny red handprints are scattered all over my bathroom floor and walls. As I trace the footprints to find the source, I open the curtains and gasp. I find my two year old baby brother sitting with his legs crossed and hands spread out wide. His hands are covered in red, just like the rest of his body. For a second, I thought it was blood and got really scared.

Then, he giggles and says, “Paint!” He recently learned that word and it seems like he’s using it everywhere he goes.

“Mom!” I shout.

A few seconds later, my mom appears saying, “What’s the problem?” She too, gasps when she sees the mess. Then, I tell her the story of how I found Tommy like this in the tub covered in red paint. She shakes her head and tells me to just take a bath in Jessica’s bathroom.

“What??? But her bathroom is super small and it’s way too bright and–”

“Honey, please it’s just one morning.” She seems tired and has black circles under her eyes.

“Fine!” I say and stomp my way over Jessica’s bathroom.

“What are you doing here? I told you I didn’t take your slippers. Just leave me alone!” she said.

“I’m not here about the slippers! Tommy made a mess in my bathroom and mom told me to use yours instead.”

“Ugh!” She says and scoots out of the way so I can open her bathroom door.

By the time I finish taking a bath in the cramped tub, I was late. I even missed the first few minutes of school. The whole day went by slowly with rigorous note-taking, tests, pop quizzes, and worksheets. During my fourth block, my teacher handed out the pop-quizzes we had taken last class. I guess my appalled face was apparent to my teacher because he said, “better luck next time Mrs. Markwelle!” I felt heat rush to my face as everyone in the class looked my way.

“I’m like the only one who got a bad grade on this quiz! I mean, I could tell it from everyone’s faces,” I told my friend.

“Don’t worry because I’m pretty sure that lots of people got worse grades than you,” she said.

“I’m not so sure,” I replied.

I get off the bus and walk down the path to my house. Then, I heard a rustling behind me and swiftly started walking backwards so that I could spot the source. I probably shouldn’t have done that because I didn’t see a rock and stumbled and fell on the ground. I scraped my knees where blood started gushing out. I walk home limping and knock on my doorbell. Jessica opens the door and I sigh in frustration. She looks at my bleeding knees and gasps.

“What happened?” She asks.

Then, the tears came out. I can’t help it. I’m devastated. This is the worst day ever! I actually answer her and tell her about my horrible day.

“Sophia,” She began, “It’s just a bad day. The only difference is that now, you have a chance to appreciate the good days even more! Oh yeah, I forgot something…” She quickly got up and jogged inside, leaving me sitting on the porch. A few seconds later, she came back with my much missed slippers in one hand.

“My slippers,” I exclaimed, “Gosh, I missed these so much, that I am actually happy to be holding slippers!” she chuckled and looked at her feet.

“Turn it over,” she said softly. I slowly turned it over and saw my name elegantly embroidered with a small note underneath it saying “to the best slipper in the world”.

“Wait…what? How did you do this?” I asked.

“Well, there was this girl in my school who offered to do it for me, which is why I took your slipper this morning.”

“Oh,” I said.

“Yeah, I did this because I wanted to make up for all the trouble I have caused you and I’m really sorry and—“

I stopped her in the middle of her sentence and gave her a huge hug. Her smile was ten miles wide. “I love you,” I said. This time, I really meant it.

