Week 2 Writing Homework
- October 23, 2024
- 7:39 pm
- 46 Comments
Writing Homework :
Write a story about Zack’s campaign to save the unique culture of Venice Beach Boardwalk, Starting with…
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza- Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,’ it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colourful Venice Beach
Boardwalk he called home…
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46 thoughts on “Week 2 Writing Homework”
Here is my writing in a pdf.
Save the Boardwalk
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drwabbas- FEEDBACK
Jack weaved through the waves of bustling crowd as he skated straight into the old and quirky juice bar. He sat on one of the many weathered seat as he ordered the classic coke float. The lady, in her mid 90s, made it with her traditional family recipe. How could someone possibly have the slightest trail of idea of changing the beautiful and vivid Venice boardwalk into another soulless and lifeless mall, he thought. While he was drinking he made a decision to take action against this outrageous conception.
The next day, he and his best friend, Zack met up on the bench press to have a serious conversation. After Jack put up the idea of taking up action, Zack instantly said that he could get more people in favour of them. As Jack looked to his side, he saw a sleek black Rolls Royce pulled up. A man stepped out in an expensive suit and as Jack looked down to his hand, he was holding a briefcase and a gleaming gold Rolex on his wrist. Jack’s smile instantly got wiped off his face. They were about to fight against a lot of power and money.
The man walked straight to him and jack gulped, like a whisper, the , the man said
“You are a strong boy and I am 100% in your favour.”
As Jack sighed in relief, he thanked the man with his fingers crossed. They quickly got to work knowing that they wouldn’t have much time left. Zack instantly went to make advertisements around the boardwalk. As Jack started to practise his speech on how important the Venice Boardwalk is. As he was practising, he saw his worst enemy. The developers. He hated the way their pot bellies made the buttons pop and their suspenders stretched out to the absolute most, he hated the way that they pointed aggressively as their yellow teeth leered in greed.
Jack found it hard ignoring the ugly fat men, but he did. After about an hour, Zack came back with at least 2 dozen people. As they decided to group together, They all went on a mad rampage on the Boardwalk trying to get people to join. Shouts of Save Venice, Don’t do this!
He secretly knew that the operation to save Venice had started.
Slowly he saw more people joining, and as they went for the council. Then, he got a text message, If you stop this, we’ll keep Venice Boardwalk the way it is. Jack commanded everyone to stop, and as he explained what the message said, he was just happy that everyone was happy again.
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grace.creek – FEEDBACK
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. “Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza—Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,” it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colorful Venice Beach Boardwalk, he called home.
For a moment, he just stood there, his heart sinking, “How could this happen?” Venice Beach was more than a place—it was a lifestyle, a community of artists, musicians, skaters, and street vendors who made the boardwalk a vibrant, unique space. Zack loved the electic energy, the creativity that pulsed through the air with every mural, drum circle, and tattoo artist. This soulless plaza threatened to erase all of it, paving over the rich culture with sterile luxury.
The next few days were a whirlwind of emotions for Zack. Anger simmered beneath his skin as he watched developers start marking off areas along the boardwalk. He talked to other skaters, vendors, and artists—some shrugged it off, resigned to change, but others shared his shock and sadness. Determined not to let Venice Beach fade into history, Zack knew he had to act.
Zack’s first step was to start an online petition. He crafted a passionate message about preserving the boardwalk’s history, its cultural significance, and the threat of gentrification. In just a week, the petition gained thousands of signatures. But Zack knew that wasn’t enough. He needed the voices of the community to be heard, not just in numbers but in stories.
He began organizing a “Save Venice” rally, where locals could gather and speak out. Flyers went up across the neighborhood, on telephone poles and storefronts. Zack approached street performers, muralists, and shop owners, urging them to join the movement. Slowly, people began to rally behind him. They held art exhibitions on the boardwalk to remind everyone of its cultural value and staged impromptu performances to draw attention. Local musicians played protest songs while skaters performed tricks under signs that read, “Venice Beach is not for sale!”
But the developers were powerful. Zack attended city council meetings, where polished executives in suits downplayed the impact of the luxury plaza and focused on the economic benefits. His pulsating heartbeat crescendoed into surging waves of trepidation as adrenaline accelerated through his veins. “What if the developers outnumbered his group? What if he lost his beautiful Venice sidewalk?” Frustrate thoughts swirled in his head like a violent maelstrom but Zack knew he had to utterly focus on keeping himself calm.
Taking a deep breath, Zack’s hands trembled as he stood up to speak, but his voice was steady. He spoke about growing up in Venice, about the memories woven into every mural, the friendships formed on the boardwalk, and the deep loss that would come with gentrification.
In the end, the courts sided with the people of Venice. The developers were forced to scrap their plans for Sunset Plaza, and the boardwalk remained intact, a place where creativity and community thrived. Zack stood on the beach, watching the sun set over the ocean, his skateboard in hand. He knew that Venice Beach would always face challenges, but for now, its soul was safe—and he had fought for it.
Week 2
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza- Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,’ it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colourful Venice Beach
Boardwalk he called home.
Zack weaved through the bustling boardwalk, past retrograde juice bars embroidered with Elvis memorabilia with quirky cursive letters dancing on the inviting menus and quaint souvenir shops brimming with aesthetic vintage gifts. It was like a bygone era, pastel colours decorating the walls, the soft chattering of his neighbours, the serenity of the vinyl records playing in the background. His mind, a desperate chaos of hopelessness rushing through him, was racing faster than his board ever could. How could anyone want to replace this vibrant chaos, full of life and stories from the past brought to life with another soulless mall, hollow with no stories to tell, gaunt, stripped of its own life?
As the fading sun dipped into the Pacific, painting the sky in cotton-candy hues, tints of red and constrasting the orange strokes of the sky with the blazing yellow descending into the horizon, Zack made a vow he knew he would keep with all his heart to the boardwalk beneath his feet. ‘I don’t know how, ‘ he whispered, ‘but I’m going to save you.’
Zack perched on a weight bench at Muscle Beach, surrounded by his misfit crew. ‘Okay, team, ‘ he said, dodging a flying medicine ball, ‘Operation Save the Soul of Venice is now in session. ‘
‘I can cover the boardwalk in awareness murals, ‘ said Rosa, twirling a spray paint can. Today she wore denim overalls with vivid splotches of paint telling tales of past art projects. ‘And I can get the beach patrol on our side, ‘ added Kai, adjusting his junior lifeguard whistle around his neck, resting on his bright red and yellow wetsuit. Zack grinned. This just might work.
Their brainstorming was interrupted by the arrival of a sleek black SUV with tinted windows, arrogantly displaying a single digit name plate. A man in an expensive obsidian suit free of blemishes stepped out, eyeing the outdoor gym with distaste. Zack’s smile faded. His hopes crumbled immediately. They were up against some serious money and power.
