Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The Final Post
I was hesitant about the blog at first. I had never had one and I was not used to having other people read stuff that I had written. We never peer edited at my high school. But, the blog has given me a pleasant surprise. I think that it's super convenient to be able to 'turn in' the assignments online instead of going through all the effort of printing (and my printer can be a bit temperamental, which makes the blogs even better). I also like to read other people's responses to the prompt. It's nice to know what everyone is thinking on the subject, and reading other people's blogs sometimes helps me to understand a concept better. My one small qualm about the blogs (and it is a very small qualm), it would be nice to know about the grading. Since none of the blog-grades are posted, it's hard to know if I am getting good grades on them, or if I should change my blogging tactic to do better. Lots of the blog prompts have been fun too, which is nice. Many of the blogs didn't feel like a chore to write at all because they were such fun topics. :) Overall, I definitely enjoyed blogging.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Analyze-ing
I'm going to analyze Google because I have a sort of love/hate relationship with it right now and it would be very fulfilling to find out that parts of it were designed ineffectively *maniacal laughter*.
1. Form: The form is pretty logical. Type in a search, get search results in eye-catching area. Additional useful links are at the top of the page, which is where the audience would usually expect to. Everything seems to be put together in a logical order for the audience.
2. Alignment: The homepage has a center alignment, which I would love to criticize, but honestly, it would probably be very odd/disconcerting for the search bar to be shifted toward the side. I guess it's part of the audiences expectations. Google was made first for efficiency and second for prettiness, so it makes sense that their search bar would be in a convenient place. The search page is aligned on the left side of the screen. Everything is aligned with something. We'll give an A for alignment.
3. Contrast: It is convenient how Google will highlight your the words you searched for in the search results. It helps you to find what you're looking for more easily. I also like the contrast of the colors of the word Google and the white screen. Their homepage does a nice job of using simplicity and white space to their advantage in a very sleek (yet fun) way.
4. Proximity: Searches grouped together. Links to other websites grouped together. Search accessories grouped together. They did a nice job of this (though I will say, the search page does look a bit cluttered for my taste. Take that Google! :) ).
5. Repetition: Google is always repeated in the same colors, which is effective. The search results are one color. The search accessories are another color with each of the group titles being yet another color. Google uses the repetition of colors to help keep the website easy to use and navigate and it does a good job of that.
6. Composition: The search results do seem like they're on one of the rule of thirds lines, which is good.
All in all, Google is still an effective site.
1. Form: The form is pretty logical. Type in a search, get search results in eye-catching area. Additional useful links are at the top of the page, which is where the audience would usually expect to. Everything seems to be put together in a logical order for the audience.
2. Alignment: The homepage has a center alignment, which I would love to criticize, but honestly, it would probably be very odd/disconcerting for the search bar to be shifted toward the side. I guess it's part of the audiences expectations. Google was made first for efficiency and second for prettiness, so it makes sense that their search bar would be in a convenient place. The search page is aligned on the left side of the screen. Everything is aligned with something. We'll give an A for alignment.
3. Contrast: It is convenient how Google will highlight your the words you searched for in the search results. It helps you to find what you're looking for more easily. I also like the contrast of the colors of the word Google and the white screen. Their homepage does a nice job of using simplicity and white space to their advantage in a very sleek (yet fun) way.
4. Proximity: Searches grouped together. Links to other websites grouped together. Search accessories grouped together. They did a nice job of this (though I will say, the search page does look a bit cluttered for my taste. Take that Google! :) ).
5. Repetition: Google is always repeated in the same colors, which is effective. The search results are one color. The search accessories are another color with each of the group titles being yet another color. Google uses the repetition of colors to help keep the website easy to use and navigate and it does a good job of that.
6. Composition: The search results do seem like they're on one of the rule of thirds lines, which is good.
All in all, Google is still an effective site.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Websites, Good and Bad
First off, I had two problems with the issues paper that I mentioned. One was that my paper did not seem very cohesive. The way I fixed this was by rereading it and anywhere it seemed chunky, I changed the wording or added transitions. My second problem was knowing how much research versus how much of my opinion should go into the paper. I didn't really consciously fix this problem. I wrote the paper and, while writing, tried to keep a healthy research/me ratio and I think that it ended up pretty well.
