September 2009 Archives

This is my attempt at Portfolio 1 for Newswriting.

 

Coverage: Below are all of my blogs for Newswriting.

Something is Happening- Onion, Something is Happening in Haiti

Obituary- Obituary

News- What I Think About News

Clark and Scanlon 294-302- Showing Not Telling

Accident- Vehicle Accident at EMC

Story Fillers- Bus Plunges

Better Stories- Which is a Better Story?

Confusion- Crimes of Confusion?

Crime Reports- Reasons for Crime Reports

 

Depth: These are the blogs I think that have the most depth, and had more to say.

Obituary- Obituary

News- What I Think About News

Clark and Scanlon 294-302- Showing Not Telling

Confusion- Crimes of Confusion?

Crime Reports- Reasons for Crime Reports

 

Interaction: So far I have not blogged on any of my classmates blogs, which I know realize that's the one thing I really need to work on and do.

 

Discussions: These are my blogs that other people have commented on.

Clark and Scanlon 294-302- Showing Not Telling

Confusion- Crimes of Confusion?

 

Timeliness:These are the blogs of mine that I had submitted early enough for people to comment on. (I have had 4 comments so far.)

Clark and Scanlon 294-302- Showing Not Telling

Accident- Vehicle Accident at EMC

Story Fillers- Bus Plunges

Better Stories- Which is a Better Story?

Confusion- Crimes of Confusion?

Crime Reports- Reasons for Crime Reports

 

Xenoblogging: I don't have any Xenoblogging since I don't have comments for other people. Again I realize this is where I need the most improvement.

 

Wildcard:This is the blog that I think I did the best on. I really understood what I was writing about when I posted it.

News- What I Think About News

* I was really able to express what I think for this blog, and it was easier for me, than most of the other blogs I did. 

This is my attempt at doing portfolio 1 for American Literature 1800-1915.

 

Coverage: Below are all the Blogs I have done for American Literature 1800-1915.

Fosters, How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Ch. 5-7- Where Have I Seen her Before? Shakespeare or the Bible?

The Scarlet Letter: Ch. 1-6- The True Feelings of Hester Prynne

The Scarlet Letter: Ch. 7-13- Pearl is Hester's Child

Fosters, How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Ch. 8-10- What to Borrow, Myth, or Rain and Snow?

The Scarlet Letter: Ch. 14-21- What Does the Scarlet Letter Mean?

The Scarlet Letter: Ch. 19-24- No Longer Visible

Fosters, How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Ch. Interlude, 11, 12- Confusion About Books!

Bartleby the Scrivener- A Story About Wall-Street

The Yellow Wallpaper- Yellow

 

Depth: These are the blogs that I thought I had more to say about and went deeper into the reading.

Fosters, How to Read literature Like a Professor: Ch. 5-7- Where Have I Seen her Before? Shakespeare or theBible?

Fosters, How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Ch. 8-10- What to Borrow, Myth, or Rain and Snow?

Fosters, How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Ch. Interlude, 11, 12- Confusion About Books!

 

Interaction: So far I have not blogged on any of my classmates blogs, which I know realize that's the one thing I really need to work on and do.

 

Discussions: These are my blogs that other people have commented on.

The Scarlet Letter: Ch. 7-13- Pearl is Hester's Child

Fosters, How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Ch. Interlude, 11, 12- Confusion About Books!

 

Timeliness: These are the blogs of mine that I had submitted early enough for people to comment on. (I have received two comments so far.)

Fosters, How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Ch. 5-7- Where Have I Seen her Before? Shakespeare or the Bible?

The Scarlet Letter: Ch. 1-6- The True Feelings of Hester Prynne

The Scarlet Letter: Ch. 7-13- Pearl is Hester's Child

Fosters, How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Ch. 8-10- What to Borrow, Myth, or Rain and Snow?

The Scarlet Letter: Ch. 14-21- What Does the Scarlet Letter Mean?

The Scarlet Letter: Ch. 19-24- No Longer Visible

 

Xenoblogging: I don't have any Xenoblogging since I don't have comments for other people. Again I realize this is where I need the most improvement.

 

Wildcard: This is the blog that I think I did the best on. I really understood what I was writing about when I posted it.

Fosters, How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Ch. 5-7- Where Have I Seen her Before? Shakespeare or the Bible?

