Journal 1
Who I am as a writer
The writing I enjoy most usually falls under the category of stories. However, throughout high school, I had to write mostly for school so I had less motivation to write more so I have written very little in the way of stories. I do enjoy writing but not as much as other things and for that reason I don’t usually write for pleasure. As mentioned before, I did much writing in high school, namely research papers or introspective thought pieces, and that was the type of writing I usually did. One of my strengths as a writer is my imagination. I can take a piece wherever I want it to go as long as I am allowed. Sometimes, however, that imagination leads me off track. I have seen myself go on tangents within an assignment and the assignment suffering because of it. This year, I hope to learn more versatility. Versatility within other genres is what makes writers great. I wish to gain a better understanding of different stylistic qualities and I expect that we will be looking at a wide variety of different writers within different age periods and styles and analyze what makes them each special.
The writing I enjoy most usually falls under the category of stories. However, throughout high school, I had to write mostly for school so I had less motivation to write more so I have written very little in the way of stories. I do enjoy writing but not as much as other things and for that reason I don’t usually write for pleasure. As mentioned before, I did much writing in high school, namely research papers or introspective thought pieces, and that was the type of writing I usually did. One of my strengths as a writer is my imagination. I can take a piece wherever I want it to go as long as I am allowed. Sometimes, however, that imagination leads me off track. I have seen myself go on tangents within an assignment and the assignment suffering because of it. This year, I hope to learn more versatility. Versatility within other genres is what makes writers great. I wish to gain a better understanding of different stylistic qualities and I expect that we will be looking at a wide variety of different writers within different age periods and styles and analyze what makes them each special.
Journal 2
Outline of research paper
Purpose statement: By completing a research paper based on corruption within the engineering field, I will bring relevant issues to light to take steps toward changing them for the better.
The genre that my topic fits into is Reports.
An outline of my genre is as follows:
1. Summary of abstract – an overview of the points within the paper
2. Introduction to the issue I will be discussing
3. Methods – I will research by using reputable websites and case studies about specific cases that pertain to my paper
4. Results – I will show what I have found
5. Discussion – I will analyze what I have found
6. Conclusion – I will take a more general look at the results and how they apply
My general topic is going to be a study of how engineers can make personal errors, be lazy and make life-threatening mistakes because of carelessness and preventable causes. My conclusion will be how I will hope to change that course of events, to fix the way that many people view the seriousness of careless errors in the field of engineering.
The method I plan on using is a study of facts. I will lay out certain facts that pertain to my point and follow a logical path towards my conclusion. This is a very basic approach so as to really be able to connect with a great number of people. Also, I hope that it will be effective to bring to light issues that people perhaps don’t think about.
Purpose statement: By completing a research paper based on corruption within the engineering field, I will bring relevant issues to light to take steps toward changing them for the better.
The genre that my topic fits into is Reports.
An outline of my genre is as follows:
1. Summary of abstract – an overview of the points within the paper
2. Introduction to the issue I will be discussing
3. Methods – I will research by using reputable websites and case studies about specific cases that pertain to my paper
4. Results – I will show what I have found
5. Discussion – I will analyze what I have found
6. Conclusion – I will take a more general look at the results and how they apply
My general topic is going to be a study of how engineers can make personal errors, be lazy and make life-threatening mistakes because of carelessness and preventable causes. My conclusion will be how I will hope to change that course of events, to fix the way that many people view the seriousness of careless errors in the field of engineering.
The method I plan on using is a study of facts. I will lay out certain facts that pertain to my point and follow a logical path towards my conclusion. This is a very basic approach so as to really be able to connect with a great number of people. Also, I hope that it will be effective to bring to light issues that people perhaps don’t think about.
Journal 3
When drafting a document, I have a system that I will outline here.
The amount of time I spend drafting a document is, of course, directly proportional to the size of the document as well as the complexity of said document. The bottom line is I’ll take as much time to draft as I think is necessary. My only real strategy while drafting is to think about what I am writing long before I sit down to write. I need to understand first what I am being asked and second what I want to accomplish by answering. Peer reviews are one other way to help with drafting. Proof reading as well is severely underrated as a way to help with drafting. However, writers block will hit everyone at some point. One of the most helpful strategies to deal with writers block is to simply start writing and see where it goes. That has much to do with procrastination and how it can be conquered by working. Another good strategy is to think about whatever I am writing from different angle. One way to do this is to talk about it with someone or perhaps to simply think to myself.
