Day 7 Writing Homework
Prompt : Write a complete feature article (800-1000 words) on the Silverwater Creek pollution issue.
Your article must include:
An engaging headline
A compelling hook
At least two paragraphs that follow the PEEL structure
Incorporation of ethos-building elements (expert quotes, data)
Balanced presentation of perspectives with a persuasive lean
Vivid descriptive language and imagery
A persuasive conclusion with call to action
Be prepared to share and discuss your article in the next session.
Please upload your homework as a comment below:
- Due Date : April 24, 2025
- Feedback will be shared in 3-5 days
10 thoughts on “Day 7 Writing Homework”
homwork
writing day 7
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DAY 7 bill-huang
Done!
Day 7 Writing
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DAY 7 Sophie Xia
hw is done now…..it was agony to complete and i am surprised that my brain still works. i hope that i never have to do this ever again( i feel like i just jinxed it) anyways i didnt do 800 words but i still think its good. plz dont destroy me and send a slipper at me.
from Yusuf Khan whos surprised that his hands are alive and relived to find out that none of his brain cells are obstructed
Day 7 – Silverwater Creek Pollution Issue
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DAY 7 Yusuf Khan
Silent Scourge: Unmasking the Toxic Legacy of Silverwater Creek
The once-murmuring Silverwater Creek, a slender vein threading through Western Sydney’s industrial heartland, now whispers a darker tale. Its waters, once teeming with life, bear the murky stain of a silent scourge: pollution. For years, a cocktail of industrial runoff and neglect has transformed this vital waterway into a toxic conduit, threatening not only the delicate aquatic ecosystem but also the health and well-being of the communities that live in its shadow. The stench of chemicals hangs heavy in the air near its banks, a grim testament to a problem that can no longer be ignored.
The roots of Silverwater Creek’s pollution run deep, entwined with decades of industrial activity along its foreshores. Historical records and environmental reports paint a picture of largely unregulated discharge from various industries, including manufacturing, chemical processing, and waste management facilities. For instance, a 2018 independent study conducted by the Western Sydney Environmental Alliance (WSEA) revealed elevated levels of heavy metals, including lead and mercury, in the creek sediment, some dating back several decades. This legacy of industrial effluent has created a persistent reservoir of contaminants, clinging to the creek bed and leaching into the water column, making it incredibly challenging for the natural processes of the waterway to recover. The creek has become a sink for the byproducts of progress, a stark illustration of environmental costs often overlooked in the pursuit of economic growth. Understanding this historical context is crucial to grasping the scale and complexity of the current pollution crisis and the long-term commitment required for effective remediation.
The most visible victims of Silverwater Creek’s toxic burden are its aquatic inhabitants. Local fishers, who have witnessed the creek’s decline firsthand over generations, report a drastic reduction in fish populations and the emergence of deformities and lesions on the few that remain. Environmental surveys conducted by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) have documented alarmingly low levels of dissolved oxygen and the presence of pollutants known to be lethal or severely damaging to aquatic organisms. This polluted environment disrupts the delicate balance of the food web, impacting not only fish but also the birds and other wildlife that depend on the creek for sustenance. The once vibrant ecosystem is now struggling to survive, a silent testament to the destructive power of unchecked pollution. The creek, once a lifeline, has become a death trap for many of its native species. The decimation of aquatic life serves as a stark and undeniable indicator of the severe ecological damage inflicted upon Silverwater Creek.
Dr. Emily Carter, a leading aquatic ecologist from the University of Western Sydney, emphasizes the long-term consequences of inaction. “The persistent contamination of Silverwater Creek is not just an environmental issue; it’s a matter of ecological justice,” she states. “These pollutants accumulate in the food chain, potentially impacting human health through the consumption of contaminated fish and the broader disruption of the ecosystem services the creek once provided. Remediation is not a luxury; it’s an urgent necessity.”
Recent data released by the EPA indicates that levels of certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Silverwater Creek still exceed safe limits by a factor of ten in some areas. Furthermore, soil samples taken from the creek banks show significant contamination, raising concerns about potential leaching into groundwater and the surrounding land. This data underscores the ongoing nature of the pollution and the inadequacy of past cleanup efforts.
While acknowledging the historical industrial significance of the Silverwater Creek area and the economic contributions of the businesses operating along its banks, the environmental and social costs of the ongoing pollution cannot be understated. Some industry representatives have pointed to their adherence to current environmental regulations and investments in modern waste treatment technologies. However, community groups and environmental advocates argue that these measures are insufficient to address the deep-seated legacy of past contamination and the potential for ongoing, albeit regulated, pollution. The focus must shift from simply managing pollution to actively remediating the damage already done and implementing stricter preventative measures for the future. The health of the ecosystem and the well-being of the community must take precedence.
Walking along the banks of Silverwater Creek today is a stark sensory experience. The once-clear water now flows with a viscous sheen, reflecting the grey sky like a polluted mirror. Patches of iridescent film, like oily rainbows, shimmer on the surface, hinting at the toxic cocktail beneath. The air carries a pungent odour, a metallic tang mixed with the earthy scent of decay. Dead reeds stand like skeletal fingers along the muddy banks, and the silence, once punctuated by the croaking of frogs and the chirping of birds, is now heavy and unsettling. This is not the picture of a healthy waterway; it is a landscape scarred by neglect.