The tourists on Santa Monica Pier gasped in a mixture of awe and confusion as hundreds of skateboarders suddenly appeared, performing what seemed like impossible tricks in perfect synchronisation. Zack led the charge, his heart pulsing furiously in time with the wheels on concrete.
At the Venice Skatepark, Rosa’s camera captured it all: street artists creating masterpieces, bodybuilders posing, fortune tellers reading palms. ‘This, ‘ Zack said to the lens, his voice bursting with passion and determination, ‘is the real Venice. And it’s worth saving. ‘
The stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame blurred beneath Zack’ s feet as he raced after the celebrity he ‘d just spotted – one who ‘d publicly supported the development. ‘Wait!’ he called. ‘I need to change your mind!’
The actor turned around slowly, as if testing Zack’s patience. “What do you want?” he growled in a rich voice. Zack’s heart was pounding as he spoke. “I’m here to convince you why you need to stop the development of the mall!”
As Zack poured out a rich story full of his desperation, hopelessness and passion for the boardwalk, its life and the very soul of the boardwalk drove him to go further. The actor nodded as Zack explained everything. “Very well, I’m sure I can make a few changes.”
The boardwalk pulsed with energy as thousands gathered for the festival. Skaters, artists, musicians, and vendors showcased the best of Venice. Zack’ s heart swelled with pride as he saw news cameras capturing it all.
A hush fell over the crowd as the developer approached the microphone. Zack held his breath, feeling the hopes of Venice Beach resting on his shoulders.
“As you all know, we proposed to make a mall. I am pleased to announce that instead, as suggested by our sponsor star, Tom Cruise, we have decided to instead propose Venice Beach as a heritage site.” The once arrogant man’s face didn’t say the same as “pleased” but Zack was overjoyed! He joined in the party, performing awe-spiring tricks for the festival, dancing with his friends, Rosa and Kai.
Months later, Zack ollied over a newly installed plaque on the boardwalk. On it was engraved, ‘Venice Beach Cultural Heritage Site, ‘, accompanied with a goofy picture of him and his misfit crew, their expressions filled with determination and passion. He smiled. Sometimes, preserving the past was the best way to move into the future.
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tli.sydney – FEEDBACK
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza- Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,’ it proclaimed, showing only a few specks of wood of the colourful Venice Beach Boardwalk he called home. The boardwalk. His boardwalk. Was being replaced by another soulless mall just like the others. He had to do something.
The next day, he gathered with two of his friends.
“I’ll paint awareness murals on the boardwalk” said Susie, tossing a fresh bottle of spray paint.
“And I’ll get adult help.” Added Tom.”Everyone knows that they are the best source of help!”
And so the plan was set. In the morning, Tom and I still found Susie in the exact same area. She hadn’t slept all night. And Tom brought a team of people from his father’s work place.
“Let’s make tomorrow the big day, ok?” I instructed them.”Susie, you need to get some rest, Tom you’ve worked hard as well. I’ll take care of things from here. After the two of them left the beach, I went home. Not to rest but to work. Protest signs complete, chants done, fear overtaken. The day had come. I walked out to meet my friends and the protesters. We walked on and on and on to what felt like the end of the world. Finally we were at the boardwalk where a business man was paying a builder. Just as the money was being handed to the builder, both men fought eyes on us, the protesters, and ran. Nobody knew why though. Perhaps there were some strong people in the crowd. Or maybe they just didn’t want to get hurt. But from that day on, the the boardwalk stayed the same, with the murals of course to remind people the effort to take back the boardwalk.
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Jessica Xie- FEEDBACK
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza—Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,’ it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colourful Venice Beach Boardwalk he called home.
His heart sank. The Boardwalk was a vibrant tapestry of street performers, artists, and skateboarders weaving through throngs of sunbathers and beachgoers. It was a living entity, breathing in rhythm with the waves, and he couldn’t imagine it turning into another lifeless row of boutiques and gourmet restaurants.
“Hey, Zack!” called his friend Mia, snapping him out of his daze. She skated over, her bright pink hair trailing behind her like a flag. “What’s got you all spaced out?”
“Look,” he gestured to the billboard, his voice thick with frustration. “They’re going to tear this place down for some fancy mall.”
Mia’s expression shifted from playful to serious. “No way. Not Venice Beach. We have to do something!”
Zack nodded, a spark igniting in his chest. “We need to rally everyone. The artists, the performers, everyone who loves this place. It’s not just a boardwalk; it’s our home.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon brainstorming. Zack created a flyer with a bold headline: “Save Venice Beach: Rally Against Sunset Plaza!” They set up a meeting for the following Saturday, and Mia promised to get the word out through her network of friends and social media.As the week flew by, Zack felt a mix of excitement and dread. He knew the Boardwalk was more than just a collection of shops and cafes. It was where he’d learned to skateboard, where he’d watched street performers turn mundane afternoons into magic. He envisioned artists painting murals, musicians strumming heartfelt tunes, and the laughter of families enjoying the sun.
Saturday arrived, and Zack stood at the base of the boardwalk, a crowd gathering around him. Some familiar faces mingled with new ones, all drawn by the same sense of urgency. Zack felt a surge of determination as he took the makeshift stage made from a stack of old crates.
“Thanks for coming, everyone!” he shouted, his voice carrying over the chatter. “This isn’t just about a shopping plaza. It’s about our culture, our community! If we don’t stand up now, we’ll lose the heart of Venice Beach!”
The crowd erupted in cheers. Artists and performers shared their stories, describing what the Boardwalk meant to them. A local musician, known for his soulful ballads, stepped forward and strummed a few chords on his guitar. The melody floated through the air, drawing more people to listen.
Zack organised a series of events over the next few weeks—art displays, skate competitions, and open-mic nights. The Boardwalk buzzed with energy, and soon, locals and tourists alike began to take notice. Social media lit up with hashtags like #SaveVeniceBeach and #VeniceIsNotForSale, spreading awareness far beyond their small community.
As the campaign gained traction, Zack found himself speaking to city council members, his passion unwavering. “This isn’t just land to develop,” he urged them. “It’s a sanctuary for creativity and diversity. We need to preserve it!”
Despite the obstacles, they secured a meeting with the city council. Armed with a petition signed by thousands, Zack stood before the panel, his heart pounding. “We are not against progress, but we must find a way to honour our history while embracing the future. Let’s work together to protect Venice Beach.”
Weeks passed, and the pressure mounted. Then came the news: the city council had decided to put the development plans on hold for further evaluation. They would host community forums to gather feedback about what the community truly wanted for the future of the Boardwalk.
Cheers erupted in the streets, and Zack felt a wave of relief wash over him. They had bought themselves time—a chance to shape the future instead of watching it be imposed on them.
Zack and Mia continued to organise events, inviting people to share their visions for the Boardwalk. They wanted to create a space that reflected the community’s spirit—one that included shops and dining but celebrated local culture and art.
As the sun set over the Pacific, painting the sky in vibrant hues, Zack skated along the Boardwalk, a smile on his face. The laughter of children mingled with the strum of guitars, and he knew that together, they had begun to forge a path that would protect their home for generations to come.
