We quickly became friends because we sat together at class. ... At the same time, I felt completely helpless, even though so many were offering me help. ... One day, Edgar stopped supplying me free packets of cigarettes. ... My parents and my teachers all helped me, and along with sheer determination and willpower, in nine months, I permanently quit smoking. ... Thankfully, I had the help of my parents and teachers, who were always ready to give a listening ear. ...

• Word Count: 600
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Personal experiences have helped in developing writing skills, and the people you live with and spend time with have an impact on what you write about and how you develop your writing abilities, so writing is learned from people close to you. ... We all sat down with a sheet of paper and started writing. That was the coolest thing my parents could have done to help me. ... As she was learning to write she would look to her sisters to help her correct her mistakes. ... The positive and negative experiences will still exist in our society because the free society has a makeup where control ...

• Word Count: 1208
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

When I sat down in class the first day, I was told we were going to watch a video. ... Rodriguez never delved into this farther, but I see his motivation being helped by his teachers" praises. ... No one ever said that free education had to be perfect. ...

• Word Count: 1094
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

As I sat on the couch in my living room on September 11th 2001, and watched the second plane fly into the World Trade Center building, I was struck by a profound sense of wrongness. ... I myself, am a part of this type of education, one that helps to create these preconceived notions for its students. ... It is up to the people themselves to break free of this control, to recognize that education itself is not a fill in for critically considering your reality. ...

• Word Count: 1535
• Approx Pages: 6