Harjo Reading Journal
Due to the racial injustice to the people of her culture, Harjo is taking a stand and highlighting the inequality Native Americans have and are facing. As the paper progresses she continues to outline her point and shows her true passion for equality. Though she never states that it is completely wrong, her rhetoric and diction speaks for itself.
Harjo constructs her argument by providing evidence and facts of the injustice towards Indians by stating that skulls of Indians are in the smithsonian. In addition, she provides personal information about the subject, "Some of my own Cheyenne relatives' skulls are in the smithsonian institution today". Furthermore, she provides more and more facts about Indians being dug up from their graves and and cut up to be examined. Moreover, the whole point of her argument is to be an advocate for equal rights for Native American, and to shine light on the injustices happening right now.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Liu Reading Journal-
Liu successfully enables the reader to paint vivid pictures in their head through his use of great and intricate detail. "Peddlers lined the street, selling steamed buns and chicken feet and imitation Gucci bags" and "I wouldn't soil my shoes in the streams of putrid water that trickled down from the alleyways and into the parapet of trash bags piled up on the curb" (81). Personally, I've been to Chinatowns all over the country and Liu's vivid details immediately took me back in time to walking down Chinatown in San Francisco and looking at all the vendors selling food, the crowd pushing and shoving, and the inevitable imitation bags. Liu essentially transported me through his great imagery and sensory details.
Liu uses very intense sensory details to animate and highlight details from his visit to Chinatown. He details objects and items that normally go unseen and unnoticed by others. His description seems to change once he enters the market Golden Gate, he is more interested and much more intrigued, his description enhances.
His vocabulary and choice of diction also provide an element of detail. As he describes the New York license plate as incongruous, he implies that it is out of place and as he put it "foreign". It changes the mood of the paragraph, making the scenery seem very cultural rather than plain. When he describes the Golden Gate market, his choice of using "emporium" gives the illusion that the ground level was never-ending and majestic. Lastly, when he says he felt fortified after a trip to Chinatown, it shows that the cultural dominance and Chinese influence has a strong impact on Liu.
Death of a Moth-
Throughout the narrative, Virginia Wolf sprinkles several different writing modes; description, narration, and cause and effect.
Out of the writing modes used in the story, Virginia Wolf describes each aspect and minor object with great detail. Wolf enables something as small as a moth to become larger than life,l and vivid with color through intricate and specific details. "Nevertheless, the present specimen, with his narrow hay-coloured wings, fringed with a tassel of the same color, seemed to be content with life" (Wolf). Through vivid detail, the reader is able to create the moth in their mind just as described and place themselves in the narrator's position. Wolf describes the moth as if it were a person who walked into a room, giving specific details from the color of its wings to a matching tassel, with great detail comes heavy and powerful imagery.
Throughout the narrative, Virginia Wolf sprinkles several different writing modes; description, narration, and cause and effect.
Out of the writing modes used in the story, Virginia Wolf describes each aspect and minor object with great detail. Wolf enables something as small as a moth to become larger than life,l and vivid with color through intricate and specific details. "Nevertheless, the present specimen, with his narrow hay-coloured wings, fringed with a tassel of the same color, seemed to be content with life" (Wolf). Through vivid detail, the reader is able to create the moth in their mind just as described and place themselves in the narrator's position. Wolf describes the moth as if it were a person who walked into a room, giving specific details from the color of its wings to a matching tassel, with great detail comes heavy and powerful imagery.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Baker, Reading Journal
1. For me, it seems as if Baker has chosen an audience who is not quite sure about what they want to do in life, just as he did not know what he wanted to do when he was young. He speaks about a moment when something so dull as English class was suddenly livened up and sparked a passion within himself. Just like most people, Baker felt relieved and satisfied when his instructor praised his work.
2. "I had discovered a calling. It was the happiest moment of my entire school career" (63). Baker was overjoyed to find out that Mr. Fleagle was pleased with his work. Baker wrote about something memorable and meaningful and essentially found his passion in that moment, he discovered something that he wants to do.
3. The purpose of this essay is to prove that even if you're not sure want you want to do in life, fear not because your passion, or you're "calling" may be something that you never expected.
4. Since he is focusing on a moment from his youth, younger readers will be able to relate to his words and feel comfortable. This creates a sense of informality that coexists with proper academic writing.
