My 1st draft peer feedback of Melanie’s Essay.
Melanie Smith
Mrs. Love
English
11/10/12
Hurricanes and Tornados
This year 1,035 tornados and 11 hurricanes were recorded, most occurring in the United
States (Tornados of 2012). Although hurricanes and tornados are destructive forces of nature,
they both require intricate weather conditions that help create and develop the storm. Natural
disasters are something we cannot control that has horrible outcomes. These terrible storms leave
us devastated with no homes or damaged homes and they take the lives of many loved ones.
Weather it’s a tornado spinning out of control or a hurricane washing everything away, these
storms have many of the same as well as different characteristics.
Tornados are fiercely spinning columns of air that are in contact with the surface of the
earth (tornado). These storms come in any shape or size and have a wide range of colors just like
hurricanes; but tornados look like a twisty funnel spinning all around. The wind speed of most
tornados is less than 110 miles per hour and they can travel up to a couple miles (tornado).
Tornados are very violent and tear up everything in the way. The most extreme recorded tornado
acquired wind speeds of more than 300 miles per hour, stretched more than two miles long and
stayed on the ground for dozens of miles (tornado). Tornados are most frequent in between the
Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains (Tornado Alley). Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma
report the most tornados out of any states in the United States (Tornado Alley). In states like
these they have strict laws for building of homes. Houses are required to have strengthened roofs
and secure building foundations (Tornado Alley).
Hurricanes are types of tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of
Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and the Eastern Pacific Ocean (Hurricanes). While tornados form on
land, hurricanes form over a body of water. Hurricanes create heavy rain and flooding. Just like
tornados, hurricanes create winds up to 155 miles per hour (Hurricanes). When hurricanes
approach the mountains the produce heavy rainfall and can trigger mudslides or landslides which
is very dangerous (Hurricanes). There are many different types of tornados just like hurricanes
but they all lead to the same destruction. Sometimes hurricanes can spiral into tornados, this
happens during an extremely intense hurricane (Damange&Effects). Hurricanes can occur for a
few days or even weeks, when tornados happen over a few minutes.
These two deadly storms surprisingly have very little in common. Both tornados and
hurricanes have an “eye” the calmest point of the storm, which is surrounded by the worst of the
storm. Both storms are tracked on a scale according to how bad they are. These storms have
such powerful winds that they knock everything over.
Tornados are scaled based on the Fujita Scale, which determined how bad the hurricane
is according to the path length, width, and wind speed (Fujita Scale). A F0 tornado has wind
speeds up to 72 mph, and the path width is up to 50 (Fujita Scale). The damage a F0 tornado
leaves behind are pretty mild; branches broken off trees, chimney damage and light damage
(Fujita Scale). A more serious tornado may be called A F5 tornado, which had wind speed up to
512mph and a path width of 1100 (Fujita Scale). This type of tornado leaves behind major
damage; houses lifted off foundations, cars fly through the air, concrete structures are badly
broken and damaged (Fujita Scale). Unlike tornados hurricanes are strictly based on a wind scale
according to how bad the wind is. Sustained winds up to 95mph are categorized as a one
(Saffir-Simpson). A category one hurricane can damage gutters, roofs and shingles: Branches
will also fall and snap onto power lines, that can cause power outages that last up to several days
(Saffier-Simpson). A category five hurricane has wind speeds 157mph and higher this is the
worst kind of hurricane and is marked as major (Saffer-Simpoon). Almost all homes will be
destroyed leaving them with no roofs and total wall collapse (Saffer-Simpson). Most of the area
will be destroyed for weeks or even months, trees will crush power lines leaving many without
power (Saffier-Simpson).
The government wants people to be prepared for any storm, the more prepared the better
chance of survival you have. When one is preparing for a hurricane they need to know their
surroundings; know if the house is flood-prone and know the elevation level (Hurricanes).
Know where the higher ground is in the community, locate all dams and lakes in the area and
know weather they are a threat (Hurricanes). All windows must be covered during hurricanes as
well as tornados; the glass can shatter and break making a mess inside ones home (Hurricanes).
Make sure trees around ones house are trimmed down so the wind won’t knock them down
(Hurricanes). The family should consider preparing a safe room with any storm. Beginning with
tornados you should have a firm plan and an emergency kit just like dealing with hurricanes
(Tornados). For tornados one will be safest in a cellar or basement (Tornados). Preparing for a
natural disaster is very important and come sometimes mean life or death. Although both storms
are different preparing for each is basically the same.
Hurricanes and tornados defiantly have one thing in common they both have a damaging
path that breaks almost everything along the way. Although the death rate has gone down,
hurricanes and tornados take the lives of many today. The protocol for both requires being
prepared, if ones not prepared for these types of storms than there is no way to be protected.
These natural disasters have horrible outcomes leaving behind no power, broken homes, and hurt
people. These destructive forces of nature both have different conditions that help create and
develop the storm.
"Tornadoes of 2012." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Apr. 2012. Web. 07 Nov. 2012.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornadoes_of_2012>.
"2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 July 2012. Web. 07 Nov.
2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Atlantic_hurricane_season>.
