A writer is someone who expresses theirselves and emotions through writing. A writer writes down his or her own thoughts in many different ways of writing. I feel like I am an okay writer. However, I do believe when I begin to start writing I can keep going. My brain becomes overfilled with thoughts and new ideas and I have to begin to write them down. Similar to James Paul Gee’s, “What is Literacy?” he says, when speaking of a discourse he means, “a socially accepted association among the ways of using language, of thinking, and of acting that can be used to identify oneself as a member of a socially meaningful group or social network.” We all acquire a discourse at one point in our lifetime, and acquiring such a discourse helps us writers learn, think, and write. Another example is Donald Murray’s “The Maker’s Eye,” he says “The maker’s eye is never satisfied.” This statement means that the piece of work usually goes unfinished as it will continue to grow and change every time one looks at it. I can relate that this describes me as a writer. I believe that every time I finish a rough draft or even a final draft, I continuously keep looking at it. This is primarily because I have room to grow/change things to my writing. I have grown accustomed to accept the fact that my writing is never really finished. It always has room to change. So, I would describe myself as a opinionated writer and I always want to include sources or ways for the reader to connect to my writing. I feel that a lot of my writing comes from a lot of thought and creativity. 

Celeste Headlee goes in to detail about ten ways to have a better conversation. She says to have a better conversation you need to be present. She also say in every conversation you learn, and sometimes you do not have to state your opinion. Who, what, where, and why are also great questions to ask which will help the conversation turn out better. Headlee then goes on to say by going with the flow will make conversations go more smoothly. All experiences are individual, and it is not about you at that specific time. In conclusion, she says to be brief, go out, talk to people, and mainly listen to other people. Headlee describes great techniques to use to make better conversations. In my personal life, I can relate to always listening in conversations and by going with the flow. I am always good with going with the flow and making good conversations.

 

Based off the rubric for MP #3, I would give these essays a letter grade of a B and an A. The first essay, “Activist Has shaped the world we live in,” was a good essay, but could have been better. The writer could have summarized a bit more about the British and colonists to make it not so carried away. The writer also had a few grammatical errors. However, she did include historical sources related directly the Boston Tea Party. Overall, the writer got the major point across and this is why I would simply give this paper a letter grade of a B. The second essay,“Activism should disappear,” offered a different argument. The introduction was very strong and went into detail about doing something good. The writer also explained in great detail about activists’ activities. Both essays introduced a problem to engage the reader. I would give this essay an A. However, they both had places to improve. They both similarly show how activists shape the world in which we live. 

The music video, “I’m Not The Only One,” Sam Smith crafts an argument that attracts the audience to the speaker. He aims to create an argument that informs the audience on toxic relationships and that people should stand up to what is right. Throughout the video, his goal is to make the audience understand the facts about the relationship by showing us two sides of the situation. In the very first scene of the video, Smith demonstrates a really close relationship between the couple. It makes the reader believe the love between them is real. However, based on the title, the audience can assume that one of them in the relationship is going to hurt the other. In the beginning of the video, Smith shows the couple waving each other goodbye. The audience could also conclude that the girl is going to be the one to hurt the man. This conclusion could be made because Sam Smith is the one singing the song. However, shortly into the video, the role is completely switched. He exhibits a particular scene in which a couple is having a toxic relationship revolved around cheating, and the woman in the relationship does not have the courage to stand up to say anything. Smith highlights pathos, ethos, and logos through his lyrics. Analyzing the song, “I’m Not The Only One,” creates strong emotional appeals that can affect the reader. 

In the music video, pathos is immediately introduced through the title. The title, “I’m Not The Only One,” creates two sets of emotions that the audience will exemplify. It automatically suggests that this situation involves some kind of cheating. As humans, we naturally show emotions and feelings towards people going through difficult or challenging times. Sam Smith makes the audience immediately feel for the emotionally disturbed woman. At the same time, Smith turns the audience to become angry at the man who has cheated on his wife. Smith shows this woman emotionally still attached to her husband even through the stuff he has put her through. Smith depicts in his video the man continuously flirting with another woman, while the wife is at home crying uncontrollably. She emotionally cannot let go of him. In his lyric,“You say I’m crazy cause you don’t think I know what you’ve done,” specifically targets the situation. 

