Friday, December 9, 2011
10/12 Rodney Jones
I think that in this poem Jones is arguing that language is very powerful and once something is said you can't take it back. The words are out there to circulate. I think the man wading out thigh-deep into the water symbolizes him taking a risk and showing emotion in speaking to someone. The alcohol that he is holding then gives him the courage to express himself in ways that he may not have done. It has given him liquid courage. Him pouring the alcohol into the water shows that he has just crossed the line or gone to a point of no return. He cannot get back the rum that he has just poured into the ocean, just as he cannot take back the words that he has just said; it is impossible to filter it out. Even though he regrets dumping the alcohol, he has done it and must suffer the consequences and regret now. It is the same for the words that he has said. He may not have meant them at all but that doesn't matter now. It is said and done.
11/12 4 letter word projects
I don't think that these four letter word projects are writing because they are visual images. There are no words except for the four letter word itself. They can not be considered compositions either. They are a way of expression just as writing is but the whole point of the project was to prove an argument without writing. It was just a succession of pictures that together developed into something beyond each individual picture. It may have accomplished the same purpose as writing but it definitely is not the same thing.
Writing is not about using images. It is about recording language on paper. The visual images in these projects did not have any visible language. The images gave the audience the opportunity to decide what was being said. It wasn't blatantly in front of them. There's more room for interpretation and flexibility with the visual images than with writing.
Writing is not about using images. It is about recording language on paper. The visual images in these projects did not have any visible language. The images gave the audience the opportunity to decide what was being said. It wasn't blatantly in front of them. There's more room for interpretation and flexibility with the visual images than with writing.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
12/12 Advice to Writers
My advice to people entering WSC would be to just follow your heart. Writing is a part of you. Everyone can write because it's just sharing your thoughts with others. It may be terrifying to some people and if you don't have an open mind and try to learn more about yourself then it could seem very difficult. The writing process teaches you about yourself because as you ask questions and answer them thoughtfully with extensive paragraphs, blogging, and your own visual images, you gain a better understanding of your opinions and the way your mind works.
There is not one correct way to write despite what many high school teachers may preach. Writing is an art form that allows expression and therefore everyone's writing is going to vary. This is perfectly normal and okay. It is most important to just give it your best and really give yourself some time to think about the topics that are discussed. The more you write, the more experience you will gain and your writing will grow stronger and stronger. Don't give up whatever you do. There are times where writing can be very trying, especially if you're not very interested in a topic that you're assigned but the interesting thing about writing is that even if you aren't fond of the assignment, you can still make it your own. If you're interested in your writing, it will show and the reader will enjoy it.
There is not one correct way to write despite what many high school teachers may preach. Writing is an art form that allows expression and therefore everyone's writing is going to vary. This is perfectly normal and okay. It is most important to just give it your best and really give yourself some time to think about the topics that are discussed. The more you write, the more experience you will gain and your writing will grow stronger and stronger. Don't give up whatever you do. There are times where writing can be very trying, especially if you're not very interested in a topic that you're assigned but the interesting thing about writing is that even if you aren't fond of the assignment, you can still make it your own. If you're interested in your writing, it will show and the reader will enjoy it.
6/12 Twouble with Twitter
Take a look at this parody of twitter on youtube.com called "Twouble with Twitter."
Respond to the character's question as he enters the twittersphere: "Who are they talking to?" Do you wonder who your audience is when you post on twitter? Do you feel differently about your audience in online writing environments? Is your relationship to your online audience distinct? Who do you imagine is reading your tweets, for example?
This animation clearly doubts the viability of twitter as a valuable tool? What do you think? What is the purpose of microblogging?
I found this parody on twitter extremely entertaining because although I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, I do have a twitter account, and I find myself making fun of every aspect of it; everyday. It's the most entertaining when you can actually relate to it and understand each and every stab they are making at this social networking website. I particularly got a kick out of the beginning when the man, who is clearly not a teenager or youth, is narrating every detail of his day right down to stating that he is now "sitting in a chair." I add that he's not a teenager or youth because it's an accepted thought in society that adults are supposed to be more mature and not consumed by this new social networking obsession. Also, when questioned by his co-worker, the twitter-fanatic starts to explain everything by making up verbs that all involve twitter, as if they have existed in the english language since it's conception.