The amount of time I spend drafting a document is, of course, directly proportional to the size of the document as well as the complexity of said document. The bottom line is I’ll take as much time to draft as I think is necessary. My only real strategy while drafting is to think about what I am writing long before I sit down to write. I need to understand first what I am being asked and second what I want to accomplish by answering. Peer reviews are one other way to help with drafting. Proof reading as well is severely underrated as a way to help with drafting. However, writers block will hit everyone at some point. One of the most helpful strategies to deal with writers block is to simply start writing and see where it goes. That has much to do with procrastination and how it can be conquered by working. Another good strategy is to think about whatever I am writing from different angle. One way to do this is to talk about it with someone or perhaps to simply think to myself.
Journal 4
At first glance, revising and editing seem like the same thing, but they do have different purposes in making a paper better. Revising comes first in the process. It is done so that the author can take another look at the general topic, the angle, and the purpose of the paper. This is done by asking questions about the paper that would lead you to think about what your goal is in writing and if you accomplished it or not. Editing deals with more specific issues such as the content, organization, and design of the paper. What this means is that the writer will have to look at not only specific phrasings and word order but also how the paper is laid out from start to finish. This can relate to how the paper is read and what parts are more dignified. Both revising and editing are necessary to a neat document.
Journal 6
Structure is important, crucial in fact, to how a passage is interpreted by the audience. A reader can be easily put off by a lack of real flow or direction. Both length and organization play a large role in structure. Proper length is necessary to convey a point without dragging on and becoming boring while organization matters so the reader will not get lost and can follow the logical progression. Chapter 19 of “Writing Today” displays both positive and negative qualities of structure.
The first strength of this chapter is the clarity of subject matter in the introduction to this chapter. Right from the beginning there is a large title stating the topic of the chapter: in this case “Reports.” After the title, there is a series of paragraphs detailing what this chapter will be talking about. Background is also shared about reports as well as how the chapter will be laid out in this opening section. There is also motivation employed by this section through stating that future assignments will require you to follow the proposed method of writing. Finally, this opening section stresses the importance of being able to write a good report of any topic. The beginning of this chapter follows all of the guidelines of a proper introduction.
One weakness of the introduction to this chapter is the clear lack of a “grabber.” Chapter 19 refers to grabbers as being great ways to start a work of any size or genre. Chapter 12 does not have any form of original opening or interesting start. There is plenty of information in the introduction but there is little given motivation to read through it. Granted, writing like this doesn’t need any kind of hook, but it would help if there was one. All the speech is in third person, there is no direct wording which would engage the reader. This introduction could use more work.
The conclusion in chapter 12 has strengths and weaknesses as well. One strength is the logical progression. Throughout the whole chapter, information on how to structure a report is given. The beginning of the chapter deals with the introduction to reports while the end of the chapter deals with the conclusion. While the chapter does not signal that it is coming to an end, one can infer it from the content within. It feels natural that the chapter should be over when it is.
One weakness of chapter 12’s conclusion is the lack of any form of summing up. The whole chapter covers a great amount of subject matter on the topic of report drafting; so much so that it would be helpful if the major topics were covered again albeit briefly. In a sense, chapter 12 seems to end rather abruptly as though the author was concerned with what chapter came next. This chapter is not the only one with this problem; many of them have the issue of not summing up major points which should be present in teaching text books.
The layout of the introduction and conclusion of chapter 12 in “Writing Today” has both strengths and weaknesses as expected. No written work is perfect, not even writing text books. The present weaknesses are, however, negligible in this context for one reason: the student is responsible for his/her own education. All things considered, the structure was effective and the content was presented well.
The first strength of this chapter is the clarity of subject matter in the introduction to this chapter. Right from the beginning there is a large title stating the topic of the chapter: in this case “Reports.” After the title, there is a series of paragraphs detailing what this chapter will be talking about. Background is also shared about reports as well as how the chapter will be laid out in this opening section. There is also motivation employed by this section through stating that future assignments will require you to follow the proposed method of writing. Finally, this opening section stresses the importance of being able to write a good report of any topic. The beginning of this chapter follows all of the guidelines of a proper introduction.
One weakness of the introduction to this chapter is the clear lack of a “grabber.” Chapter 19 refers to grabbers as being great ways to start a work of any size or genre. Chapter 12 does not have any form of original opening or interesting start. There is plenty of information in the introduction but there is little given motivation to read through it. Granted, writing like this doesn’t need any kind of hook, but it would help if there was one. All the speech is in third person, there is no direct wording which would engage the reader. This introduction could use more work.
The conclusion in chapter 12 has strengths and weaknesses as well. One strength is the logical progression. Throughout the whole chapter, information on how to structure a report is given. The beginning of the chapter deals with the introduction to reports while the end of the chapter deals with the conclusion. While the chapter does not signal that it is coming to an end, one can infer it from the content within. It feels natural that the chapter should be over when it is.