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza- Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,’ it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colourful Venice Beach Boardwalk he called home. Panicking, Zack worriedly weaved through the bustling boardwalk, past soulful juice bars and welcoming souvenir shops. He saw the antique milk bars with Elvis Memorabilia, infused with the bygone eras. The pastel colours and tinted windows matched with the soft, vinyl records playing in the background. People chatted about, sitting on velvet chairs, drinking coke floats. The retrograde, vintage feeling gave Zack a feeling of nostalgia. These were memories he would cherish if the shopping mall was to take over, but he wasn’t going to allow that.
Zack sat on a bench at Venice Beach, surrounded by his motley crew. “I can create awareness murals around the beach.” Eva suggested, raising her glasses a little. “I could get some people at the beach patrol on our side” Zoe chimed in. Their brainstorming was interrupted by the arrival of a sleek black SUV. A man in an expensive suit stepped out, eyeing the beach with a mix of annoyance and distaste. Zack’s smile faded. They were up against some serious money and power.”
Later that day, the tourists on Santa Monica Pier gasped as hundreds of skateboarders suddenly appeared, performing tricks in perfect synchronisation. Zack led the charge, his heart pounding in time with the wheels on concrete. His smile radiated off his face, people shocked at this outbreak of dancers. Some even started videoing it. Suddenly, a smooth voice droned out of the speakers. “These people don’t know anything about economics and money. Leave all of it to us. They are untrustworthy. Zack brimmed with anger. How could they say that? This was his home!
Zack’s skateboard felt heavy in his hands as he climbed the steps of City Hall. “Remember,” he told his friends, “we’re fighting for the soul of Venice. Let’s show them what that means!” Later, they were at the Griffith Observatory. From there, the sprawling city looked like a sea of lights. ‘Look,’ said Rosa, pointing, ‘you can see Venice from here.’ Zack squinted at the distant shore, a plan forming in his mind. ‘Guys,’ he said slowly, ‘I think I know how we can win this
The boardwalk pulsed with energy as thousands gathered for the festival. Skaters, artists, musicians, and vendors showcased the best of Venice. Zack’s heart swelled with pride as he saw news cameras capturing it all. As he spoke from the microphone, he could tell thousands of hearts were understanding him.
Months later, Zack strode over a newly installed plaque on the boardwalk. ‘Venice Beach Cultural Heritage Site,’ it read. He smiled. Sometimes, preserving the past was the best way to move into the future.
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huashang66 – FEEDBACK
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza- Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,’ it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colourful Venice Beach
Boardwalk he called home. Zack weaved through the prosperous, bustling boardwalk, past the vintage juice bars and the souvenir shops with quirky letters.
Past the old-school, antique bars with red velvet seats, the chinking of glass bottles was mixed in with the peaceful vinyl records playing in the background. The mahogany table tops, soft chattering, mosaic windows and craft beer taps were all mixed in with the yellow ambient lighting of the room. Various vintage, antique pool and snooker tables were in the distance, with a fireplace, were all adding to the sense of warmth. The retrograde, vintage feeling gave Zack a feeling of nostalgia. How could anyone replace this vibrant intricate boardwalk with another soulless, barren mall?
The upcoming day, the developers began to arrive. Their beady eyes and piggy faces matched with the drool coming out of their mouth and the hand rubbing. Zack knew that he had to stop them, or the sublime place he called home might disappear. Staring at the developers with horror, he could almost hear the suits screaming,” HELP! This man has money but no style!” A burly body builder strolled past, eying the builders suspiciously.
“Don’t worry, I want the developers to go away as well. How about we form a protest?” the stranger asked.
“You bet.” replied Zack.
Quickly, they posted a message online and tried to get people to support them. The next day, hundreds of people, maybe even thousands gathered along the boardwalk refusing to let the greedy and evil developers past. After a stand off for a few hours, the developers grumbled at their lost chance to get their chubby hands onto money and left in search of a better place to build on.
All the people cheered and held a party at the bar late into the night. When Zack finally went to sleep, he felt accomplished. But a little thought kept nagging at the back of his mind,”where would the developers head next.
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Eric Xu- FEEDBACK
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza- Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,’ it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colourful Venice Beach Boardwalk he called home…
Zack weaved through the bustling boardwalk and into the old and quirky juice bar. He sat on one of the plush red leather chairs as he orders a coca – cola float. His mind, scrambled with thoughts. Who would want to replace this vibrant chaos with another iconic and heartless mall? This place was the heart of California, the place where people make so many happy memories. Another soulless mall, who would want that?
Suddenly, Zack’s friend Scottie walked up to him. “Have you heard the news about the boardwalk?” He said, “There replacing it with another mall, it’s the most bizarre news I’ve ever heard!”
“I know, we have to do something about it.” I spoke.
“I agree, otherwise where else would I perform my magic shows?” Scottie replied. Scottie was a magician, he did magic shows to earn some money. That’s one more thing about this majestic boardwalk, so many people come to watch people perform amazing tricks. That’s what makes it a happy place.
Scottie agreed to meet Zack after school tomorrow to come up with a plan to save the boardwalk. That night, Zack lay in bed, thinking. Suddenly, an idea came to him. He stood up and walked over to his iPad and opened messages. Zack scrolled down until he stopped at the name Rosa. He typed in: Meet me at the boardwalk after school, I need help.
As the next day came, he was excited because when he woke up an idea came right to his mind. He was waiting until school finished, but the day seemed to go on forever. Finally, as the bell rang for home time, he bolted past everyone and ran to the boardwalk. When everyone came ( Scottie and Rosa ) he started to say his ideas. “What’s Rosa doing here?” Scottie asked, staring at Rosa. They’ve been enemies for a while.
“Uh, she begged to see where I was going.” Zack replied, lying.
“No, you asked me to come.” Rosa said, annoyed to see Scottie there.
“Anyways.” Zack said, trying to change the topic, “I’ve been thinking about the boardwalk, we have to advertise saying the boardwalk is special and that it shouldn’t be replaced.”
Everyone one agreed. “I can cover the boardwalk in awareness murals.” said Rosa, twirling a spray paint can. “And I can get the beach patrol on our side” added Scottie.
Their brainstorming was interrupted by the arrival of a sleek black SUV. A man in an expensive suit stepped out, eyeing the outdoor gym with disgust. Zack’s smile faded. They were up against some serious money and power. They all turned to look at each other, and then back at the man in the suit. He left to examine the rest of the boardwalk, and they got on with their plan.
“Ok, I’ll try to get people to sign a petition and start a protest.” Zack added, “The plan is set, everyone meet me here tomorrow at 3:00pm, don’t be late.”
As the next day came, Zack had already gotten 100 signatured on his petition and gathered around 25 people for the protest. He thought that they might have a chance at winning this battle. Except of protesting, Zack came up with a better idea.