Does He Man That?:

How do you know they really mean that? I mean, the person is usually already dead, so we can't even go up to them and ask, "Hey, did you really mean that?" We basically have to take others word for it. Personally, I'm not sure whether the authors meant for us to interpret their stories in any particular way. Couldn't they have just written for the enjoyment, did they really write, so that others can decode what they really meant? I still don't know after reading this.

 

...More Than It's Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violance:

Violance is something that interests everybody, a booka can easily draw you in, if the author adds a bit of violance. Which is why it's in so many books. However, going back to the previous chapter. Do they really have a reason, other than to make the book more interesting, to put in? Is it a metaphor? It could be, or it couldn't. I think with violance there is a reason for it being in so many books. First of all, you can relate to it, second, authors can easily have it stand for something else. Violance, is one of the easiest things, at least to me becasue you can make it mean whatever you want. It's very easy to manipulate violance, and what it stands for.

Is That A Symbol?:

How do you know if it's a symbol, or just another random word?I guess anything can be a symbol, depending on how you see the object or person. However, the next step is explaining what you so called symbol means. What if your not sure what it means. Does that suddenly mean you were wrong? I don't think so, you just have to read over it again, and think to yourself what it means. Another problem, is that everyone thinks it needs to mean something in particular. Like the color green! the first word that probably pops into your head, or least in my head, is envy. Green has so many meanings, but the more familiar meaning seems to stick with the word. So what I'm trying to say, is that the more you here about a word meaning something in particular (green=envy), you always expect it to mean that, even though most of the times it won't. Too me that's what makes symbolism so confusing.

"John laughs at me, of course, but one expects that in marriage."

As I was reading this I realized, I have read this before. And I t all statred coming back tom me. It is true, that in most marriages you laugh at one another. However, John laughs at her because he thinks she's sick and crazy. But is she really crazy? Or is he making her crazy? john is a physician, he doesn't let her do anything, and keeps her in a room with yellow walls. She wants to write, but has to do it in a sly manner, because John, and her brother don't want her to write, or in other words over excert herslelf. But thats enough to drive anybody crazy. Especially if your kept in a house for most of the day. In my opinion, John is making her crazy so he can have complete control.

When I first started reading this, there was so much to tske in that I was overwelmed with everything. I also found it a bit confusing, since half the stuff he talked about I didn't understand. It wasn't one of my favorite things to read, but I got through it, even though I was confused.

"I am a man who, from his youth upwards, has been filled with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best."

I liked this particular quote, it explained what he was about early on in the text which helped the reader better understand what he was about. However, I had a hard time following everything. I think if I read it a few more times I may have a better underdstanging of it. I'm hopeing by Wednesday I will have more to say on this.

I find crime reporting to be more interesting if it is written well. They need to have sympathy, yet mystery. That is unless they already have the crime solved. But if not mystery, is good. All crimes need to fall into the category of, new, unusual, interesting or significant, or about people, because if not, well who's going to read them? However, I don't like when they aren't going in any direction, and when they repeat the same things over and over again. Crime reports need to always have something new and exciting, they can't be dull. The manual made good points about why crime reports are written, what they need, and what category they fall into.

1. Would-be robber fights back:

It was very reptitive, it used the words "would-be" twice. Even though it was for two different people, you would think they could come up with a different word. I also found the article had grammer errors. Aren't editors supposed to catch things like that? Maybe they were in a hurry.

 

2.Plea deal reached in Jeannette enslavement, kidnap case:

I had a really hard time following what was going on. Maybe it was just me but the article was confusing. There were too many variations on what was going to happen to the alleged kidnappers. That was why I think I found it confusing. Did anybody else find this article confusing?

Which would newspapers use in their stories? Which is the better story?

20 People Die in Nepal

The bus drivers was speeding when he lost control of the bus. 20 people died, and at least 11 people are missind after a bus skids of a mountain side into a river in Nepal. They recovered 12 bodies downstream, 11 are still missing, and 4 have been rescued. tThe cahnce of finding anymore survivers are slim, officers say.

30 Killed in Muzaffarabad Bus Crash

30 people were killed in a bus crash, in the Pera Paposa area of Azad Kashmir, after plunging into the ravine. the ravine was 1000 feet deep. The injured were takin to the hospital, but the bus was ill fated when it plunged into the raivine.

Both stories are similar in the fact that they involved buses, and that people both died and survived. however, which story would be more interesting to make into the paper?