When the man starts to explain Twitter to his friend and they shoot up into the sky, as if twitter is a different world, it shows that these social networking sites aren't reality but people have begun to think they are. The human race is starting to base it's day around blogging and tweeting. They are obsessed with letting everyone else know what they are doing, as if living is not necessary or entertaining enough unless everyone else knows what's going on. When the man opposed to Twitter points this out and the fail whale appears, all havoc breaks loose and it is because the people have lost their ability to tweet. It is such a dead-on interpretation of how people truly feel when they can't blog, tweet, or post a status. They feel like their lives don't exist because other people don't know what they are doing. The sad thing is that it actually causes anxiety in a majority of the population when they can't log onto these sites right when they want to.
Who are tweeters talking to? I often ask this question, myself. When I tweet, I feel as if I'm talking to empty space. I really do not think of a particular person or group that it's targeted at. Tweeting always makes me feel pretentious but I still do it because I hopped on the bandwagon. I'm just as guilty as anyone else on that website. Although, I do have to say that I make my tweets more tasteful than some that I see. I often do not read half of the tweets of the people that I'm following because I'm not interested in every detail of their day or every cynical thing they think about society.
I sincerely doubt the viability of twitter as a tool because the things that people tweet are useless information. I've never seen anything come up from the people that I follow that is actually helpful or increases my knowledge of anything important. I think that twitter and a numerous amount of other social networking sites are only harming the intelligence of the human race because it is shortening our thoughts and causing nonsensical slang that should not even be accepted as a form of communicating with each other.
Respond to the character's question as he enters the twittersphere: "Who are they talking to?" Do you wonder who your audience is when you post on twitter? Do you feel differently about your audience in online writing environments? Is your relationship to your online audience distinct? Who do you imagine is reading your tweets, for example?
This animation clearly doubts the viability of twitter as a valuable tool? What do you think? What is the purpose of microblogging?
I found this parody on twitter extremely entertaining because although I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, I do have a twitter account, and I find myself making fun of every aspect of it; everyday. It's the most entertaining when you can actually relate to it and understand each and every stab they are making at this social networking website. I particularly got a kick out of the beginning when the man, who is clearly not a teenager or youth, is narrating every detail of his day right down to stating that he is now "sitting in a chair." I add that he's not a teenager or youth because it's an accepted thought in society that adults are supposed to be more mature and not consumed by this new social networking obsession. Also, when questioned by his co-worker, the twitter-fanatic starts to explain everything by making up verbs that all involve twitter, as if they have existed in the english language since it's conception.
When the man starts to explain Twitter to his friend and they shoot up into the sky, as if twitter is a different world, it shows that these social networking sites aren't reality but people have begun to think they are. The human race is starting to base it's day around blogging and tweeting. They are obsessed with letting everyone else know what they are doing, as if living is not necessary or entertaining enough unless everyone else knows what's going on. When the man opposed to Twitter points this out and the fail whale appears, all havoc breaks loose and it is because the people have lost their ability to tweet. It is such a dead-on interpretation of how people truly feel when they can't blog, tweet, or post a status. They feel like their lives don't exist because other people don't know what they are doing. The sad thing is that it actually causes anxiety in a majority of the population when they can't log onto these sites right when they want to.
Who are tweeters talking to? I often ask this question, myself. When I tweet, I feel as if I'm talking to empty space. I really do not think of a particular person or group that it's targeted at. Tweeting always makes me feel pretentious but I still do it because I hopped on the bandwagon. I'm just as guilty as anyone else on that website. Although, I do have to say that I make my tweets more tasteful than some that I see. I often do not read half of the tweets of the people that I'm following because I'm not interested in every detail of their day or every cynical thing they think about society.
I sincerely doubt the viability of twitter as a tool because the things that people tweet are useless information. I've never seen anything come up from the people that I follow that is actually helpful or increases my knowledge of anything important. I think that twitter and a numerous amount of other social networking sites are only harming the intelligence of the human race because it is shortening our thoughts and causing nonsensical slang that should not even be accepted as a form of communicating with each other.
