The most rewarding part of the entire blogging assignments was the commenting. My class was obligated to comment on at least two fellow classmates blogs for each literary work. Thus, it was almost guaranteed that each person's blog would receive at least one comment. I always looked forward to checking mine before class and reading my peers views about my own written opinion.
After all of the commenting before class each week, I felt adequately prepared to participate in class discussion. Not only did I hold my own personal opinion about the novel, but rather I held an view formed from the various insightful blogs of my peers. Through this constant blogging and commenting, I began to look at literary works from different points of view, not just my own, and thus I grew to understand the work on a deeper level.
However, blogging did not just affect my views on literature. I learned to be more open-minded and receptive to other people's opinions. The way in which I interpret something is not always the so-called correct way. Rather, there is no one particular correct opinion to any topic, but instead many diverse interpretations that, when put together, can form a broad and widely accepted idea.
On that note, here is my second portfolio of the blogging. My blogs for this half of the semester fall under 5 categories: coverage, timeliness, interactions, depth, and discussion.
Coverage
Many of my blogs throughout this semester contained adequate "coverage" of the assigned literary works. These entries consisted of a direct quote, an identified source of the quote, and links back to the course webpage devoted to that reading. Here are a few of my entries which best exemplify my understanding of the concept of coverage:
Eloquence in the Invisible Man
Timeliness
I admit, this was a tough criteria to keep to this semester. Along with the enormous amount of homework presented in my other class (especially organic chemistry), as well as while trying to fulfill my own personal endeavor (which may actually work out!), I found it nearly impossible to post all of my blogs by the Friday before class. However, I did manage to blog them before class, usually during the weekend, and thus I was adequately prepared for each class. Here are some of my earlier posted blogs:
More Biblical Imagery in the Grapes of Wrath
Forget the Future, Live in the Past
Interaction
This is one topic which I noticeably improved with since last semester. Though I was at one time hesitant to respond to my peer's comments, I finally grew confidant enough to respond to their feedback about my blogs. Here are some examples of my newfound confidence:
Blatantly Obvious...And I Loved It!
Depth
Writing more complex, thoughtful blogs was another task which I successfully accomplished this semester. Rather than simple summaries of the literary work, I insightfully wrote intellectual, thought-provoking blog entries which often used other sources besides the assigned work. Here are some of the blogs which best exemplify my concentration on depth:
More Biblical Imagery in the Grapes of Wrath
Forget the Future, Live in the Past
The Media Has Made Sex the Norm
Discussion
Throughout this semester, I took great pride in the comments I left on my peers blogs. Rather than simply writing "you did a good job," I either agreed with or challenged theirs views. Regardless of my opinion about their blog, I always followed with evidence for why I felt the way I did. Here are some of my classmates blogs which contain my favorite comments that I wrote:
Chelsie Bitner's Save the Family
Joshua Wilk's Crucified
Mathew Henderson's Arthur Miller's funny now?
Juli Banda's Imagination is Key
Nikita McClellan's Throw Away Everything You Learned
Overall, this course has been one of my favorites throughout my freshman year at college. For the first time in my life, I did not have someone teach me the course material. Rather, I interpreted literary works on my own and then combined my views along with those of my classmates to come to an insightful analysis of numerous books, scholarly articles, and poems. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn as an intellectual, not just a student. This class will challenge you in ways you've never dreamed. Prepare to work hard, and the rewards you will reap in the end will be well-worth the effort.
Last Minute Delivery
A simple miscommunication error led to unnecessarily hectic day for the Setonian Newspaper Staff at Seton Hill University. At 10:27 AM on Thursday, April 2, and urgent email had caused mass chaos throughout Seton Hill University. Students following the instructions to "...stop by in the post office and grab a stack [of newspapers]," were in for a shock when they arrived at the appointed location to pick up the papers for delivery.
"I was flabbergasted when I followed the email's exact instructions, and upon arrival, none were there!" exclaimed freshman staff writer Christina Celona. "I felt helpless, like a part of me was missing. I didn't know if they were stolen, but even if they were, I was too stunned to even remember who to report this incident to."
