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 * __ The Blog of Peter Reston __**

**__Humanity__** __And what it means to be human__ We are humans. As far as we know we are a unique species in a unique world. Unlike animals, we are civilized and have evolved past instinct and survival, for the most part. We are emotional, so much so, that this can be our tragic flaw, seeking attachment and often following our hearts before our heads. Our heads lead us as a community, towards all of the saviours and perils of information and technology. Technology leads us places and helps us discover or own humanity, the downfalls of the hedonistic people who have become the status quo first world people. But, technology also leads us in turn to communicate; to discover and learn about that which is physically, mentally and emotionally foreign. Then as humans, we use this new information to feel empathetic toward those who are in need or grateful for the life we live and for living itself, and acting on these emotions makes us real. This makes us human. Whether it leads to our downfall or to our uprising, our desire to live and learn with our hearts is our truly unique and special attribute which parts us from all the life around us, from microscopic organisms to the animals that we see daily: our differences are our humanity.

total 17.5/18 media type="custom" key="10414308"
 * ||||  ||   || 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 || 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. || 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. || Writer uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks variety, punch or flair. || 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="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">All supportive facts are reported accurately. || <span style="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. ||