A Common Cold

Author’s Note: I wrote this research essay, about the common cold and viruses. This was also for science class as well as Language Arts.

 Have you ever wondered why people get sick? There are many sicknesses, like the common cold which is very common throughout that world. “The common cold is just a viral infection disease (What a Common Cold is).” The average adult gets 2-3 colds a year. The cold is in your upper respiratory system. A common cold is usually harmless, although it may not feel that way. “If it's not a runny nose, sore throat and cough, it's the watery eyes, sneezing and congestion — or maybe all of the above (Common Cold).” Although the common cold can be spread to others, allergies cannot.

 Allergies do not spread. They are not contagious because allergies are caused by an overactive immune system (Is it a common cold or allergies? ). Many people around the world have allergies.Suffering from allergies is not uncommon. There are some over the counter drugs you can take to help. The difference between allergies and colds is the common cold is caused by hundreds of different viruses, while allergies are just because of your immune system. ”Your risk of developing allergies is related to your parents' allergy history” (Is it a common cold or allergies? ). If your parents have allergies you are at a higher risk of developing allergies.

The cold is common all around the world. It is called the “common cold” because most everyone gets it. “The symptoms of the common cold are a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and a fever (What a Common Cold is)”. The average child catches a cold about 6-7 times a year compare to adults, who they catch the cold about 2-3 times a year. ”Children are the ones that get the cold the most, because we develop immunity to many cold viruses as we age, which is why children are more likely to have colds than adults” (How to Catch a Cold). The cold is an illness caused by a virus infection located in the nose. Colds also involve the sinuses, ears, and bronchial tubes. Next, Allergen is also related to allergies. “Allergen is the substance that causes allergic response” (What is Allergen?). “Allergens are substances that, in some people, the immune system recognizes as "foreign" or "dangerous" but cause no response for most people” (What is Allergen?). Common allergens include bacteria and viruses, chemicals, dust, perfumes, and smoke (What is Allergen?).

Allergen causes allergies and allergies are very common and can be treated. Lastly, viruses. ”A virus is a small infectious agent that can only replicate inside the cells of another organism” (What is a viruse?). Viruses infect all types of organisms, such as plants, bacteria, and animals. Viral infections in animals provoke the immune system, which usually eliminates the infection virus (What is a viruse?). Vaccines can also produce immune responses, which confer to the specific viral infection. Examples of human diseases caused by viruses are the common cold, influenza, and cold sores. Vaccinations are a cheap way and effective way of preventing viruses (What is a viruse?).

 In conclusion, the common cold, allergen, viruses, and allergies are all tied together in some way. There are many things you can do to prevent these viruses and colds. You can wash your hands and go to the doctor to stay healthy. Take advantage of all the little things that you can do to help your body stay healthy.

"How to Catch a Cold." 2012. Duke Health. 4/18/12 April 2012 <http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/health_articles/how-to-catch-a-cold>.

"Is it a common cold or allergies? ." 2012. WebMD. 4/18/12 April 2012 <http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/common-cold-or-allergy-symptoms>.

"What a Common Cold is." 2007. Common Colds. 4/18/12 April 2012 <http://www.commoncold.org/undrstn2.htm>.

"What is a viruse?" News Medical . 4/24/12 April 2012 <http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-a-Virus.aspx>.

What is Allergen? 4/16/12 April 2012 <http://www.allergyuk.org/allergy_allergen.aspx>.

One Person Can Make a Difference

Authors Note: This is a text Analysis writing piece about a quote from the book The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins. This quote represents a character and it relates to real life.


There are things that people do in their daily lives and never realize that their actions can change a life. A quote said by Peeta in the story, The Hunger Games is a perfect example of this; “She has no idea. The effect she can have. “. I believe that this quote can mean many things. You never know what effect you have on people, it can be either positive or negative.

People can make a difference in other people’s lives about how they affect them in many different ways. In The Hunger Games, Katniss doesn’t know that the actions she makes affects people’s lives, like her friend Peeta’s. When Peeta says Katniss affects others, it actually makes a lot of sense because she is the type of girl who is determined and strong. She has no idea about what she can accomplish until she survives the Hunger Games. People knew that she was capable of winning when the crowd watches her on the television.

Katniss also effects Prim. Prim is her sister that she could never live without. She really looks up to Katniss and didn’t want her to take her spot in the Hunger Games. She is quieter than Katniss, but is still strong on the inside. I don’t think that Prim could have survived in life if it wasn’t for Katniss. She would take care of her little sister like a mother would to her children. Their mother was still very depressed because of their father’s death. Being as dedicated to people as she is, makes Katniss a dependable person. This is why Peeta said, “She has no idea. The effect she can have.”

