Monday, April 7, 2008

Thoughts about the class

I still enjoy the whole idea on having class on tuesday then doing blog assignments on thursdays. Though in my opinion, i would have class on some thursdays...especially when its around the time when a major paper is due. There will always be questions asked right before the paper's due. So, that thursdayy class could just be a questionare process. According to future 1050 students i would say depending on the teacher, they will have a lot of freedom towards their writing and just the right amount work load or they may have the complete opposite. Just stay on top of things and you'll be just fine!

April 22

I am done with all my other finals monday, april 21 so I am free to pick up portfolios whenever. Though i would like to meet sometime in the morning or early afternoon.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Question 11: Assessment Activity

Once again, i will use my ethnography project for this question.

For this particular project, i used a lot of imagery features within my writing; and as I'm reading over my paper, i am realizing that i used the "-" quite frequently. Some examples would be, "Of course, there are those who just seem to pick an outfit out from the darkness of their closets – it’s like we’re heading back to the eighties or early nineties!", "Ironically, right next to this giddy group is the emo or scene type of kids. These particular geeks have one ear occupied with a headphone at all times. They cannot get enough of their metal, hardcore, or screamo –let’s slit our wrists types of music." or "Indeed band geeks have become a phenomenon within the educational habitat, but band geeks perform an impeccable talent that makes a bold statement – the beauty of music." Using so many hyphens i believe, helped my paper become more lively. The phrases following the hyphens allowed me to put in an extra two sense and to create a more vivid picture or to elaborate more on what im trying to explain, etc, etc.

I have some decent use of parallelism in my paper as well. For example, "In being a band geek, I have witnessed and have created my very own stereotypes towards my people." Using parallelism in my paper helps keep everything in order.

I have never really had that many problems with the use of pronouns. For example, "The first genre can be conquered by the extreme band geeks (band is the beating heart). These band geeks live, eat, sleep, and could possibly die along – side their instruments." It is important to have proper pronoun structure so when the audience is reading a paper, he or she can determine the subject(s) of the sentence and what he, she, or they are doing. It keeps the audience on track and not confused.

Question 10: Assessment Activity

The grammar concept i think that i have grasped and improved on the most (well hopefully) is the parallelism structure of a sentence.

In order to improve on this particular grammatical aspect, i did plenty of worksheets during my english class. It was always helpful and useful when we went over these exercises together as a class. It allowed me to see what mistakes that I was making and it allowed me to see what mistakes my fellow students were making. It was also very helpful to have even more practice through this blog. While my parallism isn't perfect, i still believe that i have improved on this particular aspect.

Question 8 & 9: Assessment Acitivity

I will be talking about the citations i used within my research - argumentative paper.

8. The way in which citations worked in my research - argumemtative paper was to basically prove that i wasn't using someone else's information as my own thoughts. I used such citation to help back up my proposition. for example, i chose to argue whether cell phone use should be banned from vehicles entirely or if hand held devices should be allowed. In my firs paragraph, i talked about the potential fatalities cell phone use could cause. In order to make such a point stand out, i used an automobile death newspaper article from quebec. After i used the story from the newspaper, i put "quebec" in paranthesis. In doing so, it gives the author of the article credit and gives me as the author, a strong supporting detail.

9. Hence i used my argumentative paper as my example for question 8, i will just broaden my reasoning within this question. For an argument, the author needs strong facts to please his audience. Instead of just putting random facts into a paragraph, it is important for the author to notify when a source of authentification is necessary. When using the phrases, "according to jim turner" or "George bush said..." it is important to notify where such quotes came from. It is not a pleasent idea to lead the audience to thinking that he actually heard such a quote. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, especially in an argumentative paper's case, citation is so important to prevent plaigirism!

Question 6 & 7: Assessment Activity

I chose the topic of the US economy crisis.

For the physical aspect, i would try and meet with some of the economic/business professors on this campus and maybe even attempt to talk to some higher officials of the kalamazoo community like the treasurer, etc, etc. Digitally, i would try and visit a specific business - like site where i cuold have a live chat with major corporate officials or with someone who really knows his or her economic stuff. also, i would go to the The Economists' website, etc, etc. So obviously the internet, business magazines, the economy section of the newspaper, the daily local and national news, tv shows, etc, etc could help immensely on this topic.