That afternoon the tourists on Santa Monica Pier gathered around as hundreds of skateboarders suddenly appeared, performing tricks in perfect synchronisation. Zack led the charge, his heart pounding in time with the wheels on concrete. He felt free and happy, saving the boardwalk was all he wanted at the moment, and he was determined to accomplish it.
At the Venice Skatepark, Maya’s camera captured it all: street artists creating masterpieces, bodybuilders posing, fortune tellers reading palms, everyone gathering together to save the boardwalk showed that not only was Zack wanting the boardwalk to stay, but so was everyone else. “This” Zack said to the lens, “is the real Venice. And it’s worth saving.”
“These kids don ‘t understand progress.” a smooth voice argued on a local radio show. Zack gritted his teeth. He understood plenty – including the difference between progress and erasing history.
“If you get rid of the boardwalk, then your getting rid of a lot of memories, fun times, and your basically getting rid of California.” Zack said, passionately, “The real Venice is the heart of California, and we won’t let anyone tear it down for another iconic and stupid mall!”
Zack started chanting: Save the boardwalk. Everyone started chanting as well. Zack and his friends felt great and that they really made a difference.
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Annabelle Tung – FEEDBACK
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. “Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza—Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,” it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colorful Venice Beach Boardwalk he called home. The vibrant murals, the eclectic vendors, and the street performers who filled the air with music were all under threat. His heart sank.
“Dude, are you okay?” asked Maya, his best friend, as she approached, skateboard in hand.
“Look at this!” Zack gestured at the billboard, frustration bubbling up inside him. “They’re tearing down everything we love for some soulless mall. This place is about culture, not consumerism!”
Maya squinted at the billboard, her expression shifting from confusion to concern. “We can’t just let this happen. We have to do something.”
Zack nodded, determination replacing disbelief. “We need to rally the community. This boardwalk is our home. It’s where people come to express themselves, not to buy overpriced lattes.”
Over the next few days, Zack and Maya set up a makeshift booth on the boardwalk, complete with a vibrant sign that read, “Save Venice Beach!” They handed out flyers, collected signatures, and shared stories of the boardwalk’s magic. Every day, they met artists, performers, and vendors—each with a tale of how the boardwalk had changed their lives.
“Let’s throw a rally!” Maya suggested one evening as they walked along the beach, the sun setting in a cascade of colors. “Get everyone together to show how much this place means to us.”
Zack’s eyes lit up. “Yes! We’ll have music, art, and a march down the boardwalk. Let’s make it unforgettable.”
As the rally day approached, excitement and anxiety bubbled within Zack. The night before, he couldn’t sleep, imagining the crowd that would gather, the voices that would rise in unison. Would they be enough to make a difference?
On the day of the rally, Zack stood at the edge of the boardwalk, watching as people arrived. Artists painted live murals, musicians strummed acoustic guitars, and dancers filled the air with energy. When he stepped up to the makeshift stage, the crowd hushed.
“Thank you all for being here,” Zack shouted, his voice steady despite the crowd’s energy. “Venice Beach isn’t just a place; it’s a community, a culture, a canvas for dreams. If we don’t stand together now, we’ll lose everything that makes this place special.”
Cheers erupted, and Zack felt a surge of hope. They marched down the boardwalk, chanting slogans, holding signs that read, “Save Our Culture!” and “Venice Beach is Home!” Bystanders joined in, and soon it felt like the entire beach was alive with the spirit of resistance.
The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Local news outlets covered the rally, social media buzzed with the hashtag #SaveVeniceBeach, and petitions reached thousands of signatures. Slowly, the developers began to take notice.
Finally, the day arrived when Zack and Maya stood outside a meeting where the city council would discuss the proposed project. As they entered the room, Zack felt a mix of nervousness and determination.
When it was his turn to speak, he stepped forward, heart pounding. “We are not just fighting for a boardwalk; we are fighting for our identity, our community. Venice Beach is a place where anyone can be themselves, and that’s worth protecting.”
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samdhaklive-com-au – FEEDBACK
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The Venice Beach
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Ethan Lee – FEEDBACK
Writing Wk 2
Zacks skateboard clattered to a halt as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard looming ominous over his beloved Venice Beach Boardwalk: “Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza – Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment, ” it proclaimed, the artist’ s rendering showing no trace of the colourful, chaotic boardwalk he called home. Jack weaved in and out between the blissful old and quirky milk bar, the milk bar seemed to be a retrograde vintage place on the Venice Beach boardwalk, it had Elvis memorabilia. The milk bar itself was outmoded and antique; it seemed to have a bygone era of its own with pastel colours beautifully shown on the walls stained glass windows that painted a world of its own when sunlight shown through the windows a tapestry of extraordinary colours provided a dazzling light show. Vinyl records hummed soft tunes in the background, soft chattering filled the room as old retired veterans talked to the bartenders about the ‘good old days’. How could anyone replace this quaint boardwalk thought Zack quietly to himself
Zack took a deep breath, steeling himself against the encroaching shadows of Sunset Plaza. Venice Beach wasn’t just a place; it was a feeling, a chaotic swirl of colours and stories. His skateboard clattered once more as he raced off to find his friends: Maya, the street artist who saw beauty in every cracked wall, Leo, the junior lifeguard who lived for the waves, and Ava, the budding filmmaker who captured the world’s stories through her lens. Each of them carried the vibrant essence of the boardwalk in their hearts.They gathered at the milk bar, the vibrant hues of the stained glass casting a nostalgic glow over their determined faces. It was their sanctuary, a retro haven of pastel nostalgia and vinyl melodies, where the tales of yesterday were painted on every wall. Zack, with a fierce resolve in his eyes, outlined the plan: they’d need to raise awareness, rally the community, and get the media’s attention. Maya proposed a series of street art installations that told the story of Venice Beach, past and present, her eyes lighting up with the prospect of turning every surface into a canvas. Leo suggested organising surf competitions and lifeguard exhibitions to draw crowds, his voice filled with the energy of the ocean. Ava, ever the storyteller, promised to document every step of their journey, creating a powerful visual narrative to share online.
Their campaign began to gain traction, like a wave building momentum before it crashed on the shore. The artwork and events brought the boardwalk to life in new ways, drawing locals and tourists alike into its kaleidoscope of creativity. News outlets started covering the story, shining a spotlight on the community’s efforts to preserve their home. The old milk bar became a hub of activity, its vintage charm blending seamlessly with the vibrant pulse of the movement.As their movement grew, the developer took notice and invited Zack and his friends to a meeting. With nerves of steel and a fierce determination, they walked into the sleek, modern office, a stark contrast to their colourful, chaotic world. They felt like intruders in this sanitised space, but they were there to fight for something real. They presented their case passionately, using Ava’s documentary as the centrepiece of their argument. It was a tapestry of voices, faces, and stories that painted a vivid picture of the boardwalk’s soul.Would the developer be moved by their plea, or would the allure of profit outweigh the boardwalk’s cultural significance? The tension hung in the air, thick and heavy. Whatever the outcome, Zack knew they’d given it their all to save the heart and soul of Venice Beach. This was just the beginning—a spark that had the potential to ignite a revolution.