Bus Plunge stories seem to just be fillers of a newspaper, there doesn't seem to be a point to them. To the newswriters, it's almost like a joke, even if they don't mean it to come off like that, or maybe they do? I don't really know. Up until it was mentioned in class, I never really noticed it in the papers, then again I'm not really that into reading news, but it does seem to occur more and more often.I guess next time i do pick up a newspaper, I will have to look for any of those so called "fillers".

Elizabeth Mount College: September 14, 2009 at 8:25 a.m

Robert Chase, Chief of Security at Elizabeth Mount College, held a press conferance relating to the vehicle accident, outside of Alumna Hall, involving student, Sharon Pierce, a fourth year undergraduate student. Pierce was treated on sight after being struck by a vehicle about 15 feet north of the sidewalk. The driver, Carl Klaushammer, was witnessed as being distressed, after realizing that a package was stolen out of his car. A man wearing an EMC hoodie was scene running from the scene towards a wooded area behind the Chemistry parking lot. There is no indication that anyone is pressing charges.

Chapter 8: Hansledee and Greteldum

Throughout this chapter, we see how many modern novels or short stories borrow from older works. But how do you know where to borrow from? Well, I guess it depends on what you want to write about. If your going for the childrens fantasy/fairytales, you would do well to look at the famous disney stories. If you want mystery or karma, you may want to look at some of the older classics, for example: one of my favorites, The Count of Monte Cristo. Which offers a bit of both mystery and karma. It all depends on what your writing about that decides who you are likely to borrow from. Or maybe you don't want to borrow. Although that's very unlikely since a lot of the stuff people come up with relate to something they themselves have read before.

Chapter 9:It's Greek to Me

This chapter talks about myths. Are they true, or just make believe? Well, once again that is completley up to you , the reader or writer. To me myths add a lot of mystery to a book. Most likely you have never heard of it before, which makes it appealing. However, you have to use it sparingly. Don't use it during a chase scene, because it wouldn't make sence, but if your book or writing is fantasy based, it may be good to add a myth in there for a splash of color. Myths can be fascinating, but if used wrong they just become boring.

Chapter 10: It's More Than Just Rain or Snow

"It was a dark and stormy night." Everyone has heard that phrase before. Even though you may be sick and tired of hearing that phrase over and over again, it's a very good one. Why?, you may ask. Well, for one thing, everyone has heard of it, makeing it famous. Second, it tells you exactly what the setting is like. And finally, for me, it adds even more mystery and wonder. So next time you read, "It was a dark and stormy night," don't just think, "oh boy, here we go again!" Think this could turn out to be very good. Remember, don't judge a book by its cover, or rather, don't judge a book by its well known phrase.

"Yet a little while, and she will be beyond your reach." (pg. 203). As Hester stands in the town waiting for the new govenor to appear, she begins to think of the past seven years. The worst seven years of her life. She says this to herself, almost in a gloating fashion. Even though no one hears Hester actually say this, she is saying in to them. Basically saying, that they won't get to see her anymore, the one they condemed to a depressing life. Their freak show. She is very excited to be leaving in a few hours. She's almost saying, you better take one last look at the scarlet "A" because you won't see it again after today. She is very strong emotionally at this point in her life.

What Does The Scarlet Letter Mean?"Mother," said she, "what does the scarlet letter mean?" (pg. 164). In chapter 15, towards the end, Pearl questions her mother over and over again about what the scarlet letter means. Even though Pearl is only a child, she is extremely insightful for her age. Some would argue that Pearl really doesn't know the the sacrlet "A" means that is almost seared across her mothers bosom. However, I think Pearl does know what it means and why her mother wears it. Since she is wise behind her age, I don't think that can be used as a reason. Personally, I think it's just another way for Pearl to draw attention to it, and her mother. I don't think it was an innocent question at all, but an evil one. Pearl didn't need the answer because she didn't know, but to make her mother uncomfortable.

I agree with Clark & Scanlon with the point of showing the readers what is goind on. Even if they were not present, the audiance/readers ahould feel like they were right there when it happened. Because honestly reading is much more interesting if you have an image in your mind as you read. Would you rather read an article/story that decribes the day the crime was commited as being just cold, or would you rather they described the day as being, cloudy, and was so cold that it mad your bones ache, along with rain pelting down at a slant. I would rather it be decribed to a point where you can picture it. Almost like you were there.

