Blended Learning (Article 1)

Article 1 talks about the recent worrying phenomenon about the fact that more and more teenagers decide to go under the knife (cosmetic surgery) to improve their looks.

Assumption:

The author of the article assumed that the readers are unaware of the current trend of the increasing number of teenagers going for plastic surgeries. He also assumes that low costs of the plastic surgeries, increasing self-consciousness and media awareness have led to the increase. Teenagers nowadays care too much about their looks and are willing to change despite the procedures being fraught with risks.

Question at issue:

The question at issue is the worrying sign of teenagers focusing much more on the importance of their looks and are willing to go under the knife despite it being risky. The trend is really worrying as youths are now focusing excessively on their looks and are willing to improve them at all costs. They are willing to spend money and there is a potential of more youths who will decide to undergo plastic surgery, despite being minors.

Point of view:

The author adopts the point of view of the main society to look at the worrying trend of teenagers going under the knife, which allows him/her to view the phenomenon without any prejudice. Readers will also agree with the author as he/she has written the article from their point of view. They can also understand the article better. Messages such as the fact that the thinking of youths has to be changed can also be better conveyed. The author is basically taking a neutral stand.

Consequences:

The consequences of the publishing of this article is that when the readers read it, they will be aware of this worrying phenomenon of youths going under the knife and they may react differently. There could be an upheaval, but the readers who are parents themselves would be able to counsel their children (youths) and warn them about the risks of undergoing plastic surgery, and this worrying trend could be stopped prematurely and gradually. Youths who read this article may adopt the wrong thinking of other youths and be exceptionally self-conscious and decide to undergo plastic surgery as well.

Movie Review - Amazing Grace

The movie 'Amazing Grace' was one of the best and most touching movies I have ever watched. It was made in 2006 and directed by Michael Apted about the campaign against slave trade in the United Kingdom. This campaign was led by William Wilberforce and it was opposed by many ministers in the government. The title of this movie was a reference to the melodious hymn "Amazing Grace" and the song was played quite a few times in the movie, such as the times when William was in a small chapel and during his wedding. Eventually and amazingly, William managed to succeed and put a permanent full stop to the slave trade in the United Kingdom, and was applauded by all the ministers in the parliament.

The parts which struck me greatly were when a slave showed William and his friends the scars which were the result of shackles and whips inflicted onto him. The scars were really deep and horrifying. Another example was when William led some of the royals to the harbour and asked them to stand near a ship which was used to ferry slaves, covering extremely long distances. Majority of the slaves died and their corpses were not disposed of, and William Wilberforce ordered the royals and several ministers to smell the stench, so that they would know the detrimental impacts of slave trade. They burst into tears and repented. It was also stated that every single bag of sugar was the result of bloodsheds and sweat.

I enjoyed watching the movie as I was really impressed with William Wilberforce and his determination to succeed and put an end to slave trade in the UK despite all odds. He hollered in the parliament to prove and reinstate the fact that an end to slave trade was necessary and had to be carried out immediately. An owner of a slave ship also wept and repented his mistakes. He witnessed the harsh treatment and deaths of countless slaves for 20 years, and he felt as if the souls of those dead slaves were haunting him.

I strongly recommend this movie to all, especially those who love to seek for righteousness and justice!