Similar occurrences happened to two other members of the Setonian Staff, freshman copy editors Melissa Unger and Becca Marrie. However, they took this incident with a slightly different attitude - neither was in the least bit surprised.
"I actually fully expect The Setonian to make mistakes due to disorganization," said Unger. "When I didn't find the newspapers at the post office, I just assumed that they had been delivered somewhere else and that I would find out about it eventually. I was not overly worried."
A follow-up email, sent 12:29 PM, cleared up all confusion for the staff members. The Setonian editor-in-chief, Tiffany Gilbert deeply apologized for any inconvenience caused by the false information. In the email, Gilbert stated "...I fibbed when I said the paper is at the post office. It was actually delivered outside of the Setonian office. Drop by sometime today if you can and help distribute."
Within a half-hour of the apologetic email, the stack of newspapers had dwindled down after being successfully distributed to their variety of locations including the bookstore, DeChantal, Brownlee, Havey, Lowe, and Maura.
Celona and Marrie delivered a package together to the bookstore.
"I'm so glad we finally got this whole mess figured out," said Celona. "i hope I never have to feel that helpless feeling that I did a short time ago."
Marrie, however, had other concerns on her mind.
"I hope I don't drop this huge stack of papers," said Marrie. "Though I guess it would make a good story for my media lab portfolio...'1200 Page Pick-Up.'"
Part B
For my work on the Setonian Online, i have continued to accumulate more nutrition facts for our class project. Hopefully, soon I will get to put these to good use.
]]>
In his essay, Hanlon compares Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Eloquence" and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. I must admit, at first glance I had thought that this essay would be about the use of eloquence in Elllison's novel. It surprised me deeply to find that "Eloquence" was actually an essay written by Emerson. I was legitimately disturbed that the Hanlon was comparing to works, for, as it seems to me, no other reason than the fact that the authors names are incredibly similar.
However, once I got passed the seemingly shallow reasoning for writing an article such as this, I was able to actually enjoy it. This article was a much easier read than the last assigned one and I felt like I understood the majority of it.
"Emerson's model of spoken composition, proceeding from the recognition that every hstener is also a potential speaker ("How many orators sit mute there below!" [1903-04, 7. 63]), also captures the most charged moments of eloquence to appear in Ralph Ellison's Inuisible Man, a novel that measures the self-reliance of its nameless protagonist through his growing acumen as a public speaker."
This quote seems to relate both works by using a common concept of both, nameless speakers. In the Invisible Man, the narrator makes himself known through his words, not through who he actually is.
Though this was undeniably still difficult to read, made significantly more sense than the last essay.
In his essay, Hanlon compares Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Eloquence" and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. I must admit, at first glance I had thought that this essay would be about the use of eloquence in Elllison's novel. It surprised me deeply to find that "Eloquence" was actually an essay written by Emerson. I was legitimately disturbed that the Hanlon was comparing to works, for, as it seems to me, no other reason than the fact that the authors names are incredibly similar.
However, once I got passed the seemingly shallow reasoning for writing an article such as this, I was able to actually enjoy it. This article was a much easier read than the last assigned one and I felt like I understood the majority of it.
"Emerson's model of spoken composition, proceeding from the recognition that every hstener is also a potential speaker ("How many orators sit mute there below!" [1903-04, 7. 63]), also captures the most charged moments of eloquence to appear in Ralph Ellison's Inuisible Man, a novel that measures the self-reliance of its nameless protagonist through his growing acumen as a public speaker." This quote seems to relate both works by using a common concept of both, nameless speakers. In the Invisible Man, the narrator makes himself known through his words, not through who he actually is. Though this was undeniably still difficult to read, made significantly more sense than the last essay.
In his essay, Hanlon compares Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Eloquence" and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. I must admit, at first glance I had thought that this essay would be about the use of eloquence in Elllison's novel. It surprised me deeply to find that "Eloquence" was actually an essay written by Emerson. I was legitimately disturbed that the Hanlon was comparing to works, for, as it seems to me, no other reason than the fact that the authors names are incredibly similar.