"God gave me the child!" (pg. 103) cries Hester when faced with the prospect of losing Pearl, all because they don't think she is a fit mother. Apart from Hester wearing a scarlet "A", she has never committed a crime. Is this just another chance to punish her more, or do they have evidence (besides when Pearl couldn't say where she came from.) that justifies them taking Pearl from Hester. My guess would be that they just want to punish Hester even more, because to me thats what they have always set out to do. To me Hester has already proven she is a good mother, she raised Pearl and doesn't resent her. Hester gets a lot of bad publicity and yet she still goes on with her daily life.

"I will not speak!" (pg.64) Hester Prynne shouts as she is asked to name the other sinner. The question most likely asked hroughout the book is, who is the father of Hester's daughter Pearl? Why doesn't she just give them the name instead of taking on the full responsibility of the terrible sin? Is it pride, fear, or does she feel responsible for the other person? Obviously the guy doesn't truely care about Hester or Pearl, because he's letting her take the consequence all by her self. If he truely cared wouldn't he want to take some of the burden off of her and her daughter, well his daughter to Pearl? Hester refuses to name the man even though the Govener and Ministers ask her numerous times. Hester is proving to be very strong, in the sense that she won't let anyone see the pain, not even when people are talking about her and when she's put up in front of everyone as punishment, so they can get a good look at the scarlet "A" stiched to her bosum. However, deep down she feels the pain as if the scarlet "A" is searing into her skin. Not until she is by herself with her daughter do we see her true emotions, and what she is going through.

Honestly, I don't really watch the news, I never go home and go directly to my laptop and look at what happened today on the internet. I almost never turn on the tv and watch the 5:00, 6:00, or 11:00 news. The closest I have have come to watching the news lately is to get the weather, but as soon as I hear it the tv, or the web page I got it from, I turn it off. I would rather read a good book than watch or read the news. However, in the past, say middle school and high school I did watch the news. For example on 9/11, I was glued to the television for weeks on end trying to get as much information as I could. But as soon as the stories became repeats or there was nothing new I stopped watching tv. I do see the importance in the news, and it does have its purpose, I just don't find myself drawn to it. I guess that's why I don't always know what's going on around the world. To me, the news has a lot of poor reporting, and I guess that's why I'm turned off from it a lot of thime. There really isn't a lot that they report that draws me in. However, when they report something, say a plane crash or bombing, something that doesn't happen all too often I am more likely to toon in and listen to what they say happened, where and when, who got hurt, were there any deaths, and why they think it happened. Other than that I'm not reallly interested. So far in my life time I haven't found any news that really draws me in, and grabs my attention, but I am optimistic that it will happen. one of these days I will turn on the tv and a story will come on and have me spellbound just like books do for me.

In chapter 5, Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?, Thomas C. Foster talks about how mobern day litereature uses ideas from older works. Hence the title. Although The Masque of the Red Death, and The Count of Monte Cristo are very different, the way Edgar Allan Poe describes the way people died, reminds me of how a character in The Count of Monte Cristo dies. Even though both pieces of literature are different, I found myself saying, Where have I seen that before. The more I thought about it, the quicker I was able to make that connection.

In chapter 6, When in Doubt, It's from Shakespeare... Foster has us realize that a lot of the ideas from some of the well known newer pieces of writing have taken ideas from Shakespeare or other authors. The only one that I can think of is between The Masque of the Red Death and The Count of Monte Cristo with death. They may indeed have nothing in common or just sheer coincidence but to me they sound very familiar.

In chapter 7, ...Or the Bible, Foster talks about how a lot of writers have similar plots or ending that go along with the Bible. To me one of the most seen in books that relate to the Bible is Good vs. Evil. Good always comes out in the end. Even if it doesn't look like it. By the end of the book, series, or whatever, something takes place that enables good to overcome evil.

The obtituary of Marie Byrne is yoour typical obtituary. It states how old she was when she died, her job, where she went to school, and her family life. In this obtituary they didn't make her seem larger than life or make her seem perfect. They portrayed her as being human, problems and all. They did a summery of her life and showed what Marie Byrne was all about. I like how they didn't imbelish any part of her life. They kept it real throughout the entire reading. If they would have made her seem perfect, I don't think people would take it seriously, they would be put off by the article.