Next, effective vs. ineffective websites. Some websites that I think are effective:
1. https://www.google.com/ Google. It is effective because it is so simple. Type in the clearly marked bar and you're done. It does just what it's supposed to. I also like the simple decoration. It's not too busy.
2. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/ Rottentomatoes. It sets out what it is supposed to do and does it in an easy-to-understand way. I think a website is effective if a person can figure it out without someone else explaining it to them. Rottentomatoes does this. Everything is also conveniently located.
3. http://www.yahoo.com/ Yahoo. The bar on the side leads you anywhere you want to go. The design is nice and gentle (no super bright, eye-hurting colors).
4. http://www.wikipedia.org/ Wikipedia. Another easy to navigate website. It definitely succeeds in its goal at being a universal encyclopedia that regular people can contribute to.
Finding ineffective websites is a lot harder. I chose the effective ones by which websites that I visit a lot, but I'm assuming that I don't really visit ineffective ones. Here are some possibly ineffective websites (found via the delightfully effective Google):
1. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/archives/sts-108/flash/sts108.swf I can't figure out the purpose of this website (so it probably doesn't accomplish it). The background is also constantly doing this bouncing motion that drives my eyes crazy.
2. http://www.hrodc.com/ Too cluttered. Everything is a link.
3. http://www.creativekidscenter.net/ Colors clash. Also, says it's business was "voted the best of the Northland." What does Northland even mean?
4. http://gandwplumbing.com/pages/947011/index.htm This website has hardly any information at all on the company that it represents. Basically, all it is is a phone number/address.
Next, effective vs. ineffective websites. Some websites that I think are effective:
1. https://www.google.com/ Google. It is effective because it is so simple. Type in the clearly marked bar and you're done. It does just what it's supposed to. I also like the simple decoration. It's not too busy.
2. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/ Rottentomatoes. It sets out what it is supposed to do and does it in an easy-to-understand way. I think a website is effective if a person can figure it out without someone else explaining it to them. Rottentomatoes does this. Everything is also conveniently located.
3. http://www.yahoo.com/ Yahoo. The bar on the side leads you anywhere you want to go. The design is nice and gentle (no super bright, eye-hurting colors).
4. http://www.wikipedia.org/ Wikipedia. Another easy to navigate website. It definitely succeeds in its goal at being a universal encyclopedia that regular people can contribute to.
Finding ineffective websites is a lot harder. I chose the effective ones by which websites that I visit a lot, but I'm assuming that I don't really visit ineffective ones. Here are some possibly ineffective websites (found via the delightfully effective Google):
1. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/archives/sts-108/flash/sts108.swf I can't figure out the purpose of this website (so it probably doesn't accomplish it). The background is also constantly doing this bouncing motion that drives my eyes crazy.
2. http://www.hrodc.com/ Too cluttered. Everything is a link.
3. http://www.creativekidscenter.net/ Colors clash. Also, says it's business was "voted the best of the Northland." What does Northland even mean?
4. http://gandwplumbing.com/pages/947011/index.htm This website has hardly any information at all on the company that it represents. Basically, all it is is a phone number/address.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Me Not Patchwriting...hopefully
My own special reproduction of *dramatic music* the original: Myth is a bad label. Calling something a myth implies that it is false, but these 'myths' are not false to the cultures that created and believe in them. Using the term myth makes the myth lose some of its cultural and historical value (Bacchilega 25).
Issues with my Issues Paper: There have been multiple hard things in the writing process. One is that I'm having trouble knowing exactly how many facts and research should go into the paper versus how much of my actual argument. It feels like my paper is much more argumentative than the example issues paper from the supplemental guide, which was packed full of information. It's also not particularly cohesive at the moment since I wrote the first draft in chunks. Hopefully that will get fixed with more editing :)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Library Day!