2. "I had discovered a calling. It was the happiest moment of my entire school career" (63). Baker was overjoyed to find out that Mr. Fleagle was pleased with his work. Baker wrote about something memorable and meaningful and essentially found his passion in that moment, he discovered something that he wants to do.
3. The purpose of this essay is to prove that even if you're not sure want you want to do in life, fear not because your passion, or you're "calling" may be something that you never expected.
4. Since he is focusing on a moment from his youth, younger readers will be able to relate to his words and feel comfortable. This creates a sense of informality that coexists with proper academic writing.
Weekly reflection 2
Compared to the first week, I felt much more settled into the class. I was back in my mid-semester English rhythm of research followed by analysis followed by headaches. Going to a private school definitely helped me out with what I'm supposed to expect in the college classroom. I feel as if though I'm over prepared for the amount of research we do as well as how to cite and certain writing styles (Toulmin Method). I enjoy the fact that when I'm introduced to a topic that I have some knowledge on, I feel less worried and more confident.
This week I've learned valuable skills and writing strategies that not only improve my writing level but also expand my ways of analyzing differents works. I'm glad that I'm learning to adapt and love the college classroom environment, I feel as if it will help me tremendously when the school year starts.
Compared to the first week, I felt much more settled into the class. I was back in my mid-semester English rhythm of research followed by analysis followed by headaches. Going to a private school definitely helped me out with what I'm supposed to expect in the college classroom. I feel as if though I'm over prepared for the amount of research we do as well as how to cite and certain writing styles (Toulmin Method). I enjoy the fact that when I'm introduced to a topic that I have some knowledge on, I feel less worried and more confident.
This week I've learned valuable skills and writing strategies that not only improve my writing level but also expand my ways of analyzing differents works. I'm glad that I'm learning to adapt and love the college classroom environment, I feel as if it will help me tremendously when the school year starts.
Weekly Reflection 1
Typically, I'm primarily used to things being done is a certain form or fashion given that I'm math guy, I'm used to formulas. I was fairly new to the concept of freewriting and I discovered a new dimension to writing. Writing for me was no longer monotone, no longer analytical, no longer bothersome. Freewriting allowed for the creativity juices to flow and did not require much deep thought. Throughout the week, I learned that there is much more to reading than the first layer of analysis. reading consists of viewing the work from several different angles to maximize your grasp on the concept. I'm looking forward to diving deeper into different ways to read and write as well as learning new strategies to make my writing more academic and professional.
Typically, I'm primarily used to things being done is a certain form or fashion given that I'm math guy, I'm used to formulas. I was fairly new to the concept of freewriting and I discovered a new dimension to writing. Writing for me was no longer monotone, no longer analytical, no longer bothersome. Freewriting allowed for the creativity juices to flow and did not require much deep thought. Throughout the week, I learned that there is much more to reading than the first layer of analysis. reading consists of viewing the work from several different angles to maximize your grasp on the concept. I'm looking forward to diving deeper into different ways to read and write as well as learning new strategies to make my writing more academic and professional.
Cisneros - Reading Journal
Throughout the beginning, Cisneros' father is portrayed a very traditional man who is keen on the aspect that his daughter is to go to college to find a man. As the narrative progresses, Cisneros becomes more and more experienced as a writer. Towards the end of the story, She is reading her story to her father who seems to be a completely different man from the man we met at the beginning of the narrative; he is more open to her literature, he is completely involved in her story, and probably most importantly he wants to share her work with others. "He read it very slowly...He laughed in all the right places...where can we get more copies of this for the relatives?" (499). From her father's dialogue, he is clearly interested and is fully supportive of his daughter's work. She understood that her father was not always open to her writing but she was definitely relieved when her father was full of delight after reading her story.
Though both Cisneros and her father were painted completely different in the novel, it is evident that both share a deep love for one another. Her father is always bragging about his "siete hijos", he was proud of them and loved them dearly. Just as his love was great for his kids, Cisneros' love was also profound, claiming, "everything i have ever written was for him" (497).
Throughout the beginning, Cisneros' father is portrayed a very traditional man who is keen on the aspect that his daughter is to go to college to find a man. As the narrative progresses, Cisneros becomes more and more experienced as a writer. Towards the end of the story, She is reading her story to her father who seems to be a completely different man from the man we met at the beginning of the narrative; he is more open to her literature, he is completely involved in her story, and probably most importantly he wants to share her work with others. "He read it very slowly...He laughed in all the right places...where can we get more copies of this for the relatives?" (499). From her father's dialogue, he is clearly interested and is fully supportive of his daughter's work. She understood that her father was not always open to her writing but she was definitely relieved when her father was full of delight after reading her story.