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Phuong Nguyen – FEEDBACK
The Plan to Rescue Venice Beach’s Board Walk
Zack’s skateboard clattered to a halt. He looked up and saw the towering billboard: Coming Soon Plaza. Zack was in pure disbelief. How could anyone replace the board walk with another soulless mall? Apparently, a wealthy developer decided to replace the vibrant board walk with a lifeless mall. This made Zack turn red and mad. He needed to do something about it. With the help of his friends: Lachlan and Gabriel, they craft a campaign to stop this selfish developer from taking what Zack calls ‘Home’.
The three decided to go on social media and post this tragic event online, building a bigger campaign. They also decided to settle on making a petition, which needs at least 5000 signatures. They also want to have an interview with Donald Trump, making their campaign more successful with the help of a former President of the America. However, they needed their campaign on the internet. As they were posting about their campaign they saw the plump developer, yellow teeth sticking out. He seemed to smoke an obscene amount of cigars. They glared at the developer and looked at the chaos produced by the vibrant juice shops and the popular souvenir shops. Zack bit his lip, he needed to make this campaign successful.
They posted about the new mall and their efforts to try and prevent it from building. The first few weeks after that were very slow, as they only were able to get 100 signatures. However, hope was never lost. Lachlan started to put signs around the local area to get peoples attention. Gabriel and Zack were going to the juice bars and the souvenir shops to get more signatures. The three ended up getting exhausted but they were able to get 700 signatures. Then, they saw the sleek, black SUV pulling up, and the three recognised the man instantly. The black suit didn’t seem to fit with the plump man and the yellow teeth. The smirk the man had given was diabolical and symbolised evilness. The three needed to get the 5000 signatures in a rush.
They were able to gain an extra 2000 because many people supported the campaign because of the post. Now they only needed 2200 more signatures. They tried to think of more ways to get more signatures but their minds went blank. Thus, the went to Donald Trump to ask for help. Zack didn’t think that Donald Trump would agree with them and help them but he was wrong. After a bit of negotiating, Donald Trump agreed with them and they were able to get an extra 2200 signatures, a perfect amount.
Then they went to the White House. The three of them were extremely nervous as they walked in the hallway of the White House. However, they stayed calm and tranquil about it as they entered the room. Joe Biden was sitting in his grand chair, looking at the trio suspiciously. “We’d like you to consider out petition to save our Venice Beach.” stated Zack. Biden looked at the paper and decided to approve the petition, successfully stopping the wicked developer from replacing the board walk with another soulless mall.
They had done it. Zack jumped up and down, ecstatically. There were smiles upon his friends and Venice Beach is still considered ‘Home’. Zack looked at the spot where the billboard used to be at and smiled.
WK 2 Venice beach
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Cherie – FEEDBACK
Rescuing Venice Beach Boardwalk
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza- Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,’ it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colourful Venice Beach Boardwalk he called home. Tears of dread trickled down his cheeks. His mind was engulfed by thoughts of horror without this beloved, memory filled area. The boardwalk’s gleam transformed into dull, as the clouds drifted towards the scorching sun. An aroma of dismal bombarded the boardwalk. The livelihoods would disintegrate, as soon as this colossal, mall, filled with gaunt and soulless crowds of people would demolish the ecosystem of locals.
Zack decided to affiliate his eclectic friends to protest counter this cause. Sam, a junior lifeguard, zealous to become a sublime and helpful lifeguard when he grows up. He had vibrant orange hair that glistened in the sun and always had an ecstatic smile stretched across his face. Bob was a photographer, who always wore burnished tuxedos and he was obsessed with bubble gum. Out of the blue, a sleek, night black SUV arrived at the boardwalk. A towering, scrawny man came out, with dashing and scintillating hair. He had polished, leather shoes and sunglasses. He took off his sunglasses and glared furiously into Zack’s eyes. His bony hands turned into fists.
Sam swiftly sprinted towards the determined life guards, who were eagerly gawping at the ocean to search for trouble. He informed the life guards about the havoc and threat to the boardwalk. The life guards followed Sam and started their protest. Meanwhile, Bob was taking dazzling pictures of the boardwalk, the crowds having entertainment, the luxurious landscape and the beloved spots. He sent it online on social media and it spread like wildfires. People viewed this and felt pity for the boardwalk. Immediately, swarms of people crowded Sam, Zack and Bob, all of them ranting on about keeping the boardwalk. The affluent man was petrified at the sight of this and was forced to cancel his plans. Zack, Bob and Sam had completed their duty of redeeming the boardwalk. The jolly sun had immaterialised in the vivid sky, sining upon the grateful boardwalk.
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Bhupender _ – FEEDBACK
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the shiny billboard. “Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza—Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,” it announced, showing a sleek design that felt out of place against the lively Venice Beach boardwalk. The bright colours of the boardwalk, filled with street performers, surf shops, and beachgoers enjoying the sun, seemed to disappear behind the fancy promise of the new plaza.
As Zack stood there, he felt a wave of confusion wash over him. The boardwalk had always been his special place—a spot where creativity thrived, where artists painted colourful murals, and friends gathered to share laughter. The idea of a luxury shopping centre felt like a betrayal, as if a part of his home was being taken away.
Turning away from the billboard, Zack’s mind raced with thoughts about the changes coming to his neighborhood. Would the new plaza push out the local shops that everyone loved? What would happen to the taco truck that served the best fish tacos he had ever eaten? Zack imagined his favourite hangout spots replaced by expensive stores and fancy restaurants, losing the charm that made Venice Beach so special.
Determined not to let this happen without a fight, Zack gathered his friends, all of whom cared deeply about their neighbourhood. They met at their usual spot near the beach, with the salty breeze blowing through their hair, and brainstormed ways to protect their home. They started a petition, organised beach clean-ups to show their love for the area, and collected support from local businesses.
As days turned into weeks, Zack’s small campaign began to gain attention. Social media posts highlighting the lively life of Venice Beach contrasted with pictures of the planned luxury plaza. Local news started covering their efforts, and soon they planned a community event called “Save Our Boardwalk,” where artists, musicians, and local vendors could showcase what made Venice unique.
As the day of the event approached, Zack felt hopeful. The boardwalk came alive with creativity and spirit, and the community joined together in a way he hadn’t expected. Artists painted murals celebrating their culture, and food stalls offered delicious tastes of Venice. The air buzzed with energy as people danced, laughed, and shared stories.
Zack stood on the boardwalk, looking out at the crowd, feeling proud. It was a moment of unity, a reminder that the heart of Venice Beach lay not in its buildings, but in its people. The shiny billboard had sparked a movement, igniting a fire within the community that couldn’t be put out.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the beach, Zack picked up his skateboard, feeling the smooth wood beneath his fingers. He took a deep breath, savouring the salty air and the sounds of laughter around him. No matter what happened with Sunset Plaza, he knew one thing: the spirit of Venice Beach would live on, shaped by the love and strength of those who called it home.