Throughout the video, the use of logos is frequently shown. Smith continuously gives flashes of the affair going on. By doing this, it gives evidence to the audience to make us feel saddened for the woman. The visual representation of the husband and the other woman allows the audience to really understand what is going on throughout the video. In the line,“When you call me baby, I know I’m not the only one,” is a direct reference to the man. This line means that when the husband calls his wife “baby,” she knows she is not the only woman he is talking to. Based on this information, the audience can relate directly to this situation. Considering the facts of an affair or toxic relationship, the audience can understand how hard it is to go through something like this. Smith exemplifies a great use of logos to help wrap around his central idea of toxic relationships. 

In the music video, ethos is demonstrated in a number of ways. Sam Smith is in the music video himself, which helps the audience to believe the speaker. Sam is a popular singer and songwriter who has millions of followers. With so many people looking up to him, this makes him a credible source. He states his credibility by singing about a topic that most people can either relate to or one day possibly will. 

Throughout the whole song, Sam Smith makes the audience support and feel for the woman’s side. His intended audience could be anyone in a relationship related to the one in his video, or a very wide audience not directly involved. Because of Sam Smith’s excellent job of creating emotional appeals, this allows the reader to connect in a number of ways. Throughout the whole video, the emotions continue to grow. The effectiveness of pathos, logos, and ethos allows the audience to think about toxic relationships and to make a decision that will help them in the long run. 

 

Reading Journal

 

Copy + Paste this template into a different document (do not try to type directly on it). Then fill it out and post to your blog. 

 

Title of Article + Proper MLA Citation for Works Cited page	Grant-Davie, Keith. “Rhetorical Situations and Their Constituents.” Rhetoric Review, Vol. 15, No.2, 1997, 264-269.
Summarize the article — include your reaction, thoughts, anything to help you remember its claims. 100 to 150 words	Grant-Davie discusses the necessary steps a student should take to understand rhetorical situations. A student must first realize the rhetorical exigence. When given an assignment, the student needs to fully understand the issue and how to solve it with effective discourses. As said in the document, “In other words, a rhetorical situation is a situation where a speaker or writer sees a need to change reality and sees that the change may be affected through rhetorical discourse.” Davie says to pursue them initially, so that it helps the rhetorician look at a situation from a variety of perspectives. He shows many examples to “discuss the possible complexities of rhetorical situations.”
Define new terms and concepts by quoting or paraphrasing the original author.	“Scholars and teachers of rhetoric have used the term rhetorical situation since Lloyd Bitzer defined it in 1968.” It is defined as the context in which speakers or writers create rhetorical discourse.
How does this reading connect to other articles from class and/or your own research?	This reading connects to the past article I read titled, “Finding the Good Argument.” Just like in this article, they are trying to find a good argument with valid points. In “Rhetorical Situations…” it is stating how to find the connections and understanding the rhetorical situations fully. These two articles are very similar in many ways.
Based on the reading, craft one question to act as a springboard for class discussion.	In your own words, how would you describe a rhetorical situation?

Reading Journal

 

Copy + Paste this template into a different document (do not try to type directly on it). Then fill it out and post to your blog. 

 

Title of Article + Proper MLA Citation for Works Cited page	Jones, Rebecca. “Finding the Good Argument OR Why Brother With Logic?” Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 1, a peer-reviewed open textbook series for the writing classroom, and is published through Parlor Press. Pgs. 156-59 & 166-68.
Summarize the article — include your reaction, thoughts, anything to help you remember its claims. 100 to 150 words	When thinking about an argument sometimes we associate it with war. However, stated in the document, while “argument is war” may be the default mode for Americans, it is not the only way to argue.” We should imagine it as, “argument is dance.” “The appeals” offer a lesson in rhetoric that sticks with you long after the class has ended.(166) The usefulness of ethos, pathos, and logos come in to play to help the concept. These help persuade the audience in a variety of ways.
Define new terms and concepts by quoting or paraphrasing the original author.	Jones states, “While “argument is war” may be the default mode for Americans, it is not the only way to argue. Lakoff and Johnson ask their readers to imagine something like “argument is dance” rather than “argument is war.” Average Americans think of arguments as war, however, we should be thinking of them as something else.
How does this reading connect to other articles from class and/or your own research?	I found an article on my own research titled, “What makes a good argument?” Epstein states,”We have said that the distinctive feature of an argument is that it is designed to convince a reader or a listener of a specific point or idea, known as the conclusion.” These two documents both connect the idea of a good argument. To find a good argument, you must have a strong/valid point with good reasons.
Based on the reading, craft one question to act as a springboard for class discussion.	When thinking of an argument, do you see it as something negative or positive?