Basically, on Monday I learned how to use the library website. Honestly, I didn't even know that there was a library website and I had definitely never been on it before, so I also learned of the existence of the library's website. From there, I learned the series of clicks that will lead me from the library's website to the library's specially made WRTG 150 page, which is going to be very useful during the research process. They have that page set up so you can conveniently find resources about practically anything, which will be super helpful. With the click of a button, I can find thousands of articles relating to my topic and the issues surrounding it. It was good to learn that you have to email the articles to yourself. If I had tried to use the website by myself, I definitely would have copied and pasted the URL's, that's just what I do, and apparently, that would have ended badly. I also learned that you can chat with a librarian whenever you want and ask questions and that there is a taboo on using encyclopedias as sources for college papers (good to know). My biggest research-related concern is just that there weren't many books on my topic, but it sounded like that worry will dissipate come Friday and the second mandatory library instruction day. And thus, we can safely say that, I learned a lot.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
A Proposal
It has been really hard for me to think up a topic for this paper. I am going to try out a topic about the physical problems caused by using the computer too much. When I'm on the computer for hours, my eyes get irritated and it seems like that must be bad for me. I've also heard that typing can cause arthritis and sitting in a chair or craning your neck towards the screen all the time doesn't seem good either. My initial stance is that people should use the Internet/ computers less because it is physically bad for you.
My research questions will be:
1) What negative physical effects does too much computer use cause?
2) What are some alternative options (like does that fancy electronic ink on Kindles make any difference? etc.)?
I'm a tad worried that I won't be able to find much information on this subject (or that it won't be able to fill up 8-10 pages), if not, I'll probably just change the whole topic to internet copyright troubles.
My research questions will be:
1) What negative physical effects does too much computer use cause?
2) What are some alternative options (like does that fancy electronic ink on Kindles make any difference? etc.)?
I'm a tad worried that I won't be able to find much information on this subject (or that it won't be able to fill up 8-10 pages), if not, I'll probably just change the whole topic to internet copyright troubles.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
20 Interests and/or Possible Topics
1) Space Exploration
2) New Scientific Discoveries
3) Alternative Fuel Sources
4) Newspapers Becoming Obsolete (soon no more paper-version Daily Universe *aura of sadness*)
5) Effects of Excessive Computer Use on Eyesight
6) Evils of Artificial Intelligence (robot takeover :) )
7) Internet Privacy Policies, SOPA, etc.
8) I-books vs. Regular Books
9) Teacher's Salaries
10) Effects of Too Much Facebook?
11) Minimum Wage Raise
12) School Budget Cuts = bad
13) Wikipedia
14) People more or less informed because of Internet? (correct information?)
15) Cellphone Use While Driving
16) Headphone Use Hurt Ears?
17) School Systems
18) History
19) Political Campaigns/ The Election
20) Pretty Butterflies (or Airport Security)
2) New Scientific Discoveries
3) Alternative Fuel Sources
4) Newspapers Becoming Obsolete (soon no more paper-version Daily Universe *aura of sadness*)
5) Effects of Excessive Computer Use on Eyesight
6) Evils of Artificial Intelligence (robot takeover :) )
7) Internet Privacy Policies, SOPA, etc.
8) I-books vs. Regular Books
9) Teacher's Salaries
10) Effects of Too Much Facebook?
11) Minimum Wage Raise
12) School Budget Cuts = bad
13) Wikipedia
14) People more or less informed because of Internet? (correct information?)
15) Cellphone Use While Driving
16) Headphone Use Hurt Ears?
17) School Systems
18) History
19) Political Campaigns/ The Election
20) Pretty Butterflies (or Airport Security)
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Movies and Changes
First off, the things I'm going to change on my essay are: 1) Mention my audience earlier in the introduction. 2) Make some of my analysis easier to understand by putting in a bit more summary. 3) Change my boring closing sentence into something more interesting.
Now, favorite movies. Here are my top ten.
- How to Train Your Dragon
- The Lord of the Rings (ALL)
-The Dark Knight
- She's the Man
- Ocean's Eleven
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
- X-Men: First Class
- Aladdin
- The Princess Bride
- Les Miserables
Now, favorite movies. Here are my top ten.