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Jyothi P – FEEDBACK
Zack weaved through the bustling walkway, where millions of unaware people chatted away enthusiastically while racing at top speed to their destinations. Why did they not care? Were they some heartless creatures without a love for anything but money? Skating past juice bars with quirky letters sprawling across the heading like a spindly finger, he remembered how they were ran by soulless families who actually put effort into their juices. Continuing along the sturdy path, he saw the antique milk bars with Elvis Memorabilia and his heart began to beat faster as he contemplated the decision deeply. How could they want to transform the hard-working, honest area into another dull, desolate mall? Zack felt a sudden urge to fight back and not accept defeat on his behalf and the communities.
“Where else would I have the opportunity to play my flaming bagpipes?” cried Scottie, the kilted street performer. At this moment, Zack realised that not only his precious skatepark where he was born, was at stake, but the whole ecosystem of wonder and exploration was as well. Other people’s precious areas. Other people’s prized areas. Wait, that would mean most of the community would be willing to accept Zack’s rebellion. Well, other than sull, mind reeking shoppers. Phoning his best friend Max they both agreed to meet at the park at half past three to implore on what they could do to make an impact to society.
“So the question is what can we do?” inquired Zack staring at Max as he skimmed stones across a water’s thin surface causing ripples. They poth stood stuck in place pondering for a wfew moments. “Oh, I know we can start a protest or a rebellion, in that case we would have majority of the community and it just might send the stubborn developers away,” gasped Max wheezing for air. “That’s absolute genius, and I can use my art skills to design posters for advertising our point across,” Zack continued excitedly. “Amazing,” they both surprisingly cried in unison as they jumped up and ran back to Zack’s house to make a start on their project which had a lot at stake.
As the day of the rebellion approached, Zack felt hopeful and determined. The boardwalk came alive with creativity and spirit of the community joined together in a way he hadn’t expect. Riots of pleas and determination rung across the neighbourhood as people marched down in cue. Artists painted murals, celebrating their amazing culture, and they used a variety of vibrant colours to make a massive banner celebrating the community. The silenced developers stood there rooted in place eyes wide in pure disbelief. They had been outdone. One with a pot-bellie and curled mustache stood up and cleared his throat. “I would like to say that we are impressed by your efforts and therefore the demolition has been cancelled,” he said as he retreated back to his original spot. The community erupted in hoots of laughter, joy and happiness at their well-earned success. Zack high-fived Max mid-air as a wave of accomplishment cleansed their inner senses. They had done it. Just two young boys with a desire to save their community.
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Diana D – FEEDBACK
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza- Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,’ it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colorful Venice Beach
Boardwalk he called home. He had lived here his whole life, and this walk was a major form of entertainment for him. Multiple times a week, Zack would take some friends on this walk and talk to them. The redolent aroma of the earthy shrubs always captivated him on his morning walks. To resolve this issue, Zack would get his group of friends, assign them each a duty for a project that they would send to the developers.
Zack gathered his group of miscellaneous friends to help him, who were Charlie, the mathematics whizz, who could solve any problem, Nate, the environmentalist, who knew every fact about nature, and Otis, the nervous know-all brainiac.
With all of their combined minds, their group could have a high chance of persuading the developers to stop the development.
The jobs that each of his friends would be assigned would be
Research the project and look at its environmental statement.
Write a persuasive text to the developers persuading them to stop the development
Design a survey assessing the locals about this project
After everyone had completed their tasks, Zack’s group of friends would add all of their information together to form one big letter to send.
’ Everyone, let’s start,’ Zack announced to everyone. Instantly, Charlie started to research, Nate wrote the letter, and Otis began designing a survey.
‘ C’mon guys, lets hit the hay, we’ve been trying to burn a candle at both ends.’
Zack’s group stumbled back to their houses after all their hard work. Tomorrow, they would meet again, to continue their project.
’ Good morning, let’s continue with this project, we’re not far off, all we need to do is combine our information. We need to make one big letter to send.
The big letter consisted of: A persuasive text, information about what they have done to make this, and research about the project. When they had finished combining the information, the letter was finally sent.
2 days later…
‘Guys, the reply has arrived,’ Zack shouted from his front porch. All of his friends were bouncing off the walls until this moment.
As Zack suspensefully opened the letter, he hoped for the best. When he read it, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Were they tricking him, surely not. He was pretty sure that his eyes were fine, and the developers were serious. Because the result was not good.
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Shane Chee- FEEDBACK
Zack’s skateboard clattered as he stared in acute disbelief at the glossy billboard. “Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza—Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,” it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colourful Venice Beach Boardwalk, he called home. His Broadwalk, replaced by another soulless, gaunt mall?
His heart drummed lividly in his chest, beating faster than his skateboard could ever go. “How could they do this?” The Venice Beach Broadwalk wasn’t just a beautiful landscape, it had culture and life. It was a community – a family – of artists, musicians, muralists, and street vendors who made the Broadwalk what it was. It was the skaters and the talented adrenaline seekers that made Venice Beach what it is. And Zack wouldn’t allow the Broadwalk to be destroyed by a few temporary tourists.
As he paced across the Broadwalk, deciding what to do, he passed effervescent street performers, eager fruit vendors and dozens of public entertainers. As more and more people saw the sign, a blanket of despair was cast upon Venice Beach. “Where will I play my flaming bagpipes?” Wailed Scottie, a kilted street performer.
“What about my vendor?” Whined James, a blooming young vendor.
He patted them on the shoulder, knowing that he wasn’t alone.
The next week was arduous. Just as Zack had begun planning ways to encourage the public and stop the destruction of Venice Beach, the vexatious designers started marking off areas around the Broadwalk – their suspenders buckling under the weight of their potbellies. Their plump necks twitched, their flakey triple chins sagging down their jaw. Zack saw the malicious intent seething in their eyes, their yellowed teeth gnashing morbidly. Despite his anger, he had to push through – he had to hold on for the sake of Venice Beach.
Zack acted swiftly. Gathering his friends, Joe and Mia, they quickly covered the basis of the Venice Beach Broadwalk Revolution. “I’ll get on the media,” Joe called out. “I just bought some fresh paint, I’ll try to cover some murals and signs,” Mia exclaimed.
“And I’ll try to round up the public,” said Zack. Zack concocted a speech, infused with passion and fervency – highlighting the importance of the culture of Venice Beach Broadwalk and the significance it has on everybody. With his exceptional persuasive abilities and charisma, accompanied by his desire to save his beach, he managed to round up a collection of diverse members. People ranging from artists, to comedians shared the same shock and fury that he did, their fervent power combined into one. Now they had to wait until the big moment, their moment to shine.
