"The World Made Straight" is a novel by Ron Rash that tells the story of Leonard Shuler, a young man living in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina in the 1970s. The novel is set against the backdrop of the region's tumultuous history, including the Civil War, the timber and tobacco industries, and the ongoing struggles of the working class.
At the beginning of the novel, Leonard is a high school dropout who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is drawn to the illicit world of marijuana farming, and begins working for a local dealer named Carlton Toomey. Leonard is drawn to the easy money and the sense of belonging that the drug trade provides, but he also struggles with feelings of guilt and the fear of getting caught.
As Leonard becomes more involved in the drug trade, he is forced to confront the harsh realities of the world around him. He witnesses the brutality of the drug business and the corruption that pervades every level of society. He also begins to understand the deep-seated injustices that have shaped his community, including the exploitation of the working class and the ongoing effects of the Civil War.
Despite these challenges, Leonard is able to find hope and redemption through his relationships with the other characters in the novel. He forms close bonds with his mentor, a former Vietnam War veteran named Travis, and with a young woman named Maddy, who helps him see the world in a different light. With their help, Leonard is able to confront his own demons and begin to build a better life for himself.
Ultimately, "The World Made Straight" is a powerful and moving story about the struggle for identity and the search for meaning in a world that is often harsh and unforgiving. Through the experiences of Leonard and the other characters, the novel offers a poignant commentary on the human condition and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.
Law & Order is a popular American television drama series that has aired on NBC since 1990. The show follows the lives of police officers, detectives, and prosecutors as they work to solve crimes and bring perpetrators to justice in New York City. The series has been praised for its realistic portrayal of law enforcement and the criminal justice system, and has spawned numerous spinoff series over the years.
One such spinoff is Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU), which premiered on NBC in 1999. This series focuses specifically on the detectives of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department, who investigate crimes involving sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. SVU has become one of the longest-running scripted television series in the United States, and has garnered a loyal fan base for its compelling storylines and strong performances from its cast.
Another Law & Order spinoff is Law & Order: Criminal Intent, which aired on NBC from 2001 to 2011. This series follows the investigations of the Major Case Squad of the New York City Police Department, with a focus on the psychological motivations of the perpetrators. The show features a rotating cast of detectives, with each season featuring a different lead detective.
Law & Order: Los Angeles is a short-lived spinoff of the original series that aired on NBC from 2010 to 2011. Set in Los Angeles, the show followed the lives of detectives and prosecutors working to solve crimes in the city. Despite being well-received by critics, the series was cancelled after just one season due to low ratings.
Law & Order: True Crime is a more recent spinoff that aired on NBC in 2017. This series takes a true crime approach, focusing on a single high-profile criminal case in each season. The first season, titled "The Menendez Murders," focused on the trial of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989.
Overall, the Law & Order franchise has had a number of successful spinoffs that have added new dimensions to the original series and offered viewers fresh perspectives on crime and the criminal justice system. Each spinoff has its own unique approach to storytelling, and all have contributed to the enduring popularity of the Law & Order brand.
A persuasive piece is a form of writing that aims to convince the reader to adopt a particular point of view or take a specific action. It is often used in advertising, politics, and personal writing to persuade others to adopt a particular stance or belief.
One example of a persuasive piece is an advertisement for a new product. In this case, the writer would try to convince the reader that the product is superior to others on the market and that they should buy it. They might use various techniques, such as providing evidence of the product's effectiveness or highlighting its unique features, to make their case.
Another example of a persuasive piece is a political speech. In this case, the writer would try to convince the audience to support a particular candidate or policy. They might use appeals to emotion, appeals to reason, or appeals to authority to persuade their audience.
A personal essay can also be a persuasive piece. For example, a student might write a persuasive essay arguing for a change in school policy, or a parent might write a persuasive letter to their child's teacher advocating for additional support for their child.
In all of these examples, the writer's goal is to persuade the reader to adopt their perspective or take a specific action. To be effective, a persuasive piece should be well-written and well-organized, with a clear and logical structure. It should also use evidence and examples to support its arguments and consider counterarguments in order to anticipate and address potential objections from the reader.