1. What are adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stresses?
2. How can adversities like poverty, racism, and violence impact a child’s development?
3. How might ACEs affect literacy?

 

There are many adverse childhood experiences and toxic stresses. ACEs are traumatic situations that a child can go through in their childhood. These situations could include violence, physical or emotional abuse, and even neglect. Toxic stress can occur when a child goes through violent, physical, or emotional abuse. According to Harvard University, “This kind of prolonged activation of the stress response systems can disrupt the development of brain architecture and other organ systems, and increase the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment, well into the adult years.” Adversities like poverty, racism, and violence impact a child’s development drastically. Growing up in poverty could result in a child being able to fully develop. Violence or a bad experience with abuse could result in a slow development due to injuries to the brain. Their development can be delayed due to these certain things. Experiencing these adversities could result in learning disabilities as well. Children with ACEs might have low attendance, poor communication skills, and could be missing basic literacy skills. Growing up with ACEs makes it hard for children to read/write, comprehend material, and pay attention in class. This results in poor school academic achievement  within children with ACEs.

 

 

1. How did Dr.Mona’s actions make a difference in the community of Flint?
2. Can you think of a time in your own life when you have made other people aware of a problem that they were not aware of?
3. What can you do as an individual to make the world a better and safer place?

 

Considering at where I am in the book right now, it is just the very beginning of Dr. Mona’s actions. She has just become aware of the lead in tap water. After reading many articles and exchanging emails she realizes she has to do something about the situation. As a pediatrician she just informed a mother of one of her patient’s to switch to formula and use tap water. With this in her mind Dr. Mona could not sleep or figure out what to do. All she new was to keep a “cool head.” I cannot think of a time in my life where I have made other people aware of a problem that they were not aware of. I have been in several situations in which we were all aware of the current situations. As an individual I need to step up in my community to make the world a better and safer place. Taking care of the community in which I live is just one step closer to making the world a better place.

Reading Journal

 

Copy + Paste this template into a different document (do not try to type directly on it). Then fill it out and post to your blog. 

 

Title of Article + Proper MLA Citation for Works Cited page	Murray, Donald. “The Maker’s Eye.” https://nabuckler.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/the-makers-eye.pdf. Accessed on 5 Sept. 2020.
Summarize the article — include your reaction, thoughts, anything to help you remember its claims. 100 to 150 words	Donald Murray describes that after you have a draft you can really begin writing. Writing never really ends. Everytime a reader looks at his or her paper it is opted to change or revise. You also have to detach yourself when reading one’s paper, look at it as if you are in the reader’s shoes. Murray says, “The maker’s eye is never satisfied.” This statement means that the piece of work usually goes unfinished as it will continue to grow and change every time one looks at it.
Define new terms and concepts by quoting or paraphrasing the original author.	“Then, after our egos have produced a draft, we must read when our judgment may be at its worst, when we are close to the euphoric moment of creation.” Euphoric:characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness.
How does this reading connect to other articles from class and/or your own research?	This reading relates to me to what my high school teacher used to tell us. He would tell us that one draft isn’t going to make a good paper. However, even if you look over it over and over it and revise, it still may not be a good paper. All papers have room to revise and grow.
Based on the reading, craft one question to act as a springboard for class discussion.	As a student, are you usually finished revising after the first draft?

 

1. What is literacy to you? To me, literacy is how one reads and writes.
2. Who’s one of your SoL? One of my sponsors of Literacy would have to be my 12th grade Comp I & II teacher.
3. On the very first day of my senior year, I remember walking into my Comp I class and taking a seat. My teacher was not present at that very moment, but I gracefully stared around the room to take everything in. Many different posters, items, and so many words overfilled the classroom. The first thing my teacher assigned was to write on a piece of paper any word that comes to mind in one minute. In my head, I was like this shouldn’t be hard. As I began to think, so many words were coming and going, I did not even know where to begin. I started to write random words that came to my brain. The timer went off, and we went around the room to say our words. Every single person had something different. It was crazy to think that there really are so many words and everyone is thinking of something different. I soon came to realize that we all come from different homes, cultures, and we have all grown up to learn and acquire different things. Mr. Freeny over the year, made me come to realize that everyone has different sponsors of literacy. He was mine and he taught me so many things to improve my writing in just one short year.