Evaluation Proposals and Research Post

I am evaluating "Skins" (UK Version) as a good modern representation of teenageness because it mirrors the portrayal of a regular teen, it depicts what's wrong with our society today and it contains realistic views on teens through first-person point of view.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skins_(TV_series)

-Contains overview information of characters, episodes and influence on public
-Contain links to summary of all episodes 

http://www.slideshare.net/sparkly/skins-analysis
-Contains analytical portrayal of "Skins"
-Break down several overviews that "Skins" contains: as a narrative, genre and representation

http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/56850861.html
-Compare and contrast Skins US vs. UK
-Contains more contextual analysis on UK version

3rd Post [Free Writing]

The Tv show "Skins" premiered about a year ago and created plenty of controversy. It was a originally a UK Tv show, adapted into a US version; where it was translated with different characters and a different stroyline. However, it was the change of story that made it unbearable. It was the fact of using teenagers in scenes of homosexuality, sexual content, drugs and profanity that made it obscene to viewers. The fact that millions of teenagers watching this content, sponsors on the side of MTV and the actors who just went with the show despite its content. This show demonstrates improper social behavior, which is influenced to the young minds of teens. Because the show presents a balance of parties with school, which is not the life one wants to live, especially while trying to make a living. However, if it was that the producers would have censored such content from the beginning, the show would have been better. The show should have never been shown and its attempt to attract itself to the audience failed, where a cancellation had no question in mind.

2nd Post Free Writing

The film, "V for Vendetta" is a 2006 thriller film directed by James McTeigue and produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers, who also wrote the screenplay. It is an adaptation of the V for Vendetta comic book by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Set in London in a near-future dystopian society, Natalie Portman stars as Evey, a working-class girl who must determine if her hero has become the very menace she is fighting against. Hugo Weaving plays V—a bold, charismatic freedom fighter driven to exact revenge on those who disfigured him. It is a good film that represents a political idealism of totalitarianism, by the way the government surfaces over V's purpose of revenge and rule over the country in the film. The film has been a worldwide success in most countries and most people just visualize "V for Vendetta" as a movie of action rather than the sociopolitical ideas that it possess through the government and V's actions. It deals with issues of homosexuality, religion, totalitarianism, Islamophobia and terrorism. People has highly praised "V for Vendetta" because it is a good film in general, and it has several anarchist groups have rejected the film. Also, a few Christian right groups attacked the film for its portrayal of Christianity and sympathetic portrayal of rebellion. Overall, most people have seen the film as controversial, but it really shows how the government practically acts today in modern society, with all the issues presented.

1st Post (Free Writing)

Planking, "the lying down game", is an activity consisting of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the internet is an integral part of the game. Players compete to find the most unusual and original location in which to play. The term planking is described as the practice of lying down flat with arms to the side, to mimic a wooden plank. Planking quoted by Xbizit (actor/musician), who seemed to poke at the sight of it, "Planking is the dumbest shit ever." Planking seems to be really dumb, since you are laying on the floor with germs as an inanimate object. It is also seems to be dangerous, since people do not follow the rules of planking and plant themselves in the most dangerous locations. It has been taken up by famous people, where it has influenced other foreign territories to participate such as Australia and Japan. Planking is a fad, that is starting to gain popularity where if it reaches more participation by other people, it will encourage people to be inactive and it might cause controversy and death (which it has done in a few causes). For example, if it doesn't stop now, it will be a serious danger in the future.

