Freewrite/Blog

Q: Do you think it's odd or peculiar that the telephone as cell phone (so named for its design as a purveyor of "phon" - sound) has been adapted to purvey text as image? Why do you imagine this change has occured?

     The telephone has undergone many changes since it has been invented. It went from spin spin dials and chords to number buttons to the wireless handheld. Cell phones started as huge phones connected to your car and now are touch screen wireless. It was only a matter of time before text was invented. I imagine this change has occured, because people (especially Americans) are exceptionally busy and always on-the-go, therefore they don't always have time to call someone. In this case, it is very convenient to send a text message. But has text messaging gone too far?
     I do not think this change is odd or peculiar. It is a shame though, because people abuse this privilege. Some phone users use text messaging as the only form of communication and speak on the phone less and less as time goes on. Although this is a quick and easy way to keep in touch, it can be very bad. When sending a text message the reader cannot always interpret your emotions and an argument can occur. I recommend you to text with caution.

Responses to Billy Collin's Questions

Question:  "What did you find wrong with the original poem?" - Jill's Blog
Response: I'm not completely sure of Billy Collins' intentions. I think that the metaphors in both poems are a little odd. I am thinking that Billy Collins may have recognized the weird metaphors in the original poem. I think that his poem uses silly metaphors to mock the weird metaphors in the original poem. 


Question: "How do you think the original author of the love poem feels about your rewrite?" - Alison's Blog
Response: I think that the original author is very embarrassed about the rewrite. Billy Collins' poem is mocking the original poem. Billy Collins' poem also seems to be more popular than the original. The original author probably feels like a fool. 


Question: "Do you think the person who originally made the poem thinks your's is better? - Stefania's Blog
Response: Billy Collins' poem seems to be mocking the original poem. I feel that the original author does not think Billy Collins' poem is better since he is mocking his. The original author is probably embarrassed and has hard feelings towards Billy Collins for mocking his poem. 

Sample H: "Apple's iPod: I've Got The Whole World on a String (Shaped Earphone Cord)"

Why the argument moved me....

1. The writer did a lot of research, which aided to the essay. 

2. The iPod was a good item to pick, because a lot of college students own them.

3. I liked how the writer explained the iPod just in case one of the readers does not know about it.

4. I liked how the writer chose to use word "simplicity" a lot. It was a very good choice of wording when describing Apple.

5. I agree that the iPod is an "icon" in American society.

6. It made me think about how much technology especially by Apple I own and have owned. 

Why I am inert/unmoved....

1. I did like the research and history but sometimes it got to be a little too much. 

2. I would have enjoyed if the writer mentioned their experiences with the iPod. 

3. The writer spoke for Apple more than once. The writer basically told the reader what the intentions of the staff at Apple are. How does the writer know this?

4. The conclusion was very long. Usually in an essay the conclusion consists of only one paragraph. 

5. The bracketed part of the title wasn't needed. 

6. Although I liked the word "simplicity"...is the iPod really simple for everyone?

Sample G : "It Gives You Wings"

Why this argument moves me...

1. I really enjoyed how the writer connected Red Bull to our society. Energy and power do characterize Red Bull and well as our society. 

2. I like how the writer suggested that Red Bull can be for anyone, not just young adults.

3. I liked how the writer mentioned he colors on the can and logos/slogans. 

4. I liked how the writer mentioned the "I Love Energy Drinks" page on Facebook. 

5. The writer did a lot of research on the product which helped to back-up the argument.

6. I liked the "Door Close Button" argument. I agree, because sometimes I find myself trying to get the elevator to close faster. 

Why I am inert/unmoved....

1. There are grammatical errors throughout the piece.

2. The MLA citing within the essay was wrong. 

3. I don't drink Red Bull, so I wasn't interested. 

4. Red Bull is not healthy and although it advertises liveliness, it should not be used for that.

5. It would have been nice if the writer included a little bit more of their own experience with the drink.

6. I liked how the writer mentioned "Red Bull's Wings", but it got to be a little repetitive. 

Questions for Billy Collins

1. Why do you look at the love poem like it is a joke?
2. Why did you choose to use the metaphors you used?
3. What is an example of a poem you would classify as good?
4. Do you consider "the pine-scented air" to be a compliment or a sneer?
5. By making this poem are you trying to criticize the original poem or is it for a different reason?
6. If you were to re-write your version now, would you change anything?

materiality; standards; justifying choices. (Response to Will's video)

     Although my computer couldn't play the video, I listened to the audio. I enjoyed Will's response, especially when he said that you should "paint a picture with words". I agree with him because if you are very descriptive, the reader will enjoy your work more. I also liked how he mentioned that the reader will get distracted if you use color fonts. Although I think using a color font could be interesting, it may take away from the work by distracting the reader.