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The Fault in Our Thoughts
By:  Sreya Palnati
There is more to this world than grades, beauty, and gossip.  There are things that are more “pure” in the world such as friendship, kindness, and perseverance.  It feels as if the fact that we are being reminded of the same thing repeatedly wears down the actual meaning of the idea.  In the book The Fault in Our Stars, John Green has a way of presenting this idea that continues to blow my mind every time I read it. 
This author tells a delectable love story.  Although this story isn’t the stereotypical relationship, it relates to modern relationships in many ways.  For example, not everyone is perfect.  It is okay to have imperfections.  Hazel and Augustus learn to accept each other’s imperfections.  This is necessary in many of today’s relationships.  This is because people are constantly growing to be more diverse.  We are learning our own imperfections and different natural talents.  Even though I may not have uncovered any natural talents, I am still learning more about myself.  In the past few years, I have learned to accept who I am.  I learned not to be someone else, the person who I wish I was.  Hazel truly motivated me to feel this way.  She doesn’t change who she is throughout the book, even when people tell her about her limitations. 
Also, it’s okay to make small mistakes once in a while; it is not the end of your life.  Well in Hazel’s point of view, her life could end any minute.  This shows me that other people have it worse.  I shouldn’t be stressing over my small “problems” when it could be much worse.  It actually took me a while to learn this.  At one point in the summer, I realized that I was acting really spoiled and had become very lazy.  That was when I knew that I had to change my ways.  Reading this book made me realize that I was lucky just to be living.  There are people in this world who don’t sleep at night with full stomachs, people who can only take a bath every other day.   Some people have to even walk tens of miles just to get some medicine.  Now here I am in my room too lazy to go downstairs and wash my clothes.  It made me feel ashamed.  I felt as if I was taking advantage of my circumstances, which I was.  Nowadays, I take the time to appreciate what I was given.  Hazel’s delayed death allowed her to fall in love with Augustus Waters, a persistent and truly ambitious young man.  She was given a chance, a chance to start over, build up her life again.  She definitely made the right decisions and used her second chance to be happy.  She experienced things she never had before. 
I hope to someday positively impact someone’s life the way Hazel did.  I want to make them think “I sure am happy Sreya was in my life!”  I want them to know me for who I am, not somebody I made up on the top of my mind.  I want them to remember me at times of doubt, fear, and sadness.  I want them to replace those feeling with faith, hope, and happiness when they think of me.  In this book, Hazel impacted Augustus’ life in a way that I know I will probably never achieve.  She taught him that there are people in the world who care about him and stuck to her own beliefs while showing Gus the true meaning of life. 

This book shows the ups and downs of life and how we should appreciate the good things instead of being concerned with the bad things.  Just live in the moment and be thankful for what you are given.  After all, “you don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world, but you do get to choose who hurts you!”  Take advantage of that fact and just be happy!  
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The Right to Be Forgotten?
The “right to be forgotten” from Internet searches ought to be a civil right.  
By:  Sreya Palnati
I think that the right to be forgotten from internet searches is needed and necessary.  This is because people should have control over their personal information, and because of the fact that privacy is fundamental. 
First of all, people should have control over their personal information and who gets to see it.  86% of internet users have taken steps online to remove or mask their digital footprints—ranging from clearing cookies to encrypting their email, from avoiding using their name to using virtual networks that mask their internet protocol (IP) address.  55% of internet users have taken steps to avoid observation by specific people, organizations, or the government, according to pewinternet.org.  Many others who see these statistics think that people have control over the information they post on the internet.  But the truth is that most of these people who have taken these careful steps still aren’t fully secure.  Anyone can still look at their personal information anytime.  Especially with today’s increasing knowledge about hacking systems, etc., many people will know how to use this information to hurt others.  Instead, these are the facts that are really important to know.  21% of internet users have had an email or social networking account compromised or taken over by someone else without permission.  11% of internet users have had important personal information stolen such as their Social Security Number, credit card, or bank account information.  All of these facts/evidence lead to the conclusion that most people might think that their personal information is secure, but it actually isn’t.  Without having the right to be forgotten, the majority of the population will continue to be cheated online.  That is one of the reasons as to why having the right to be forgotten on the internet is needed.  
Also, privacy is fundamental.  Fundamental rights are a generally regarded set of legal protections in the context of a legal system, wherein such system is itself based upon this same set of basic, fundamental, or inalienable rights. When people don’t have privacy, they often don’t feel secure.  They feel as if they have been exploited and everyone can look at them, which is very true.  This makes people be less honest on what they post on the internet, which could lead to very bad consequences, depending on the scenario.  That is why privacy is so important and therefore a fundamental right.  Having the right to be forgotten would lead many people to be more open about what they say and the internet would be a comfortable environment for people to post in.  
 Additionally, the right to be forgotten violates property rights.  “Personal data and information is property” -shatterthelens.com.  Just because someone posts something on the internet, it doesn’t mean that anyone can use that information in any way they like.  “When you are online, you provide information to others at almost every step of the way.” says privacyrights.org.  For example, if you give a website some of your personal information, you are providing information to others.  Teen Twitter use has grown significantly: 24% of online teens use Twitter, up from 16% in 2011, according to pewinternet.org.  This is especially bad because teens are now sharing more personal information than they did before.  This risks their safety.  If there was the right to be forgotten on the internet, this wouldn’t be a problem.  Also according to pewinternet.org, teen social media users do not express a high level of concern about third-party access to their data; just 9% say they are “very” concerned.  We wouldn’t have to waste money on teaching these teens to be careful on what they post on the internet if there was the right to be forgotten on internet searches.  
People should have control over their personal information, privacy is fundamental, and the right to be forgotten violates property rights.  Therefore, the right to be forgotten from internet searches ought to be a civil right. 
Works Cited:
“Basic Privacy Rights.” Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Web. 14 Dec. 2014. <http://www.privacyrights.org/>.
“Privacy Rights Statistics.” Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. Web. 14 Dec. 2014. <http://www.pewinternet.org/>.
“”Right To Be Forgotten From Internet Searches”” Shatterthelens. Web. 14 Dec. 2014. <http://www.shatterthelens.com/>.
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October 7, 2014
Starbucks Corporation
2401 Utah Ave S
Seattle, WA 98134
Dear Mr. Baldwin,
 I am writing to you about an issue that occurred while I was ordering an item off the menu at a nearby Starbucks. The problem was the price and how they made my drink. I ordered a Grande Caramel Frappuccino which is priced at $4.25, and I think it’s way too expensive.
 When I took a sip of my drink, it tasted like watery caramel and foam. I have noticed that the Caramel Frappuccino tends to separate into slush and liquid, so you should stir it a bit with the straw for a better drinking experience. I’m pretty sure that the Caramel Frappuccino are made by blending coffee with caramel sauce, milk, ice, and then topped with whipped cream. I thought that if I at least got the Grande, since I had always ordered a small, I would be provided with a better beverage, but it was a complete and utter disappointment.
It did have a stronger coffee flavor than other ones I have tasted, but not to a great extent. I really enjoy the taste of caramel and like most of the other drinks; the Caramel Frappuccino was very sweet with a strong flavor.
I appreciate that you took your time in reading my letter thoroughly and carefully. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future about my complaint. Thank you and please feel free to contact me at 703-327-8437 as soon as possible.
Sincerely,

