September Blogs
3. Spetember. 2009
In addition to thinking about how we write, it is also important to explore the ways that we read. That said, why do think it is important to ask questions like "Where did this text come from? What does it say? Can I trust the writer? Who is the writer's audience?” etc. when reading? Also, what are some of the techniques you use when reading (i.e. do you underline key words, write notes in the margins, write summaries, etc)? Do you need to be interested in the subject matter to really retain what you've read? Do you need to re-read things several times?
Asking where text from a reading comes from is a very important question. Knowing where the text comes from allows the reader to get a better understanding of what the author is actually saying. In different regions words have different meanings and the diction varies. Asking what the text actually says is important because it enables you to understand what the reader is reading. If the reader asks what the text is saying, the reader will be able to take the author's message and relate it to everyday situations. The reader will then not just be reading a multitude of meaningless words, but a story or a work of art. Trusting the writer is a important element in reading a story. If the writer cannot be trusted, the reader will not take the writer seriously. In everyday life, people do not trust people that have no credibility or a bad reputation. Likewise, readers will have a hard time getting into a story or taking great interest in what the writer is saying if he/she cannot be trusted. Knowing who the author's audience is sets the tone for the story. The audience gives the reader an idea on how the story is written. For example, if a writer's audience is children, the story will be a something in which children relate to.
When reading there are several techniques that can be used. Some techniques include: highlighting, underlining, circling, paraphrasing, summarizing, and making additional side notes. These techniques allow the reader to remember details that stick out in the story. A reader does not have to be interested in the subject matter in order to retain the information presented. The way information can be retained all depends on the person and the style the writer uses to present the story. Re-reading a story is very beneficial. Most readers find themselves catching something they didn't read the first time the second time. Also, re-reading help the reader get a better understanding than what they had before.
In addition to thinking about how we write, it is also important to explore the ways that we read. That said, why do think it is important to ask questions like "Where did this text come from? What does it say? Can I trust the writer? Who is the writer's audience?” etc. when reading? Also, what are some of the techniques you use when reading (i.e. do you underline key words, write notes in the margins, write summaries, etc)? Do you need to be interested in the subject matter to really retain what you've read? Do you need to re-read things several times?
Asking where text from a reading comes from is a very important question. Knowing where the text comes from allows the reader to get a better understanding of what the author is actually saying. In different regions words have different meanings and the diction varies. Asking what the text actually says is important because it enables you to understand what the reader is reading. If the reader asks what the text is saying, the reader will be able to take the author's message and relate it to everyday situations. The reader will then not just be reading a multitude of meaningless words, but a story or a work of art. Trusting the writer is a important element in reading a story. If the writer cannot be trusted, the reader will not take the writer seriously. In everyday life, people do not trust people that have no credibility or a bad reputation. Likewise, readers will have a hard time getting into a story or taking great interest in what the writer is saying if he/she cannot be trusted. Knowing who the author's audience is sets the tone for the story. The audience gives the reader an idea on how the story is written. For example, if a writer's audience is children, the story will be a something in which children relate to.
When reading there are several techniques that can be used. Some techniques include: highlighting, underlining, circling, paraphrasing, summarizing, and making additional side notes. These techniques allow the reader to remember details that stick out in the story. A reader does not have to be interested in the subject matter in order to retain the information presented. The way information can be retained all depends on the person and the style the writer uses to present the story. Re-reading a story is very beneficial. Most readers find themselves catching something they didn't read the first time the second time. Also, re-reading help the reader get a better understanding than what they had before.
10. September. 2009
In the reading for Tuesday we got a clear sense of Malcolm X's views on college education, so now it's your turn. What do you feel is the purpose of a college education? Is it vocational training (i.e. preparation for your eventual career)? Is it for socialization (i.e. adjusting to life on your own and interacting with a diverse group of people)? Is it for giving back to the community? Is it all of the above or something else? (Don't just agree or disagree with these possibilities, but explain and justify your answers). Also, take a few moments to describe your ideal classroom. How would you want the teacher to interact with you and material of the class? What would your classmates be like? What assignments or types of assignments would you be of the greatest interest to you?
College education is provided to help people further their education. A college education opens doors that a high school education cannot open. College education helps you focus on the things you need in your future career. High school focuses on a spectrum of all subjects. However, college enables a person to train and learn in one specific field. Yes, in college there are core curriculum classes that have a person has to take, but overall the focus is on a persons major. College also helps you interact with people from all social groups. In the work world there is a lot of diversity. College prepares a person to interact with people outside of themselves. College brings a lot of diversity, which allows people to socialize with the people they wouldn't have socialized with in high school. In college, there are a great number out opportunities to perform acts of kindness through community service and outreach programs. College provides a daily opportunity to give back to the community. Whether it be through donating blood, participating in a food drive, creating Christmas cards for under privilege children, or anything else. Different organizations within college promote community service as a part of being a member of the organization. My ideal classroom would be ran by smart boards, and the professors would take the time to make sure every student understood what was being taught. The students in the classroom would all be on the same level when it comes to keeping up in class. Assignments that involved a great deal of calculating equations and drawing diagrams would be my ideal type of assignment.
In the reading for Tuesday we got a clear sense of Malcolm X's views on college education, so now it's your turn. What do you feel is the purpose of a college education? Is it vocational training (i.e. preparation for your eventual career)? Is it for socialization (i.e. adjusting to life on your own and interacting with a diverse group of people)? Is it for giving back to the community? Is it all of the above or something else? (Don't just agree or disagree with these possibilities, but explain and justify your answers). Also, take a few moments to describe your ideal classroom. How would you want the teacher to interact with you and material of the class? What would your classmates be like? What assignments or types of assignments would you be of the greatest interest to you?