LADY GAGA BLOG

The arguments really depict Lady Gaga's image to the public. However, the author that criticizes Lady Gaga's symbolism as the demise of sex is demeaning her iconic fame; it compares to all of her music videos, fashion and her lyrics to how it really depicts death and sex. It also compares her to other music icons, which supposedly stated by the author, are represented better than Lady Gaga represents herself. The audience and time focuses on the modern public, which idolizes on Lady Gaga's fame and focus on her "little monsters" (audience). The circumstance of the argument is Lady Gaga's self-efface presence to the public by being wild and being different, idolizing different social groups and social issues; where at some point in between her style and her fame, the author declares that she is demeaning herself as a person and everything about her is a lie. The text itself provides moderate information about Gaga's background and it digs behind the scenes of Gaga's fashion sense. It also includes many examples comparing how dehumanizing Gaga is compared to her declared idols: David Bowie and Madonna. It also analyzes how everything she represents is a lie she was made; not that everything and the title "Lady Gaga" came along by her efforts. It includes logos, pathos and ethos. Logos corresponds in her uses of examples to Gaga's fashion, music and her own personal image. Pathos corresponds to her countless examples of Gaga's dehumanization. Ethos is varied because some of the information provided is accounted because most fans know her closely, but true fans would really identify if the facts are true; but they won't pay attention to the hateful descriptions imposed on her because they love her.

Peer Review (3)-Narrative Argument Essay

The peer review helped a bit better on this essay. However, since the topic was a narrative argument, the essay was a bit easier to write. This time instead of using information and research, it was more personal and it was arguing a life lesson. Also, to write the whole overall argument, you need to relive the experience, which was pretty shitty. It wasn't an easy thing to talk about, however, it was the only good topic in which I could think of. It combined the skill of writing a story and teaching something that applies to a certain audience. My topic was about me coming out 2 years ago; where it applies my conversation with my mother and the choice of being who I want to be. Now, this paper easily has its argument with the scene between me and my mother arguing. Yet, it needed a lot of background information, and dialogue in order to make a good narrative argument. I did obtain a good amount of feedback, in where I didn't need to correct too much but too little information. 

Foodstravaganza

As you sit down to eat dinner (whatever that is) take note of the experience. Later,write for 10 minutes describing it with as much detail as possible. Include details from all the senses: how does it smell, feel, and taste. What does the place around you sound like? Who all is there? Again, give as many details as possible.


When I enter the Pollock Dining Hall Area, I go to the Southside Buffet. As soon as I enter that area, I always smell meat and bread, afterwards you can't pretty much smell anything unless you come close to the food. Today, I had some BBQ Ribs, Baked Beans and some Caramel Chunk Brownie with some Vanilla Frozen Yogurt and a glass of Raspberry Lemonade. The meaty sensation of pale white meat that tingles in my mouth with its succulent sauce touching down my mouth, warming its vacuous space. I feel a thump inside my stomach, where the food is taking its place. Next, I try my baked beans; its somewhat sweet yet satisfying because I obtain my daily intake of grain, which is pretty healthy. I take a sip of the tangy, cold raspberry lemonade to wash down the taste of ribs and beans down my throat. I feel the tasty juice wash off the meat around the canvas of my stomach. After the main course, here comes the dessert. Baked brown batter with a taste of caramel icing on the exterior, loaded with vanilla frozen yogurt; poised perfectly and yet dripping. I take a bite and feel the brownie turn moist and soft with the mix of the ice cream. Its loud, very loud my exterior with starving teenage cannibals waiting on the line to eat; I mean you can hear their growling stomachs as they wait for their own portion. After I finish my meal, I place the try on the conveyer belt where it goes to the land of cleanliness waiting to be used for breakfast tomorrow.

Narrative Arguments

1) Write a bit about how these essays differ from the writing you are used to writing/reading. How do they use a different structure, tone, techniques, etc?

Path's Changing-This is more of a a memoir. Its written from a first-person point of view and uses a length of good verbatim. It describes the author's experience from his relationship conflicting with his religious custom of being a Mormon. Its very descriptive, in the way the author describes his somewhat opaque religious disclosures which are very deep. In this essay, he uses the technique of retrospection- going back to the experiences with his girlfriend, while at the same time describing the conversation with his stepbrother leaving and making the right decision to complete his religious mission. Its relates to more adults than children because it describes something enticing in the step of having a midlife crisis.

