PEE

You may not know what the title means, but after you read and understand this post, this acronym will become one of your best mates in writing. PEE stands for Point, Evidence and Explanation. In the following lines, I'll explain how can you use it and become a real debater.

• Point: it's the idea you have, the 'argument'. For example: "Arthur Radley isn't scary. In fact, he is a very nice person."

• Evidence: this is what can help you to demonstrate the idea; generally it's a quote, but it can also be a short piece that tells us what does the author suggests or says. For example: "As in the last chapters say, Arthur saved the children and we can appreciate that he always was taking care of them." (In most of the cases, the quotes are better to evidence. REMEMBER: a short, well-chosen quote is better than a long, vague one.)

• Explanation: here you must tell why do you think what you have said before. You must prove, with your explanation, that your point is true or pretty close to it (sometimes, the limit is to prove that it sounds logic enough to be a good point, because it might be something abstract). Words like 'this suggests', 'possibly' or 'this indicates that' should be used in this part, to explain completely the meaning of your idea and how is it real. And also, to link your ideas, there are a plenty of connectives. The most common ones are the FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So), but you can use anyone you want!

ESU Debating Tournament

The other team was formed by Mr. Eidelstein, Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Elgueta. They did a good job too. Their debate was a prepared one. They had the motion one week before, so they could search for facts. They debated the following motion "This house would eliminate trade barriers in international trades". 

Last Friday 17th, the Debate Team went to Nido de Águilas to participate in the ESU Debate Tournament. The first debate was against Lincoln Academy, and Mr. Park, Mr. Pavón and me debated. It was a tight debate, in which we unfortunately lose. The motion was "Weapons shouldn't be sold to private citizens". We argue, mainly, about the bad permission tests you have to pass to be able to buy a weapon. And even if they were good, this doesn't ensure that you'll be mentally healthy in a couple of weeks. Humans are unpredictable, therefore, they shouldn't have access to weapons. Lincoln's third speaker was pretty good debater, but I still don't understand how could we lose. He was very confident, spoke well, but what he said weren't even good ideas to solve the problem. Probably, they won because of style, because, in my opinion, the ideas we gave were better. 




The 1st of September we've got another debate in the tournament, so I'll be telling you soon about it! Hope we can win this time.

Goodbye 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

You have noticed I had been writing a lot about 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Well, in case you didn't like those posts, you can be happy, because they'll not be updated, therefore, they'll just be in the deepest part of my blog.  Even if you disliked the posts, I hope you learnt something with them. That novel was more than a simple bunch of words. It was even more than a book. It was really an inspiration. Everything I lived with it, was worth the effort. I learnt about the Great Depression, the Racism, the US in the 30's...Things that I wouldn't have learnt even in History classes. Analysing this novel was a great experience. I realized how much can the historical and background context influence in the author. The part I enjoyed the most, was when we wrote the essay. In tests like that, you can demonstrate everything you've learned, and let your imagination fly and make you think peculiar and interesting ideas about the text. I hope the next novel is as interesting as this.

Lost Diary of Arthur Radley

I've found some sort of rustic diary, while I was investigating the Radley Place, some years after Arthur's death. In the following few lines, I'll put some entries about his life that I found interesting to analyse.

Day 100                             
They are outside, waiting I come out. I don't really understand why do they want me there, but I won't pass through that door. They are quite friendly, though. I've always liked children, but I have some problems in communicating with people. My dream is to go out and start playing with them, be their friends, but I really can't! I can't bear this situation any more! Before I die, I swear I'll be, at least once, with Scout, Jem and Dill.

Day 126
Today, I left some chewing gum in the knothole in the yard. I hope any of the little children grabs it and enjoys it. It was quite difficult to acquire it, but hopefully it makes someone happier. I really love watching how this kids amuse themselves, they are so funny. But I regret, every single day of my life, for choosing staying here inside, and not being out there, maybe playing or talking with them. I've heard them speaking about me, calling me 'Boo'; being afraid of me. I don't want to have that prejudgement of being a weird, scary person. I just want to be normal! 