One weakness of chapter 12’s conclusion is the lack of any form of summing up. The whole chapter covers a great amount of subject matter on the topic of report drafting; so much so that it would be helpful if the major topics were covered again albeit briefly. In a sense, chapter 12 seems to end rather abruptly as though the author was concerned with what chapter came next. This chapter is not the only one with this problem; many of them have the issue of not summing up major points which should be present in teaching text books.
The layout of the introduction and conclusion of chapter 12 in “Writing Today” has both strengths and weaknesses as expected. No written work is perfect, not even writing text books. The present weaknesses are, however, negligible in this context for one reason: the student is responsible for his/her own education. All things considered, the structure was effective and the content was presented well.
Journal 7
Intro
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5
Summary of Speech Topics
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5
Explanation of Logos
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5 NA
Explanation of Pathos
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5 NA
Explanation of Ethos
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5 NA
Integrity/Structure of Analysis
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5
Conclusion
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5
Summary of Speech Topics
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5
Explanation of Logos
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5 NA
Explanation of Pathos
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5 NA
Explanation of Ethos
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5 NA
Integrity/Structure of Analysis
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5
Conclusion
Inadequate: 1 Improving: 2 Adequate: 3-4 Excellent: 5
Journal 8
The article I chose is about the class warfare as the next presidential election looms near. Using mainly logos and pathos, this article seeks to make the point that poor spending is creating a rift between the middle class and the rich. There is a clear train of thought that the article follows. It presents facts and outcomes, both of which are seen, and ties the two together. The author shows how everyone needs to be more united in order to create change. By the end of the article, pathos is used to evoke an emotion of necessity. We are all together in this economic mess and the only way to pull ourselves out is to join hands, to fight together.
Journal 9
It is cold and windy outside today. The crisp air runs across my face, cooling me down and drying my skin. The dryness is making my lips chapped and they are close to bleeding. I know that it probably hurts but it’s so cold that I am numb to it. I can tell that my face, the only skin that is exposed, is hurting but at the same time it’s so numb that it is hard to tell how much. I feel the warmth of my jacket on my body and wish that it covered every part of me. I smell the stagnant pond. Its fishiness is wafting through the cold air. It makes the atmosphere around me feel gross. Saltiness and the general un-freshness coming from the water are not conducive to a relaxing location. The wind never stops. I can hear it all around, rushing through the trees, tossing loose leaves about me. It runs along my head and makes a loud sound similar to that of a violent river.
Journal 10
The first source that came to mind when thinking about biased sources was Fox News. They are infamous for skewing the news in favor of the Republican Party. I myself more often than not vote Republican however it is clear that Fox is not a reliable source for political news. Recently, they were seen to exclude presidential candidate hopeful Ron Paul from coverage due to his more open stances in the category of personal freedom. Fox continually seeks to promote only those political figures who align with their agenda and either bashes or completely ignores all those who disagree, even slightly. For this reason they are not a reliable source for information of any kind.
One review I found online was of an Android smart phone by an open iPhone lover. In this article, the author showed why he believed that the iPhone was better than any Android phone. For obvious reasons, his review of the Android was incredibly skewed. He was shameless about how much he preferred the iPhone. For this reason he cannot be trusted completely when it comes to the features of the Android. He was projecting his own personal opinion onto his review of both phones which makes him unreliable.
Finally, there is a British news provider called Daily Mail. On their online website, they have several articles bashing the United States. One in particular talks of the lack of intelligence of that of the owner of Starbucks. The company had recently seen loses in their profit margins so Daily Mail used this to launch a smear campaign against the man. Those in charge of Daily Mail are biased against Americans coming to their country as well as Starbucks. They also have a rather large negative reputation. For these reasons they are fairly unreliable.
One review I found online was of an Android smart phone by an open iPhone lover. In this article, the author showed why he believed that the iPhone was better than any Android phone. For obvious reasons, his review of the Android was incredibly skewed. He was shameless about how much he preferred the iPhone. For this reason he cannot be trusted completely when it comes to the features of the Android. He was projecting his own personal opinion onto his review of both phones which makes him unreliable.
Finally, there is a British news provider called Daily Mail. On their online website, they have several articles bashing the United States. One in particular talks of the lack of intelligence of that of the owner of Starbucks. The company had recently seen loses in their profit margins so Daily Mail used this to launch a smear campaign against the man. Those in charge of Daily Mail are biased against Americans coming to their country as well as Starbucks. They also have a rather large negative reputation. For these reasons they are fairly unreliable.