And the Hero will Drown-This is an abstract essay. Its written in 1st person and its describes several instances where the author tries to be a hero, which is a very personal concept to him since its society around him which affects his psychosis. It describes the author trying to be a hero, while all around him, people reject him in the fact he trying to be a good samaritan. Its very surreal and contains bits and pieces of his life, where one moment he could be talking about the experience with a middle school friend and then changes to another instance where it changes to him talking to his mother about asking a girl out. The author does create an analogy within the paper, where his compares his experiences to a 'guy running to the finish line'. Its does complete the criteria for being an abstract essay and comparing it to one motif because its abstract within the experiences his mentions, but it explains that a hero will never make it to the end. Its reaches an audience of teenagers because they always want to be the hero.

Gaming addiction (Kotaru)-This is more of a narrative argument. Its explains the author's experience becoming a video game addict and losing everything (his job, girlfriend, apartment, etc.) His experience really accounts for a video game victim and it touches every single instance and every word. For example, it describes a moment that a tow truck was taking his car away and he was just thinking about a video game. His loses his job because he was checking strategies for the game rather than working and his girlfriend left him becoming he was ignoring her. Its an awful retelling in the way that its very sad, but in the end he redeems himself by getting hired for a video game company, which is his forte. This serves as a ultimate exemplar of a video game addict and should be read by more people to stop from happening to the future generation, since they are developing more addictive games for their own personal benefit. The audience that the author is targeting is game developers and people who play video games.

2) Take one of the essays and write a few sentences about the purpose and audience for the essay. What are they and how do you know?

The gaming addiction for Kotaru is very coveted, in the way that society is growing more addictive to video game and video game producers are creating more and more addictive game for people to buy and just sit there and play their eyes out. The purpose is to show what happens to you [as a person] when you become a video addict: you lose track of everything, you don't take care of your health, you become increasingly lazy and disconnect with the world at the end of the road. The purpose of the article highlights several the growth and the state of addiction, where he didn't play a video game at first and then when his roommate introduced the game to him, he became his roommate, playing for endless hours on the glowing beam of technology. It shows him before, during and after the addiction which is very constructive. The audience of the essay he mentions it around the end of the article, when he says that producers are creating more difficult games for the public. So in the end, the article transitions from it being a danger at first to himself, that it just doesn't affect him but a lot of people buying into the marketing of video games. Its a cycle because they develop the video game, people buy them, throw them out and the cycle starts all over.

3rd Post [Free Writing]

List experiences that you've had in the past, starting as young as possible. Don't worry if they were small or significant--most likely if you remember them then they were significant for you.


Adults who become married couples think that they are ready for the challenge that seep ahead, but they are wrong. I don't get married couples, make sure you're in love because if you aren't, it really means nothing. It's crazy that people waste their time saying I love you because they feel it when they touch for the moment, but as the relationship keeps transitioning in something else; time really bites and at some point you don't feel anything anymore and want to move on. I remember when my parents were about to get a divorce; I was around 7 probably at the time and they always had fights. Sometimes I swear I'm the mistake in my family, because I don't think my parents really loved each other, which is sad. It's like I'm made of out of something other than love. So we were in Puerto Rico, and we traveled 3 hours across the southwestern territory to go and visit my mom's family, which we did most weekends. However, this happened on the way back home, on a Sunday and they were fighting for god knows what. So we are traveling back, what I recall is that they were fighting and I wished to be somewhere better. My mom was screaming and crying and my dad was getting out the car a couple of times because he couldn't take the pain anymore. Me, the innocent child, was just watching and couldn't do anything. The worst part was when we were halfway down the road and my dad took out his gun, swearing to do something bad. And we are just crying there and driving back, it was horrible. My mom, "Raphael, put it away! What are you doing?" "You what me to do it, huh?!" "STOP IT!" After that ride, it was the most traumatizing moment I had as a child. We arrived home and my mom again like in the other post was crying and calling her sisters to tell her what happened. My mom was just pacing fast across the bedroom, where she couldn't sleep. My dad started packing a few of his things and I asked "Are you ok?" "Don't talk to me, talk to your mother." I went to school the next day pretending nothing happened. I don't know how I've survived my parents' turmoil. I don't know how I got here today without any harm done really.

2nd Post [Free Writing]

What do you spend the most time doing, what do you love doing most, or what things are most interested in? What do these mean to you? Why are you interested in them? 