- How to Train Your Dragon
- The Lord of the Rings (ALL)
-The Dark Knight
- She's the Man
- Ocean's Eleven
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
- X-Men: First Class
- Aladdin
- The Princess Bride
- Les Miserables
Monday, February 20, 2012
A Loving Letter to an Outlaw
This love letter is from Maid Marian to Robin Hood in J.R.R. Tolkien style. Enjoy.
Dearest, dashing Robin,
As I sat at my window seat today, arduously working on the new cape for your birthday, which my uncle tells me is of the finest craftsmanship he has ever seen come from my hands, I was reminded by a small robin outside on the birch tree of you, my beloved. I have, therefore, decided to write you a letter, though you may not get it before you come visit when I am able to deliver it in person, which will inevitably downplay the significance of receiving it. Perhaps I should not write the letter at all? I would not wish to spoil the moment of your joyous return by forcing an outdated letter into your hands rather than a greeting and kiss from me personally. This is quite the predicament that I find myself in. On the one hand, I should very much enjoy to write all my feelings of love and adoration towards you, for I know that you would very much enjoy to read it. However, what should become of my letter after you have read it? Living out in that damp forest as your outlaw status demands, my letter will surely be ruined and offer no further enjoyment past that initial reading, which, we have already established, will spoil our first meeting in weeks while I wait for you to finish reading the cumbersome thing. The solution seems clear; I will not write the letter, but will instead greet you that much more enthusiastically when we next meet.
Deepest love,
Maid Marian
Dearest, dashing Robin,
As I sat at my window seat today, arduously working on the new cape for your birthday, which my uncle tells me is of the finest craftsmanship he has ever seen come from my hands, I was reminded by a small robin outside on the birch tree of you, my beloved. I have, therefore, decided to write you a letter, though you may not get it before you come visit when I am able to deliver it in person, which will inevitably downplay the significance of receiving it. Perhaps I should not write the letter at all? I would not wish to spoil the moment of your joyous return by forcing an outdated letter into your hands rather than a greeting and kiss from me personally. This is quite the predicament that I find myself in. On the one hand, I should very much enjoy to write all my feelings of love and adoration towards you, for I know that you would very much enjoy to read it. However, what should become of my letter after you have read it? Living out in that damp forest as your outlaw status demands, my letter will surely be ruined and offer no further enjoyment past that initial reading, which, we have already established, will spoil our first meeting in weeks while I wait for you to finish reading the cumbersome thing. The solution seems clear; I will not write the letter, but will instead greet you that much more enthusiastically when we next meet.
Deepest love,
Maid Marian
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Similes of Love
1. My heart is as full as my garbage can.
2. His smile was as delicious as bacon...almost.
3. Their love was as strong as Batman's biceps.
4. They were as close as two pieces of pie in one stomach.
5. His hair was like a pig running around in mud; messy, but still cute in it's own way.
2. His smile was as delicious as bacon...almost.
3. Their love was as strong as Batman's biceps.
4. They were as close as two pieces of pie in one stomach.
5. His hair was like a pig running around in mud; messy, but still cute in it's own way.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Woes of Speeding
Judge Bonanza,
Recently, I just received my fourth speeding ticket this month and, therefore, had my license suspended. This latest ticket should be reconsidered. The police officers who pulled me over, though attentive and dedicated, were being far stricter than is usually deemed appropriate. It was a 55 mile zone and my car was going 61 miles per hour. It is an unspoken rule of the rode that, within reason, a person can drive a few miles over the speed limit with no trouble. I have passed other patrol cars while going that same speed in that area numerous times without being pulled over. It is my hope that, with these new insights, your Honor will reconsider the fee on the ticket.
Deepest Regards,
Megan Nielson
To my beautiful mom,
You know how much I love you, right Mom? That's why I went through all that effort last week to pick you and Dad up from the airport, even in the middle of midterms. It's because I think you're the very best mom in the entire world. Since I know you're such a great mom and I love you so much, I hope you forgive me for that ticket I got on Friday. I'll pay it off myself, I promise! You won't have to worry about the money at all. I also know you were pretty mad about them revoking my license, but look on the bright side Mom, if you have to drive me to work everyday, we'll get to spend a lot of time together the next couple months. You know how much I've missed spending time with you since starting school, right? I'm really looking forward to it.