Meaning of Idea Sentence

"In thinking about a certain idea, many sentences and ideas can be drawn by using detailed words within this idea."

This sentence is not detailed enough to understand. The author repeats the word "idea". "Idea" is a very broad word which the reader cannot be expected to narrow down. I think that the sentence is trying to say that when someone thinks of an idea, they can also think of many detailed words and sentences that describe it.

All You Can Eat By: Jim Carrier

Compounding - Saltwater feedlot, Freshwater runoff, Ponytail, Sinking shrimp fleet, Oldtimer

Playful combinations & recombinations - Gulf shrimpers, the last cowboys of the sea (166). , Skinners as cowboys (165).  , Gold rush days (166).  , still pining for pastures before barbed wire (165). ,

Neologisms - marifarm, moneyed,

Recast (words in new roles) - trash, by-catch, juvenile, circus of boats, boats galloped, devouring one-celled algae (164). , They made a living but not a killing...(166). , winches, raising shrimp,

Puns - Sharpest cocktail sauce, stuck in my craw,

Verbs, Verbs, Verbs - Replenished,

All You Can Eat By: Jim Carrier

Compounding - Saltwater feedlot, Freshwater runoff, Ponytail, Sinking shrimp fleet, Oldtimer

Playful combinations & recombinations - Gulf shrimpers, the last cowboys of the sea (166). , Skinners as cowboys (165).  , Gold rush days (166).  , still pining for pastures before barbed wire (165). ,

Neologisms - marifarm, moneyed,

Recast (words in new roles) - trash, by-catch, juvenile, circus of boats, boats galloped, devouring one-celled algae (164). , They made a living but not a killing...(166). , winches, raising shrimp,

Puns - Sharpest cocktail sauce, stuck in my craw,

Verbs, Verbs, Verbs - Replenished,

If I Could Present My Project Any Way I Want...

     If I could present my project any way I want, I would use music. I would make a mix CD to go along with my paper. Any time I felt that I could connect some form of music to my project, I would play a little bit of it. Music is something that connects feelings and can relate to anything. Instead of choosing something that some people may not enjoy, I chose music. Everyone enjoys some type of music. Using different types of music would keep the audience interested and involved in my project. For example, Diet Pepsi is actually bad for your body, so I would play the 5th Symphony by Beethoven to begin my project. Hearing this song and knowing it is associate with something bad or scary, the audience would already be connected.

Flight of the Kuaka Response

     "Flight of the Kuaka", by Don Stap was well written. When I first began reading the article, I figured that I would not enjoy it since I do not know much about birds. Once I reached the second page, I found myself submerged. Don is obviously aware that not all of his readers are bird experts. He explains everything thoroughly to the point where I began to easily understand the birds and the research.
     His writing was descriptive and contained many facts. After finishing the article, I felt as though I could tell someone else about what I had read and have them understand me. Don uses interesting facts about the birds and their migrations to keep the reader's attention. He is exceptionally descriptive and I could even imagine the birds migrating over the oceans.

What kind of reader are you?

Assigned questions 4 & 5.

4. "In adults, this skill is often referred to as metacognition, or thinking about thinking, and it’s what allows people to outsmart their shortcomings."

"For the most part, the regions are in the frontal cortex—the overhang of brain behind the eyes—and include the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the anterior prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate, and the right and left inferior frontal gyri. While these cortical folds have long been associated with self-control, they’re also essential for working memory and directed attention."

"Mischel is applying for an N.I.H. grant to investigate various mental illnesses, like obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit disorder, in terms of the ability to control and direct attention."

"Last year, Duckworth and Mischel were approached by David Levin, the co-founder of KIPP, an organization of sixty-six public charter schools across the country. KIPP schools are known for their long workday—students are in class from 7:25 A.M. to 5 P.M.—and for dramatic improvement of inner-city students’ test scores."