9/12 Putting on Text
When I wear text on my clothing it is because I was very interested in it when I first saw it at the store. It appealed to my interests either in music, humor, or a number of different things. I am proud of the text that I wear on my clothing and I enjoy when people notice it and comment on it. I see it as a conversation starter and a way to express my personality without even speaking to people that may pass by me. I can often tell when people are reading the text that I chose to wear and it doesn't bother me but actually excites me. This is because it's fun to draw some attention to yourself just by what you're wearing. I'm flattered when people actually take the time to notice what I'm wearing and are friendly enough to start a conversation about it.
Generally, I wear text that has to do with music or my sports team. The text involving music is usually on a t-shirt that I purchased at a concert. I go to many concerts and I like to remember the times that I got to see my favorite bands or singers by wearing their name. I think that I enjoy this so much because it shows other people that I'm a fan and a big enough fan to actually go their shows. I've often worn the shirt that I got at the Honda Civic Tour that says "Paramore" on the front and had people come up to me saying that went to the same tour. This was a show that toured all over the country and thousands of people went to see it so it gives me a way to relate to many people that I've never even met. This may sound silly but you feel a sense of closeness and friendship with the people that have seen the same show as you or that are big enough fans to comment on your representing of the band. It shows that you relate through music and true friends live off that music. They listen to it day and night and know it word for word. Just by seeing that one word on your shirt, they immediately feel closer to you than the other hundred people in the school cafeteria because they are so devoted to that lifestyle.
The other time that I wear text is usually to represent the sports teams that I've played on. Currently, I represent the Hofstra women's golf team by wearing the words, "Hofstra Golf" on and off campus. The eight members on our team were provided an assorted amount of clothing with these words on the front. I have two t-shirts that say "Hofstra Athletics,"one that says "Hofstra Golf," and two jackets and a pair of sweatpants that say "Hofstra Golf." This is just the apparel that we are given to wear off the golf course. We also have three "Hofstra Golf" polos to wear when we are competing. The reason that the school provides all this clothing is so that we can show "Hofstra Pride" or school spirit and we are like a walking advertisement for our sports team so that we can gain supporters and awareness.
Generally, I wear text that has to do with music or my sports team. The text involving music is usually on a t-shirt that I purchased at a concert. I go to many concerts and I like to remember the times that I got to see my favorite bands or singers by wearing their name. I think that I enjoy this so much because it shows other people that I'm a fan and a big enough fan to actually go their shows. I've often worn the shirt that I got at the Honda Civic Tour that says "Paramore" on the front and had people come up to me saying that went to the same tour. This was a show that toured all over the country and thousands of people went to see it so it gives me a way to relate to many people that I've never even met. This may sound silly but you feel a sense of closeness and friendship with the people that have seen the same show as you or that are big enough fans to comment on your representing of the band. It shows that you relate through music and true friends live off that music. They listen to it day and night and know it word for word. Just by seeing that one word on your shirt, they immediately feel closer to you than the other hundred people in the school cafeteria because they are so devoted to that lifestyle.
The other time that I wear text is usually to represent the sports teams that I've played on. Currently, I represent the Hofstra women's golf team by wearing the words, "Hofstra Golf" on and off campus. The eight members on our team were provided an assorted amount of clothing with these words on the front. I have two t-shirts that say "Hofstra Athletics,"one that says "Hofstra Golf," and two jackets and a pair of sweatpants that say "Hofstra Golf." This is just the apparel that we are given to wear off the golf course. We also have three "Hofstra Golf" polos to wear when we are competing. The reason that the school provides all this clothing is so that we can show "Hofstra Pride" or school spirit and we are like a walking advertisement for our sports team so that we can gain supporters and awareness.
5/12 Poet vs. President
The rhetoric of a poet and that of a president are very different. A president tries to appeal to the nation and please as many people as possible. Sometimes he can be very deceiving because he has his own opinions and belongs to a certain political party but in order to get elected, the majority of the country has to respect him and agree with some of his propositions. As he is trying to impress the majority of the country he may not be completely truthful about his intentions or beliefs because they're not what everyone wants to hear. A president also has to be very professional and be careful to not show too much emotion because it could be seen as a sign of weakness.