Most of the time I'm just focusing on my career at the same time I am trying to enjoy life. Before I left high school, I feel like I didn't get to explore a lot of "other doors". For example, I've mentioned since I was little that I love movies. Its a passion and its an art of self-expression. I didn't pursue the film career in high school because I never had an advantage or an outlook to let me find out more information about it. I mean I like Forensic Science, but I can't express myself with this career as much as I have a passion for film. To enter film, you need to write a screenplay; like my science teacher told me "I should write a book about the s*** that I've been through. It'd be a great movie to see." However, Forensic Science for me is more like a 'grown-up' decision made, because right now the economic isn't sweeping any more money than I am any closer to making a movie as good as Steven Spielberg. Besides that, my mom told me that this type of job is kinda average; I mean a lot of people are interested and I would have to be extremely crafty to make it out in Hollywood. I love movies; I love watching movies over and over, I remember quotes, scenery locations, actors, gag reel, behind the scenes, analysis, etc. There is a wide range of quantities that movies can offer to people, but you as the viewer need to visualize behind the masterpiece to understand what is truly to appreciate. That's why people are amazed of the magic of Harry Potter, or the action-packed Transformers or the globalization of Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire. However, getting off topic, I am trying to make my parents proud by pursuing in a career that will make them think of me as a good child. What am I trying to say? Since the 'coming-out' phase, I've been labeled as the hateful child, abuser, gay mother******, etc. I need to show them that it was worth it sending me 3,000 miles away and whats' even worse is not studying what is appealing to me because my mother said it was worthless. Its something better than nothing and in any business you need to start somewhere even if you have nothing. I asked my mom the other day, "Mom, did you want to do anything else than being a judge?" "I wanted to open a boutique salon." "Why didn't you do it?" "I did what I needed to do and it was to face the reality of it and move on." Wow, Mom. Way to be. I still don't get her way of thinking because society has changed and even if I studied film, I'd be really good at it because of my creative skills. I regret not taking any of the AP English courses in high school in which I could have improved my writing. I regret getting out of DUS when my mother complained that I only wanted to study Forensic Science; which the interest of film came in the spark of the moment. I wish we had more time in the world to explore and find out what is our purpose. I mean its just that there is no time. I don't know, I still like film and right now Chemistry kicking me in the ass.

1st Post [Free Writing]

When was the last time you can think of where you got really upset or really happy. Why? What was it over?


When I was a junior in high school, I "came out" to friends and parents. At that time, I was in a dark place because I didn't feel comfortable with myself and I learned not to depend on my parents, which is where I fully evolved into an adult. When I came out to my mother, she didn't take it well because she crystallized me in an image of perfection. Now, I learned that the reality of it is that only I can decide what I want and find that "happy-medium" that most people obtain when they settle down and find equilibrium in their lives; in the end, if I am happy that is what's important. Another thing, is that society is somewhat runned by hypercriticism which is why the world is messed up. However, it was a mistake on my part because I talked about it on the wrong day. Today, my father and mother know. My mom still does not accept so and is dating the same boyfriend, in which they have been together for 4 years now. My father is ok with my sexuality since he is scared by the fact my mother wanted to take him to jail. This is the experience of my coming out phase.


