Final Presentation

 

<will be in this spot when youtube stops giving me errors during uploading, I type this on my way out the door to try doing it form a friends house, simply marvelous.>

 

 

Well, it's official, the video I recorded came out corrupted from my phone -I have no clue why-. I'm not expecting any points for this, but I'll just summarize so my input is at least present, offering the insight my video did.

 

In this class, I learned one important thing: how to write an effective thesis statement. Having taken several classes in the past involving communications and writing, I thought I was capable of writing a fairly well structured thesis. As it turns out, I was mistaken.

The break-down is fairly simple when you look at your proposed thesis in relation to these five areas.

1. Your thesis should essentially be a mini argument, if your reader cant counter your thesis, your thesis isn't effective. There needs to be an argumentative assertion of some kind, and if there isn't, write another one.

2. Your thesis should contain a sentence or two that describes the main theme (idea) of your paper.

3. Your thesis should offer a quick preview of what your paper's intention is, essentially, what point are you trying to make?

4. Your thesis should basically offer your conclusion to the audience without them even having to read it.

5. Your thesis should be direct, defined, and should not be in the form of a question.

 

Prior to taking this class, I certainly did write my share of thesis statements that were covered in questions. I tried to be vague enough to, "pull people in," and often found myself leaving out any points I thought were covered in the body of the paper in detail. Now I realize how insane all this sounds and am better for it. Trust me, when you start reading the rules on writing a good thesis, you'll want to argue with certain elements; resist this urge, and assume the Professor knows best.

 

Now picture this in the form of a video that features me and a hand puppet that fights me on all these points, offering instead his own version of what, "makes more sense." It was really good. I would love to re-shoot it but I'm well outside the realm of good taste in terms of the current time as opposed to when the assignments was due. It kills me to say it, but I quit.

 

So all that said, I offer this: I hope you all have a fantastic holiday of your choosing, and enjoy your break. Best of luck to all of you, and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

reflection / uoıʇɔǝlɟǝɹ

    Ah yes, English 102, I will remember you fondly. If not your lessons last the waning remembrance of an old man, truly your yarns of bodily fluids and woe will endure.

    Okay, I'm kidding.

    This course has been a sharp reminder for me to work on my writing every now and again. Having to switch from a normal summarize and opinion form of writing to analysis was certainly difficult at times. While I did wind up with a great over all score in the class, there were certainly some deep indicators that I did not have some of the skills I'm leaving class with, or perhaps I did, but they were quite rusty. Throughout the essays I managed a high C low B on the first, A high B low A on the second, and a solid B on the last. Of course this didn't adversely effect my grade, but the fact that I'm used to nothing but A's made it a stern reminder of one simple fact: I am not perfect scholastically. You would think that that would be a negative thing to realize, when in fact my mediocre performance in some of the content of this class -and one other this semester- served to rekindle my interest in school. If anything, it welcomed me to a world where I don't have to kill myself over scholastic perfection anymore. I found two subjects I was good at, but not great at, and I've actually learned something for having gone through it.
    In regard to the literary choices and content, I didn't find that I had to force myself to get through it. It was nice to have a class that offered content that was brief, and meaningful. I -personally- despise having to read stories I don't care about, with characters I don't care about, In a time I don't care about, doing something I don't care about. Then add in the pure magic of having to write a paper about such a story? Breathtaking, just marvelous. Unfortunately this has always been a necessary evil in the majority of my studies, but not this time, I got one -whole- semesters worth of one class in which I didn't suffer this. To be honest that was probably my favorite feature of the class.
The other thing I found I really enjoyed was the blog format. I always intend to go back and copy a few things of BlackBoard real quick before they shut it down and I always forget to. At least in this form, it's always available for me to go back and look at, even if I make it private (which I probably won't). Honestly, the focus on maintaining a blog -I feel- helps you maintain cogency with your studies as well. You can simply scroll down and read something you stated in a previous post, and you find yourself agreeing or disagreeing with what you said only a week ago; based on the new information presented in the class the following week. Come to think of it, this was the first time that I've ever been able to so simply go through and look back at my work on any subject -ever-.
    All in all, this has been a great learning experience. I've sharpened up my use of punctuation again -sad how that atrophies when you don't practice- and also brushed up on several principals of writing. In the future, I'll obviously benefit from the practice, but I will also look at everything I read a little more carefully. That said, it's been a great year, I know it's not in the assignment, but I leave you with the most fitting graphic I could find on the entire internet. Have a great break, and good luck on all you set out to do.