It’s time. They had been accepted into a conference featuring the developers and city council. The council had called the groups both in to make it’s final jurisdiction. The developers countered with saying that their modernisation and development will make the Broadwalk a more enjoyable place. Their finely crafted lie sent waves of unease amongst Zack’s followers. “What if they’re actually right, Zack?” Whispered Joe.
As Zack prowled through the Broadwalk, stuck at the crosspaths of sticking to their plan or opting for a riskier but potentially good cutback. Walking through the moonlit street, he witnessed the true beauty of the ocean and the beach. The azure waves lapped innocently at the beach’s feet, the beige sand sprinkled like sugar across the beach. He realised that it wasn’t about how useful the beach is, the beauty doesn’t lie there, but instead how natural it is. No amount of artificial recreation could ever make the beach better, let alone the culture and community.
Confident in his field, Zack returned the next day. He had filmed a 24-hour vigil, emphasizing his determination and dedication – helping people witness what they were going to lose. “It’s not about the facilities, or how artificial it is, but instead the natural underlying beauty; the untouched power of nature that makes it beautiful. That is what makes Venice Beach, Venice beach.” Zack declared. He sat down, his heart drumming loudly. His palms were sweaty, his fingers twitched. Time seemed to past slowly, the wait for the judgement felt like eternity. “Our council has decided to side with…” There is a deafening silence. Slow and painful. “The Venice Beach Community!” The crowd erupted into applaud as tears of cathartic relief streamed down Zack’s face. They had done it. Truly. They had saved Venice Beach.
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Benjamin Yang- FEEDBACK
This is my story.
The Venice Beach
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Nathaniel Abustan – FEEDBACK
Zack’ s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza – Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment, ‘ it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colourful Venice Beach Boardwalk he called home.
Zack’s hand quivered as he reached for his ringing phone.
“Zack!” the voice on the other side called, “Have you seen the news about the mall?”
“No but I saw the billboard,”
The two friends expressed their outrage at the approaching plan, and they decided to call all their friends and stop the developers.
Zack looked at the team of people, each with a different talent but a same goal. “Let’s save Venice beach” Zack said.
I can cover the boardwalk in awareness posters, ‘ said Lisa, twirling a paintbrush. ‘And I can get social media covered by videos,” Rachel suggested.
Their plans were disrupted by two men stepping out of an expensive SUV. The skinny man patted his suit down, while a man built with a cubic physique struggled to get out. As they trotted towards the nearest building, Zack caught words like : Economical boost, profits, ,money and a myriad of other words about the new mall.
At the Venice Skatepark, Rachel ‘ s camera captured it all: Performers playing beautiful music and skaters showing off tricks. This, announced the friends is Venice beach, and a place that needs to be saved.
Their videos were viral, and more was uploaded everyday, with a line of words ‘Save Venice Beach!’
Zack was confident and when he saw the letter the city hall sent him, he yelped in joy. On the day of the presentation, Zack and his friends look at each other nervously.
“We got this,” Rachel reassured, giving the crew a confident smile.
Two lecture tables were placed on the opposite sides of the stage, each equipped with a microphone.
The two developers, each describing with overly exaggerated hand gestures the economic boost Sunset mall will generate, while Zack clutched his fist. When it was his turn to speak, Zack told the audience “Venice beach must not be touched.”
“If we build Sunset Mall, it would erase all the memories that Venice beach contains. Will our descendants even remember the beach?” Zack yelled. “We would be completely destroying the environment.
“If you see the economics as important, have you considered the money tourism brings to our city.” Zack asked his opponents, calming his voice.
Ferocious uproar sounded inside the town hall like thunder, unable to be silenced for half a minuet. The two developers turned pale “The amount of profit this mall makes will be unlike anything this city has seen before, but it was like the whole world turned deaf to them.
“Sorry but more people support the development,” Came the voice of the mayor .
Zack’s eyes watered, blood pounding in his ears. Against his friends’ warnings he rushed out onto the streets. The images on the Hollywood Walk of Fame disappeared beneath Zack’ s flying feet as he raced after the celebrity he just saw. “Please help us stop sunset mall from being built!” Zack begged with enormous round eyes staring at the confused celebrity.
He said in a soothing voice “Kid, I can tell people to stop the development but I can’t make sure they listen.”
Zack muttered an inaudible voice of gratitude as he sprinted away to develop a festive with his friends who slowly emerged from the hall.
Before the festive, he and his friends spread awareness articles over the websites, receiving millions of views and likes. A petition was also signed by countless in an attempt to stop the development.
Many weeks late, the boardwalk pulsed with energy as thousands gathered for the festival. Skaters, artists, musicians, and vendors.
The impact was so great council members attended. Zack whooped in joy at the new sign. “Venice beach heritige site” hefted up onto the beach that day.
“We did it!” Zack and his friends cheered.
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Jonathan – FEEDBACK
this is my homework. thanks for marking
Week 2 Scholarship
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Damon Yuan – FEEDBACK
Done. Thank you for marking 🙂
Write a story about Zack’s campaign to save the unique culture of Venice Beach Boardwalk, Starting with…
Zack’s skateboard clattered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at the glossy billboard. ‘Coming Soon: Sunset Plaza- Luxury Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment,’ it proclaimed, showing no trace of the colourful Venice Beach
Boardwalk he called home…
The Venice Beach Boardwalk Bonanza:
Zack swerved through the bustling boardwalk, brimming with vintage juice-bars and retrograde souvenir shops. The weathered brickwork of antique milk-shops were plastered in Elvis memorabilia and anachronistic newspaper clippings. Vinyl records scratched softly in the faint chatter, filling the streets in the sounds of a bygone era. The rustic bars were adorned in mahogany table-tops, velutinous red leather chairs with tarnished hazel chair legs, and innumerable beer taps scattered across the obsolete pubs, the pallid-yellow ambience camouflaging the teak brown, scraped floors in pale amber. The stained-glass windows were furnished in intricate mosaic patterns, bathing the streets below in polychromatic hues, reflecting the evening sunlight that flooded warmth through Zack’s fingertips. Quirky cursive signs hung above tattered wooden door-frames, dimly illuminating the sublime boardwalk underneath. The enticing aroma of the irreplaceable Coke Float wafted through Zack’s nostrils, crafted from secret family recipes. How could they replace this chaotic, archaic empyrean with another barren mall? Zack envisioned merciless silver skyscrapers stretching longingly towards the heavens, embellished with insoluble hollowed eyes – caked in onyx, starkness etched into the creature’s features, reduced to a body stripped of all blood, life and soul by the foul grasp of profit and greed. Untrammelled fury coursed through his veins in galvanic surges. He wouldn’t let this happen.