As for the certain text that should be included for this particular topic, it really depends. Hence we're focusing on the crisis aspect of the economy, it would be a good idea to talk about Michigan's economy, the inreased percentage rate of job lay offs, the constant changeds of the stock range, the inflated gas prices. Most importantly, i think it is crutial to incorporate the text about how our economy has become in such a deep hole. from there, the author could possibly draw some conclusions.

QUESTION SEVEN:
On terms of sources, i would stay away from the common websites like yahoo, google, wkipedia, etc, etc. It would be wise to hit up the encyclopedia's that keep track of all the economic facts in all states particularly in michigan. Possibly even history books to go from one the first core definition of the US's economic stance to what it has become today. Plus, use all the other sources that i described in the first paragraph of question 6.


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Question 5: Assessment Activity

The topic that i chose is a love letter.

The tools i would use in order to efficiently construct a love letter would obviously have to be some type of paper that has a lovey - dovey type of design to it as the border - ya know, that stuff you can find at hallmark, borders, or barnes and nobles. I could either write the letter in a nice and smoot gell - balled pen just to make it more person. For the sense of media, to really show my true love to that special someone, i would cut out letters or the appropriate words ffrom a magazine or newspaper to spell out my true feelings. Mind you, that my audience would consist of all other couples that are deeply in love or are those who want to really reach out to that special someone. But instead of a actual letter, i may just write a romantic poem, or write a letter consisting of all different variations of lyrics. But of course, in order for the whole lyrical note to work, the audience would have to consist of the more "musically informed" audience - ya know, teen to young adult ages.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Question 4: Assessment Activity

I will be comparing and contrasting the two genres of critical analyses and ethnography.

These two different genres are very similiar.Both genres require to pick a topic of most interest. For example, i chose band geeks as my subculture for my ethnography paper and chose the strange picture of a cat for my analyses paper. With these two genre's I had to a complilation of research and analyses. Being a band geek for four years in high school, i was constantly surrounded by the environment and knew very well as to style, personality, or category of all "band geeks". As for my critical analyses paper, i found a picture i had never seem before, examined it. According to the meaning of each of these papers an ethnography is way for the author to form his own personal definition abuot a certain topic. As for a critical analyses paper, it is the author's job to take apart his topic in an orderly fashion, discuss and create reasoning, etc, etc. For both genres, it is important to consider the audience as having no idea what the author is talking about. Thus, it is up to the other to formulate a clear and concise idea that most of the audience can hopefully agree to or relate to.

Question 3: Assessment activity

Once again, i will use my ethnography as my example for i believe i followed the genre quite nicely.

I believe that this particular genre of a paper didn't have any real strict boundaries to abide by. As long as you bestowed sufficient background information in order to get the audience up to par and supported your opinions or "definitions" realistically and logically, you really couldn't go wrong with this assignment. This genre of a paper was meant for the writer to become closer to a human subculture and explain not necessarily judgements, but a defintion of an opinion the writer has in his subculture.

Question 2: assessment activity

I will be using my subculture paper as the prime example for this particular question.

For this paper, it was my mission to interpret my own definition of a subculture within our American society and i chose to talk about band geeks. The language i used was that of a sarcastic or "kinda poking fun" type of matter. A nice example would have to be the quote that created to match the illustration in which i used for this paper, "These band geeks live, eat, sleep, and could possibly die along side their instruments" Obviously, "...could possibly die along side their instruments" is a hyperbole but is based upon good terms in order to describe to people who not as familiar with the term "band geek" as i shamefully am.

On terms of describing my definition of band geek, i think i did very well. Without just rambling on about my own personal opinions about band geeks, i used my firsthand experience being in marching band for four years as a way to support my facts. Plus, i the color of my language helped as well.

My use of tone for this paper is quite comedic and very informal - like your typical high school newspaper submission. I believe that my style of language helped create many vivid images within the reader's head - enough so that the reader could get the main point of my definition.

In organizing the text, i organized my paragraphs of this particular paper the same as I do all my other papers: least important details first then slowly make it to the important facts at the end - it's always important to have a strong ending. As for my topic sentences, i just tried to include all the main points within a particular paragraph. I personally think my thesis statement is pretty good: "Band geeks are musically talented people within tight knit, social groups who have a vast variety of personalities spoken through distinct fashionable trends.

In general, as a definition paper it is up to the writer to make his own clear defintion because the audience he may be writing to may not know anything or may know everything about a particular topic so its up to the writer to provide enough background information and strong facts etc, etc.