More junk from knowyourmeme.com

Oh The Interweb

Made by me.

    For this week, we were given time to reflect on our use of technology for this class. I don't know if I mentioned this during my involvement in class, but I've been working as a computer and gadget repair tech for approximately ten years. Needless to say, I've seen everything we've used here and then some, and I deal with it daily. So while I can't speak on the topic of challenges from the technical standpoint, I will offer my views on the online experience.
    There are certain elements of working in an online environment that simply make sense for this type of class. If we had been in person, we would have spent just as much time analyzing and learning much of what we learned. Most of the content would have been similar, I'm sure, and many assignments would have been identical. The difference, however, would have been evidenced in my writing quality. If I were required to write a couple paragraphs in class, it would likely have been mediocre at best. The reason being, when I write I take a lot of time considering and revising even the most simple of statements.  I look at what I've written and will typically trash it about five times, in interest of conveying what I want to say effectively. This primarily stems from my thought process being a little, "different," in terms of communication and expression. If I were required to write a timed assignment, it would probably wind up being pure madness -as evidenced by my high school English class grades-. So while I may seem fairly articulate, I owe it to having the ability and freedom to edit my work as many times as I see fit.

    I don't see much difference in online versus in person classes for an English course in terms of content. I think that like everything else I've dealt with in school, it really comes down to your Professor. If you are lucky enough to be under the academic guidance of someone who really loves their subject, you will always take more away from it. Had this class been taught by someone that wasn't interested in English, it would have probably been nothing more than several quizzes to make sure we know the content, and a couple essays; and that is not hinged on rather the class is in person or not. The involvement required to have us set up blogs and make videos, is certainly not the norm; and someone who loves their class is always going to make a more rewarding experience for the student, rather it's online or in person. 

    I think that is enough rambling for now, so I will take leave of my keyboard. In closing I offer this: rather you have to learn new outlets, attend classes online, or in person; rather your Professors are involved, or treat you with all the concern one gives a stray cat: It will always boil down to us. In the end it's the student that decides what they are going to take from a class. Sometimes we learn things we will remember the rest of our lives, and sometimes the information is totally ephemeral,  but it's always up to the student to decide what they are going to truly learn.

I can't really think of a relevant link, so if you'd like to make your own silly comics, the site I used to make the above picture can be found here.

Revision -good times-

Image courtesy of http://knowyourmeme.com/

My writing process this time around has been absolutely hellish. I went to the table -via internet- Wednesday with a friend of mine who works as a columnist for several print magazines. I had two different versions of my essay for him to look over. This was quite an experience as he basically told me to start over again. So my revision comes in the form of yet a third version of my paper. So while I'd like to highlight my revisions, I can't, there aren't any. I'm basically looking at the individual components he said I, "may want to work with," and tossing the rest. I know the benefit of this is not turning in a wreck of a paper, but it's more than disheartening. So I suppose the revisions I'm planning aren't planned at all. I'm doing revisions on all new content -I actually took a break from that to write this post-. I think perhaps I brought the work to the wrong person, but I feel like he was just telling me what I thought. The fact is I can't seem to land on a topic I can effectively follow to any form of conclusion. It's not that I hate the story, far from it in fact, I just can't seem to form an effective essay on any of its themes. Well, as much as I love crying to the internet, I will have to take my leave and continue revising my final, final, final draft. I wish you all the best of luck on your essays, and have a great week.

