From the zoom class, I am now better informed about synthesis writing, and what it is. I clearly remember the meme that was shown that said: “…one does not just summarize” in regards to synthesizing!
September 2020
Weekly Write: What the Eyes Don’t See Reflection
What stands out most about the book is Hanna-Attisha’s admirable courage and sense of duty. She fulfilled her moral obligation to her community. This is something the world needs more of, and its something I envy. It takes such courage to stand up in today’s world and choose to be opposed and outcast by some for the greater good. If I were in her shoes, the most I would have done would have been attending city hall meetings, or calling to voice my opinion on the issue. As sad as that sounds, I am not that much of a courageous person; I am sometimes timid. Therefore, I feel it very unrealistic for me to be the superhero. The only questions I have about the book are in regards to Flint’s government. Who elected such a government? How many people have been impacted in other ways by this selfish, greedy government? This book was an excellent read, and there was nothing I did not enjoy. If I absolutely had to sum up this entire book in one sentence, I would say the following: Hanna-Attisha’s admirable courage and bravery led to the exposure of the government and restoration of the water system in Flint, Michigan. I believe the title “What the Eyes Don’t See” was an excellent title for such a book. It is metaphorical and literal. It shows the crypticness of Flint’s government and water suppliers. Additionally, it foreshadows the book, in that it basically tells that the residents are not seeing the corruptness that is taking place behind the scenes; they do not see the lead or corrosion in the water. Personally, this book has prompted me to do some spiritual growth. I feel that I am not impacting my community or world as much as I could be, and I have much more than others have. It has really helped put things into perspective.
Analysis Unit Reflection
Regarding the analysis essay assignment, I have discovered that I do not enjoy analytical writing. I felt very pressured and constrained; it was hard to expand on topic sentences and the thesis without being repetitive. I now know to value creative writing assignments when presented with such. If I had more time, I most likely would have been able to squeeze out more ideas, or better explanations, that support the author’s claim. I have indeed done this multiple times over, and the experience gradually worsens. I am simply not a good analyzer. Even in life, I’ve found that it takes immense concentration for me to evaluate or analyze a situation, or even my emotions. I have to take time out to focus on just that, otherwise, I will lose interest and become easily distracted. I think I can attribute this to my lack of creativity in writing. Although the overall experience was not favorable, I do have a better idea or understanding of how to proceed if I were to write another one in the same manner. In most areas of life, I would consider myself a “perfectionist”. However, when it comes to analytical writing, or anything in the world of academia that I find unmotivating, I will become hurried and rushed. This assignment was good for introspection. As for the paper, I feel as if I did good. I can not say that I think I did my best, as I stunted my own potential. Time- wise, I gave this paper more effort and energy than any of my other college assignments so far. The peer review, I must say, helped significantly on my paper. I was able to revise my paper based upon other people’s objective comments. This was an enormous help, because I seem to be unable to take things out of perspective. Additionally, everyone, including my professor, was very king and helpful. Overall, I am proud of having completed the milestone that is “my first college paper”. This was a very helpful learning experience, academically and personally. Thank you.
Daily Write #7
I fully comprehend and agree with my instructor’s kind critiques. I expected some of them, and I’m glad to have helpful feedback. From here on out, I will try my best to ensure to quotations are cited parenthetically, and I will add quotes where needed to strengthen the overall appeal of the essay!
Daily Write #6
I agree with my peer’s statement that my introduction could be strengthened, and that my essay could use a rebuttal to refute the author’s claim. However, I do not agree that I properly used signal phrases. I will address my peer’s concerns by strengthening my introduction to captivate the reader’s attention, and will try to properly cite my quotations.
Daily Write 5
Based on my peer’s comments, I will make sure to incorporate more rhetorical devices, work on restructuring the essay for even smoother transitioning, and add appeal or purpose, so that the reader will become more interested and continue reading.
Daily Write #4
I believe peer reviews to be very helpful because there are imperfections in any article, especially before the final copy or publication. So, insight from fresh eyes, or an objective point of view, I feel, can only prove beneficial. It has been helpful for me in the past in various English classes because it highlighted things I could improve upon in my paper, and it reminds me to review my paper with an objective perspective. Peer review can sometimes be harmful if people give very negative and not constructive feedback. To ensure that I am offering constructive criticism, I will make sure to clarify my points (this is why, or how you can improve/ it would benefit from such and such).
Weekly Write
“The Best Reason to Go to College” by Pico Iyer is an Op-Ed about the lack of diversity in the world. However, the author mostly focuses on how he was truly enlightened to the lack of diversity and open mindedness as a college professor. He gives examples of open minded youth, and how the world should aspire to be like these. He also gives various examples to religious leaders, who promote inclusiveness and open mindedness. This article is a great read that restores a bit of hope in humanity.
“The Hands of Labor” by Binya Appelbaum is an Op-Ed about the hands. More specifically, how all hands are working hands, and how they reveal much about a person. The author uses Helen Keller as a main reference. Keller, deaf and blind, provides insight to how a hand can reveal much about a person, often more than the face or facial expressions. The article has twenty-seven photos of different hands, each labeled with different job titles and names, which go to testify that person’s story, so to speak. Though the hands might all provide striking contrasts, they all have their commonalities.
“I Used the Podium to Protest. The Olympic Committee Punished Me.” by Gwen Berry is an Op-Ed about racial injustice in the Olympic stadium. The author tells of an african-american hammer thrower’s dilemma. How, after she raised her fist to support the on going black lives matter protests, she was reprimanded and is now unsponsored. This is mind boggling in the sense that Olympians are portrayed to be the best, and are praised for their “…courage, drive, and tenacity.”. However, Berry will not be silenced, and she goes to tell us why the Olympic committee is on the wrong side of history, and her plan to stop their injustice.
After carefully reviewing these three articles, I have decided to proceed in analyizing “The Best Reason to Go To College” by Pico Iyer. I was surprised at the difference in title and context. I’d thought to be reading about funding and career paths. However, I was pleasantly surprised and moved by the optomistic tone. I feel this is the article I can best analyze because it has various sources and points of view.
Daily Writing #3 (Student Samples)
The two reading samples were very enlightening. After reading them, I thoroughly enjoyed the summarization in the conclusion paragraphs of both samples. The way they generalized the entire essay by effectively and briefly describing the key points of each paragraph is something I aspire to be able to do in my analysis essays, as this is not my strong suit. I also have a better understanding of how to pick good quotations that help support the focus of a paragraph. Lastly, the samples have shown me how to properly and effectively conclude a paragraph. Additionally, I have made a mental note of the importance of transitions, and the affect fluidity has on a reader, as I feel these samples to be decent but not extraordinary works).
Daily Write #2 “What is Analysis?”
I think that analysis could be described as offering your perspective and interpretation of something, along with using evidence and various literary methods, for the purpose of recounting major points, literary techniques, and ideas to explain the author’s purpose. One concept I will make sure to incorporate into my essay is process analysis, because I often skip offering an alternative solution. Additionally, I feel this will help me remember to use the “now what” process as well.