He does not define many terms. Sometimes a partial definition is briefly added, but nothing thorough. 

5. "One of Mischel’s favorite metaphors for this model of personality, known as interactionism, concerns a car making a screeching noise. How does a mechanic solve the problem? He begins by trying to identify the specific conditions that trigger the noise. Is there a screech when the car is accelerating, or when it’s shifting gears, or turning at slow speeds? Unless the mechanic can give the screech a context, he’ll never find the broken part. Mischel wanted psychologists to think like mechanics, and look at people’s responses under particular conditions."

"Odysseus had himself tied to the ship’s mast, he was using some of the skills of metacognition: knowing he wouldn’t be able to resist the Sirens’ song, he made it impossible to give in.) "

"In other words, people learn how to use their mind just as they learn how to use a computer: through trial and error."

He uses many metaphors. This adds positively to his writing and helps the reader relate. Since not all readers are scientists, the metaphors help to understand the article. 

Explanation of a quote from the Marshmallow Experiment Article

Quote: "The scientists have decided to focus on genes in the dopamine pathways, since those neurotransmitters are believed to regulate both motivation & attention."

What I believe the quote means: The researchers in this experiment chose to focus on hereditary characteristics in the nervous system. The chemicals that are being passed from nerve to nerve are believed to regulate motivation and attention. Motivation and attention are important in the outcome of the experiment, because motivation is needed to wait and control of attention is needed to focus on something other than eating the marshmallow. The ability to motivate and control your attention is found by studying the nervous system. Not only was the experiment made to see motivation and attention skills, but to find where these two characteristics come from within the body. 

Small Object, Large Object

     An Ipod is one gadget that is recognizable by everyone. In our culture, music is very prominent. There are many different genres of music and an ipod can contain them all. Our culture values technology and is becoming completely dependent on it. The Ipod especially the Ipod touch, which I have, can do almost anything. The Ipod touch can go on the internet, play music, play games, etc. Since our culture is so dependent on technology, an Ipod is important to and owned by many.
     The product is made by Apple, which has proven to be the best technology provider on the market. Apple computers, laptops, ipods, and programs are extremely expensive, but they are worth every penny. Apple products are known to prevent viruses and stay like new for years. PC owners run into many problems with viruses that slow down their computers. Apple markets it's products, such as the Ipod, with an Apple. No surprise there. On all of their products, they put their logo which is a bitten apple.
     The producers at Apple know what Americans want in technology. Everything is getting more advanced and Americans always want the latest trend. They want their gadgets to move fast and hold a lot of information. Apple makes the Ipod small and lightweight, but it can contain thousands of songs and applications. Apple continuously proves its worth by introducing new programs, faster computers, better Ipods, and even cellular phones a couple times a year. As an owner of two Apple products (Ipod touch and MAC) I am completely satisfied and will most likely never invest in a PC again.

Pantene Commercial Response #2

     What is one thing that almost every girl is self-conscious about? Her hair! What is one thing that almost every person is self-conscious about? Accomplishing their dreams! Well, Pantene touches on both subjects. It seems as though Pantene wants to reach out to everyone, girls and guys. Guys like having nice hair and presenting themselves well, too. Pantene knows how to sell a product well. Their commercial strategy is almost flawless.
     When selling a product, you need to lure people in. Pantene does this by making their commercial about four minutes long. In these four minutes, you are introduced to characters which you sympathize with. There's a sort of fairytale style to the commercial, which always works. Fairytales are the most recognizable stories among people. There is always a good person, a bad person, and a person who saves the good person. The audience loves the good person and sympathizes with them, just like we sympathized with the deaf violinist.
     At the end of the commercial, she accomplishes her dreams. The viewers are happy and admire her. Quickly, after the audience gives her a standing ovation, the viewers are told "you can shine". Well, everyone wants to accomplish their dreams and everyone wants to look good. So why wouldnt you be more likely to buy Pantene!? In other shampoo commercials, the viewers are shown a quick clip of happy people with nice hair. But in the Pantene commercial, the viewers are given a chance to connect with the characters. Also, as a user of Pantene shampoo, I love it.