Week 8 Writing Homework
Prompt:
In 500 words, write about a time when you had to make a difficult decision. What were the options, and how did you weigh the pros and cons of each? What factors influenced your final decision? How did you feel about the decision at the time, and how do you feel about it now? What did you learn from this experience? Don’t forget today’s discussion.
Mention
- Values
- How the values came into conflict
- Emotional experience
- Figurative language & literary techniques
- Explain how you came to a solution
Please upload your homework as a comment below:
- Due Date : April 4, 2025
- Feedback will be shared in 3-5 days
9 thoughts on “Week 8 Writing Homework”
From Sydney to Perth
I once called the vibrant city of Sydney my home, convinced I would never leave its familiar embrace. Yet, life has a way of surprising us. Four years ago, my mom faced an important interview for a doctor position, and when the news came that she had passed, our lives took an unexpected turn. We began packing our belongings, bidding farewell to the city I loved, and set off for the sun-soaked shores of Perth. Perth greeted us with its impressive skyline, filled with towering buildings that seemed to touch the sky. However, I soon discovered that while the city was grand, it lacked a safe crossing system, which made navigating the streets a bit daunting. During this change, I felt a deep yearning for my friends back in Sydney; their laughter and companionship were sorely missed. After a short while, we transitioned to a charming small city called Northam, where the rich culture of the Aboriginal people enveloped us for two and a half months. My last day there was bittersweet; as our farewell approached, I could see the tears in my friend’s eyes, reflecting the bond we had formed. Our journey continued as we drove to Innaloo. Though the drive was exhausting, the experiences in Northam had expanded my worldview. I had the unique opportunity to learn about Aboriginal history and traditions, which added depth to my understanding of this beautiful land. Once settled in Innaloo, excitement filled the air as a local celebration was just around the corner. Eagerly, we booked an appointment for stunning henna designs and set out on a shopping spree. However, this newfound bustle was overwhelming, and I often found myself feeling stressed amidst the flurry of activity. I clung to my old friends, calling them on weekends to share my experiences while balancing my studies. Each Saturday, I woke up early, ready to dive into my classes, driven by the goal of achieving good results in my trial tests. As I received my progress report, I remained dedicated to my studies, even as bushfires blazed in the distance thankfully, they were not near my home, and everything remained under control. In a moment of pride, I received a merit award at my school, a testament to my hard work. Reflecting on all that I have experienced, a whirlwind of emotions swells within me, blending stress and pride into a rich tapestry of growth and resilience. My decisions of picking wasn’t my responsibility because my mom wanted to become a doctor no matter where she will be going, and it was her dream since her childhood, so I agree with my family.
My note for you is that whatever is more important in your family should be done in ant cost and your parents can decide because they want you to live the best life ever. I am happy to be living in Perth and soon I will start on making new friends.
From Yashal
FEEDBACK
Y5RW _ [WK8] –
“Fairness is not an attitude. It’s a skill that must be developed and exercised.” – Brit Hume.
Fairness is something we all expect but don’t always receive. In a perfect world, everyone would pull their weight, share responsibilities, and respect each other’s time. But reality isn’t always so simple. Sometimes, we find ourselves carrying burdens meant to be shared, faced with a difficult choice: do we speak up for ourselves or stay silent to keep the peace? I learned this lesson hard in a group project where my friends left me to do all the work.
At first, I was excited about working with my friends. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to blend school and fun. But as the project deadline crept closer, I realized I was the only one taking it seriously. While I spent hours researching, organizing, and perfecting our presentation, my friends treated the whole thing like a joke. They scrolled on their phones, laughed at inside jokes, and assured me they would “help later.” But later never came.
The conflict within me grew. I knew I couldn’t keep doing everything alone, but I didn’t want to upset my friends. Speaking up felt risky—what if they got defensive? What if they thought I was bossy or overly serious? The thought of being seen as “the difficult one” gnawed at me. But so did the unfairness of the situation. Why should I suffer while they enjoyed themselves? The longer I stayed silent, the heavier the resentment became, like a backpack filled with stones.
