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 __Humanity__

It's hard to say what it means to be human. I suppose it isn't a topic we spend much time thinking about in our busy, everyday lives. We often associate being human with certain characteristics that set our species apart. Higher intelligence, compassion, generosity and our level of curiosity are some of these characteristics. Unfortunately, along with our good qualities, there are also ones like greed, jealousy, hatred and racism. These are our flaws and however ugly, perhaps they too are a part of being human.

Another major aspect of our species that makes us human is our curiosity. Our insatiable need to learn more, to push forwards and stretch the boundaries of what we know and can do is both our gift and our curse. The creation of new technology has brought great progress, but also great harm. What I find to be one of the most exceptional aspects of being human is our ability to be selfless as evidenced by Chris Abani who tells of people standing up to soldiers. The ability to risk your own life for those you love and stand up for what you believe in, even though you know you have no chance of prevailing, is one of the noblest aspects of humanity.

To be human also means that we must accept our shortcomings in order to overcome them. We must value our lives and those of our fellow human beings because our lives are so fragile and our time here is short in the grand scheme of things. There are many things that make us human. Whether it is our curiosity, compassion, kindness or sheer will to stand up for ourselves that defines us or our fear, selfishness, greed and destructiveness that truly reflects our nature is hard to say.



total 17/18 minus 2 (1 paragraph) = 15/18
 * ||||  ||   || CATEGORY || 2 || 1.5 || 1 || 0 ||
 * Introduction (Organization) || The introduction is inviting, states the main topic and previews the structure of the discussion/blog. || The introduction clearly states the main topic and previews the structure of the discussion/blog, but is not particularly inviting to the reader. || The introduction states the main topic, but does not adequately preview the structure of the discussion/blog nor is it particularly inviting to the reader. || There is no clear introduction of the main topic or structure of the discussion/blog. ||
 * Word Choice || <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, and the choice and placement of the words seems accurate, natural and not forced. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, but occasionally the words are used inaccurately or seem overdone. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks variety, punch or flair. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer uses a limited vocabulary that does not communicate strongly or capture the reader's interest. Jargon or cliches may be present and detract from the meaning. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Accuracy of Facts (Content) || <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">All supportive facts are reported accurately. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Almost all supportive facts are reported accurately. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Most supportive facts are reported accurately. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">NO facts are reported OR most are inaccurately reported. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Sources (Content) || <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">All sources used for quotes and facts are credible and cited correctly. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">All sources used for quotes and facts are credible and most are cited correctly. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Most sources used for quotes and facts are credible and cited correctly. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Many sources used for quotes and facts are less than credible (suspect) and/or are not cited correctly. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Grammar & Spelling (Conventions) || <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Focus on Topic (Content) || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">There is one clear, well-focused topic. Main idea stands out and is supported by detailed information. || <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Main idea is clear but the supporting information is general. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Main idea is somewhat clear but there is a need for more supporting information. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The main idea is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Sentence Length (Sentence Fluency) || <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Every paragraph has sentences that vary in length. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Almost all paragraphs have sentences that vary in length. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Some sentences vary in length. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Sentences rarely vary in length. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Transitions (Organization) || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;"> A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected . || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Transitions clearly show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Some transitions work well; but connections between other ideas are fuzzy. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The transitions between ideas are unclear or nonexistant. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Conclusion (Organization) || <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader with a feeling that they understand what the writer is "getting at." || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The conclusion is recognizable and ties up almost all the loose ends. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The conclusion is recognizable, but does not tie up several loose ends. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">There is no clear conclusion, the discussion/blog just ends. ||  ||   ||   ||