~


For the rest of life, this day will never surpass my memory. It was the seventh of May (the day before Mother's Day), I was driving out of my CBP Youth Law Enforcement group with my mom's Lexus practicing for the driver's exam which I would soon take. It was me, my mom and my friend Milianette in the back seat. So, as usual, my mother was asking me what did we do today. I said "Nothing", trying to change the topic and ignore her. It wasn't that I hated her, I just feel I couldn't open up to her because if I ever told her about my sexuality, she would probably send me to "hell." And that's exactly what she did today. So we kept driving along the road and there some white skyscraper apartments and 'attractive construction workers' walking along the road and I tell my friend "Hey, look at the houses." It was a code that only we could understand. And my mom gives me the most peculiar face expression; she was puzzled and confounded because she had figured out my code. We kept driving with silence in the car, until after we had dropped off my friend at her house. Then my mom asks, "So, what was it that you were talking about back there?" All my nerves activated in a state of panic beneath my body, but I played it cool until she asked again. "SO?!!....What is it?!" she said. I said "I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about." "When you were talking about those houses....." "I was talking about those houses, that's it." I wish she'd just let it go, however, she was nerve racking and she couldn't stop. "No, you weren't. I know exactly what you were talking about." "Fine, you caught me." "So, for how long?" My nerves were on the verge of just wanting to throw myself out of the car and run away. I was stunned and couldn't move any more than looking to the road. After that, it was now or never; maybe she'll warm up to you if you're loyal to her. I mean she is your mother and you can tell her anything. I was wrong yet again. I always tell the truth which is my problem, I was never a good liar like my parents. They were so good at lying, the fact that my mom is a judge and sometimes she lies to me about what she's doing or how long she is going to take to come home. My dad has lied to me in instances, of him probably experimenting himself. "It's been a while." "Really? Why didn't you tell me?" "I didn't tell you because I didn't think you'd be ready to hear this." "So, have you told anyone about it?" "Yes, a few people." "Who?" "I told PJ, Carmen, and a few friends from school." "WHAT?! Have you told your father too?!" "No." My mom is dating a pilot (50) ; its' not that I have anything against him either. He just tends to use my mom as a friend with benefit(s) way by using the house and cheating on her and not telling her I love you, having bipolar moods and not cleaning after himself. He works for American Airlines and has three ex-wives and five children, and seems to criticize a lot about society [in other words, its like he doesn't like what society has turned into]. Pj (his son, 16), the middle child has come to Puerto Rico even though he lives in Florida, but he comes in the worst case. He seems to have mental problems; he drinks, smokes and has sensual relations at the age which is bad. I mean, he's in like mixed parts of high school and he been to rehab and jail. Carmen (the pilot's sister) is in her 40's, with a productive husband who works as an accountant in a bank, and two boys: one who is in college now who's in his 20's (smokes, surfs and likes to chill, temp) and her 15 year-old who mirrors his brother's image but is trying to pass high school unlike his cousin PJ. What I mean, is that he fails at times and we don't even know what grade he's in. We finally arrive home after that weird conversation, and there's an awkward silence; however, I went to take a nap to soon go to a party. Later on, she woke up in like a hostile manner, "GET UP!" I was surprised, but no time for that, soon I would be dancing with friends and having fun. I took a shower and after went to go check on my mom to see how she was doing. "Are you ok?" "Yes, I'm fine." She said it in a sarcastic manner, she was NOT ok. "What's wrong?" "Nothing." "Look, I told you I'm gay and don't expect you to understand, but please don't try to change who I am." I mean, she's dating Pedro, what the f***! I'm not judging her for still being with him after he cheated on her. "Have you had any recent encounters with anyone?" "Maybe, but I was just experimenting." How are you supposed to learn from life if you don't try things, right? You'll never get the opinion unless you've tried it. "With who?" "Some guy, it was in a tent on a camping trip." "Were you in love?" "No, but I wanted to try it. You're not in a love relationship either with your boyfriend, he doesn't even say I love you." "So, I am the grown up here and what I say goes." Every time a parent uses that excuse, it makes me sick to my stomach. Ok, I get it. It not like I'm under drugs, you as a parent should understand. It's starts to get late and my mom takes me to my friend (Millianette's) house which her mom knows the directions to the party. I get out of the car and say "Bye", but she leaves in silence.  I told my friend what happened. "Dude, I told my mom." "WHAT?! What did she say?" "She took it ok, I believe but in a way of silence." "Really?! Wow." I try to forget about it, but I know I'm probably in deep shit.