Eventually, I reached my breaking point. With trembling hands, I typed a message in our group chat, carefully choosing my words to avoid sounding too harsh. I told them I was overwhelmed and that if they didn’t contribute, I would have no choice but to involve the teacher. My heart pounded as I hit send. The moment of truth had arrived.
At first, they laughed it off, as they always did. “Relax, it’s just a project,” one said. But when they saw I wasn’t joking, their attitudes shifted. They finally agreed to help—although their effort was minimal at best. They completed the bare minimum, just enough to say they participated, while I continued carrying most of the load.
We received a good grade when we finally presented, but the victory felt hollow. Instead of feeling proud, I felt drained and disillusioned. I had always believed friendships were built on mutual respect, but this experience made me question that belief. If people only valued me when it was convenient, was that friendship? Standing up for myself was necessary, even if it was uncomfortable. Some lessons come the hard way, but they stay with you, shaping how you see the world.
FEEDBACK
Y5RW _ [WK8] – anisur_misyahoo-com-au
Kindness vs. Humor: A Lesson in Friendship
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. Unless it’s creepy—then maybe not.” — Phyllis Diller
Kindness is often seen as the ultimate virtue—the quality we should always strive for. But humor, too, has the power to change someone’s day, to be resourceful and engaging. Sometimes, we must choose between the two, deciding what benefits both ourselves and others. It’s a choice that can feel difficult, even conflicting. I learned this lesson the hard way when my friend and I found ourselves deep in a project—and an unexpected crisis.
At first, I was thrilled to work with my friend, excited to share ideas and collaborate. When we arrived home, we got straight to work, pouring effort into our posters until our fingers trembled like an earthquake shaking the ground. Hours passed, and exhaustion settled in. Finally, we took a break.
I turned back to examine our projects. Mine was clean, detailed, carefully arranged—it looked like a masterpiece worthy of a gallery. But when I glanced at my friend’s work, I saw the opposite: messy, unfinished, scattered. It took all my effort not to gasp or even snicker. I wanted to be kind, but humor—especially the truth wrapped in a joke—can lead to kindness, too. She looked at me, eyes filled with expectation, waiting for praise. I knew she wanted reassurance, but I also knew her work needed improvement.
After our break, she presented her poster to me with pride, waiting for compliments—perhaps hoping for validation more than constructive feedback. I wanted to encourage her, to lift her up, but I also wanted to be honest. Instead, I hesitated. The words sat heavy in my chest, refusing to come out. Instead of giving real feedback, I muttered a forced excuse to leave, retreating to my house just a few meters away. That was how close we were—how strong our friendship was. I couldn’t risk breaking that bond.
For a week, emotions swirled in my mind, overwhelming me until I knew I had to say something. I wanted to be kind. I wanted to be honest. But could I do both?
After school one day, I walked home with my friend as usual. I laughed with our classmates, joked with teachers, and spread warmth wherever I could. But halfway home, my legs stopped moving. My friend nudged me to keep going, puzzled by my hesitation. I took a deep breath. It was time.
“Remember that first day when we worked on our projects?” I began carefully. “When I saw yours, I felt it wasn’t neat or detailed enough. I’ve been acting strange ever since, torn between kindness and truth. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, but I also wanted to help. I thought you might be upset—that our friendship might change. But I need to be honest with you.”
Silence. I braced myself, expecting frustration or disappointment. Instead, my friend’s expression softened. She stepped forward and wrapped me in a hug. I blinked, stunned, before hugging her back.
Then she smiled and said, “You can help me, and I can help you.”
From that moment, we worked together, balancing kindness with honesty. We ensured our projects reflected our best efforts, focusing on different aspects each day so everything received equal care. When the big day arrived, presenting felt effortless.
I spoke first, guiding my classmates through the journey I had crafted, my voice strong and confident. My friend followed, and I felt pride in the time we had devoted. The class and our teacher applauded her, making her flush with both pride and embarrassment. Then, she coughed, catching everyone’s attention before giving me a shoutout.
“If it weren’t for my friend, I would have failed,” she admitted. A moment of silence—and then the room erupted into applause. Now it was my turn to flush with embarrassment and pride, joining my friend, our problem solved.
