Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Post #7, Digital Growth
1. What skills have you learned in this class and how might you apply them to writing in your career or future college courses?
I have learned how to more appropriately use comas and apostrophes in my writing. I have always had certain ideas in my head on how and when to use the two. Many of these ideas were incorrect. This will surely help me to write more effectively in classes in the future. Now I understand how a coma in the wrong spot can change the meaning of the text, and hurt the message you are trying to convey.
2. How have the readings in the class affected you?
The readings hit home with me being military related, and me being an ex-marine with combat experience. I felt like I had a bit of an advantage going into the course with first hand knowledge of the topics we were reading about. Other then that, they were also a little hard to read, because of the memories they brought back. I think it was helpful for me to be forced to remember some of those events and to have an opportunity to express my own feelings about it in my writing.
3. How have you met the learning outcomes for the class (which can be found on the syllabus)?
I feel that I have come close to meeting the learning outcomes; though I did have a few issues to work on from the beginning. One of my biggest issues from the beginning was # 8. Locate, evaluate, integrate, and document information. I have always hated to research and cite other sources. I always seem to get frustrated trying to cite sources, even though it is a fairly simple task. After learning about citation machine this has become much more manageable.
4. How has your writing or your writing process changed?
I think my writing has become a bit more organized since the start of this course. Before I had a hard time writing about a subject that did not follow a strict time line. I was unable to keep thoughts flowing between paragraphs. I like to think that I have developed my organizational skills over this course.
5. What were your challenges in the class? How were you able to overcome them?
This was my first ever online course. That being said, my biggest challenge was being self-motivated to finish assignments on time. I have always been a procrastinator when it comes to school work, and this class just seemed to give me more reason to do so. Having an entire week between assignment due dates gave me 6 days a week to say, "I'll do it tomorrow, I've still got plenty of time". Also the fact that this course was so compressed for summer meant there was a lot more work every week than I had anticipated. As for overcoming these challenges, I did so by having years of last minute rushing to get things done practice under my belt. I will probably never stop procrastinating; I will just have to learn to stop with this "hunt and peck typing," because it really slows me down trying to write the longer papers.
Here is a link with some helpful tips for future essay writing
http://www.americanprogress.org/cartoons/2009/07/071409.html Thanks to everyone who has commented on my blog for your help and support. -Scott
I have learned how to more appropriately use comas and apostrophes in my writing. I have always had certain ideas in my head on how and when to use the two. Many of these ideas were incorrect. This will surely help me to write more effectively in classes in the future. Now I understand how a coma in the wrong spot can change the meaning of the text, and hurt the message you are trying to convey.
2. How have the readings in the class affected you?
The readings hit home with me being military related, and me being an ex-marine with combat experience. I felt like I had a bit of an advantage going into the course with first hand knowledge of the topics we were reading about. Other then that, they were also a little hard to read, because of the memories they brought back. I think it was helpful for me to be forced to remember some of those events and to have an opportunity to express my own feelings about it in my writing.
3. How have you met the learning outcomes for the class (which can be found on the syllabus)?
I feel that I have come close to meeting the learning outcomes; though I did have a few issues to work on from the beginning. One of my biggest issues from the beginning was # 8. Locate, evaluate, integrate, and document information. I have always hated to research and cite other sources. I always seem to get frustrated trying to cite sources, even though it is a fairly simple task. After learning about citation machine this has become much more manageable.
4. How has your writing or your writing process changed?
I think my writing has become a bit more organized since the start of this course. Before I had a hard time writing about a subject that did not follow a strict time line. I was unable to keep thoughts flowing between paragraphs. I like to think that I have developed my organizational skills over this course.
5. What were your challenges in the class? How were you able to overcome them?
This was my first ever online course. That being said, my biggest challenge was being self-motivated to finish assignments on time. I have always been a procrastinator when it comes to school work, and this class just seemed to give me more reason to do so. Having an entire week between assignment due dates gave me 6 days a week to say, "I'll do it tomorrow, I've still got plenty of time". Also the fact that this course was so compressed for summer meant there was a lot more work every week than I had anticipated. As for overcoming these challenges, I did so by having years of last minute rushing to get things done practice under my belt. I will probably never stop procrastinating; I will just have to learn to stop with this "hunt and peck typing," because it really slows me down trying to write the longer papers.
Here is a link with some helpful tips for future essay writing
http://www.americanprogress.org/cartoons/2009/07/071409.html
Friday, July 15, 2011
Annotated Bibliography
Here are the sources I plan to use as of this moment in time for essay #3
"1 in 8 returning soldiers suffers from PTSD ." MSNBC. Associated press, 30 Jun 2004. Web. 13 Jul 2011.