Zack settled into infamous plush leather seats, his misfit crew crowding around the wooden chestnut tables as Old Ellen hunched and prepared the century-old Coke Floats. Zack’s asphalt hair glistened abalone white in the flickering bar-lights, draped across electric sapphire eyes. Abs and sinewy biceps, blanketed in pulsating blue veins and a coat of stringy flesh, rippled under his plain black shirt, muscles bulging under onyx sweatpants. “Okay, team. Venice Beach Boardwalk needs to be saved – preserved. Any ideas?” “I can rally up the street artists. We can cover the boardwalk in awareness murals.” suggested Rosa, her curly auburn hair hanging messily onto her tye-dye t-shirt, a kaleidoscope of vibrant shades. Her denim overalls were splattered in variegated paint-stains. “I can get the beach patrol on our side.” said Kai, adjusting his junior lifeguard whistle proudly as beads of chlorinated water trickled down his golden hair. “We can gather some people and create a documentary, showing how wonderful this boardwalk really is. We may be able to get some social media support from it.” stated Archie, a charcoal camera bobbling loosely from his lanyard. His pale, bony complexion was draped in a charcoal flannel-shirt and navy sweatpants, his AR Ray-Ban glasses reflecting thick arctic blue that camouflaged his eyes. Their brainstorming was interrupted as an arrogant Mercedes, tinted in tenebrosity, screeched to a stop outside the infamous bar. Its impeccable, sleek figure gleamed in obsidian in the sunlight, illuminating the silver single-digit nameplate. Elephantine guards, embellished with caliginous attires, stood as still as statues, a gaunt expression engraved permanently into their features. A corpulent man stepped out of the conceited vehicle, adorned with shimmering asphalt sunglasses, an onyx business suit and a velvety Gainsborough grey tie. Glittering gemstones etched into his slick, nefarious jacket shone in the evening sunlight, his imposing figure casting an eerie shadow upon the pavement. An alabaster cigarette protruded from his mouth, billowing ashen smoke into the azure atmosphere. Zack’s smile faltered. They had some powerful competition.
The rush of the wind in Zack’s ears palpitated his heart, thumping rhythmically along with the music that coursed through the air as he led the flash-mob through the vibrant streets. Innumerable skateboards, embroidered in beachy designs, weaved across the pavements of the boardwalk, performing tricks in perfect synchronisation. Hundreds of cameras were fixed onto the figures as they rode around the boardwalk in a choreographed routine, beads of sweat gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. Understanding smiles stretched across the crowd.
Zack sweeped an arm across the quaint boardwalk, its antique features capturing the gleaming sunlight impeccably as Archie held his camera. “Venice Beach Boardwalk was more than an iconic landmark, but the eclectic lifeblood of Los Angeles, a community of artists – all weird and wonderful in their own intricate way. Stand for our history, engraved within this sublime boardwalk. Help us protect and preserve this anachronistic paradise.”
Thousands of people had seen the demonstration and documentary online, supporting their website with additional media attention. But the developer merely dismissed the performance. The afternoon news report flashed across Zack’s phone. “These kids don’t understand progress”, sneers the obese developer, his words etched with the weight of decades of urban developments. Fury and frustration coursed through his veins, poisoning the blood and ensnaring the mind. “I know plenty – like the difference between progressing to the future and erasing the past.” he said through clenched teeth. They needed something – something bigger.
The pale ruby stars that littered the graphite, blanketed by decades of footsteps and abalone cracks that crawled across the pastel red, were merely a blur of golden names as Zack sprinted towards the celebrity he had just spotted. “Wait!”, he shouted. “Excuse me, but have you ever heard of the Venice Beach Boardwalk?”
“Venice Beach Boardwalk isn’t just a place replaced by another shopping mall, but the lifeblood of Venice, a historical landmark teeming with different artists from all over the globe.” Zack’s voice was magnified by the microphone in-front, reverberating across the Bavarian Cream walls, the fate of the entire Venice Beach Boardwalk etched into his words. The velvety ruby curtains rippled in the light. The president’s hand hovered above the petition. It all came down to this moment.
Several months later…
Zack, Rosa, Kai and Archie sat side-by-side at the Fontana della Barcaccia, appreciating the graceful water that cascaded gently across the rippling sapphire surface. The boat-shaped limestone stood pearly white in the morning sunlight, capturing the warm cornsilk rays shining brilliantly in the firmament. Zack imagined the new plaque located on the outskirts of the Venice Beach: “Venice Beach Boardwalk: Cultural Heritage Site”. He smiled. Sometimes, preserving the past was the best way to move into the future.
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genwtfan – FEEDBACK
Here is week 2 h/w
Sorry for sending it late
Week 2 term 4
Zack weaved through the bustling walkway staring in disbelief at the glossy bilboard with quirky cursive writing. Dozens of unaware people chatted away enthusiastically while racing at top speed to their destinations. Why did they not care? Why does they some stone hearted creatures without a love for anything but money? Skating past juice bars with quirky letters sprawling across the heading. He remembered how they were ran by soulless families who actually put effort into their juices. Continuing along the sturdy path, he saw the antique milk bars with Elvis Memorabilia and his heart began to beat faster then the skateboard as he contemplated the decision deeply. How could they want to transform the diligent, honest and original area into another dull, idle and futile mall? Zack felt his blood boiling, a sudden urge to fight back and not accept to be owerpowered by those heartless creatures.
“Where else would I have the opportunity to fatuige my flamming bagpipe cried daisy, the kilted street performer. At this moment, Zack realised that not only his precious skatepark where he got skating in his blood, the whole ecosystem of wonder and exploration was as well. Wait, that would mean most of the community would be willing to accept Zack’s rebellion. Well, other than sull, mind reeking shoppers. Phoning his best friend Sabage they both agreed to meet at the park at quarter past 5 to implore on what they could do to make an impact to society. “So the question is what can we do?” inquired Zack staring at Sabage as he skimmed stones across a water’s thin surface inflicting ripples. They poth stood stuck in place pondering for a couple of moments. “Oh, I know we can do to start a protest or a rebellion, in that case we would have majority of the community and it just might send the stubborn developers away,” gasped Max wheezing for air. “That’s absolute genius, and I can use my art skills to design posters for advertising our point across,” Zack continued excitedly. “Amazing,” they both surprisingly cried in unison as they jumped up and ran back to Zack’s house to make a start on their life saving project which had a lot at stake. As the day of the rebellion approached, Zack felt hopeful and determined. The boardwalk came alive with creativity and spirit of the community joined together in a way he hadn’t expect. Riots of pleas and determination rung across the neighbourhood as people marched down in cue. Artists painted murals, celebrating their amazing culture, and they used a variety of vibrant colours to make a massive banner celebrating the community. The silenced developers stood there rooted in place with their eyes wide in disbelief . They got their payback and carma. One with a pot-bellie and curled mustache stood up and cleared his throat. “I would like to say that we are impressed by your efforts and thus, the demolition has been cancelled,” he said as he retreated back to his original spot. The community erupted in hoots of laughter, joy and happiness at their glorious success. Zack high-fived sabage mid-air as a wave of accomplishment cleansed their inner senses. They had done it. Just two young boys with a determination dedicated to save their community.
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WK2 – sagar.khandre@gmail.com – FEEDBACK