Winter's Bone Thesis

Image courtesy of public records held by Arizona State.

In Winter's Bone, Woodrell gives an intimate view of a small rural community shrouded in secrecy and violence. In this tight-knit community lives Ree Dolly; a girl of just sixteen years forced to hunt down her absentee father in hopes of saving her home and family. While this relationship is one of some importance to the story, the real focus is set on Ree's relationship with her family as a unit. Through the entire story there is one theme that exists above all others, and that is Woodrell's depiction of kinship. This bond is all that keeps the story's protagonist going, and is the motivation for the entire story.

Methland

    "Methland: The Life and Death of an American Small Town" is a story about the effects of Methamphetamine on everyone, and everything it comes in contact with. Nick Reding doesn't simply illustrate the effects of Meth on Oelwein, Iowa; he sets out to examine its effects on its users, their communities, and our nation's small communities. Reding starts with an explainaintion of what brought the issue of meth to his notice, then expands to an explanation of both his concern and the disregaurd it was treated with by his peers. Reding goes on to tell specific stories of interviews with users and cooks; and then offers a grisly story of one Ronald Jarvis who suffered horribly at his own hands when his lab exploded.

Reding speaking at Emory University

    Although I haven't read the rest of his book -though that will change within the next three hours- Reding seems to be genuinely concerned for the conditions of our rural towns and communities. He even offers a story involving a small town he would frequent where he found the drug to be prevalent  While I don't yet know his full motivation, I will say this article has done much to sway me -with little knowledge of the whole story- to believe his actions are quite laudable.
    Redin's work relates to Winter's Bone almost blatantly. Reding's entire book is centered around the same type of community as Winter's Bone and talks -almost directly- about the real life equivalent to some of the books characters. I think that if anything, Reding's book can lend support the reality to the Winter's Bone's story, and thus make the book understandably less, "fictional." Rather Reding himself or his story lends credibility to my analyses, will remain to be seen closer to its completion.


Reding, Nick. Methland The Life and Death of an American Small Town. Bloomsbury, 2009 Print

"Nick Reding Image" Emory.edu Course Spotlight 28 Feb 2011. Web http://www.emory.edu/EMORY_REPORT/images/issues/2011/02/methland-2-WEB.jpg

Winter's Bone -movie adaptation-

Well here I am slightly embarrassed by my previous post only six(ish) hours later.  After watching the movie adaptation of, "Winter's Bone" I can safely say that it is not the story that makes this book special. It really is entirely in the writing, and this is quite evident in the movie. When you remove the descriptions of events, internal monologues, and transitions, you wind up with a disaster of a story. The movie almost made no sense, and that was with an operating knowledge of what was going on after having read the story. When you take all the writing out, you wind up with an uninspired mess of a story about a fist full of characters you don't care about. Doing things that you don't care about. For  a purpose you don't care about. I take back anything I said about the book in my previous post. Granted the movie changed a few elements, lightened a few scenes up, and didn't include a drawn out close up of anyone urinating; but I have to insist that I will take the book as a complete work -hallucinogenic date rape of a minor and all- over this disorganized, soulless, train-wreck  It's very rare for me to say or type this phrase, but I was wrong -and for the record, so is metacritic-. How this movie got good reviews is totally beyond me. Perhaps they watched a movie with a similar title that wasn't wretched, and are simply confused? Trying to watch the movie and stay objective, it didn't have any flow and made very little sense. Then again, I suppose Superman 2 is in the top movies of all time according to metacritic, so perhaps their vote doesn't count anymore on the back of that alone.

Oh, and if anyone was considering watching the movie rather than reading the book I recommend the following: The book is short, just read it. The only other option is to punch yourself in the face, because it'll be a lot more pleasant than sitting through the movie.