¹After an injection of heroin, a user feels a surge of euphoria ("rush"). ²Along with this rush comes a warm flushing of the skin, a dry mouth, and feeling of heaviness in the arms and legs. ³Following this first rush, the user goes "on the nod." ⁴During this phase, the user moves between wakeful and drowsy states. ⁵The central nervous system slows down. ⁶Thus, mental abilities become clouded. ⁷Heroin can also lead to fatal overdoses and spur-of-the-moment abortions. ⁸Long-term effects of heroin appear after repeated use for some period of time. ⁹Chronic users may develop collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, and liver disease. ¹⁰Heroin use may lead to pneumonia for two reasons: the poor health of the abuser and heroin's depressing effects on the breathing process. ¹¹Just as heroin depresses the nervous system, it also slows down the breathing process. ¹²In addition, users who inject the drug are at risk of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. ¹³Ultimately, the heroin abuser must use more heroin to achieve the same intensity of effect.

	Heroin use is a major problem in the United States.
	Most heroin users die due to their use of heroin.
	Heroin users develop a physical tolerance for the drug.

	a. Heroin is an illegal and dangerous drug.
	b. Heroin addicts face serious short-term and long-term health risks.
	c. Heroin slows down the nervous and respiratory systems.

     ¹Mandy, I've given your essay a C grade for several reasons. ²First, it contained many grammar and usage errors. ³In addition to making spelling errors, you often confused words like there and their. ⁴Your sentences were all complete, but they lacked variety—you used only one kind of sentence. ⁵You also used informal word choices such as a lot of instead of many and kids instead of children. ⁶Your essay did offer a main idea and major supporting details. ⁷However, the details were just listed instead of explained. ⁸I am certain that if you focus on these matters in the future, your writing will be much improved.  

	Everything about the student's essay is weak.
	The student writer needs to proofread her essays.
	The student writer has a good vocabulary.
	The student writer needs to work on her spelling skills.
	The student writer needs to work on adding more variety to her writing.
	Mandy received a C because she is female.