In conclusion, doing one thing can make someone think differently about you. Sometimes you have to be careful about what you say or do. Katniss is fierce and loyal, which makes people scared of her. She is so determined compared to some of the other tributes that are a part of the Hunger Games. It is important to think before you do or say things, because you never know what effect you can have on someone’s life.

Figuring Things Out

Author’s Note: I am writing a conflict/resolution essay which goes with the story, Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard.

Pretty Little Liars, by Sara Shepard, is a story about a group of teenage girls. The “leader” of their group suddenly goes missing. There are many other conflicts in this story, including the creepy stalker that goes by “A”. Many conflicts involve the murder of Alison DiLaurentis. Although there are many conflicts, they all may have resolutions.

The night that Ali went missing it was the night when Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily all had a sleepover. In the story this is the climax because they think that she may have been murdered. The girls eventually separate because it is hard to be together and think about Ali all at the same time. When the girls split up, they all get mysterious texts and emails. All of them are from a person or group of people that call themselves “A”. The police suspect so many people there really is no resolution to what happened to Ali, until the one night that they find her body. No one knows what happens, other than she was buried under a slab of concrete. These texts that they get are mainly threats and if they don’t do what they say something happens to someone in their family or friends. Knowing A, they are always one step ahead of the group. They are on a hunt to find out who “A “is.

Since “A” knows everything about them it is hard for the girls to figure out who this person is. Spencer, Aria, Hanna and Emily unlock clues that help them figure out who “A” is. Although along the way they meet people that help them. For example Dr. Sullivan, who is a therapist that figures out the case but “A” captures. Everything they do A knows. If they tell anyone about A, they are dead. It is a tough journey for them, but their resolution never gets revealed. This story is kind of a brainteaser. While reading each chapter you really have to put thought into what is going on. It is like a puzzle. No one thought that there would an answer until “A” reveals themselves. One of the best friends of Hanna ends up being “A”. Her name was Mona. Mona would probably be the last person you would think would be the stalker. When they get their resolution, their lives turn better and everything thing goes back to normal without Ali.

In conclusion, being in the middle of a murder case is a hard thing to handle, especially because if it is your best friend. The friends learn how to get through it and live through torture and sadness. After figuring out what has all happened the girls don’t have to suffer anymore.

How free were the Free Blacks in the North?

Author's Note: This essay is a research essay about freeing blacks in the North during slavery.

During the1700’s and 1800’s there was a problem between African American and White people. In some northern states, however there were some that were allowed to vote, marry whites, file lawsuits or sit in juries. For example in 1790 there was a census that counted 13,059 “free” blacks in New England. I believe that in the North blacks were not free enough.

During this time period blacks were allowed to pay taxes, some were allowed to vote, and were able to perform duties. All of these things that they could do could not involve whites. Some states didn’t allow them to dine with whites, drink, marry white person’s children, or nurse whites. I think that these laws were not good laws because it pretty much just excluded them from everyone else. Just because of the color of their skin. It doesn’t really matter because they were all human beings. I guess laws are laws so no one could really change them that easily. The states that were freeing blacks quickly were allowing blacks to sit in juries, file lawsuits, and vote just like the many white people.

Blacks had fewer rights when it came to jobs and property. For example in one of the documents, it said that blacks were not allowed to nurse in hospitals whites or dines with them. If a black was a nurse at a hospital, the only people they could help were the other blacks. I think that the white people believed that if a black person nursed a white person then they might hurt them or try to do something to them. If I was a white person back then I might think that too. The blacks were able to own property in most of the states as well. It wasn’t like they had to live in shacks either, but they just couldn’t be neighbors with whites. I assume there were communities for blacks.

Lastly social freedom that blacks had been not that good. Due to the fact that blacks weren’t able to socialize with whites was one thing. Another is that they weren’t really able to look at whites for that matter. People were very strict back then about how close blacks and whites were, socially. There is a quote in document B about blacks and whites and it says, “We shall not make the Black man a slave; we shall not buy him or sell him; but we shall not associate with him.” This pretty much means slavery is over but we still don’t trust any black person. Which is ridiculous because if they banned slavery, they also banned talking or socializing with them?

In conclusion, I believe that the blacks were not free enough. Although there were some states that were “freeing” blacks, on the other hand others did not. By the end I think that blacks were free and were able to do things whites were, but weren’t as free as they could have been.