4. What personal interest do you have in this issue? How does the issue affect you? Why do you care about it?
The issue I chose to write about is new technology. This topic effects me first hand because my generation has a lot to do with new advances in technology and many new gadgets that have been invented. I care about this topic because it affects not only me but many other young adults as well. New technology such as the internet can be a very useful tool but there always comes some bad with the good. While having a Facebook, email, and a blog can be helpful, it can also be risky. Almost anyone can access these certain sites that may have specific information about you. Also if you are trying to get a job, the employer may not hire you because they looked at your Facebook or typed your name in Google and saw unprofessional images.
6. Imagine all the counterarguments your audience might make. Summarize the main arguments against your position and then freewrite your response to each of the counterarguments. What are the flaws in the alternative points of view?The first argument against my position would be the fact that texting and emailing can cause miscommunication between people and make relationships less personal. This argument is true in some ways because you are not forced to talk face to face to people. If you are shy all you have to do is send a text if you want to talk someone which defeats the purpose of trying to get to know someone. This may cause social issues. A person may also misread an email or a text causing controversy in a relationship. Although these things may be true, texting and email can also be very effective. These two technology devices can be very convenient when you need to send an urgent message or get a hold of someone quickly. There are both pros and cons to this argument. The second argument against my position would be that texting causes people to lose English skills. When people text they usually use a lot of slang or abbreviations which could cause the English language in general to suffer. Also people don’t usually type out full sentences with correct punctuation which would make you lose a lot of writing skills. The flaws in this argument would be that the amount of texting and email couldn’t possibly affect writing and English skills you have acquired your entire life. You couldn’t possibly forget a significant amount of English skills just by using new technology.
8. Why is this an important issue? What are the broader implications and consequences? What other issues does it relate to?
This is an important issue because technology affects millions of people in our society today. Because information is so easy to access on the internet you have to worry about the credibility of the sources. The information may seem accurate but it in reality anyone can make a website and post information whether it is true or false. This is a major issue in college. Students have to make sure their resources are credible by using internet tools and programs set up to find reliable sources. Students are not able to just use Google and other similar search engines as resources. I think that this is very important because you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet and by using these resource tools it helps you to filter out the false information.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Analyzing bullshit
After watching this video about recycling it made me wonder whether or not I was wasting my time. Penn and Teller were both hilarious. They went to a few peoples houses to test their "loyalty" to recycling. The two men took out around ten different colored trashcans for all different kinds of waste. The people listened to Penn and Teller even though using the various cans would take a lot longer. I thought there argument on how recycling was useless and its just for people in the industry to make more money was semi convincing. The fact that they were very humorous made me question there credibility. Penn and Teller used Pathos when they showed the mom with kids who is very loyal to recycling. When they ask her if she found out nothing was benefiting from it she said that she would be very disappointed. This made you feel kind of bad for this lady who was dedicated to helping the environment and recycling. The two men also used logos when they interviewed various workers in the industry to get their input. Interviewing could be a very effective strategy in my next paper as well.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Essay #2 Topic Proposal
1. Are there alternative methods that could be used rather than animal testing?
2. I am personally interested in this particular topic because I have always loved animals, and have thought that it was wrong to test on them using cruel and harsh experiments especially for trivial human things.
3. This topic is important because many times than not these animals are being tortured in order for an experiment to be preformed.
4. I don't know a lot. Just that this is a major issue to many people. PEDA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a huge animal activist group across America.
5. I’m researching this topic to find out the alternative methods to animal testing.
2. I am personally interested in this particular topic because I have always loved animals, and have thought that it was wrong to test on them using cruel and harsh experiments especially for trivial human things.
3. This topic is important because many times than not these animals are being tortured in order for an experiment to be preformed.
4. I don't know a lot. Just that this is a major issue to many people. PEDA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a huge animal activist group across America.
5. I’m researching this topic to find out the alternative methods to animal testing.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Response to the article
What points as the author overlooked or omitted?
I believe that the author overlooked the simplicity of the Chick Flick movie genre. The movies main point arent to affend people, they are to entertain. These movies are supposed to be lighthearted and make you feel good. They are just another type of movie, that will not specifically portray the lives of real women perfectly.
Where do I agree with the author?
I do think that many of the chick flick movies have a Cinderella like plot to them. I believe this is becasue that is what a lot of women like to see. It's nice to watch a movie occasionally that doesn't have gruesome and grotesque scenes every other minute. When you see a movie feel-good it puts you in a good mood and can even take stress out of your daily life.
Who is the intended audience, what is the writers purpose, how well does the text suit its particular audience and purpose?
The intended audience would most likely be women ranging from about 15 years old to late twenties. The writers puropose is propose the point that chick flicks are underming and extremely stereotypical of women. She states that these movies trying to "lump together an entire genders interest into one genre."She wants to get across the point that we should take offense to this. These types of movies apparently never give anyone the perspective of any realistic life situations or problems. I do not think the text really affects the particular audience. Most young women don't seem to have the feminist approach to most things. I think the audience would look at her text with a closed mind because they know they already like chick flicks.
