Paragraph on JoyEnglish 9
Mr. Castellano
Using your list of things that bring you joy, write a good, fully developed, thoughtful paragraph about one (1) of the items on your list. Do some reflecting about the item: what about it brings you joy? Why? Think of details about the experience or thing. Use these details to explain and show how and why the experience brings you joy. Keep in mind your definition and our definition of joy. This is one paragraph. It starts with a good, clear topic sentence. Then use details that support and illustrate your ideas. Comment on the details. The paragraph should be about 1 page typed or 2-3 sides handwritten, double-spaced either way. It is worth 50 points. Have fun with this. Do your best.
The first time I saw the Grand Canyon was an experience of incredible joy. Ever since studying U.S. geography in the 4th grade, I had always wanted to see the Grand Canyon: it was one of those life-long quests. Perhaps because it started so early, this goal to see the Grand Canyon was something deep within me, almost unconscious. When I went out West on my bicycle, I had very few definite plans except that I hoped to get to the Grand Canyon. I was very naïve and really did not know how I could get there or what it would involve. As I came to discover, it meant bicycling across the Mojave Desert. When people first told me, that still did not mean that much to me. But as I got closer to southern California and the possibility of actually riding across the Desert, people I met started to scare me about the task at hand: the heat, the lack of towns, the desolation. Stubborn as I was (and am), I was still determined to make my attempt. The journey across the Desert is a story to itself. Needless to say, it was a great challenge. But the goal of getting to the Grand Canyon kept me focused and moving. As I got closer to the National Park, I was excited. But I was completely surprised when I turned a bend in the road and came to the first overlook. And there it was. The immensity of the Grand Canyon is what astounded me and still astounds me. As I stood at the overlook and read about it, I realized that I was seeing just a small fraction of one of the most beautiful places on the planet Earth. I felt puny but ecstatic. Having survived the Desert and reached a childhood goal, I was speechless and breathless. At the time, I am sure I did not realize all that I was experiencing. But, looking back on the event, I am sure that that experience was one of greatest experiences of joy I have had – so far. The Grand Canyon is beautiful, of course; but it is all it represents in geological terms that make it so incredible. I feel truly blessed to have had the chance to see the Grand Canyon in person.
Sample Good SentencesEnglish 9: Mr. Castellano
When we are together, we bring out the best in each other.
The feeling of joy is so hard to describe, but the simplest things can make me feel it.
In that moment, I feel I can conquer the world.
When I sing my favorite songs, I feel free because they give me hope and faith that I can do anything.
When the sun shines on the surface of the sea, it looks like a blue diamond.
At first I was scared to go near him, but when he realized the glint of fear in my eyes he looked away: either making sure I was not afraid or being ashamed of the way his life is.
When I’m at bat and make contact with the ball, the feeling makes me feel so alive.
I get a bubbly and excited feeling when my favorite songs come on; it’s like a spark that ignites joy and goes through all the senses of my body and leads to a smile on my face.
Joy is something that embodies a person’s whole being entirely and fully.
Joy is a strange thing; it comes and goes. Sometimes, if you are lucky, it will linger around.
Every time I step out on the field, I feel like I can do anything. I feel like nothing else matters.
I was able to hold her and help her when she cried and felt that being a brother was something I was made to do.
I remember the feeling as pure joy: the magical sense that everything is possible.