Though both Cisneros and her father were painted completely different in the novel, it is evident that both share a deep love for one another. Her father is always bragging about his "siete hijos", he was proud of them and loved them dearly. Just as his love was great for his kids, Cisneros' love was also profound, claiming, "everything i have ever written was for him" (497).
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Once More to the Lake
With books and several other works that have seemed to define White's work, OMTTL is a complete 180-degree turn from these pre-conceived notions. Personally, I think the strength of this essay is credited to the vivid and raw details White provides us with: "saw him wince slightly as he pulled around his vitals the small, soggy, icy garment". Details like these are what connect the reader to the story, make us think about we put on a wet swim suit and place us back in time to that very uncomfortable and cold moment. In addition to the details, White paints a picture in our minds as well as put scents in out nose. The attention to the senses and imagery enables us to place ourselves in similar situations and become a part of the narrative.
Along with strong and vivid details, the narration style gives the reader a sense of comfortability (not for long though). With a storytelling and recollection style of writing, the reader feels as if he or she is listening to a relative tell of summer vacation while the reader sits in awe and jealousy. Moving forward, another aspect of the story that makes it a great read is the constant moment of nostalgia that both the reader and character get regardless if the reader has been to a lake or not, they are connected to a moment of family togetherness and tranquility. On the flip side, the reader is hit with an atom bomb. This works well in the story (for some, not all) because it adds a dimension of "WTF just happened"? The story begins calm and peaceful, nearly cliché, and progresses as so until the reader is smacked in the face with the death and is left dumbfounded. The sudden change in tempo flips the script and changes the whole dynamic of the story.
A piece out of the narrative that stuck with goes, "We had a good week at the camp...the sun shone endlessly, day after day...the breeze would stir almost imperceptibly outside and the smell of the swamp would drift through the rusty screens". The reason this quote almost embodies the whole essay for me is because it involves the aspect of nostalgia, the heavy sensory details, and a sense of tranquility. For me, it takes me back to the times when I would go camping with my family. We enjoyed the calmness of the open air, the gentle breeze during the day, the cold chills at night. And of course, the scent of the fire and river, probably the most memorable aspect of camping, would inevitably find its way into our tents. The way the quote takes me on a trip to a time in my past is as powerful as quotes get. Pure nostalgia.
With books and several other works that have seemed to define White's work, OMTTL is a complete 180-degree turn from these pre-conceived notions. Personally, I think the strength of this essay is credited to the vivid and raw details White provides us with: "saw him wince slightly as he pulled around his vitals the small, soggy, icy garment". Details like these are what connect the reader to the story, make us think about we put on a wet swim suit and place us back in time to that very uncomfortable and cold moment. In addition to the details, White paints a picture in our minds as well as put scents in out nose. The attention to the senses and imagery enables us to place ourselves in similar situations and become a part of the narrative.
Along with strong and vivid details, the narration style gives the reader a sense of comfortability (not for long though). With a storytelling and recollection style of writing, the reader feels as if he or she is listening to a relative tell of summer vacation while the reader sits in awe and jealousy. Moving forward, another aspect of the story that makes it a great read is the constant moment of nostalgia that both the reader and character get regardless if the reader has been to a lake or not, they are connected to a moment of family togetherness and tranquility. On the flip side, the reader is hit with an atom bomb. This works well in the story (for some, not all) because it adds a dimension of "WTF just happened"? The story begins calm and peaceful, nearly cliché, and progresses as so until the reader is smacked in the face with the death and is left dumbfounded. The sudden change in tempo flips the script and changes the whole dynamic of the story.
A piece out of the narrative that stuck with goes, "We had a good week at the camp...the sun shone endlessly, day after day...the breeze would stir almost imperceptibly outside and the smell of the swamp would drift through the rusty screens". The reason this quote almost embodies the whole essay for me is because it involves the aspect of nostalgia, the heavy sensory details, and a sense of tranquility. For me, it takes me back to the times when I would go camping with my family. We enjoyed the calmness of the open air, the gentle breeze during the day, the cold chills at night. And of course, the scent of the fire and river, probably the most memorable aspect of camping, would inevitably find its way into our tents. The way the quote takes me on a trip to a time in my past is as powerful as quotes get. Pure nostalgia.
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