I believe that the author overlooked the simplicity of the Chick Flick movie genre. The movies main point arent to affend people, they are to entertain. These movies are supposed to be lighthearted and make you feel good. They are just another type of movie, that will not specifically portray the lives of real women perfectly.
Where do I agree with the author?
I do think that many of the chick flick movies have a Cinderella like plot to them. I believe this is becasue that is what a lot of women like to see. It's nice to watch a movie occasionally that doesn't have gruesome and grotesque scenes every other minute. When you see a movie feel-good it puts you in a good mood and can even take stress out of your daily life.
Who is the intended audience, what is the writers purpose, how well does the text suit its particular audience and purpose?
The intended audience would most likely be women ranging from about 15 years old to late twenties. The writers puropose is propose the point that chick flicks are underming and extremely stereotypical of women. She states that these movies trying to "lump together an entire genders interest into one genre."She wants to get across the point that we should take offense to this. These types of movies apparently never give anyone the perspective of any realistic life situations or problems. I do not think the text really affects the particular audience. Most young women don't seem to have the feminist approach to most things. I think the audience would look at her text with a closed mind because they know they already like chick flicks.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Summary practice blog
Sorry this was late both my roomate and I got sick last night. Not positive what it was but it might have been the food we ate.
Feminist, Natalia M. Thompson wrote an article in the New Moon magazine called the Chick Flick Paradox. The article started off by her explaining a typical night with her girl friends and the movies they would watch. She then expresses how she believes that chick flicks are extremely stereotypical and that most of these movies are over exaggerated. In real life these fairytale plots wouldn’t actually happen. She thinks that it is a shame that women all cling to the cliché Hollywood fairy tale not only because they don’t portray real women but because they leave false hope.
Megan Streng
Feminist, Natalia M. Thompson wrote an article in the New Moon magazine called the Chick Flick Paradox. The article started off by her explaining a typical night with her girl friends and the movies they would watch. She then expresses how she believes that chick flicks are extremely stereotypical and that most of these movies are over exaggerated. In real life these fairytale plots wouldn’t actually happen. She thinks that it is a shame that women all cling to the cliché Hollywood fairy tale not only because they don’t portray real women but because they leave false hope.
Megan Streng
Monday, September 14, 2009
MS chapter 1/2
Megan Streng
English 151
Chapter 1
Individual task
Pg. 11
“Recall a favorite piece of writing you have done in the past.” By reading this statement, it made me think of how a certain spot where you had a good experience could give you inspiration for writing. Recalling a favorite vacation could trigger many memories and great ideas. I also believe that going to a certain peaceful or comfortable spot can be a great way to let go of any prior worries, clear your head and be able to write.
Posing your own subject-matter questions
Pg. 13
“Their purpose in asking these questions is to eliminate misunderstandings, not to open up controversy and debate.” I found this statement very interesting because I remember last year in high school the usual questions were about homework not in depth questions that could open up new ideas and thoughts. The questions were very basic and simple lacking critical thinking. In college I think students will be more required to ask important questions rather than trivial ones.
Chapter 2
Wallowing in complexity
Pg. 29
“Wallowing in complexity is not what most first year students aspire to do.”
I believe this is pretty accurate because most first year students come in more intimidated and nervous than others. They want to try and do everything the professor wants perfectly, which leaves little room for creativity and opinions. First year students have not learned all the ins and outs yet.
Surprising reversal
Pg. 42
“By tension we mean the reader’s sensation of being pulled away from familiar ideas towards new, unfamiliar ones.” I thought this was a really interesting idea, and could potentially be very effective. By being caught off guard it will make the reader become more interested. I may even try using this tatic next time in one of my papers.
English 151
Chapter 1
Individual task
Pg. 11
“Recall a favorite piece of writing you have done in the past.” By reading this statement, it made me think of how a certain spot where you had a good experience could give you inspiration for writing. Recalling a favorite vacation could trigger many memories and great ideas. I also believe that going to a certain peaceful or comfortable spot can be a great way to let go of any prior worries, clear your head and be able to write.
Posing your own subject-matter questions
Pg. 13
“Their purpose in asking these questions is to eliminate misunderstandings, not to open up controversy and debate.” I found this statement very interesting because I remember last year in high school the usual questions were about homework not in depth questions that could open up new ideas and thoughts. The questions were very basic and simple lacking critical thinking. In college I think students will be more required to ask important questions rather than trivial ones.
Chapter 2
Wallowing in complexity
Pg. 29
“Wallowing in complexity is not what most first year students aspire to do.”
I believe this is pretty accurate because most first year students come in more intimidated and nervous than others. They want to try and do everything the professor wants perfectly, which leaves little room for creativity and opinions. First year students have not learned all the ins and outs yet.
Surprising reversal
Pg. 42
“By tension we mean the reader’s sensation of being pulled away from familiar ideas towards new, unfamiliar ones.” I thought this was a really interesting idea, and could potentially be very effective. By being caught off guard it will make the reader become more interested. I may even try using this tatic next time in one of my papers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)