"Tornado." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 July 2012. Web. 07 Nov. 2012.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado>.
"Tornado Alley." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 July 2012. Web. 07 Nov. 2012.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_Alley>.
"Hurricanes." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes>.
"Hurricane: Damage & Effects of Hurricanes." The Weather Channel. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/hurricanes/articles/hurricane-damageeffects_2010-05-24>.
"Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale." Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov.
2012. <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php>.
"Fujita Scale." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Dec. 2012. Web. 13 Nov. 2012.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujita_scale>.
"Tornadoes." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes>.
My 2nd draft peer feedback of Tiffany’s Essay.
Tiffany Dunlap
Instructor Jade Bittle
ENG 111
Purchasing the Perfect Vehicle
Ever been to a car dealership? There are so many cars to choose from; weighing ones
options can become a challenge. Making a decision on what car fits ones presences can be
difficult. . Difficulties can occur when there is more than one type of vehicle in mind. Even
narrowing the decision down to two types can possibly be a damsel. Even when narrowed
down to two options, an individual still has to compare and go through an elimination process.
Some indecisive buyers may take the initiative to receive advanced help by turning to top auto
websites to find better information. Although the Honda Civic and the Kia Soul are visibly
different, they both have features that will satisfy the consumer. A vehicles features and
performance level, must meet personal and professional qualifications in order to be the
perfect pick for the buyer.
When purchasing a new vehicle, the price of the car is probably the first set of digits that
is on the consumer’s brain. The quality that the two cars have in common is the price ranges. By
comparison, they both have decent low prices, which are affordable to start off with. Using
Kelly Blue Book, the price for the Honda Civic the MRSP is $17,345. The fair dealer price for the
Honda is $16,240 and the dealer is asking for $16,192. There has not yet been a 2013 model,
but for the year’s model the prices are low considering how new it is. With an APR of 2.99% the
estimated monthly payment would be around $312. On the same website (KBB), the Kia Soul
MRSP is $20,675. Like the Civic the Soul has a fair dealer price at $19,778 and the dealer price is
$19,760. The estimate monthly payment on the Kia Soul is not available on the Kelly Blue Book
website. Roughly, around four thousand more dollars the Kia Soul is more. Although the prices
are very close and affordable there are other variables to be considered like the technical
specifies.
The technical specifics are very important when looking for a car, especially a new car.
The specs basically tell a consumer whether the car is a good purchase or not. After reviewing
KBB, the Honda Civic basically wins in the gas department. The Civic gets 28mpg in the city and
39 on highways, making the gas capacity higher. The engine in the Honda is a VTEC. Horse
power and the torque are not as much as the Kia Soul. Both cars have a total of 16 valves,
having four in each cylinder. The Kia Soul has a horsepower of 164 @ 6500 and the torque is
148 @ 4800 RMP. The Honda Civic is a 5 speed, while the Kia Soul is a 6 speed. The engine in
the Kia is a 4 cylinder, 2.0 liter. The width of the Honda measures out to 69.0 inches and the Kia
70.3. Height is 55.0 inches for the Honda, while the Kia is 63.4. The Honda is a little longer in
length. The Kia Soul is very spacious with measurements like this. It sits off the ground more
than the Civic. The wheel base on the Kia Soul is a little less than the Honda at 100.3, while the
Honda wheel base is 103.2. On both vehicles it is recommended not to tow anything. The Kia
Soul has 18 inch wheels and the Honda has 15 inch. Of course there is possibility to change the
size on both vehicles. Along with it being said that the Kia Soul is more spacious than the
Honda, it is visible, but the Kia has a whopping trunk/cargo space at 53.4 cu.ft. That could come
in handy being that the Honda has a trunk/cargo space of 11.7 cu.ft. These special features are
still not the total package when purchasing a personal vehicle.
Of course, checking the reviews and ratings is a plus because seeing what professional
reviewers have to say, as well as other reviewers, is important. The third best-selling car overall
is the Honda Civic. The car is a great vehicle for personal as well as for the category. Ninth
generation of the country’s best-selling car goes to the Honda as well. The 2012 Honda Civic is
not really as sporty as other cars. The best quality about this car is the gas mileage. In addition,
KBB experts rated the car at 7.6 out of 10. The consumer rating is at a 9.2 out if 10. The five
year cost to own this car is 19,974, according to KBB. The Kia Soul first came out in the year
2009. This car is a very sporty and funky. It is a price reducer option to hatchbacks and
traditional economy cars. The paint colors of the Kia are very bright and noticeable. With a
great warranty and the cool hamsters to help promote the car, Kia serves its props for their
great accomplishment. The Kia sits up and has the personality of a SUV. The KBB expert review
is 7.3 out of 10. The consumer rate is an 8.5 out if 10. To own this car in five years, the cost is
35,955.
Making a decision on what type of vehicle is right for a personal pick is not easy. All
aspects of a car are important to one’s personal reasons as well as who is in involved with the
vehicle. An individual should be satisfied with their purchase. Yet the Kia and the Honda look
completely different, the importance is how efficient the car will be for the consumer. Of
course, are different types of cars, but everyone has a special car that fits them perfectly.