Love,
Megan
Hey guys,
Sorry, but I'm not going to be able to drive in the carpool anymore. Got my fourth ticket this month so they revoked my license. I know what you're thinking, but no, this one was definitely not my fault! I was only going six miles over the speed limit. Six measly little miles. And, if that doesn't get me any sympathy, guess what else? I got pulled over right in front of Mr. Steiner's house. Yes, I think you know what that means. The cop's lecture was nothing compared to all the shouting that came later. Apparently, 2:00 is Mr. Steiner's nap time and boy was he mad that he got woken up. With all his swearing and threatening, I think I can safely say he won't be buying any of my sister's girl scout cookies this year.Who knew that a man his age could be so loud?! Anyway, I'll see you guys in a couple days.
With any luck, I'll be driving to see you. I've sent a note off to the judge. Think that'll work?
-Megan
Recently, I just received my fourth speeding ticket this month and, therefore, had my license suspended. This latest ticket should be reconsidered. The police officers who pulled me over, though attentive and dedicated, were being far stricter than is usually deemed appropriate. It was a 55 mile zone and my car was going 61 miles per hour. It is an unspoken rule of the rode that, within reason, a person can drive a few miles over the speed limit with no trouble. I have passed other patrol cars while going that same speed in that area numerous times without being pulled over. It is my hope that, with these new insights, your Honor will reconsider the fee on the ticket.
Deepest Regards,
Megan Nielson
To my beautiful mom,
You know how much I love you, right Mom? That's why I went through all that effort last week to pick you and Dad up from the airport, even in the middle of midterms. It's because I think you're the very best mom in the entire world. Since I know you're such a great mom and I love you so much, I hope you forgive me for that ticket I got on Friday. I'll pay it off myself, I promise! You won't have to worry about the money at all. I also know you were pretty mad about them revoking my license, but look on the bright side Mom, if you have to drive me to work everyday, we'll get to spend a lot of time together the next couple months. You know how much I've missed spending time with you since starting school, right? I'm really looking forward to it.
Love,
Megan
Hey guys,
Sorry, but I'm not going to be able to drive in the carpool anymore. Got my fourth ticket this month so they revoked my license. I know what you're thinking, but no, this one was definitely not my fault! I was only going six miles over the speed limit. Six measly little miles. And, if that doesn't get me any sympathy, guess what else? I got pulled over right in front of Mr. Steiner's house. Yes, I think you know what that means. The cop's lecture was nothing compared to all the shouting that came later. Apparently, 2:00 is Mr. Steiner's nap time and boy was he mad that he got woken up. With all his swearing and threatening, I think I can safely say he won't be buying any of my sister's girl scout cookies this year.Who knew that a man his age could be so loud?! Anyway, I'll see you guys in a couple days.
With any luck, I'll be driving to see you. I've sent a note off to the judge. Think that'll work?
-Megan
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Found Poem
I got my found poem from Natalie's email to us which was: I've attached the "found poems" and "rhetorical tools" documents we went over in class today. The found poems file is pretty big so you don't have to download it unless you'd like a few more examples.
Also, make sure and check the blog.
And bring your Supplemental Guide to class on Monday.
Have a good weekend, and get some sleep so y'all aren't so sleepy!
Poem:
I've attached
the "found poems"
and "rhetorical tools"
documents
We
went over
in class
today
The found poems
file
is
pretty
big
So you don't have to
download
it unless
you'd like
a few more
examples.
Also
make sure
and check
the blog.
And
bring
your Supplemental
Guide
to class
on Monday.
Have
a
good
weekend,
and get
some
sleep
so y'all
aren't
so
sleepy!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Some Analysis
I chose to analyze "Is Google Making us Stupid?" The author's intent was to get people to think about the affect's of too much internet. It was to warn people of the possible problem's that can arise from changing from normal books to internet reading.