College education is provided to help people further their education. A college education opens doors that a high school education cannot open. College education helps you focus on the things you need in your future career. High school focuses on a spectrum of all subjects. However, college enables a person to train and learn in one specific field. Yes, in college there are core curriculum classes that have a person has to take, but overall the focus is on a persons major. College also helps you interact with people from all social groups. In the work world there is a lot of diversity. College prepares a person to interact with people outside of themselves. College brings a lot of diversity, which allows people to socialize with the people they wouldn't have socialized with in high school. In college, there are a great number out opportunities to perform acts of kindness through community service and outreach programs. College provides a daily opportunity to give back to the community. Whether it be through donating blood, participating in a food drive, creating Christmas cards for under privilege children, or anything else. Different organizations within college promote community service as a part of being a member of the organization. My ideal classroom would be ran by smart boards, and the professors would take the time to make sure every student understood what was being taught. The students in the classroom would all be on the same level when it comes to keeping up in class. Assignments that involved a great deal of calculating equations and drawing diagrams would be my ideal type of assignment.
17. September. 2009
What is your understanding of the word "rhetoric?" What is your definition? What do you think constitutes rhetoric (is it our appearance, the way we dress, the things we say, the way we act, etc.)? Where do you hear the word rhetoric being commonly used in American society? Is its use generally in a positive or a negative context?
A rhetoric is the way a message is relayed. In my opinion, rhetorics are constituted in our actions and the way we carry ourselves. Our actions and the way we carry ourselves paint a picture to everyone else about the type of person we are. The rhetoric is commonly used in American society in the form of a question. Most people always ask about rhetorical questions. In general it is used in a negative context. Most of the time when someone is not happy or trying to prove a point the word rhetoric is used against the other person.
What is your understanding of the word "rhetoric?" What is your definition? What do you think constitutes rhetoric (is it our appearance, the way we dress, the things we say, the way we act, etc.)? Where do you hear the word rhetoric being commonly used in American society? Is its use generally in a positive or a negative context?
A rhetoric is the way a message is relayed. In my opinion, rhetorics are constituted in our actions and the way we carry ourselves. Our actions and the way we carry ourselves paint a picture to everyone else about the type of person we are. The rhetoric is commonly used in American society in the form of a question. Most people always ask about rhetorical questions. In general it is used in a negative context. Most of the time when someone is not happy or trying to prove a point the word rhetoric is used against the other person.
24. September. 2009
Since your next paper will be a rhetorical analysis, a way of thinking that many of you might not be particularly familiar or comfortable with, I feel it is important to give you folks the opportunity to practice more. So, look at the "Photographs of Japanese-Americans at Manzanar" by Ansel Adams, read the "Japanese-American Concentration Camp Haikus," and answer the following questions:
Ansel Adams Photographs (Pick One Photograph):
Japanese-American Concentration Camp Haikus:
In the picture of Joyce Yuki Nakamura, eldest daughter, I was immediately drawn to her right eye. I believe her right eye drew my attention because of the way it is squinted. Her left eye is open wider than he right eye which brings more attention to it. This image depicts the oldest daughter of the family. The setting is hard to tell because it is a plain background and no other information is given. I think this picture is being shown because it gives viewers a sense of how the families in Japan actually are. I really did not have any emotional responses because this picture lacked emotion in my opinion. There was no sense of feeling or thought behind the picture. If anything, this picture reminds me of a school picture. The larger cultural context surrounding the image is about children and the importance of family. I think Adams coached the people how to pose so the picture can tell a story. What Adams depict does not coincide with the actual experience of the prisoners who wrote the Haikus. The Haikus seem to include sadness and pain. Whereas, the pictures Adams take gives off a sense of happiness. I do not have a favorite Haiku. This is probably because I am not a big fan of Haikus.
Since your next paper will be a rhetorical analysis, a way of thinking that many of you might not be particularly familiar or comfortable with, I feel it is important to give you folks the opportunity to practice more. So, look at the "Photographs of Japanese-Americans at Manzanar" by Ansel Adams, read the "Japanese-American Concentration Camp Haikus," and answer the following questions:
Ansel Adams Photographs (Pick One Photograph):
- Where is your eye immediately drawn when you first look at the picture? Why?
- What does the image depict? What is the setting? How is the image arranged visually?
- Why do you think you're being shown this? What is the purpose?
- What is your emotional response after viewing the image? What makes you feel that way?
- What is the larger cultural context surrounding the image?
- As it says in the introduction to these photographs, Adams coached the people on how to pose. Why do you think he did this? Does this affect his credibility?
Japanese-American Concentration Camp Haikus:
- Does what Adams depict in his photographs coincide with the actual experience of the prisoners who wrote the Haiku's?
- Do you have a favorite Haiku? Why?
In the picture of Joyce Yuki Nakamura, eldest daughter, I was immediately drawn to her right eye. I believe her right eye drew my attention because of the way it is squinted. Her left eye is open wider than he right eye which brings more attention to it. This image depicts the oldest daughter of the family. The setting is hard to tell because it is a plain background and no other information is given. I think this picture is being shown because it gives viewers a sense of how the families in Japan actually are. I really did not have any emotional responses because this picture lacked emotion in my opinion. There was no sense of feeling or thought behind the picture. If anything, this picture reminds me of a school picture. The larger cultural context surrounding the image is about children and the importance of family. I think Adams coached the people how to pose so the picture can tell a story. What Adams depict does not coincide with the actual experience of the prisoners who wrote the Haikus. The Haikus seem to include sadness and pain. Whereas, the pictures Adams take gives off a sense of happiness. I do not have a favorite Haiku. This is probably because I am not a big fan of Haikus.