On the other hand, the rhetoric of a poet is all about showing his own opinions and voice. He is not representing anyone but himself and therefore does not need to be mindful of other people's opinions and emotions. He's able to speak freely and does not have to maintain that level of professionalism and business that a president is mindful of. Also, a poet can discuss whatever his heart desires and a president has to focus on politics. A poet can be very selfish and self absorbed but a president has to be the exact opposite. A president has to be selfless, putting his country first.
On the other hand, the rhetoric of a poet is all about showing his own opinions and voice. He is not representing anyone but himself and therefore does not need to be mindful of other people's opinions and emotions. He's able to speak freely and does not have to maintain that level of professionalism and business that a president is mindful of. Also, a poet can discuss whatever his heart desires and a president has to focus on politics. A poet can be very selfish and self absorbed but a president has to be the exact opposite. A president has to be selfless, putting his country first.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
4 of 12 Zadie Smith
1) Smith claims, "We feel that our voices are who we are, and that to have more than one, or to use different versions of a voice for different occasions, represents, at best, a Janus-faced duplicity and at worst, the loss of our very souls," (180) but why do humans feel so dependent on their voices? Granted, your voice is how you express yourself much of the time and without a voice we would run into much difficulty in communicating but why are people so conscious of their accents?
2) Smith makes the argument, "For the contemporary immigrant, tragically split, we are sure, between worlds, ideas, cultures, voices- whatever will become of them? Something's got to give- one voice must be sacrificed for the other. What is double must be made singular"(182.) Is this true? Why does an immigrant have to choose one culture to dominate over the other? Why can't they maintain their old heritage and voice while learning and adapting to a new one?
3) When Smith claims that Shaw "Spoke in tongues," (182) does this mean that he had the capability to twist his words and be naturally deceptive? Smith says that Shaw couldn't give this quality to Eliza but why is that? Is it a naturally acquired trait; almost like someones capability to be witty?
4) When speaking of Obama Smith says, "This new president doesn't just speak for his people. He can speak them," (182.) How does one learn how to speak like so many different types of people? Obama is a successful president because he understands all different backgrounds and can communicate with each but why are only certain people capable of such abilities? How come all humans can't understand each other and communicate well?
5) When speaking of Cary Grant and Barack Obama, Smith says, "Both men have a strange reflective quality, typical of the self-created man- we see in them whatever we want to see," (184.) Is Smith saying that public figures are often made out to be whatever the public would like to believe? Do we, as humans, choose to view someone in a certain way and then our subconscious makes us believe that they are truly like that, even though it is just our view?
6) Smith observes, "Throughout his campaign Obama was careful always to say "we"" (184.) WHat makes the word "we" so much more suitable for a public figure or anyone trying to persuade a large amount of people rather than using the word "I"? Is it because the word "I" seems selfish?
2) Smith makes the argument, "For the contemporary immigrant, tragically split, we are sure, between worlds, ideas, cultures, voices- whatever will become of them? Something's got to give- one voice must be sacrificed for the other. What is double must be made singular"(182.) Is this true? Why does an immigrant have to choose one culture to dominate over the other? Why can't they maintain their old heritage and voice while learning and adapting to a new one?
3) When Smith claims that Shaw "Spoke in tongues," (182) does this mean that he had the capability to twist his words and be naturally deceptive? Smith says that Shaw couldn't give this quality to Eliza but why is that? Is it a naturally acquired trait; almost like someones capability to be witty?
4) When speaking of Obama Smith says, "This new president doesn't just speak for his people. He can speak them," (182.) How does one learn how to speak like so many different types of people? Obama is a successful president because he understands all different backgrounds and can communicate with each but why are only certain people capable of such abilities? How come all humans can't understand each other and communicate well?
5) When speaking of Cary Grant and Barack Obama, Smith says, "Both men have a strange reflective quality, typical of the self-created man- we see in them whatever we want to see," (184.) Is Smith saying that public figures are often made out to be whatever the public would like to believe? Do we, as humans, choose to view someone in a certain way and then our subconscious makes us believe that they are truly like that, even though it is just our view?
6) Smith observes, "Throughout his campaign Obama was careful always to say "we"" (184.) WHat makes the word "we" so much more suitable for a public figure or anyone trying to persuade a large amount of people rather than using the word "I"? Is it because the word "I" seems selfish?
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