What I would have done differently.
It is hard to say what I would do differently while I was working on my paper because I have not received it back graded. I feel that I have spent enough time on research and writing, as well as having it checked many times at the Writing Center. I have been working on it for the last 5 weeks. It has helped by doing homework assignments that have been in conjunction with writing the research paper. Pre-writes, summaries of sources, writing outlines, annotated bibliography, writing the works citied page, and rough draft have help me to have time to research, gather, and write my final paper. I hope to receive a good grade on my paper.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Journal Entry Lesson 13
Consulting with Someone
Over the semester, I have visited the Writing Center on UAF’s campus many times. I have had many different people check over my writing assignments. I have seen a change in my attitude, knowledge, and an improvement in my ability to write.
At first I was really afraid of having someone critique my paper. I felt self-conscious and worried that I would be told that I was a poor writer. As I have continued to visit the Writing Center, I found that everyone working there was interested in my success. I was never made to feel that I was a poor writer. After the first visit, I was no longer apprehensive and found that as my attitude changed, the experience became pleasant and very enjoyable.
Each person I have worked with has been very helpful, some have been more meticulous than others. My papers were checked for errors and each time I was told different things to correct. I have been given ideas for revisions, and explained some rules of grammar. I have always had problems figuring out when to put a comma when using the word “and” in a sentence. One of the people working at the Writing Center explained to me that if I combined together two complete sentences, I would use a “comma box,” or the word “and” with a comma after it. Another thing I learned was when to use apostrophe “s” or “s” apostrophe; the first one being used showing ownership by a single person, and the second one being used to show plural or many persons ownership. I know these are simple English rules, but I was grateful for the mini lessons. It reminded me of what I had learned in high school and gave me knowledge to improve upon.
I have been encouraged especially when I have made a repeat visit and had the same person review my paper. Then comments were made pointing out the improvements I have made from previous papers. Just this last week the person that reviewed my rough draft for my research paper said that when I finish I should publish my paper. I was shocked! I had never considered that I would publish anything. It was quite a compliment and made me feel great. This has encouraged me and helped me to see that I am improving my writing.
I have found it has been very helpful to discuss my paper with someone at the Writing Center. They are friendly people willing to help me succeed. I am grateful that the university offers a Writing Center. I have received help at all stages of writing an essay from writing an outline and figuring out a thesis statement, to the works cited page. Visiting the Writing Center has changed my attitude about having someone check over my paper and helped me to understand the process of writing as well as improved my proficiency in writing.
Over the semester, I have visited the Writing Center on UAF’s campus many times. I have had many different people check over my writing assignments. I have seen a change in my attitude, knowledge, and an improvement in my ability to write.
At first I was really afraid of having someone critique my paper. I felt self-conscious and worried that I would be told that I was a poor writer. As I have continued to visit the Writing Center, I found that everyone working there was interested in my success. I was never made to feel that I was a poor writer. After the first visit, I was no longer apprehensive and found that as my attitude changed, the experience became pleasant and very enjoyable.
Each person I have worked with has been very helpful, some have been more meticulous than others. My papers were checked for errors and each time I was told different things to correct. I have been given ideas for revisions, and explained some rules of grammar. I have always had problems figuring out when to put a comma when using the word “and” in a sentence. One of the people working at the Writing Center explained to me that if I combined together two complete sentences, I would use a “comma box,” or the word “and” with a comma after it. Another thing I learned was when to use apostrophe “s” or “s” apostrophe; the first one being used showing ownership by a single person, and the second one being used to show plural or many persons ownership. I know these are simple English rules, but I was grateful for the mini lessons. It reminded me of what I had learned in high school and gave me knowledge to improve upon.
I have been encouraged especially when I have made a repeat visit and had the same person review my paper. Then comments were made pointing out the improvements I have made from previous papers. Just this last week the person that reviewed my rough draft for my research paper said that when I finish I should publish my paper. I was shocked! I had never considered that I would publish anything. It was quite a compliment and made me feel great. This has encouraged me and helped me to see that I am improving my writing.
I have found it has been very helpful to discuss my paper with someone at the Writing Center. They are friendly people willing to help me succeed. I am grateful that the university offers a Writing Center. I have received help at all stages of writing an essay from writing an outline and figuring out a thesis statement, to the works cited page. Visiting the Writing Center has changed my attitude about having someone check over my paper and helped me to understand the process of writing as well as improved my proficiency in writing.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Journal Entry Lesson 11
Summarizing Reading Material
I have found that there are many ways to help understand material that I want to use for my research paper. One of those is by summarizing. When summarizing, it is important to read over the material, take notes, and make an outline. All of these are important in order to understand what the author is trying to convey.
I like to read through the text many times because I usually miss things the first time. Depending on the material, I may read the entire work ten or more times, especially if the language is difficult to understand. For example, if I read something from Thomas Jefferson or John Adams, I have a hard time understanding the material on the first reading through because of the time frame that it was written in. By reading over the material many times it becomes clearer. It also helps to have an open mind towards whatever the subject matter is about. This helps to not pre-judge the ideas expressed by an author. When I have done this, I have sometimes been impressed to change my own view on the subject.
After I have read through the text and feel I have a pretty good understanding of the material, I like to take notes. This is called annotating. If the material is online, I usually print it out because it is easier to highlight, underline or circle important concepts, and to write comments in the borders. This helps me to be able to start organizing the ideas expressed. One of the first things I look for is the author’s thesis statement and the supporting statements used to back up the thesis statement. It also helps to know the audience the author is writing for and the purpose of the material being presented. I like to look up words in the dictionary that I do not understand to better clarify the text. In this week assignment, I did not understand the word “anachronistic” meant. I looked it up in the dictionary and found that it means: outdated or obsolete. This made the sentence it was used in make more sense.
