das next blog

So far, I've determined that re-reading your paper is a wonderful thing. I've found so many flow errors and basic punctual errors just by reading it allowed to myself. I guess spell check and other computer tools can't do it all for you. Also, it's much easier to type a paper days in advance versus the day before. English is a class that you can't just procrastinate to the last day and hope to get an A. It's definitely a process to write something. At times it can take hours to think of what you want to type, how to put your thoughts on paper, and how to make sense of it all. If you wait, and try to spend all your time all at once... Your probably going to get impacient and turn out an average paper. Thus, English takes time if you hope to succeed (this coming from a high school procrastinator who is now changing his ways because college is a little bit more demanding). One final thought, Once you post or submit your work, it's "set in stone" and you most likely won't get a chance to change or edit it anymore... So if you take your time, odds are you'll weed out many more problems by the time you turn it in.

Palmer's awesome next blog

Editing papers is always kind of shady especially when everyone in the group has no idea how to truly edit a paper. It always seems as though no one ever knows what to look for, which can get frustrating because often when your paper gets to the teacher, it can be like sending a first draft depending on how much help your group was. I personally know that I'm not the best editor. I tend to lose track of whats going on and don't know specific literary points to look for. I am a thinker however, and try to ask abstract questions to make the writer question him/herself. But that is often the only input I can contribute. Although, I will say, peer editing is a great way to refine your paper, simply because you can gauge by how confused or how involved the group is.

Blog III

As I read the assignment, the part about writing and using many details relates best to me. I would have to say that I tend to use tons of descriptive words when writing stories. I would say that i like to use as many details as possible simply because I write from a "movie scene" perspective. I love writing out the scene as it happens in my head in exact detail. From how high things are or wide, to what the characters are thinking. Although, I can see how using too much detail could get a little redundant and boring for a reader... which could very well be the case for me. But I just can't help it... you'll see so many descriptive words in my future papers (mostly if they are free writes) because I tend to write down what is pictured in my head. The reading also got me thinking about dialogue and how important it really is. Even if an entire scene has one sentence with about two words worth of content is better than nothing- and can sometimes be more effective. I think that dialogue enhances a story so much more just because it gives any paper a more human feel to it (which allows readers to connect with the tale). Again, those two chapters stuck out to me even though I do believe that chronological order or at least some form of order to a story can be pretty important; especially if you are writing to a diverse and large audience (it's easier to understand). Deadlines are also always the right thing to do, and as long as you aren't lazy or if you have the time, it's the best possible way to type a paper.

sept 9, 2009

Frederick Douglas was an amazing man. Really, who would be thinking about learning when they're held against the will as a slave in a foreign nation. I would be thinking of when I'm going to get out of here or when it'll be all over! The fact that he could progress his knowledge in a time of tension is very impressive and invigorating. In my History class, we've talked about civilizations and why some like the tribes in Mexico couldn't advance as fast as say the English, or Spanish. The answer to this is tension. Since the tribes in Mexico (such as the Aztecs) were close together geographically, they always lived fighting or defending what was theirs. This on going process slowed their technological advance, unlike other nations that had oceans or mountain ranges to separate each other (therefore they had the luxury of advancing their knowledge). So, back to the point, Frederick Douglas was in an abusive and potentially deadly situation, but he still somehow managed to pursue knowledge and succeed. The story is just very impressive to me and was the one that stuck from all the rest such as Tanya's story or the momma's language (which i can connect with because of my friend from the Black Country) story.

English.. in all its forms

After reading those chapters, and the discussion in class today, i must say I'm pleasantly surprised that writing can get so "deep". I love thinking about things in general, and when i sit back and take in all the facts that i just learned, I'm kinda awed by it all. English writing is so complex! I like how its almost like a painting... When an artist has a blank canvas before him or her, the design can be absolutely anything- there are no limits. I think that fact appeals to artists and like wise to writers. After the today, I'm thinking that writing is almost like painting in a way, but with words. That's a cool thing to think... I mean if you really do sit back and think about it. And, as i think of it right as i "type"... I think its cool how writing can mean so many things on paper, and when spoken it takes on a whole new presence. I like hearing different versions of the English language; whether it be an accent derived from whatever country they're from, or the traditional words like "wamel" (a term that means dog in the Black Country, Britain) from various english speaking countries. I'm however glad that the english language is so diverse in itself. It makes it so much more interesting. It's like a rainbow... art wouldn't be nearly as cool if the only color to use was blue or something of the like. I do understand how there is a time and a place for certain forms of writing, some that could be considered "more proper" than others... but i love how english is limitless in multiple aspects- even though it might make it difficult, i'd rather have it difficult, complex and interesting versus the contrary.

wow.... look at this!

my spring break home