Carr (the author) used a lot of logos in his arguments, citing many different sources to help and illustrate his points. These sources helped to make the ethos of the argument stronger, like when he cited Plato and Socrates, using such universal names made his ideas seem extra credible. He began the article with a reference to the movie 2001:A Space Odyssey and the memorable robot death scene at the end (I've heard of it and I've never even seen the movie!). This was a rhetorical strategy that evoked pathos because everybody at one time or another has seen a movie about evil robots taking over the world and the possibility that it might actually happen scares us (or at least, it definitely scares me! That scene in I-robot when Will Smith is surrounded by hundreds of robots always pops into my head. *shudder*). Words like artificial intelligence automatically send a flicker of anxiety through my head (which may have been the reason that Carr mentioned Google's efforts at A.I.). Carr also uses metaphors about the depth of the reading he does now like, "Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski." It helps to clearly illustrate his point, that people are getting less out of their reading now. A Jet Skier doesn't get the same experience of being totally immersed in water that the scuba diver gets, the same goes for reading.
The only way I know to gauge the audience's reaction is to look at my own reaction, so that's what I'm going to do. The whole time I was reading this article, I was thinking about ways I could start reading non-internet materials for fun again. I was thinking about the books I've started that I've been too busy to finish, and how I should make time for them, etc. Thus, at least on me, Carr had the desired affect. He got me thinking again about how much I read online and made me not want to lose my deep-reading abilities. So, he had an effective argument.
Carr (the author) used a lot of logos in his arguments, citing many different sources to help and illustrate his points. These sources helped to make the ethos of the argument stronger, like when he cited Plato and Socrates, using such universal names made his ideas seem extra credible. He began the article with a reference to the movie 2001:A Space Odyssey and the memorable robot death scene at the end (I've heard of it and I've never even seen the movie!). This was a rhetorical strategy that evoked pathos because everybody at one time or another has seen a movie about evil robots taking over the world and the possibility that it might actually happen scares us (or at least, it definitely scares me! That scene in I-robot when Will Smith is surrounded by hundreds of robots always pops into my head. *shudder*). Words like artificial intelligence automatically send a flicker of anxiety through my head (which may have been the reason that Carr mentioned Google's efforts at A.I.). Carr also uses metaphors about the depth of the reading he does now like, "Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski." It helps to clearly illustrate his point, that people are getting less out of their reading now. A Jet Skier doesn't get the same experience of being totally immersed in water that the scuba diver gets, the same goes for reading.
The only way I know to gauge the audience's reaction is to look at my own reaction, so that's what I'm going to do. The whole time I was reading this article, I was thinking about ways I could start reading non-internet materials for fun again. I was thinking about the books I've started that I've been too busy to finish, and how I should make time for them, etc. Thus, at least on me, Carr had the desired affect. He got me thinking again about how much I read online and made me not want to lose my deep-reading abilities. So, he had an effective argument.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Grammar Errors and Peer Edits
Grammar Errors:
I just finished writing a new paragraph for my paper so I had a lot of good, new material to look at for problems.
1) The idea of changing from the convenient two-turns-and-your-there route that I have right now is a bit frightening.
-In this I used "your" wrong. It should be you're because it is a contraction for you are. There should also be a comma after "convenient" because the list of adjectives here needs to be in that specific order. So it should be:
The idea of changing from the convenient, two-turns-and-you're-there route that I have right now is a bit frightening.
2) They would increase the variety, and, in my personal opinion, the fun, that can come from mandatory activities, like getting from the dorm to campus.
-This sentence has too many commas. It should be more like this:
They would increase the variety and, in my personal opinion, the fun that can come from mandatory activities like getting from the dorm to campus.
3) There would be more time for tennis or ultimate Frisbee or volleyball; activities which I like and which are good for me.
-The second part of the sentence is not an independent clause, it could not stand by itself, that means that a semicolon is unnecessary. A comma is good enough to join this sentence together.
There would be more time for tennis or ultimate Frisbee or volleyball, activities which I like and which are good for me.
4) Another irony is that, on the less packed days, when we have just one class, we laugh that we will spend more time walking down to campus that day than actually in class learning.
-This sentence also has too many commas (I'm not sure if there is a technical term for that or not :)). It is hard to tell if they are being used correctly when so many are present. It should be more like this:
Another irony is that, on the less packed days when we have just one class, we laugh that we will spend more time walking down to campus that day than actually in class learning.