After the party, my mom picks me up and looks at me in an angrily way. And she says to me, right after a good night of partying, "You have no idea what you've done, right?"  She starts crying and accelerating the vehicle on the way home. "What?", my voice looses its grip. I really was in deep shit. "Tomorrow, you're grounded. And I am leaving to go and see my mother's tomb, ok?!" Grounded, what did I do God? Did I shoot someone? Did I get arrested? Did I steal something or get someone pregnant? When we got home, I went to sleep with the sounds of sobbing and my mom calling her sisters to tell her what had just happened. I was done, my shot of happiness and being free had just left the window. The next morning, I wake up and its Mother's Day. I feel like crap and silently walk down the stairs to see if my mother had actually left. She didn't and she was sitting down in the family room on her rocking chair, where she told me to sit down and talk to her. "You know you shouldn't feel happy right? This isn't something to be proud about." "I know. But I feel better about myself." "How, I mean all those times in middle and high school when you trying to prove that you weren't gay and now?" "It just happened, I mean I didn't understand it before but now I do." "So..tell me, how do you think this is going to work in the future?" "What are you talking about?" " I mean you can't have children, people are going to think less of you and you are going to SUFFER SO MUCH!" "I mean I know it isn't easy but I'll work through it." "You need to work on it by going to get help!" "No, I'm fine." "Was it me, was it that I wasn't a good mother? I've done so much for you, to make you into the healthy baby boy you are today." She starts to sob. "Its not you, its me." She screams, "Stop, stop it! You are not gay...its just a phase, and once you learn that you'll be the son that I raised. For now, I don't even know who you are anymore. You're not my son." That's when I lost it, my innocence was gone and I didn't know what to think anymore. I couldn't love someone who didn't love me. Its almost impossible. We were invited to eat with my mom's boyfriend and her family and we went to go get ready. I went up the stairs to grab my clothes and my mom was rising the stairs slowly...immediately, she came crying and screaming and banging on the wall....she fell to the floor screaming "WHY?! WHY ME?!" "You are the best mother, ok? You haven't done anything...." I sat with her and gently rubbed off her tears and hugged her. "Will you work through it? PROMISE ME!" I lied. I wanted to get through that day without any problems. I said I would, but after that day I've never told her about my lifestyle. It was like after that day, the things she told me as a child evaporated into thin air. "Be who you wanna be" was bullshit. My innocence, my life, the way of thinking......lies. The truth is your way of thinking reflects on your life. However, if being happy matters to you, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks because its' what you are going to do for the rest of your life. I decided that from that day on.

Peer Review (2)-Definition Essay

This time around since I took into consideration the number of mistakes I made on the last paper, I tried to make this essay better. However, it didn't turn out quite as I planned because of the fact I had to twist around the topic I was considering for this paper. Even though, my partners did give me constructive criticism on how to fix the paper and make it work, it just wasn't enough. I did get good feedback about the topic since there is many examples I can use to drag my message across, but I need to really work on my sentence structure and grammar. This time, reading wasn't a real concern involved in this paper, but you really needed to understand the definition clearly that you would be always to transition the idea smoothly in your paper. The teacher's consideration was moderately used, although, in the end it was up to me to fix this paper and come up with something brilliant. I never thought that this was going to be easy, nor did I thought this was going to be more challenging. I think what needs to be improved of this is the method in which we are reviewing each other. Because we don't correct each other enough or have the capability of knowing our mistakes, is why sometimes our papers fail to give the message we want to send across to the audience. We are ok in the sense of peer editing each other, but we need to 'up the ante' on editing so we can improve our writing.

Vanity, Thy Name Is Metrosexual

1) How does the author define Metrosexual? How does the author relate the term to a larger argument?


Metrosexual is defined as "a straight man who styles his hair using three different products, loves clothes and the very act of shopping for them, and describes himself as sensitive and romantic." The term becomes a larger argument when the author defines the term, as "a man who seems stereotypically gay except when it comes sexual orientation."; meaning that the man who seems to be a metrosexual is a hypocrite because even though he dresses and acts in such a manner that says he is straight, even though it would be considered to other people somewhat undistinctive. 

2) What is at stake in the definition of the term? How does the author make this clear?


In the article, the author states reasons why metrosexuality is confusing and over exaggerated. She believes that its harder to determine a homosexual from a heterosexual because of this new trend. As she states, "I understand that men, like women, want to look their best in order to convey professionalism, attract lovers and improve their self-image. I just don't think they're going about it the right way..... It makes me uncomfortable when a man can discuss the new season's fashions in intimate detail." She really wants a manly-man, since the metrosexuals are too bothersome. 