This Source provides several statistics ( 1 in 8 soldiers suffer from PTSD, only 38-40% were interested in getting help) that I plan to use in my paper. The article also points out main reasons for not seeking help. These include fear of damaging their careers(“a scarlet P would doom their careers”) and the way they will be perceived by their peers. Causes and symptoms of PTSD are briefly outlined, though I plan to use more detailed explanations from my library source, The Emotional Wounds of War.
Saperstein, Robert, and Dana Saperstein. "The Emotional Wounds of War." Military Review. Jan. 1992: 54-61. SIRS Researcher. Web. 15 Jul 2011.
This source provides much more detailed explanations of the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder than either of my sources. The article talks about the spreading of PTSD like that of an untreated illness or wound. I plan to tie this in with a quote from 1 in 8 returning soldiers suffers from PTSD which tells that the best thing that we can do for veterans is to get them to accept help as soon as possible.
Toscano, michael. "Home From Iraq, Ex-Marine Tells 'Stories From the Front'." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 08 Sep 2005. Web. 13 Jul 2011.
From this article I will give a brief summary of how Huze came to be in the situations which he writes about. There are also several quotes from the text of The Sandstorm that may be helpful to reference, but will probably be quoted from the original source. Also to be taken from this source is the quote that “innocent life is frequently wasted... chalked up as collateral damage” this will lead in to the regret that soldiers feel after the fact for what they were forced to do in combat to protect themselves.
"1 in 8 returning soldiers suffers from PTSD ." MSNBC. Associated press, 30 Jun 2004. Web. 13 Jul 2011.
This Source provides several statistics ( 1 in 8 soldiers suffer from PTSD, only 38-40% were interested in getting help) that I plan to use in my paper. The article also points out main reasons for not seeking help. These include fear of damaging their careers(“a scarlet P would doom their careers”) and the way they will be perceived by their peers. Causes and symptoms of PTSD are briefly outlined, though I plan to use more detailed explanations from my library source, The Emotional Wounds of War.
Saperstein, Robert, and Dana Saperstein. "The Emotional Wounds of War." Military Review. Jan. 1992: 54-61. SIRS Researcher. Web. 15 Jul 2011.
This source provides much more detailed explanations of the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder than either of my sources. The article talks about the spreading of PTSD like that of an untreated illness or wound. I plan to tie this in with a quote from 1 in 8 returning soldiers suffers from PTSD which tells that the best thing that we can do for veterans is to get them to accept help as soon as possible.
Toscano, michael. "Home From Iraq, Ex-Marine Tells 'Stories From the Front'." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 08 Sep 2005. Web. 13 Jul 2011.
From this article I will give a brief summary of how Huze came to be in the situations which he writes about. There are also several quotes from the text of The Sandstorm that may be helpful to reference, but will probably be quoted from the original source. Also to be taken from this source is the quote that “innocent life is frequently wasted... chalked up as collateral damage” this will lead in to the regret that soldiers feel after the fact for what they were forced to do in combat to protect themselves.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Walking Dead
"Maybe some of us are walking dead, soulless shells of the men we were"(Huze 17). This single line seems to sum up the main idea of The Sand Storm; the effects of war on the individuals involved. All throughout the story characters speak of a feeling of disconnect, of a longing to feel human again. The characters speak of an inability to describe their feelings, as well as a feeling of nothingness at the sight of death and destruction.
I chose this passage because it is something I know all too much about. Having been in situations similar to those described in the play, I saw truth in his words. I have watched as combat has turned once loving husbands and fathers into alcoholics, child abusers, and adulterers. I have seen friends risk life and limb with highly dangerous "stunts" just trying to reach the "high" they felt when they were in combat. It can take days or even years for an individual to begin feeling the psychological effects of what they have seen and done in combat.
This line shows that moment of realization by the combatant, where he finally sees that surroundings of death have changed him and those around him. The effects of war are far reaching. It is not only the individual who suffers from the after effects of war; it is the neglected child, the abused wife, the forgotten family. The raw truth in Huze's play was refreshing and a bit depressing at the same time. It is good to see a writer who has been there tell his story, but they are not enjoyable memories remember. To learn more about PTSD and the lasting effects of war take a look HERE.
I chose this passage because it is something I know all too much about. Having been in situations similar to those described in the play, I saw truth in his words. I have watched as combat has turned once loving husbands and fathers into alcoholics, child abusers, and adulterers. I have seen friends risk life and limb with highly dangerous "stunts" just trying to reach the "high" they felt when they were in combat. It can take days or even years for an individual to begin feeling the psychological effects of what they have seen and done in combat.