However, once I got passed the seemingly shallow reasoning for writing an article such as this, I was able to actually enjoy it. This article was a much easier read than the last assigned one and I felt like I understood the majority of it.
"Emerson's model of spoken composition, proceeding from the recognition that every hstener is also a potential speaker ("How many orators sit mute there below!" [1903-04, 7. 63]), also captures the most charged moments of eloquence to appear in Ralph Ellison's Inuisible Man, a novel that measures the self-reliance of its nameless protagonist through his growing acumen as a public speaker." This quote seems to relate both works by using a common concept of both, nameless speakers. In the Invisible Man, the narrator makes himself known through his words, not through who he actually is. Though this was undeniably still difficult to read, made significantly more sense than the last essay.
In his essay, Hanlon compares Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Eloquence" and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. I must admit, at first glance I had thought that this essay would be about the use of eloquence in Elllison's novel. It surprised me deeply to find that "Eloquence" was actually an essay written by Emerson. I was legitimately disturbed that the Hanlon was comparing to works, for, as it seems to me, no other reason than the fact that the authors names are incredibly similar.
However, once I got passed the seemingly shallow reasoning for writing an article such as this, I was able to actually enjoy it. This article was a much easier read than the last assigned one and I felt like I understood the majority of it.
"Emerson's model of spoken composition, proceeding from the recognition that every hstener is also a potential speaker ("How many orators sit mute there below!" [1903-04, 7. 63]), also captures the most charged moments of eloquence to appear in Ralph Ellison's Inuisible Man, a novel that measures the self-reliance of its nameless protagonist through his growing acumen as a public speaker." This quote seems to relate both works by using a common concept of both, nameless speakers. In the Invisible Man, the narrator makes himself known through his words, not through who he actually is. Though this was undeniably still difficult to read, made significantly more sense than the last essay.
Spring Break Fiasco!
In a dungeon-like room in the basement of McKenna, the noise of vibrant students could be heard from the entrance into the hallway. This enthusiastic atmosphere was the result of eight Setonian staff members diligently working on the newspaper on their last day of spring break.
Because of the timing of Seton Hill University's spring break, this issue of the Setonian suffered from lack of staff writers, photographs, and copy editors. However, the dedication of the few dependable staff members was exemplified by freshman Becca Marrie. With a peeling, sun-burned face, Marrie, ignored the excruciating pain from her week in Florida's radiating sun in order to ensure the Setonian was published on time.
"Becca was one of the only eight to grace us with her presence for our critically important copy-editing party for last issue," said editor Tiffany Gilbert.
Marrie mentioned that because of the minimal amount of staff participation in this issue of the Setonian, it was especially lacking in skillful writing. Many of the copy editors agreed on that this unacceptable writing created unnecessary work for them,
"Sometimes I just wonder how a journalism student could honestly write an article like this and expect it to get published. It looks like a fourth grader wrote it," commented one anonymous copy editor..
Having spring break the week before the paper was set to be published caused a large amount of stress for the editors and and the students in charge of layout. With a minimal amount of students to help, this issue of the Setonian was not quite up to the standards the staff members had set for themselves. This is due in part to a large number of students either ignoring or not receiving the mass emails sent out by Gilbert. Much help was needed but little was received over spring break. Fortunately for the Setonian,at least at least a few of the staff members were dependable. Gilbert knew she could always count on Marrie, in particular, to help her with whatever ends needed to be tied.
"During the unfortunate absence of the entire student body over spring break, Becca answered promptly to my pleading emails to help smooth out the bumps of production," said Gilbert.
Part Two
My blog response to the Setonian Online mockup
Part Three
So far this term, I have been accumulating nutrition tips for our class project, which is creating a new Setonian Online. These tips will be used when I post daily/weekly healthy tips for students. I believe this innovative idea will make the Setonian Online more appealing to the student body.