Question 1: assessment activity

When it comes to the meaning of "genre", it all depends in the matter of context in which one is writing. Lets take this class's use of blogger.com - such a system is it's own genre. This particular genre requires the simplest form of babbling and whatnot. The main conern in how a genre is formulated is very dependent on the particular audience. Whether one is discussing an analyses over a newly discovered scientific phenominon or whether a student is just sharing a poem he has written to his class, either of these writers wrote their assignments according to the requirements of his audience. Different genres may require different tones, different information, different requirements, etc, etc. But as long as one appeals to the audience with the correct supporting and strong information, a particular genre is endless.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

The "Izz" Zone

There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as grand as Sparta and as boisterous as thunder. It is the battle field between green and white, bewteen human and student, and it lies between the bench of Tom Izzo, and the court of his team. This is the dimension of Sparticus. It is an area which we call........ THE IZZ ZONE!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Article

http://www.hybridmagazine.com/reviews/1004/coheedcomic.shtml

so my computer is being a dope and this is the best i can do with the link to my article.

But anyhoot, this is not what my topic is going to be, but it has to deal with the same band just a different aspect.

I would describe this article as doing a decent job in making cut.
For one thing, i believe this is a credible source.
- it is a music based website with plenty of reviews on plenty of musical groups.

- It even has search box for viewers to be able to find particle articles

- I don't believe there is any bull crap within this article...the critic (Emblo Blake) proclaims within his article that he read Coheed and Cambria's comic book(s). No way is he fudging his review.

- the website is particularly credible for it has a "rights reserved" caption at the bottom.

- he ddesn't get into too much detail about the comics so that his article doesn't sound fabricated or just straight from the "inside cover" or "the back of the comic".

- I truly believe this Emblo Blake character for he talks about how coheed and cambria's book(s) have turned him "eh" towards coheed to bewildered (in a good way). He wants to come back for more.

- He gave nice detail about the comic books and to the connection to coheed's music, but not so much that he gave the idea away.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

important paper components

The key features for analyzing a particular text or everday way of living is to provide a summary, to show close attention to the context, to lead your audience to a clear intrepretation as to what a certain creator is trying to convey, and to have reasonable support for the conclusions that you have made through such interpretations. Be sure to think about the topic you are analyzing about for you may have to write in a different tone in order to interest the reader. Following the idiot's guide is important because it keeps the ideas of the paper in a smart order in order to keep the audience interested and focused. You don't want to make the audience feel dumb but you want the audience to have a clearer understanding as to what is being interpreted. Research is important depending on the topic of analyses, although to have past information could be a helpful tool for backing up your own interpretation. I think you should really focus on conveying your personal interpretation but back it up with probable cause. Do NOT just focus on the critique portion of the paper. Consider what others may think, etc, etc.

project proposal

While i am really unsure as to what i am going to analyze, i have a great interest in analyzing a music video from a band that i have recently grown to love - Coheed and Cambria. This music video portrays their latest single, "Feathers". Coheed and Cambria has been known to construct some very interesting lyrical pieces. Interestingly enough, all of their songs have strummed along to a comic book they have created. Coheed and Cambria have their own style of "rock" music and produce very unique rock anthems. The unique and fresh musicality of Coheed and Cambria provides musical videos with interesting story plots and "Feathers" is one of the more fascinating videos Coheed and Cambria has to offer. The video is sat back to the 1950s and coheed and cambria are presented as the common "delivery men" : milk, meat, mail, etc,etc. They all get invited into this women's house. Apparently, the family is all out of food so she decides to eat the members of the band. But as the lyrics go along with the video...interesting connections are made. Thus, i hope to try and successfully take bits and pieces from the video and relate them to the lyrics and see what they band/lead singer is trying to convey. Also, to show how such a video portrays the lead singer's/band's view towards women. Of course, i will answer the questions why do i think this video was made in such a way, what is being conveyed, when was the video taken place, etc, etc. I may possibly even compare this video to other previous videos to nit pick at common trends and whatnot.

Should i stick to the one video
Or should i do an assortment of videos??

response to poem

MY RESPONSES

1. My initial response to this poem is that someone is always working with a wheel barrow while working on a farm

2. I reacted in such way based upon an intellectual response. Once i read the last line of the poem "beside the white chickens", the landscape of a farm just popped into my head.

3. This text is obviously a peom, a very free - verse poem. It really is just a realistic and poetic statement.

4. The author of this peom just wants to portray to the reader that wheel barrows (of any color) are essential tools when it comes to laborous work.