This line shows that moment of realization by the combatant, where he finally sees that surroundings of death have changed him and those around him. The effects of war are far reaching. It is not only the individual who suffers from the after effects of war; it is the neglected child, the abused wife, the forgotten family. The raw truth in Huze's play was refreshing and a bit depressing at the same time. It is good to see a writer who has been there tell his story, but they are not enjoyable memories remember. To learn more about PTSD and the lasting effects of war take a look HERE.
http://www.theveteransvoice.com/TheWalkingDead19.html
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Roaring Silence: Forche Vs. Hamill
Reading the pieces by both Hamill and Forche; I found both to have their own distinctly insightful views into the poetry of witness. Hamill spoke of the writer being a spectator who must not look away. I like this idea for two reasons; one being that it makes me realize that we as writers can not simply write about what we have heard. We must stand in the middle of the action; we must see and understand for ourselves exactly what is happening. Secondly, it says to me that we must not be afraid to see the entire truth, no matter how painful it may be for us. Hamill also points out that poetry of witness can not be censored by the writer, it must force open the eyes of the reader to what is happening right in front of them. I really like Hamill's take on the need for full disclosure no matter the cost to the writer.
Forche on the other hand, opens telling us that personal and political poems are both far too one sided to encompass poetry of witness. She gives us the idea of the in between, the place these two intertwine to create what she refers to as "social poetry". I think this is where Forche really catches my attention. I have never been a big fan of poetry, especially not political poetry. I agree that the addition of the personal element helps to evoke a response in the reader, as well as make the content more enjoyable to read without losing the inter-lying meaning. Poetry may not be my first choice for an evening page turner, but I might just give poetry of witness a closer look.
To see some examples of poetry of witness look here
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Witness to Poetry
After reading the eight available poems, two proved to evoke an emotional response in me. The first of those was "Charlie Howard's Descent" by Mark Doty. This piece was a bit disturbing as well as comforting in some strange way. "I imagine he took the insults in and made them a place to live"(doty). This simple statement struck home with me, forcing me to think about all the "outsiders" that I have known in my life, all the individuals who refused to conform no matter what it cost them. I have seen a grown man made fun of for the way he acts, to the point that he began to call himself a "faggot" just to silence others. He was not gay, nor did anyone truly believe he was. I could not help but remember the way he began to use these words as a type of shelter or "place to live". This thought made me feel a kind sadness for those who are forced to retreat away from being themselves just to appease the masses.
Charlie Howard was not one of those people. Charlie accepts that he is different and somehow also understands that the transgressions against him are not truly aimed at him but at his difference. The idea that he would tell them "it's all right, that he knows they didn't believe him when he said he couldn't swim, and blesses his killers in the way that only the dead can afford to forgive"(Doty) is mind blowing. It is hard for me to understand the idea of true forgiveness of ones killer in death.
I also felt great emotion reading Kevin C. Powers "Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting". This particular poem caught my attention simply because of the fact I have been in the situation and I understand well what the character is witness to. "I tell her I love her like not killing or ten minutes of sleep"(Powers). These first two lines are very powerful, and full of meaning. The speaker, a Marine, is expressing in the only way that he can, the love he has for his wife. He does not choose these words so that she will know that he is working long hard hours killing the enemy and that he is over due for a nap. He uses these words because these are the thoughts that fill his mind, his wish for the killing to end, and for sleep uninterrupted by fear of death.
"I tell her in a letter that will stink, when she opens it"(Powers). This was by far the most important piece of the poem to me. Often letters from home would come laced with my wife's perfume as a way to feel as if she were there. Letters home never had that quality. The stink that he speaks of has nothing to do with the oil or burnt powder, the only thing that matters are "the things it says"(Powers). The letter may stink of the things he tells her he has done, or even worse, the lies he tell to protect her from thinking him a monster. His letter will not remind her of when he was with her, it will only stink of his absence.
Lastly is the comment that "war is just us making little pieces of metal pass through each other"(Powers). The only way to cope with the things one is forced to do in war is to down play the seriousness of his or her actions. Adding this to his letter is proof of his fear that his wife may begin to think differently of him knowing the things he has done. If he can believe Pvt. Bartles simplified view of war, maybe she can too.
Works Cited
Charlie Howard was not one of those people. Charlie accepts that he is different and somehow also understands that the transgressions against him are not truly aimed at him but at his difference. The idea that he would tell them "it's all right, that he knows they didn't believe him when he said he couldn't swim, and blesses his killers in the way that only the dead can afford to forgive"(Doty) is mind blowing. It is hard for me to understand the idea of true forgiveness of ones killer in death.