My Peer Editing Opinions:
Peer editing is definitely not my favorite thing in the world. This time around it was especially hard because we had to comment so many times on each page. It took me hours just to find okay comments (and even then, half of them were probably not useful at all). I was not looking forward to the in-class peer discussions either (I admit, thick-skinned is probably not a trait of mine:) ), but I actually thought those were very helpful. It was nice to hear both the bad and the good about my paper. The good was nice to hear because it is hard to tell for your own paper if something came out the way you meant it to come out. Hearing that I had said what I meant to say was very encouraging. And, after hearing all of the good stuff, the bad didn't seem nearly as bad. It was good to hear the things about my paper that needed help. I enjoyed reading other people's comments on my paper too. It was nice to know specific parts that they liked and didn't like. This peer editing experience was, by far, the most constructive I have ever been part of.
I just finished writing a new paragraph for my paper so I had a lot of good, new material to look at for problems.
1) The idea of changing from the convenient two-turns-and-your-there route that I have right now is a bit frightening.
-In this I used "your" wrong. It should be you're because it is a contraction for you are. There should also be a comma after "convenient" because the list of adjectives here needs to be in that specific order. So it should be:
The idea of changing from the convenient, two-turns-and-you're-there route that I have right now is a bit frightening.
2) They would increase the variety, and, in my personal opinion, the fun, that can come from mandatory activities, like getting from the dorm to campus.
-This sentence has too many commas. It should be more like this:
They would increase the variety and, in my personal opinion, the fun that can come from mandatory activities like getting from the dorm to campus.
3) There would be more time for tennis or ultimate Frisbee or volleyball; activities which I like and which are good for me.
-The second part of the sentence is not an independent clause, it could not stand by itself, that means that a semicolon is unnecessary. A comma is good enough to join this sentence together.
There would be more time for tennis or ultimate Frisbee or volleyball, activities which I like and which are good for me.
4) Another irony is that, on the less packed days, when we have just one class, we laugh that we will spend more time walking down to campus that day than actually in class learning.
-This sentence also has too many commas (I'm not sure if there is a technical term for that or not :)). It is hard to tell if they are being used correctly when so many are present. It should be more like this:
Another irony is that, on the less packed days when we have just one class, we laugh that we will spend more time walking down to campus that day than actually in class learning.
5) These items can, indeed, be dangerous. However, bikes can be dangerous as well, as can cars.
-However is a conjunctive adverb. They are used to relate one independent clause to another so these two sentences should be one.These items can, indeed, be dangerous: however, bikes can be dangerous as well, as can cars.
Those are all my grammar errors. Now it's time for:
My Peer Editing Opinions:
Peer editing is definitely not my favorite thing in the world. This time around it was especially hard because we had to comment so many times on each page. It took me hours just to find okay comments (and even then, half of them were probably not useful at all). I was not looking forward to the in-class peer discussions either (I admit, thick-skinned is probably not a trait of mine:) ), but I actually thought those were very helpful. It was nice to hear both the bad and the good about my paper. The good was nice to hear because it is hard to tell for your own paper if something came out the way you meant it to come out. Hearing that I had said what I meant to say was very encouraging. And, after hearing all of the good stuff, the bad didn't seem nearly as bad. It was good to hear the things about my paper that needed help. I enjoyed reading other people's comments on my paper too. It was nice to know specific parts that they liked and didn't like. This peer editing experience was, by far, the most constructive I have ever been part of.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Fallacies and Ethos and Pathos and Logos
FALLACY
Ralphie: "No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder, Carbine-Action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!"
Santa Claus: "You'll shoot your eye out, kid."
This is an example of a slippery slope fallacy from A Christmas Story. A slippery slope is an argument that states that one certain action will always have the same disastrous outcome. Every adult that Ralphie meets in A Christmas Story tells him that if he gets an air rifle for Christmas he'll shoot out his eye. This is a slippery slope because shooting his eye out is really only one possible outcome of getting an air rifle (for instance, he could shoot out someone else's eye, or shoot his toe instead). Thus, it is a logical fallacy.