5. I believe the thesis of this poem to be, doing ardous work would not be sufficient without a wheel barrow being able to carry tremendous loads of items.

6. It is obviously the genre of free - verse poetry. Like i have proclaimed earlier, it is a simple sentence with so much meaning.

7. I have seen my dad use a wheel barrow time and time again when he's constantly working in the back yard: hauling dirt, bricks, wood chips, etc,etc. Basically a wheelbarrow is an everyday life object that a lot of people use. Commercials are always finding ways to proclaim how "terrible" wheel barrows are for the back and whatnot.

FRIEND'S RESPONSE

1) My inital response is that the poem is structured in an interesting structure and that there is probably a deeper meaning.

2)Intellectual (I'm a little confused on this one, forgive me)

3) It is organized in two lines

4)The author wants the audience to see that the wheelbarrow represents something more.

5)I would say that the thesis is something about how the wheelbarrow is a necessity for the people using it.

6)I think that it defies genre labeling.

7)I've seen this object before in life.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESPONSES

In general, i had a much deeper interpretation towards this peom then my friend did. I particularly found her response to question number six was very interesting, but i wish she would have explained more. Instead of just creating the analyses that it has an interesting structure and whatnot, i believe my analyses in depth.....i dunno.

Active vs. Passive/Parallelism wrkshts

ACTIVE VS. PASSIVE WRKSHT

1. Steve gave the check to the waitres.
2. The policy recommends a change.
3. Jenny studied the problem.
4. A bolt of lightening hit the tower.
5. Jose caught the fly ball.
6. People overheard that some will leave the company.
7. Mr. Smith gave the donation.
8. A rancher in Wyoming discovered the gold.
9. The check was worth one million dollars!
10. The family made several donations.

PARALLELISM WRKSHT!

1. The chapter starts on page 129 and ends on page 144.
2. Betty is pretty, is kind, and has charm.
3. If you go to the drugstore, please remember to pick up Nick's prescription, to buy some toothepaste, and to look for a birthday card.
4. I spent an hour with Ms. King reviewing my job performance, assessing my goals, and discussing my future with company.
5. The dog's size, kindness, and the dog's temperament made him a good choice for our family.
6. Janice was the most admired, the most independant, and the most ambitious person of the family.
7. Leo's day is so long that he gets up at 5:00 am, leaves for work at 5:30 am, eats dinner at 10 pm, and goes to bed at 1:00 am.

Comparing the two articles

According to the first article "How to write an Academic Paper", it does a really good job in analyzing how papers are written in high school as to how papers are written at the college level. This article takes apart each important aspect of writing a quality academic paper and gives thorough information as what a student can do to impress his or her fellow readers (and what not to do of course). Audiencewise, this article does an excellent job to give firm and direct information to its readers. Hence probably the majority of the readers are freshmen in college, this article does a great job in analyzing what not to do and what to do with an academic paper and how to do so effeciently.

On the other hand, the second article does just the opposite. Yes, scientific reports are boring but to all the "nutty" professors in this world, such reports and outstanding and beyond interesting! Thus, this article is probably more or less than a satire on how to write another boring, scientific report. But this article tells the reader to not state a main point, hide important and much needed facts, etc, etc. In such case, such a type of paper. Such a paper is only stating facts and not paying attention to the main idea of analyzing any type of text with not just supporting your feelings, but using elements from the text to support/not support the analyses.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Analyses

Like any other instructive paper, an analyses paper should contain strong background information in order to keep the audience interested. Thus, it is important to write an analyses according to the type of audience such a paper is being written to adress. In an analyses paper, you must select strong points in which you choose to analyze. When analyzing a certain topic, i believe that it's important to take opinions already expressed and either defend or oppose these opinions with evidence. Going back to the audience, it is important to take the prior knowledge that audience and expand it. Analyses isn't just about statistics and numbers; and while this type of analyses can be crucial for certain topics, words mean a lot more.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Comments about the structure of this classe

I think blogging is great, new, and innovative way for students to interact with their fellow students. Within the classroom setting, some students have a problem expressing their thoughts and opinions in front an actual class but somehow, love expressing themselves through writing or "blogging". I, personally, have enjoyed doing assignments on a blog because i love showing my personality through writing...obviously. I think that future 1050 classes should take the blog into consideration. In the classroom setting, when it comes to turning in homework assignments, only the teacher makes suggestions or makes corrections. But with the blog, fellow students can make suggestions and help one another.