I also felt great emotion reading Kevin C. Powers "Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting". This particular poem caught my attention simply because of the fact I have been in the situation and I understand well what the character is witness to. "I tell her I love her like not killing or ten minutes of sleep"(Powers). These first two lines are very powerful, and full of meaning. The speaker, a Marine, is expressing in the only way that he can, the love he has for his wife. He does not choose these words so that she will know that he is working long hard hours killing the enemy and that he is over due for a nap. He uses these words because these are the thoughts that fill his mind, his wish for the killing to end, and for sleep uninterrupted by fear of death.
"I tell her in a letter that will stink, when she opens it"(Powers). This was by far the most important piece of the poem to me. Often letters from home would come laced with my wife's perfume as a way to feel as if she were there. Letters home never had that quality. The stink that he speaks of has nothing to do with the oil or burnt powder, the only thing that matters are "the things it says"(Powers). The letter may stink of the things he tells her he has done, or even worse, the lies he tell to protect her from thinking him a monster. His letter will not remind her of when he was with her, it will only stink of his absence.
Lastly is the comment that "war is just us making little pieces of metal pass through each other"(Powers). The only way to cope with the things one is forced to do in war is to down play the seriousness of his or her actions. Adding this to his letter is proof of his fear that his wife may begin to think differently of him knowing the things he has done. If he can believe Pvt. Bartles simplified view of war, maybe she can too.
http://johnstamosfever.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/mosher-soldier.jpg
to learn more about helping our war fighters go to http://anymarine.com/
Works Cited
Doty, Mark. “Charlie Howard’s Descent.” Angelfire.com. Angelfire,
2011. Web. 16 June 2011.
Powers, Kevin C. “Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting.” Poetryfoundations.org. Poetry Foundation, 2011. Web. 16 June 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Summarizing analysis
To analyze or summarize, that is the question. Some would say they are one and the same. This, as was made very clear in Mrs. Cline's video on the subject, is not the case. These two, though similar, have several subtle differences.
Summary, simply put, is a re-telling of the story in fewer words. When a writer summarizes they do not add any personal thoughts on the story and its meaning. They simply re-state key points of the story so that the reader of the summary is able to understand the plot of the story with minimal details. By staying away from personal opinions of the writing the individual doing the summarizing is able to keep away from any incorrect details or criticism of their thoughts. Analysis does not have this problem.
When analyzing, the key is not to tell what was read, but rather what was gleaned from the reading. Without analysis of the literature, it is simply a story with only one point of view. Analysis requires that your readers question the validity of your thoughts on the true meaning of the text. This being said, a good analysis no matter how far fetched, has enough well thought out points to create a belief in your ideas even if they do not coincide with the readers own opinions.
In my opinion summary and analysis are the inside of a cave. Summary is what you would see walking inside without a flashlight. On the other hand analysis is what would be seen walking in with a single flashlight. While you could simply summarize that the cave is large and dark maybe even damp without a flashlight, when that light of analysis turns on the details truly begin to emerge. A single analysis, like a flashlight, can not show all there is to see inside the cave or the literary work. It takes many different points of view to show all the possibilities there may be for the true meaning of any work.
To learn more about summary and analysis follow this link.
Summary, simply put, is a re-telling of the story in fewer words. When a writer summarizes they do not add any personal thoughts on the story and its meaning. They simply re-state key points of the story so that the reader of the summary is able to understand the plot of the story with minimal details. By staying away from personal opinions of the writing the individual doing the summarizing is able to keep away from any incorrect details or criticism of their thoughts. Analysis does not have this problem.
When analyzing, the key is not to tell what was read, but rather what was gleaned from the reading. Without analysis of the literature, it is simply a story with only one point of view. Analysis requires that your readers question the validity of your thoughts on the true meaning of the text. This being said, a good analysis no matter how far fetched, has enough well thought out points to create a belief in your ideas even if they do not coincide with the readers own opinions.
In my opinion summary and analysis are the inside of a cave. Summary is what you would see walking inside without a flashlight. On the other hand analysis is what would be seen walking in with a single flashlight. While you could simply summarize that the cave is large and dark maybe even damp without a flashlight, when that light of analysis turns on the details truly begin to emerge. A single analysis, like a flashlight, can not show all there is to see inside the cave or the literary work. It takes many different points of view to show all the possibilities there may be for the true meaning of any work.
To learn more about summary and analysis follow this link.
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