ETHOS, PATHOS, LOGOS
Ethos:
1) "My dear Miss Elizabeth, my situation in life, my connection with the noble family of de Bourgh, are circumstances highly in my favour."
2) "My dear cousin, being, as I am, to inherit all this estate after the death of your father, I could not satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters."
Pathos:
1) " And now nothing remains, but to assure you, in the most animated language, of the violence of my affections!"
2) "Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty adds to your other perfections."
Logos:
1) "First, I think it a right thing for every clergyman to set the example of matrimony in his parish."
2) "Consider that it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may be made to you."
Ralphie: "No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder, Carbine-Action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!"
Santa Claus: "You'll shoot your eye out, kid."
This is an example of a slippery slope fallacy from A Christmas Story. A slippery slope is an argument that states that one certain action will always have the same disastrous outcome. Every adult that Ralphie meets in A Christmas Story tells him that if he gets an air rifle for Christmas he'll shoot out his eye. This is a slippery slope because shooting his eye out is really only one possible outcome of getting an air rifle (for instance, he could shoot out someone else's eye, or shoot his toe instead). Thus, it is a logical fallacy.
ETHOS, PATHOS, LOGOS
Ethos:
1) "My dear Miss Elizabeth, my situation in life, my connection with the noble family of de Bourgh, are circumstances highly in my favour."
2) "My dear cousin, being, as I am, to inherit all this estate after the death of your father, I could not satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters."
Pathos:
1) " And now nothing remains, but to assure you, in the most animated language, of the violence of my affections!"
2) "Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty adds to your other perfections."
Logos:
1) "First, I think it a right thing for every clergyman to set the example of matrimony in his parish."
2) "Consider that it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may be made to you."
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Introducing Me
Hey Everybody!
I'm Megan Nielson from Pleasant Grove, Utah...sort of. Honestly, I still feel like I'm from Oregon. My family only moved here to Utah a year or so ago, but it's been great having them so close! My family consists of two parents, four brothers, a cat (named Fatty. She's been named so many different times that we finally just gave up), a dog (named Spoof, yes, that was the name I submitted into the voting when we first got her and I am pretty proud of it. It even beat out Max!), and forty-five cousins.
Now, I read a few of your introductions and my list of hobbies may seem wanting in comparison. It's just that I really like to relax. Wallowing on a couch = wallowing in heaven, especially the soft, spacious couches at Wyview. Mmmm. So, as you probably already guessed, one of my favorite hobbies involves watching the T.V.. I enjoy certain video games (how couldn't I with four brothers? :) ). My favorite is SuperSmashBros.. I like to read as well, but I do much less recreational reading nowadays. It's hard to read something fun when your eyes are tired from hours of class-induced reading. The only sport that I play is tennis. My little brother and I just picked that up last summer. We've been trying to beat my dad at it for weeks now....trying and failing miserably. The plan right now is to just wait a couple more years. When he's seventy he won't stand a chance! Haha.
I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better and I'll see you in class!
I'm Megan Nielson from Pleasant Grove, Utah...sort of. Honestly, I still feel like I'm from Oregon. My family only moved here to Utah a year or so ago, but it's been great having them so close! My family consists of two parents, four brothers, a cat (named Fatty. She's been named so many different times that we finally just gave up), a dog (named Spoof, yes, that was the name I submitted into the voting when we first got her and I am pretty proud of it. It even beat out Max!), and forty-five cousins.
Now, I read a few of your introductions and my list of hobbies may seem wanting in comparison. It's just that I really like to relax. Wallowing on a couch = wallowing in heaven, especially the soft, spacious couches at Wyview. Mmmm. So, as you probably already guessed, one of my favorite hobbies involves watching the T.V.. I enjoy certain video games (how couldn't I with four brothers? :) ). My favorite is SuperSmashBros.. I like to read as well, but I do much less recreational reading nowadays. It's hard to read something fun when your eyes are tired from hours of class-induced reading. The only sport that I play is tennis. My little brother and I just picked that up last summer. We've been trying to beat my dad at it for weeks now....trying and failing miserably. The plan right now is to just wait a couple more years. When he's seventy he won't stand a chance! Haha.
I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better and I'll see you in class!
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