Writing prompt: Write an argumentative essay for or against maintaining traditional coming-of-age ceremonies, such as a bar mitzvah or a quinceañera. Help?

Do you have any traditional coming-of-age ceremonies, such as a bar mitzvah or a quinceañera? Well good for you! I believe we should maintain these beautiful traditions for many reasons. They can be fun, and especially awarding; how accomplishing it would feel to know that you have completed a large step in life! But let’s talk about some of the traditions and what they are.

First, what’s a bar mitzvah? It is the religious initiation ritual of a Jewish boy who has passed the age of 13 and is considered able to follow religious precepts and qualified to take part in public worship. And widely celebrated by Latinos, the quinceañera represents a significant landmark in the life of a girl. Part birthday celebration, part rite of passage, it symbolizes a girl's entry into womanhood as she turns 15.

Now we can discuss why we should always maintain them. First of all, they are quite significant. They have great significance behind them. Growing up is a very important part of life, which is what these traditions honor. And these events can be enjoyable, and they can be especially accomplishing. But there's another justification for this as well.

Secondly, these cultural traditions are very beautiful. For example, the quinceañera is a very pretty thing to see, because they find very beautiful dresses and outfits to wear, and the bar/bat mitzvah with the fancy Torah scroll! However, although the quinceañera is a pretty sight to see, I do believe the meaning of it is quite peculiar. Apparently, the point is to celebrate going into womanhood, and the readiness of marriage. But I do believe that 15 is too young to be considered a grown woman and be ready for marriage. But as long as they don’t rush the girl that is being celebrated into all of that, I do believe the tradition should be continued.

In conclusion, I agree that these cultural traditions can endure as long as the boys and girls who are celebrated do not hurry into activities that are more suitable for older individuals, such as the quinceañera and the readiness to marry. So what do you make of that? Do you agree these traditions are worth maintaining?

Explanation:

1. read the following excerpt from franklin d. roosevelt's "fireside chat 19":

on the other side of the picture, we must learn also to know that guerilla warfare against the germans in, let us say serbia or norway, us; that a successful russian offensive against the germans us; and that british successes on land or sea in any part of the world strengthen our hands.

remember always that germany and italy, regardless of any formal declaration of war, consider themselves at war with the united states at this moment just as much as they consider themselves at war with britain or russia. and germany puts all the other republics of the americas into the same category of enemies. the people of our sister republics of this hemisphere can be honored by that fact.  

the true goal we seek is far above and beyond the ugly field of battle. when we resort to force, as now we must, we are determined that this force shall be directed toward ultimate good as well as against immediate evil. we americans are not destroyers — we are builders.

analyze the effectiveness of this excerpt. how does it function within the speech as a whole? how does the structure of the excerpt to convey the speech's purpose and key points? support your argument with evidence from the speech. (10 points)

it should discride this whale so it shouldnt be that hard