Nasima Sadr

Business Letter to the Georgia Institute of Technology

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October 9, 2014

Georgia Institute of Technology

North Ave.

Atlanta, Georgia 30332

Dear Georgia Institute of Technology Representative:

Approximately 14 years ago, my parents graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology. This is why I grew up hearing about Georgia Tech my whole childhood. As a child, I grew up with a Yellow Jacket stuffed animal and learned to correct others when they called it a “bee”. I also memorized the lyrics to “I’m a Wramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech” fight song as an 8 year old little girl. As I grew in height, my hatred for the University of Georgia also grew. Although there were some times where I wanted to go to other schools such as the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, or even Harvard, I always ended up settling on Georgia Tech.

I am currently a Freshman at Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia and taking the highest level academic courses offered to me at school. As a Ninth Grader, I am taking Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Honors Biology, Spanish 3, Pre AP World History and Geography, and Honors English for my academic classes. I am also participating in Advanced Mixed Chorus, Study Hall, and Health and PE for my other blocks. As with extracurricular activities, I am on my school’s Freshman Volleyball team and in the All Female A Cappella Club. Over the summer, I took the summer school course of Earth Science because I enjoy science and want to take as many science classes as possible. This allowed me to get a headstart to my first year in high school, and the course gave me something to do over the summer. In the next three years of high school, I plan on taking the most advanced science classes, at least 2 AP social science classes out of 4 years of social science classes, and 4 years of honor level English. By the end of Senior year, I hope to have finished AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and AP Spanish.My favorite classes have always been math and science, and I believe that going to a college that will help me develop skills in my interests is the best college for me. I am also intrigued by the idea of pursuing a career in Computer Science or Computer Programming.