Looking back, I realize kindness was the right choice in this situation. But next time, maybe I’ll lean on humor—if there is a next time.
Because kindness, above all else, is what brings people together. It is what strengthens friendships and builds trust. And when paired with honesty, it can make all the difference.
BE KIND!!!!!!!!!!
-MIranda, the OG, her own OG work!
writing in word doc here
Making Friends
FEEDBACK
Y5RW _ [WK8] – Shawn Pan
Sorry, realised I made some spelling errors, here’s the refined version.
Kindness vs. Humor: A Lesson in Friendship
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. Unless it’s creepy—then maybe not.” — Phyllis Diller
Kindness is often seen as the ultimate virtue—the quality we should always strive for. But humour, too, has the power to change someone’s day, to be resourceful and engaging. Sometimes, we must choose between the two, deciding what benefits both ourselves and others. It’s a choice that can feel difficult, even conflicting. I learned this lesson the hard way when my friend and I found ourselves deep in a project—and an unexpected crisis.
At first, I was thrilled to work with my friend, excited to share ideas and collaborate. When we arrived home, we got straight to work, pouring effort into our posters until our fingers trembled like an earthquake shaking the ground. Hours passed, and exhaustion settled in. Finally, we took a break.
I turned back to examine our projects. Mine was clean, detailed, carefully arranged—it looked like a masterpiece worthy of a gallery. But when I glanced at my friend’s work, I saw the opposite: messy, unfinished, scattered. It took all my effort not to gasp or even snicker. I wanted to be kind, but humour—especially the truth wrapped in a joke—can lead to kindness, too. She looked at me, eyes filled with expectation, waiting for praise. I knew she wanted reassurance, but I also knew her work needed improvement.
After our break, she presented her poster to me with pride, waiting for compliments—perhaps hoping for validation more than constructive feedback. I wanted to encourage her, to lift her up, but I also wanted to be honest. Instead, I hesitated. The words sat heavy in my chest, refusing to come out. Instead of giving real feedback, I muttered a forced excuse to leave, retreating to my house just a few metres away. That was how close we were—how strong our friendship was. I couldn’t risk breaking that bond.
For a week, emotions swirled in my mind, overwhelming me until I knew I had to say something. I wanted to be kind. I wanted to be honest. But could I do both?
After school one day, I walked home with my friend as usual. I laughed with our classmates, joked with teachers, and spread warmth wherever I could. But halfway home, my legs stopped moving. My friend nudged me to keep going, puzzled by my hesitation. I took a deep breath. It was time.
“Remember that first day when we worked on our projects?” I began carefully. “When I saw yours, I felt it wasn’t neat or detailed enough. I’ve been acting strange ever since, torn between kindness and truth. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, but I also wanted to help. I thought you might be upset—that our friendship might change. But I need to be honest with you.”
Silence. I braced myself, expecting frustration or disappointment. Instead, my friend’s expression softened. She stepped forward and wrapped me in a hug. I blinked, stunned, before hugging her back.
Then she smiled and said, “You can help me, and I can help you.”
From that moment, we worked together, balancing kindness with honesty. We ensured our projects reflected our best efforts, focusing on different aspects each day so everything received equal care. When the big day arrived, presenting felt effortless.
I spoke first, guiding my classmates through the journey I had crafted, my voice strong and confident. My friend followed, and I felt pride in the time we had devoted. The class and our teacher applauded her, making her flush with both pride and embarrassment. Then, she coughed, catching everyone’s attention before giving me a shoutout.
“If it weren’t for my friend, I would have failed,” she admitted. A moment of silence—and then the room erupted into applause. Now it was my turn to flush with embarrassment and pride, joining my friend, our problem solved.
Looking back, I realise kindness was the right choice in this situation. But next time, maybe I’ll lean on humour—if there is a next time.
Because kindness, above all else, is what brings people together. It is what strengthens friendships and builds trust. And when paired with honesty, it can make all the difference.
BE KIND!!!!!!!!!!
Again, sorry!!!
FEEDBACK
Y5RW _ [WK8] – Miranda