Day 163                             
Apparently, the trial is beginning. Tom Robinson is being accused of raping the eldest daughter of Bob Ewell, Mayella. The town citizens are passing near the fence right now. Complete families, little girls, boys, old slow-walking men. Everyone is attending to see how the justice isn't for all. Here, in Maycomb County, black men are not considered people. They are just things, that do not have rights. I can't stand with those hyprocrite attitudes. Those racist fools shouldn't have the respect of anyone. Justice is a word that apparently they do not know. That's really bad, 'cause every single person should be treated with justice and equality.

Day 168
Finally, I could fullfill my dream: I saved Jem from that Bob Ewell man, and walked home with Scout. Her innocence, her face, her personality: I like Jean-Louise very much. The incident with that farmer was quite strange. I was resting in the chair, as usual, and suddenly I heard a scream: I knew in the same moment that it was Jem. I went to the forest next to the house and fighted with Ewell. When I could get rid of him, I saw Jem lying on the floor, with a broken arm. I grabbed him and ran to Atticus' house. Some seconds later, Scout entered. My dream was, little by little, being satisfied. Dr. Reynolds and Mr. Tate came to see the incident. But the best part of all, was when Scout let me pet Jem, and afterwards she lead me towards my house. It was fantastic, really amazing. I hope I can be with them in another situation, in which we could enjoy even more our meeting. It was the best day of my life: I thought I was a real hero, or at least that character was reflected in Jean-Louise's eyes.

To Kill a Mockingbird - Trial in Depth!

Mr. Reynolds and me decided to prepare a small piece of audio of Tom Robinson's trial. We are Alabama's Voice, the best radio station in the whole county. Hope you enjoy it!

                        Radio Alabama's Voice       

More Questions! - Chapters 15 to 17

I will now analyze the chapters mentioned above. Hope you enjoy them!

Chapter 15

1. What is the Ku Klux Klan? What do you think of Atticus' comment about it?

It's a group that discriminates almost everything: religious people, black people, etc. Atticus says they have no importance and we shouldn't care about them. I agree with his posture, because I don't think "KKK" would attack a small town in Alabama; if they did, we couldn't do anything to prevent it, so we shouldn't care really.

2. How does Jem react when Atticus tells him to go home, and why?

He doesn't obbey his father, because he knows he is in danger. He won't let his father alone.

3. What persuades the lynching-party to give up their attempt on Tom's life?

Probably, the innocence of Scout. When she arrived and realized she just knew one person of the group, he said 'hello' and told him to salute his child when he saw him. 

Chapter 16

4. What sort of person is Dolphus Raymond and what is your opinion of him?

He is a white man that lives with black people, because he thinks whites are hypocrites. My opinion of him is that he is a person that doesn't have trouble saying what he thinks, something very important and strange in those days.

5. How does Reverend Sykes help the children see and hear the trial? Is he correct in doing so?

He leads them to where black men are, so they can see the trial from a part where everyone loves Atticus. I think this is very important for the children, so it was great that someone helped them to watch the trial. Almost all the city was there, so they had the right to go.

Chapter 17

6. Choose three quotes from chapter 17. Explain the context of each, the characters involved, and their relevance for the story, themes and overall message of the novel.

"'Are you the father of Mayella Ewell?' was the next question.
'Well, if I ain't I can't do nothing about it now, her ma's dead,' was the answer"
In the quote, they were in the trial of Tom Robinson and the witness was Bob Ewell. We can appreciate how Ewell is a man that isn't close to his family, and he doesn't really care about them. He is a bad person, and shouldn't be the responsible for his children. He is an important character in the end of the novel, so this part is quite crucial to start understanding how that man is, and what he might be able to do.

"Mr Gilmer and Atticus exchanged glances. Atticus was sitting down again, his fist rested on his cheek and we could not see his face"
Here we were still in the trial, and we can observe how was the tone of it. Atticus, from the very beginning of the case, knew he would lose. But he still fighted for what he thought the best. Never a black man had won a trial against a white one, but maybe this could be the chance. This is a part of the novel where we can see how do the moral values of Atticus made him act the good way, without caring if the whole city was against him. 

