Journal Entry - Lesson 5

What do you do when you get a brain cramp?

Taking English 111 has been a real eye opener to me. I have done very little academic writing in the past. I am learning so much, but it is time consuming. I enjoy learning new techniques and the mechanics of writing. I feel like I am an okay writer, but would like to improve.

The pre-writing takes a lot of time, but actually helps me to think of new ideas. My favorite ones are freewriting, idea mapping, and Pro and Con Because-clauses. Sometimes I have completed a few pre-writing strategies just to get ideas flowing. I did this in lesson 1 for my first assignment.

I do not like formal outlines and don’t think I would use this strategy unless required by my professor. I do not think in such an organized way. My thoughts are more jumbled so I need to get them down on paper first and then try to organize them.

So far the textbooks have been very helpful. It is nice to have a couple of sources to go to when I don't understand something.

I like my professor because she returns my papers within a few days of turning them in. The comments she makes are insightful and let me know where I can improve or where I did well. I try to use the comments and corrections when checking over my next assignment before turning it in.

Evaluation of supporting evidence

I used three sources in my essay "Persistence is the key to success.” The first two sources were from web sites. The other was from a popular children’s book.

As I started my search on the internet, I was looking for one or two quotes that would help readers understand my position. I also wanted to make sure that the person quoted was well known so that it would be considered a creditable source. The first quote was by Benjamin Franklin. His statement, “Energy and persistence conquer all things,” fit right into the title of my essay. I found it on the web site Motivational and Inspirational Quote Collection.

The second quote was one that I had heard before. I knew it was by Thomas Edison and referred to his inventing the light bulb. It was, “Results? Why, man, I have gotten lots of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward.” I knew it would be creditable if I could find it. After searching the internet I found a site by Gerald Beals called, Thomas Edison.com. This quote was perfect for showing that mistakes are not failures but stepping stones. This is exactly what persistence is. Not giving up and the ability to keep on trying.

My last source came from the book, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. I did not use a direct quote, but just part of the story line. This book has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. I love the friendship that is developed between Wilbur and Charlotte and the fact that Charlotte never gives up on making sure that Wilbur is safe. This is a book of fiction, so I would not have used it if my paper would have required an actual event, but for the purpose of showing an example of persistence, it was perfect.

Writing a revision

When I started writing the revision of my essay from lesson 1, it was hard to change from writing in 1st person to 3rd person. I started with mapping ideas and then did some brainstorming of Pros and Cons because statements. It helped to solidify what my key points were. From there I took each paragraph from the first essay and did a rewrite. This helped to keep my focus on what my thesis was.

I found it hard to look at my topic "persistence" from two views since the paper was suppose to be an argument, but I was only able to voice one view. Usually in an argument paper, both sides are viewed. This is why it is considered to be both a process and a product. The goal of an argument should involve an exchange of ideas and then choosing the best solution for all involved. It can be found in all aspects of our life. Some examples are: two lawyers involved in a legal case, present their sides and the judge or jury will make a final decision; children expressing their opposition of a rule to their parents; members of a community voicing their opinion at an assembly meeting. My essay focused on the ability to succeed through perseverance.

If I were to give a presentation or write a letter to the editor, I would want to include both sides of an argument. If I didn't, my paper wouldn't carry much weight. I need to be able to show why my opinion is the best by countering any opposition.

I like to get another person's opinion of my paper before I turn it in. I have found it helpful to discuss my paper with a family member or friend and visit the writing center on campus. They have checked my paper for errors, given ideas for revision, and explained rules of grammar. Each of these has helped me get a higher grade and better understand the process of writing an essay.

Previewing section of a book help me to pick out the important ideas and what the author is trying to tell me. Then I can decide what applies and what doesn't. This is very important in evaluating sources so time is not wasted on trying to find sources that are not very creditable.

Which genre of argument would you most likely use on your own?

As I looked over the list of the different types of genres, there were a few that I would use; some on a regular basis, and others on rare occasions. These are personal correspondence, letters to the editor, and most recently, blogging.

I communicate with my family and friends through personal correspondence. Now days there are a variety of ways to communicate. Sometimes I write letters, other times I email, and for just short, brief messages there is texting. I enjoy all of them because they keep my family and friends close to me. Recently my daughter and her husband were in Thailand for 2 months. I wasn't always able to reach them by phone and it was very expensive. We would email at least once a week, and sometimes more.

I have only written a letter to an editor, once. It was scary thinking that a lot of people would be reading what I wrote. It is a great way to voice your opinion.

Blogging is all new, and I look forward to doing it. I have viewed other peoples blogs and have enjoyed reading their posts. Maybe this will become something I enjoy doing.

Journal entry - Lesson 3

Are We the Guinea Pigs?

Congress continues to debate over health care reform in America. They all agree that something needs to be done, but they haven’t agreed on how. While they continue to discuss the issue, health care prices are escalating. This has made it impossible for many families to afford health care coverage and resulted in employers dropping health care benefits for their employees. It is important that whatever heath care bill congress agrees upon, that it will make health care accessible and costs affordable without taking away our freedom of choice.

Our medical technology is one of the top in the world. One young man's diagnosis was prostate cancer. He was scheduled for surgery within 2 weeks. He has had a full recovery and considered in remission. If he had lived in Canada he would not have been able to be seen by an oncologist for 6 months. Since prostate cancer is a fast growing cancer, he may not have been alive today. This is one of the reasons I don’t want to see a national health care plan that is run by the government. Health care needs to be assessable for everyone.

There has to be a way for health care to be available for all Americans that is affordable where the federal government would only need to help when employers are unable to carry a health care plan for their employees. We all need to contact our congressman and input our ideas. Together we can find a solution, one that would benefit everyone.

English 111

This is my first post for English 111, I hope it turns out :)