The purpose of this letter wasn’t just to talk about how much I love Georgia Tech but about how to get into Georgia Tech. After taking 4 years of advanced courses in every subject, I hope to be able to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology, but I have found a few obstacles blocking my path to my future at Georgia Tech. I have calculated that it will cost about $100,000-$120,000 to go to Georgia Tech for a full four years and get my Bachelor’s Degree in the study of my choice, due to living out-of-state. This is not accounting for the price of books, housing, food, and inflation. Student debt is increasing greatly and will likely continue to incresase for years to come, which worries me about my future. Either I risk going to my dream college and being in debt for a long time or I go to an in-state college for less and don’t get to go to my dream college. Even though my parents both went out-of-state to Georgia Tech, neither of them want me going to an out-of-state school and spending money we don’t have. They have agreed to pay for some of my college and possibly loan me interest-free money, but I’m still worried about my future. Yes, I can try to get scholarships and get a job, but I want to go to Georgia Tech knowing that I won’t be in debt the rest of my life. Do you have any suggestions as to what classes I should start taking, what activities I should be participating in, and ways I can accrue enough money to get through college?

Thank you for your time,
Gwyneth Schloer

The Cube

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My challenge was capturing this cube. I had to solve this cube within 30 minutes, and if I did not complete it within the given time period, I would have failed this mission.

Let me start from the beginning. A month ago, I was given the mission to complete this relic in order to have some fun. I thought it was cool. And without knowing, I shuffled it up. The ticking bomb started. One problem though. I didn’t know it was ticking. 

Originally I thought, It’s going to be alright. I have lot of time to figure it out.

I picked it up once in a while and looked at it. I could get through one part of it, but I could never figure out the entire puzzle. So I put it down and came back to it later. This was on repeat for days and days.

I also first thought that there was no importance in this mission. I had more important things to do such as slay my grades with material stronger than any sword or build my blueprint for my fortress within 20 seconds. But defusing a bomb that I had no idea was a bomb? That was the least of my priorities.

Days and days this occurred. I saw it, I attempted to solve it, failed solving it, threw it across the room and picked it up the next day. And everyday, I was getting more curious on how it worked and how to solve it

I then saw an article about it talked about how it was sucking in the minds of many kids, teenagers, and adults.

“Oh no!” I was shocked. This bomb, this cube, this object, was  becoming a world wide toy and it was brainwashing the students all together.

“Hey Harish, can I check out that cube?” I promptly heard my sister say.

I was shocked but it was too late. The bomb had exploded and many more would come again if I didn’t stop this one.

With more panic within me, I grasped the cube with my sweaty hands. I turned each of the panels and layers on it and matched up the colors.

My hands felt frozen.

My teeth were chattering.

And all of this led to the moment I am in right now.

Right freaking now.

Each turn was more important than the last, and if I made a mistake, I would have to start this all over again.

My sister asked me 15 minutes later, “Can you help me with this puzzle?”

I responded in a panic that may have turned into a shout, “NO! THE WORLD RELIES ON ME SOLVING THIS CUBE SO DON’T DISTURB ME!” My sister went back to her workspace trying to find the missing piece of the 300 piece puzzle. 

After a countless number of twisting and turning, I saw the end of the cube near.

I also heard the mission leader in my ear say, “H you have one minute left.”

Adrenaline rushed into me and my hands started moving faster, and faster, and faster. The colors on the cube started to become a blur and I could only hope that I knew what I was doing. Then, my hands started slowing down to see what was happening. 

My finger moved as the final turn in my Rubik’s cube completed the simple colors on each side.

“Yes!” I thought when another thought dawned upon me.

“Can you help me now?” my sister said with her 300 puzzle pieces scattered over the floor.

“Agent H, your mission, do you choose to accept it?”

The Story and the Storyteller – Holly Nguyen

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Holly Nguyen’s “Story and the Storyteller” Project

My “Story and The Storyteller” Project 🙂


Alma – Animated Film #1

Literary terms found in this film:
Foreshadowing:  The ending with the next victim.
Protagonist:  Alma
Antagonist:  The doll shop
Symbolism:  The dolls are the victims; the doll shop is a monster eating up the children.


Mr. Hublot – Animated Film #2

Literary terms found in this film:
Situational Irony:  When he reassembles the dog and buys a larger home in the end.
Topic:  Dedication/Sacrifice