"Jem seemed to be having a quiet fit. He was pounding the balcony rail softly, and once he whispered, 'We've got him.'"
Here we can see, almost finishing the trial, that Jem was quite sure they'll win. The arguments, the questions, everything was from their side. His innocence is what excels in here. He doesn't know how bad people can be. He probably didn't know that negroes could never win a trial; that they weren't the same as whites. When he realizes what happens, they have killed another mockingbird...

The Help

This is a great movie about the 60's. But what had an impact in me was the phrase "separate, but equal". What do they mean with this? That whites and blacks were both humans, with rights and all, but that they shouldn't live together. This is quite similar to what South Africa proposed: progress through separate developments. The movie phrase was what Jim Crow laws standed for. In the movie, I could appreciate many examples of this: different toilets, to apparently "prevent sicknesses"; differentiated movilization, or even different places where they live. 

The maids in The Help took a risk by telling their stories. Even though they knew they could be shot to death in their front yards, they went ahead with the project. If people are not willing to take risks, they can't reach any objective they have. That's why it's important to fight for what you want, no matter the many obstacles you will find. Some people say that the obstacles are not there to prevent you from reaching your goal, but for convincing you how much you want it. It doesn't matter you are European, African or Asian: if you want it, you can have it. Another theme of the movie was what happened with Constantine, the maid that had raised up Skeeter, the protagonist, was fired by Skeeter's mom just because a friend of her told her to do it. She didn't want to, but was "drafted to". This is something common: we don't decide for ourselves and let "important" people to do it for us. We need to have an opinion of the things. If it's necessary, even if you are against everyone, do it. 

To Kill a Mockingbird - Chapters 12 to 14 Questions

I'll answer some questions about the chapters I already mentioned, so the understanding of the novel is better.

Chapter 12

1. Comment on Jem's and Scout's visit to First Purchase Church. What does Scout learn about how black people live?

They were much more poor than the whites; also, most of the didn't know how to read or write. And finally, they spoke English with a quite strange accent, mixing it with what was probably another dialect.

2. Explain why Calpurnia speaks differently in the Finch household, and among her neighbours at church.

Because most of them didn't speak English as well as she did, and might feel offended if Calpurnia spoke "white" English.

Chapter 13

3. Aunt Alexandra thinks Scout is "dull" (not clever). Why does she think this, and is she right? 

Because she doesn't know how society is. She curses, fights and dress like a man.

4. How does Aunt Alexandra involve herself in Macomb's social life?

She likes to meet new people, inviting them to Atticus' house. Her real purpose, reflected in what she does, is to convert Scout into a lady.

5. Comment on Aunt Alexandra's ideas about breeding and family, in contrast to Atticus' visions. Who's right, do you think? Why?

Alexandra wants to mantain the family's traditions. For that, she needs Scout to be a lady. In the other hand, Atticus doesn't care much about tradition. In my perspective, Atticus is right, because he promotes freedom for his little girl.

Chapter 14. 

6. Comment on Atticus' definition of rape. How suitable is this definition as an answer to Scout?

He doesn't tell what it is, but he does tell her that it's something that shouldn't happen, because it's bad. She is too young to understand it. My point of view is to never hide something from a child, because they understand much more than we think. 

My experience about meeting new cultures isn't too wide. But as you know, this year I went to New Zealand, in an exchange with the Scots College of Wellington. The English they spoke was quite similar with the one I know, but with some exceptions. For example, in the words 'seven' and 'ten', the 'e' sounded more like in 'teen'. Also, the food they ate, because they were Indian, was quite spicy, and we ate it with the hands only. This isn't something I usually do, just like Scout and Jem don't usually go to black's churches. But, at least for me, it was a great experience, because I could live three weeks with another culture. I hope I can go back soon.

To Kill A Mockingbird - Part One Essay

Last week, we spent all the classes in writing a formal essay about the first part of this novel. There were many topics you could've chosen, but the one that I liked the most was "

What impact does setting have on your understanding of the central ideas or themes presented in Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird"?" With this question, I formulated my thesis: "To Kill a Mockingbird is some sort of literary autobiography". I included aspects like the father being a lawyer, the racism trials, the great depression, etc., and many quotes for building on my essay. Next week we have another test, but now from the whole novel.

I think this types of test are great, because they promote the students to think a little bit, and really understand what's the book about.