Thursday, February 28, 2008

Analyzing Text

I think that the key features of analyzing a text are a number of things. The first thing I think that needs to be assesed when analyzing a text is the content, does the title match the writing? It should be clearly stated what the text is trying to convey as the message. You need to give an accurate summary of what you are analyzing for your readers. I think the main key in analyzing text is trying to get the message across that the writer is trying to explain and to make sure that the readers have an accurate interpretation of the text.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Ravers

http://www.livingart.com/raving/articles/article03.htm

Class Structure

I do think that the content of my writing is altered when i post it on the internet because i know that other people can see it. I think that this is a good thing, it makes me think about writing more for an audience rather than just the professor. Commenting and getting comments is definately a good thing to me, i find myself analyzing other peoples writings and noticing things they are doing in their writing that i am not. Also, for the most part the comments on my content are things that can help me. Yes the blogging is making me more aware of what the content of my writing entails. Lately i have found myself reading over my posts a couple times before i submit them to make sure they are alright, and i did not really do that before in my writings which is not a good thing. I think that this is a good structure for the class and would be good to use for future classes.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Subcultures

The two subcultures that i thought of doing were kids who play role playing games such as world of warcraft and music geeks. I think that kids who are into role playing games generally tend to hang out with others like them because they are always at the computer. It seems that these games are really addicting and people who play these games all have somewhat similar personalities. I dont know though i could be completely wrong, but it seems as though they tend to hang out with each other. In terms of music geeks, I think that there are a lot of different music geeks. There are the typical band geeks which played in the high school band. I know in high school they always hung out with each other. Then you got your hippie stoner music festival geeks. Those who get together in a mass pool of hippie love and listen to jam bands through their acid filled ears. And sometimes you get both of these types of music geeks together. Don't get me wrong i love music geeks because I am one myself. In general music geeks are all the same they just have different tastes in music.

Definition

-When is someone "educated"

There are many different aspects of education that defines a person. A person is not only educated in school but also in everyday life. The way a person adapts to the world around them and takes in what is truly meaningful is an education. I think that if a person is learning from something else and is using this information to benefit them, this is an education. There are many educated and uneducated people in this world and it is pretty easy to tell when someone is not educated. A well educated person is knowledgeable of aspects of life that will be helpful to their success. An education is a very important thing and without one you can have a hard time getting through life. Or an education could not be important to you, in this case who cares.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Arguement Essays

I choose Steele/ On Being Black and Middle Class, I feel that the writer did a good job of stating a clear argument. They stated their position and were very clear about how it was for them and how it is today. She did a very good job of using her past experiences along with things she has found from other people to get her point across in a clear and precise manner. She does a very good job of transitioning the paragraphs and explaining in each paragraph both sides of the argument. Along with her personal experiences she gives very good insight on research she has done, for example the Northern black teenager in the south in 1955. I think the reason that this argumentative essay is so clear is that she experienced it first hand, and knows how it is to be a black person in a middle class community, and she conveys her feelings about it along with evident facts to support her topic. I think that this is a very good essay and she is very knowledgeable of the topic and of ways to make it change.

Research Excercise #2

Works Cited #f1
Wiley-Blackwell. "Solar cells can take the heat"
Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week. Atlanta. pg. 3938 Feb 9, 2008

Summary
Solar cells are a great use of energy. With little to no emissions, solar energy is a rather efficient type of energy for the amount of negative effects it produces. Progress has been slow on solar cells because of the technology needed to obtain a sufficient source of energy. Some solar cells show a record 7.6% rate of conversion efficiency.

Paraphrase/Response
This article taps into the positive and negatives of solar energy. While they are a very environmentally safe source of energy they are not as efficient as they could be and take a lot more time and money to use than others. Solar energy is on the rise and could play a very beneficial part in transfer from harmful fuel sources to alternative energy. Though it is not widely used research is still being made and it is becoming a much more efficient type of energy source.

Works Cited #2
Brown, Hal. "Blowin' in the Wind." E: The Environmental Magazine. Vol 19, Iss. 1;
pg. 14, 2 pgs.

Summary
In the turn of the millennium wind turbines came to a small town of McCamey, Texas. With petroleum sources taking their toll on the town a need for alternative sources of energy was established at the turn of the century. Because petroleum companies have established their place in the area of Texas the wind power companies are having problems getting their energy distributed.

Paraphrase/Response
This article relates to a specific town in the United Stated that is attempting to change their ways in terms of energy uses. Though wind power would be a great alternative and less costly to all in the long run it is hard to make the switch from petroleum to wind. This article discussed how petroleum companies have established ground in the area of Texas and are making it hard for these wind companies to make a place. It also dabs into specific numbers about how much money is being putting into both energy sources and the benefits and drawbacks to both of them.


Project Proposal

My essay will be about alternative fuel sources and how they can change the world for the better. I will use research that I gather to get an understanding of some of the factual benefits rather than just the overall idea that it is better. I will use this research to compare and contrast to fuel sources that we are using now and what the possibilities are if we can change that. I am going to first talk about what we use now for transportation and how it is having negative effects on our environment and society. I will then talk about what type of fuel sources are being discovered and the changes they will make in our everyday life. Finally I will talk about what can happen if we do not change our ways to the environment and the way that people go about their everyday lives. My argument is obviously on the side of changing our fuel sources to more energy efficient and less harmful substances. The research I get will hopefully help me to have a solid argument.