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What makes us human? What property of humans clearly separates us from animals? Although we have complex emotions, most mammals also have emotions. We still share some similarities in that respect. Also, convict cichlids and lions both show great care towards their young, much like us humans. Some insects have languages too, like us humans. So what differentiates us from animals? What makes us different is the fact that we are the only known species as of right now with any technology, imagination, and intelligence. While a lynx kills a hare with its bare paws, humans used to kill for their food using a variety of more convenient ways. Stone Age hunters killed their prey with spears. Why? It is most likely because Stone Age people have discovered that a sharpened spearhead requires much less strength to kill their prey compared to using a club. Over history, our imagination has led to the creation of more complex tools (weapons) to obtain our food and to defend ourselves from dangerous animals. Our intelligence and imagination is what has made us able to climb to the top of the tree of evolution. However, technology by no means defines humanity. Another important aspect is our feelings, even though other mammals also have feelings. We must have been more physically sensitive than other creatures to the harsh natural conditions. Why else would we build houses? To be human means to strive for the better life by using both our imagination and our intelligence. It is difficult to define most qualities of human nature as being good or bad, because there is a lot of gray area. For example, caring for the children helps at first, but then kids become excessively dependant on the care and can't take care of themselves, leaving them helpless when left on their own. But there are some qualities of human nature that are strictly good or bad. For example, most rational people would agree that it is good to be compassionate towards others in need, like the lady who gave away the suitcase of clothing and toys Chris Abani speaks of in the video displayed in class, and they would also agree that it is definitely bad to be greedy/selfish. But are qualities like curiosity good? It might not be the best quality when one wants to know what one is not supposed to know, but it is certainly beneficial to the human race. If Newton wasn't curious about why the apple fell from the tree, then we still might not know about gravity. To conclude, being human means to have the desire to improve one's own life through scientific and technological advances while also helping others, and most qualities of human nature being positive or negative is largely dependant on the condition.
 * Humanity Paragraph **




 * ||||  ||   ||   || ===6+1 Trait Writing Model : discussion and blog rubric=== ||   ||

//total 16.5/18//
 * 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="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="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, 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="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">All supportive facts are reported accurately. || <span style="background-color: #ffff00; 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="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="background-color: #ffff00; 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="background-color: #ffff00; 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="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="background-color: #ffff00; 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. ||  ||   ||   ||