3) Note one other means of persuasion that you found particularly effective in the article. What about the audience does this means rely on.


There is one part that really catches my eye (which is somewhat a "light" on a companion's perfection):
"So what is the motivation behind this metrosexual trend?.....description." This paragraph in general is a paradox because the reason men act as metros is to attract women. When men act like pigs or they are too perfect, women still question the validity that is present before them. Moreover, it discusses about perfection in more a subliminal approach. Perfection can never be reach to attract a woman; which is why tough guys and metros work depending on what the woman wants. Its all up to her taste and her type of caliber in a man. Its all "in the wrists" of the man and woman; its because we are too picky that this trend develops. A man uses a different approach to attract a woman and it is to be metrosexual; to please a woman is too much if you ask me. She really doesn't use persuasion in this article, its more of a criticism towards metrosexuals, which like I said before: We can't find perfection all the time in something that we like, however, we try to find our way around such. 

Definition Essay

The topic I will be considering for this essay is why looks, fortune and popularity are not cool:


Cool from the OED:
Cool-
(colloquial use)Attractively shrewd or clever; sophisticated, stylish, classy; fashionable, up to date; sexually attractive
(slang) Composure, relaxedness; poise, self-control


Looks, fortune and popularity are not cool
Cool is
1) The amount of people that you know
2) The accomplishments/impacts you have made for the benefit of others
3) You (overall) as a person [gives a positive image to people]

Final Reflection on Rebuttal

The peer review did not help me correct my paper due to the fact I needed to change the topic afterwards. However, after writing my second paper, I feel that I understood completely how to write a rebuttal due to the fact that my first paper was not as strong as the second one. I did receive some good feedback, as in there was something wrong with my paper; however, I did not feel that my paper was satisfactory to the topic; where as the change to another topic occurred. Applying to your own paper accounts for the segments within the paper. The rebuttal includes the article writer's opinion, facts of your own to support your disagreement within the subject and your own opinion to state why you don't agree with what this person is stating such. It takes much effort and time to support facts, more than what the author is trying to state; therefore, you need to make sure you take into account the opinions in the article in order to follow smooth transition while writing your rebuttal. In the first paper, I was just taking notes rather than writing my opinion. However, the second paper, I found evidence that I could disagree with helped me make a better paper than the one before. When I read, I look for the most important details in the subject; however, with reading almost all details are important, where it depends what you are looking for is how much time you spend on reading. On writing, I just write what I feel at the moment and afterwards check what I can improve in the statement to make it better.

The Argument/Rebuttal Choice

The text I will be using for the rebuttal piece is on pg. 583, which talks about the twitter network lasting for a long period of time because of its supposedly "pristine" usage to the public.

Changing to: pg. 590, which talks about that if games, not schools, are teaching kids to think.

The Machine Who Will Be Loved

The main contention between Drexler and Smalley is the meaning and representation of nanotechnology in the transition of atoms and their structure. Drexler disagrees with Smalley's analogy, which he compares molecular assemblers as having multiple "fingers" that manipulate individual atoms and suffer from so-called fat finger and sticky finger problems and states that chemistry cold require something [nanbots] to form atoms together. Drexler develops his ethos by providing Smalley to change his interpretation of nanotechnology, which Drexler says he defines and defends the true theory of such subject throughout his thesis. Smalley believes that nanotechnology relates to the composition of chemistry, which is why the pieces don't just fall together in place by magic. The strategies that they used against each other is their beliefs and facts found through scientific data. Drexler's side is more realistic, by the fact that no proof has been found of nanotechnology or robots that have their own "minds", therefore, for now it doesn't exist. Also, if there were nanobots, why haven't we seen a prototype?