Work Citied
"Compare 2012 Honda Civic vs 2013 Kia Soul - Kelley Blue Book." Official Kelley Blue Book
New Car and Used Car Prices and Values. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.kbb.com/compare-cars/overview/2012-honda-civic-363004-vs-2013-kiasoul-378545/>.
Introduction Rubric
Student Name:
________________________________________
4
3
Hook
Hook captivates the
audience and makes
them want to know
more.
A hook was
Hook was attempted Hook is missing
attempted and
but the reader is not and/or reader is not
somewhat captivates engaged.
engaged.
the reader’s
attention.
Length
Paragraph meets the Paragraph is missing
length requirement. 1 sentence in order
to meet length
requirement.
Paragraph is missing
multiple sentences in
order to meet the
length requirement.
Thesis
Statement
Thesis statement is
easily identifiable
and contains all the
qualities of a good
thesis. The location
of the thesis is also
correct.
The thesis is
identifiable but the
statement does not
contain all the
elements of a strong
thesis statement.
The location of the
thesis is correct.
The thesis statement The thesis statement
is lacking in areas
is not included in the
and/or is in the
intro. paragraph.
wrong location.
Progress
Substantial effort and
progress has been
made through the
creation of the map,
first draft, and now
the second draft of
the intro.
Progress had been
made through the
creation of the map,
first draft, and now
the second draft of
the intro.
Little progress has
been made through
the creation of the
map, first draft, and
now the second draft
of the intro.
CATEGORY
2
1
Paragraph is not
developed and does
not meet the length
requirement.
No progress has
been made through
the creation of the
map, first draft, and
now the second draft
of the intro.
Body Paragraphs Rubric
3
2
1
0
Transitions are
easily identifiable at
the beginning of
each paragraph and
also are used
correctly within the
paragraphs to take
the reader from one
idea to the next.
Transitions are
identifiable and are
used within the
paragraphs to take
the reader from one
idea to the next.
Transitions are only
used at the
beginning of
paragraphs.
No transitions were
stated.
The topic sentence
clearly informs the
informs the reader of
reader of the subject the subject of the
of the body
body paragraphs.
paragraphs.
The topic sentence
does not directly link
to the main idea of
the body paragraph.
The topic sentence
does not inform the
reader of what they
should expect to see
in the body
paragraph.
Supporting
Sentences
The sentences
clearly support the
topic sentences and
there is enough
details included to
meet length
requirement.
The sentences
supports the topic
sentences and there
is enough details
included to meet
length requirement.
The sentences are
not easily readable
and do not support
the topic sentence;
in turn, does not
meet the length
requirement.
Missing supportive
sentences.
Wrap-up
The paragraph has
a sense of
conclusion about it
with the last
sentence tying the
reader back to the
topic sentence.
The paragraph is
complete but needs
to be tied back to the
topic sentence a little
more clearly.
The paragraph
The body paragraph
needs more wrap-up is stopped abruptly.
so that the reader is
reminded of the
topic sentence and
main idea stated
within the
paragraph.
CATEGORY
Transitions
Topic Sentence The topic sentence
Aligned with
Thesis
Statement
The paragraphs is
directly aligned with
the thesis statement
Conventions
The paragraphs are
free of most
grammar mistakes
such as cap., end
marks, and spelling.
The paragraphs is
not aligned with the
thesis statement.
The paragraphs are
have few grammar
mistakes such as
cap., end marks, and
spelling, but are still
comprehendible.
The paragraphs are
difficult to
understand due to
grammar mistakes
such as cap., end
marks, and spelling.
The paragraphs are
not comprehendible
due to grammar
mistakes.
Conclusion Paragraph
CATEGORY
3
2
1
0
Transition
The transition into
the paragraph are
easily identifiable at
the beginning of
paragraph and also
are used correctly
within the
paragraphs to take
the reader from one
idea to the next.
Transitions are
identifiable and are
used within the
paragraphs to take
the reader from one
idea to the next.
Transitions are only
used at the
beginning of the
paragraph.
No transitions were
stated.
Topic Sentence
The topic sentence
clearly informs the
reader of the subject
of the body
paragraphs.
The topic sentence
informs the reader of
the subject of the
body paragraphs.
The topic sentence
does not directly link
to the main idea of
the body paragraph.
The topic sentence
does not inform the
reader of what they
should expect to see
in the body
paragraph.
Supporting
Sentences
The sentences
clearly support the
topic sentences and
there is enough
details included to
meet length
requirement.
The sentences
support the topic
sentences and there
are enough details
included to meet
length requirement.
The sentences are
Missing supportive
not easily readable
sentences.
and do not support
the topic sentence; in
turn, does not meet
the length
requirement.
Impact
The paragraph has a
sense of conclusion
about it leaving the
readers strongly
impacted and/or
influenced.
Restates the Thesis
Statement
Yes
The paragraph has a
sense of conclusion
about it leaving the
readers slightly
impacted and/or
influenced
The paragraph
The body paragraph
needs more wrap-up is stopped abruptly.
so that the readers
are reminded of the
original purpose. The
paragraph is lacking
a sense of closure.
NO