The silent suffering of Silverwater Creek demands our immediate attention and decisive action. We can no longer afford to treat this vital waterway as an industrial dumping ground. The health of our environment, the well-being of our communities, and the legacy we leave for future generations hang in the balance. It is time for a concerted effort involving government agencies, local industries, and the community to develop and implement a comprehensive remediation plan for Silverwater Creek. This must include rigorous monitoring, the adoption of best-practice cleanup technologies, and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations. We urge local residents to contact their elected officials, demanding greater accountability from polluters and increased investment in the creek’s restoration. Support local environmental groups working tirelessly to advocate for the creek’s recovery. Businesses along the creek must embrace a proactive approach to environmental stewardship, going beyond minimum compliance to actively participate in cleanup efforts. Let us work together to reclaim Silverwater Creek, transforming it from a symbol of environmental neglect into a testament to our commitment to a healthier, more sustainable future for Western Sydney. The time to act is now, before the silent scourge claims any more victims.
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DAY 7 Divjot
Toxic Tides: The Fight to Save our Pleasured Haven Silverwater Creek
By George,
Beneath the tranquil surface of Silverwater Creek, a silent crisis is unfolding. Once a thriving artery of native flora and fauna, the creek now flows heavily with pollutants, its waters tainted by the creeping hand of industrial runoff and urban waste. Locals whisper of dead fish washing ashore, of children no longer allowed to play by the banks, and of the once-clear stream now choked with algae and plastic. Silverwater Creek, long cherished as a community haven, is in peril — and the clock is ticking.
A Hidden Crisis in Plain Sight
Silverwater Creek winds its way through the heart of a vibrant suburban region, its banks lined with eucalyptus trees and walking paths that have seen generations of families pass through. But residents have begun noticing troubling changes: murky waters, declining bird populations, and an unmistakable chemical stench that clings to the air on warm days. What was once a source of pride has become a cause for alarm.
“It’s heartbreaking,” says Dr. Lena Mitchell, an environmental scientist with over 20 years of experience in aquatic ecosystems. “Silverwater Creek is showing all the signs of a waterway in distress — elevated nitrogen levels, sediment accumulation, and oxygen depletion. We’re looking at the slow death of a living system.”
The Price of Progress
Industrial expansion in the Silverwater area has significantly contributed to the creek’s pollution.
According to a 2024 report by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority, several manufacturing plants situated near the creek have been cited for improper waste disposal practices, with some dumping untreated byproducts directly into nearby drainage systems.
These contaminants — including heavy metals and chemical solvents — seep into the creek, disrupting aquatic ecosystems and posing health risks to nearby communities. The lush habitats that once framed the creek now host only echoes of the biodiversity that thrived there.
While economic development is essential, it must not come at the cost of environmental degradation that harms both ecosystems and public well-being.
Voices from the Creekside
Local residents and advocacy groups are raising their voices, demanding urgent action from authorities.
A petition initiated by the Silverwater Environmental Alliance has garnered over 12,000 signatures, calling for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and the installation of water filtration systems.
‘We’re not anti-development,’ says Priya Desai, a community organizer and lifelong Silverwater resident. ‘But there has to be a balance. Our children should be able to play by the creek without us worrying about what they’re being exposed to.’ The rising tide of community activism underscores a growing recognition that protecting the creek is not just an environmental issue — it’s a matter of public trust and community identity.
Industry’s Defense and Responsibility
Of course, some industrial representatives argue that they are being unfairly vilified. “We comply with all existing environmental standards,” says a spokesperson for SilverTech Manufacturing, one of the largest employers in the area. “Blaming industry alone oversimplifies a complex problem that includes aging public infrastructure and increasing urban runoff from residential zones.”
While this point holds some merit, experts argue that compliance with outdated regulations is not enough. “Following the law doesn’t equate to environmental stewardship,” says Dr. Mitchell. “It’s about taking proactive responsibility, especially when you have the capacity to implement safer practices.”
A Watershed Moment
Descriptive imagery paints a stark picture: imagine water that once shimmered in the sunlight now clouded with unnatural green, reeds crusted with grime, and ducks paddling through oily films. The degradation of Silverwater Creek is not just visible — it’s visceral. A place once synonymous with serenity is now a symbol of neglect.
Yet amid the decay, hope persists. Volunteers gather monthly to remove litter. Local schools incorporate water testing into science lessons. Artists paint murals celebrating the creek’s former beauty, reminding passersby of what is at stake.
Turning the Tide
This is not an issue that can wait. Every day of inaction allows more toxins to accumulate, more habitats to vanish. What Silverwater Creek needs now is a coalition — of government, industry, and citizens — united in purpose. Stricter regulations, real-time pollution monitoring, and public investment in green infrastructure could transform the creek from cautionary tale to case study in recovery.
A Call to Action
The story of Silverwater Creek is not just about pollution — it’s about choices. Will we continue to let apathy and bureaucracy drown a cherished natural resource, or will we stand together to reclaim it?
We must act. Write to your local representatives. Support local clean-up initiatives. Demand transparency from polluters. Share this story. Silverwater Creek cannot speak for itself, but we can — and we must — before its voice is lost beneath the current.
Let’s not wait until it’s too late. The creek needs champions. It needs us.
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DAY 7 JEENA ELIZABETH