2nd Coming

Part 1: The piece that I will be analyzing to write a rhetorical analysis is in the back of the book on a gay-marriage solution to end marriage once and for all if it doesn't apply to same sex and heterosexuals on an agreed basis. (pg.376)
Part 2:
Jackson's argument
(Context) What he states Jordan wrote elusively, personally and socially
-The author "begins her speech from a personal perspective, pointing the Constitution is not perfect because it originally excluded African Americans like her"; which doesn't stop her impulse in the speech to state Nixon's reason of impeachment regardless of her position
-The audience and the time focuses on Nixon's term in the 1970s as president, where he abused his power and relentlessly placed a big risk on his shoulders; Jordan speaks of him in such a demeaning manner from his malpractices, where the context presents facts, dates and events that are needed to prove Jordan's point for Congress and the American public to impeach Nixon. Although due to that social structure at that time, she risked her position by talking about a high authority in such a manner presented.
-The circumstance of this argument stands of the following (in Jackson's case): Jordan demeaned the president in such a professional manner with events, facts, verbatim and statements that supported her case, which persuaded the Committee based on her evidence. Nonetheless, she made a point as a member of Congress saying "I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution". She cares for the Constitution and the government, just as much as the other members do; therefore, she is fulfilling her duty by owning up to her profession to reach order, and presenting impeachment factors which appeal to his wrong-doings; Nixon needs to be impeached because being in the government is all about honesty and integrity to the people.

(Textual) The words itself
-In this case, Jackson finds that Jordan [with her points] shocks the U.S. House Judiciary Committee since in the argument Jackson states "these words are not the kind of language Americans want to hear describing the actions of their president [considered as a role model]). However, she does it to "show(s) the audience how the Constitution gives her the authority to act as an 'inquisitor' or judge." [Ethos]
-Jackson states Jordan uses figures of speech, states reasons reach appeal to the decision of an impeachment, verbatim and herself (as a member of Congress to reach her point). Various times, she dehumanizes Nixon's good side with her word choices "tyrannical", presents her point with events and obscure evidence most people did not know about, and also in one point she mentions "The fact is that only yesterday, the American people waited with great anxiety for eight hours, not knowing whether their President would obey an order of the Supreme Court of the United States."All these key points are reasonable enough to immediately consider the trouble he has caused and the decree for his denouncement. [Logos]
-Jackson also mentions that Jordan "repeats the historical quotes before and after her descriptions of the president's acts. This repetition makes the connections stronger and more memorable for the audience." Her use of repetition makes it evident that Nixon is not as great as people thought he was by hiding his corruption on the brink of truth that the U.S. government stands for. Also, in the beginning of her speech, she proceeds to explain impeachment, "fleshes out this brief definition with evidence from state Constitutional Conventions" and shows that "impeachment is intended only for great demeanors" (which serves right in Nixon's case) Third, "she adds another emotional appeal, implying that the Constitution is literally under attack. "If the impeachment provision not reach the offenses charged here,'she says', "then perhaps that 18th-century Constitution should be abandoned to a 20th-century paper shredder."  [Pathos]


My argument:
(Context)
-The descriptive information provided to the House Judiciary Committee is enlightening to the audience by proving her point; however, it does not fulfill the audience as a whole. She keeps mentions reasons to impeach President Nixon, however, she does not relate the benefit [his impeachment] to the collectivity of people in the government. How will his impeachment save us all?

(Textual)
-She mentions every single little detail to support her argument throughout her speech; although, she does not attract the reader easily, she should not have stated many phrases that were redundantly used for the benefit of her point (she could have condensed her text and talk not too long).

Rafy

New Beginnings

Today, I can speak for everyone when I say this; " we all had a bit of an awkward but entertaining encounter" entering the domain known as Eng.15 as taught by Prof. Call. It was pretty dynamic for how the class interacted with each one another, but everything seemed to work out pretty well. Anyway, speaking about other english classes: I have taken Honors (once in tenth grade) and other regular english classes that I have passed with flying colors. I mean, I bet if I asked every single person in that classroom what they've learned: 75% would say "ooo....We've reviewed something from a certain period and read books about it" and the other 25 percentage would say "uuh...i don't remember a single thing." In this stage of life, we all surpass a stage of normalcy in an english class; where now in college, it changes by level, method of learning and opens a fresh, unique experience. In summary, in this new english class that we are about to take releases a whole new perspective on teaching english. I mean the dynamics are different, the environment is totally fresh and let's face it....we are to expect the unexpected.

Rafy