When I have finished annotating the references, then it is time to write a brief summary of the material studied. This not only helps me to know exactly what the author’s intent was, but it also helps in deciding what material I will use in my paper. Some of the material is duplicated although from different sources and depending on the creditability of the source depends on which source I choose. Writing a summary of the reference material I found also helps in deciding the organization of the outline for the final paper.
As I have completed assignments for my English class this semester, I have found that reading over the reference material many times, annotating the material, and then making summaries helps very much in having an organized, well thought out, and good argument on my final essay.
I have found that there are many ways to help understand material that I want to use for my research paper. One of those is by summarizing. When summarizing, it is important to read over the material, take notes, and make an outline. All of these are important in order to understand what the author is trying to convey.
I like to read through the text many times because I usually miss things the first time. Depending on the material, I may read the entire work ten or more times, especially if the language is difficult to understand. For example, if I read something from Thomas Jefferson or John Adams, I have a hard time understanding the material on the first reading through because of the time frame that it was written in. By reading over the material many times it becomes clearer. It also helps to have an open mind towards whatever the subject matter is about. This helps to not pre-judge the ideas expressed by an author. When I have done this, I have sometimes been impressed to change my own view on the subject.
After I have read through the text and feel I have a pretty good understanding of the material, I like to take notes. This is called annotating. If the material is online, I usually print it out because it is easier to highlight, underline or circle important concepts, and to write comments in the borders. This helps me to be able to start organizing the ideas expressed. One of the first things I look for is the author’s thesis statement and the supporting statements used to back up the thesis statement. It also helps to know the audience the author is writing for and the purpose of the material being presented. I like to look up words in the dictionary that I do not understand to better clarify the text. In this week assignment, I did not understand the word “anachronistic” meant. I looked it up in the dictionary and found that it means: outdated or obsolete. This made the sentence it was used in make more sense.
When I have finished annotating the references, then it is time to write a brief summary of the material studied. This not only helps me to know exactly what the author’s intent was, but it also helps in deciding what material I will use in my paper. Some of the material is duplicated although from different sources and depending on the creditability of the source depends on which source I choose. Writing a summary of the reference material I found also helps in deciding the organization of the outline for the final paper.
As I have completed assignments for my English class this semester, I have found that reading over the reference material many times, annotating the material, and then making summaries helps very much in having an organized, well thought out, and good argument on my final essay.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Journal Entry - Lesson 10
I really hate that people blame society for their problems!
After reading Class in America—2003 by Gregory Mantsios, I started thinking about my own upbringing. I was raised by a single mother with two other siblings. She was a college graduate and had a decent paying job. From the descriptions of the different classes, my family probably was considered as poor or lower class.
I remember that money was tight. My mother had a strict budget that she adhered to. Very rarely did the family go out to eat, like maybe once a month and dessert was only offered on Sunday. For entertainment, we would go to the drive-in movie because it charged a small fee for each vehicle. Many times we would be able to invite friends to come along since it didn’t cost anything extra. My mother liked to take the family to the theater usually once a year. Everyone would get all dressed up in their best clothes; it was a special time for our family. Musicals like: Oklahoma, Sound of Music, and South Pacific were some of the highlights.
I never considered that our family was poor. Looking back on our childhood, my siblings and I still remember it with fond memories. We never felt that we were lacking anything, even though the family did not have a lot of money. Life was filled with laughter, joy, and happiness. I feel that it was because my mother worked hard, planned for expenditure, and saved so that her children could experience the refined culture around us.
She taught each of her children to work hard and be responsible for their choices. I recall her encouraging us to make good choices and always do our best.
I know that my mother made a lot of sacrifices for our family. She did not blame society for her lot in life. She continually worked hard to improve her family’s living conditions. My mother has been a great example to me. I recognize that the independence, fortitude, and strong work ethics I have developed are from the example she set.
After reading Class in America—2003 by Gregory Mantsios, I started thinking about my own upbringing. I was raised by a single mother with two other siblings. She was a college graduate and had a decent paying job. From the descriptions of the different classes, my family probably was considered as poor or lower class.
I remember that money was tight. My mother had a strict budget that she adhered to. Very rarely did the family go out to eat, like maybe once a month and dessert was only offered on Sunday. For entertainment, we would go to the drive-in movie because it charged a small fee for each vehicle. Many times we would be able to invite friends to come along since it didn’t cost anything extra. My mother liked to take the family to the theater usually once a year. Everyone would get all dressed up in their best clothes; it was a special time for our family. Musicals like: Oklahoma, Sound of Music, and South Pacific were some of the highlights.
I never considered that our family was poor. Looking back on our childhood, my siblings and I still remember it with fond memories. We never felt that we were lacking anything, even though the family did not have a lot of money. Life was filled with laughter, joy, and happiness. I feel that it was because my mother worked hard, planned for expenditure, and saved so that her children could experience the refined culture around us.
She taught each of her children to work hard and be responsible for their choices. I recall her encouraging us to make good choices and always do our best.
I know that my mother made a lot of sacrifices for our family. She did not blame society for her lot in life. She continually worked hard to improve her family’s living conditions. My mother has been a great example to me. I recognize that the independence, fortitude, and strong work ethics I have developed are from the example she set.
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