So, the blog has been going along very well (in my opinion). There are a few issues I'd like you to consider: 1. Post early. A few of you (I know who you are) are continually posting at the last minute (Friday afternoon/night). This does a disservice to the blog because it doesn't allow others to see/respond to your ideas. Get away from procrastination. 2. Spell check/proof read. Some of you are losing points each week for spelling errors or silly stuff like not capitalizing I. This is English class after all. 3. When you post a response, don't say "I agree with you" or "good style." I want this to be an actual discourse, not a kiss-up session. The best responses take issue with what someone has said, challenge their assertions or choice of words/evidence, add to their argument, or qualify their claim somehow. NO MORE SUPERFICIAL POSTS!!! This is AP: Go deeper.
Chaos breaks across the lines that divides scientific disciples. Because it is a line of the global nature of systems, it has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely seperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a feat of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to large audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and , medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialazation has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that defy accepted ways of working in science. He makes strong claims about universal actions of complexity. The first chaos theorists, the scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an nack for pattern, espicially pattern that matched on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden leaps. Thinkers in chaos- and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists-think about determinism and free will, about evolution, and about the nature of conscious chaos.
The Real Version
Chaos breaks across the lines that seperate scientific disciples. Because it is a science of the global nature of systems, it has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely seperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a feat of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to large audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and , medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialazation has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that defy accepted ways of working in science. It makes strong claims about universal behavior of complexity. The first chaos theorists, the scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an nack for pattern, espicially pattern that matched on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden leaps. Believers in chaos- and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists-speculate about determinism and free will, about evolution, and about the nature of conscious intelligence.
Zinsser is basiclly illustrating the most terrible of college pressures. A syllogistic reasoning for his paper could be that:
Demands are stressful, College has demands, so College is stressful.
This could also be a lesson to the student about procrastination. Waiting on on one thing makes other things pile up. The scenerios in this paper describe what could possibly happen if you're careless with your studies. A carefully planned schedule can help keep you from succumbing to these pressures.
Chaos breaks across the lines that seperate scientific disciplines. Because it is a fact of the global nature of systems, it has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely seperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a feat of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to the audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialization has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that defy accepted ways of working in science. They make strong claims about the universal acts of complexity. The first chaos theorists, the scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an attraction for pattern, especially pattern that matched on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden changes. Thinkers in chaos- and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists- think about determinism and free will, about evolution, about the nature of concious chaos.
When I logged on and posted my activity on page 124-125. I posted it and then read yours to reply. I noticed we used a lot of the same words. I couldn't find all the words and had to look at the end test for some. But overall, we agreed on most of these blanks. Good Job!
Zinsser is showing the pressures of a college student. What they would go through every semester and school year.
This student has not planned out his semester at all. He has let all his work pile up from procrastination. Even if your a person who does not like a schedule, in college it is wise to have one. Because when you have serious classes, if you fall behind it is extremely hard to catch up!
A syllogistic reasoning for this paper could be:
Schedules keep procrastination away, Wise college students have schedules, So wise college students don't procrastinate.
On acivity 135 I agree and disagree at some points. I agree that Zinsser is showing the college pressures of students. And I agree about your paragraph on procrastination. Good job on that!
But on the syllogistic reasoning you make it sound like all demands are stressful when I believe that if you have a schedule demands are really simple. And yes, college is stressful but if you have a schedule much stress is eliminated.
I’ve tried to create two different enthymemes that express Tan’s position. 1. Tan’s mother speaks broken English; therefore, Tan’s perception of her mother is limited. This implies that broken English is not common so other people’s thoughts of her are going to be limited. And because other people’s thoughts are limited, then Tan’s should be too. 2. She spoke broken English; therefore, no one accepted her. Because her mom’s English isn’t perfect it is why others don’t accept her. Tan thinks that if only her mom spoke better everything would be fixed. But I think she has to consider that speaking poorly is not the only thing accountable for acceptance.
Also, Tan’s essay has an enthymeme of her own when she says that because her mother expressed her thoughts imperfectly, her thoughts were imperfect.
Stephanie Floyd: PG 137 Rhetorical Analysis Part One- Morrison uses a lot of details in the opening paragraph of Sula to describe a place formerly known as “The Bottom.” Because of this the reader can really understand how much this place must have meant to her and the families that lived there. The details make “The Bottom” seem much more personal, so it’s easier for readers to relate to the author’s connection with such a special place. The tone is solemn as Morrison recalls past memories and events, but it also seems angry and frustrated, like she’s asking how someone could tear down a neighborhood for something as material and frivolous as a golf course. Her statement of, “a steel ball will knock to dust Irene’s Palace of Cosmetology…” is ironic. The place was a palace, and it just gets knocked down by a big ball? It seems a very undesirable way to go.
Part Two The writer’s aim is to inform the unknowing of how her old town, full of history and memories, was torn down for a money making golf course. I think she’s trying to say that people are becoming too obsessed with material things. The passage makes readers think about others and consider the outcome of different families when someone decides to build a fancy new building, or golf course, over an already occupied area. The writer is trying to get across that maybe destroying a place with so many memories of so many families isn’t a good thing, after all.
Brittany Murphy Response to activity on pages 124-125
My Interpretation
Chaos breaks across the lines that defy scientific disciplines. Because it is a law of the global nature of systems, chaos has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely serperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a time of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to an audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and medical doctors. "Dramatically that specialization has reserved ideas of working in science. He makes strong claims about the universal concept of complexity. The first chaos theorists, some scientists who set the discipline in chaos, shared certain sensibilities. They had an eye for pattern, especially pattern that calculated on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden changes. Believers in chaos- and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists- thought about determinism and free will, gradual evolution, about the nature of concious decisions.
Brittany Murphy Response to Activity on page 135-136
I think that Zinsser's aim for the essay is to inform readers about the different struggles and stresses college students go through.
Zinsser's method of using notes from students to their counselor is effective rhetorically because it isn't him just stating that it is easy to get behind and overwhelmed in college, he is actually showing you students who have gotten behind and overwhelmed. This way it is possible to read one of the notes from the students and think "Hey I've felt like this before", and then you would be more in tune with the rest of his essay.
A line of syllogism that might follow the aim of Zinsser's piece could be:
In college it is easy to get behind. Getting behind can be very overwhelming and stressful. Therefor, college can be very overwhelming and stressful.
You both pointed out in your response to the activity on pages 135-136 that schedules can help you to not fall behind in your studies and classwork. While I agree whole-heartedly that schedules do help you to stay more organized, it can't help everything.
Many of the notes from the students in Zinsser's essay talked about getting sick or other personal issues that have prevented them from being on task. Obviously, nobody would schedule in getting sick, so if that does happen you can still get behind.
I agree with your syllogistic reasoning about college. If you don't do your work or procrastinate, it can be easy to fall behind, and that makes it hard to catch up.
I understand what you said about an organized schedule not helping everything. I personally hate schedules and have a hard time following them!
I'm not sure yet if I agree with everything you have written, but I do agree with you that this was basically a glimpse into the life of a poorly planned college student.
I also agree with your sylogistic reasoning for the paper. It is true that wise students use schedules to keep away procrastination.
(My interpretation) Chaos breaks across the lines that separate scientific disciplines. Because it is a study of the global nature of systems it has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely separated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a future of increasing specialization," a navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to an audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialization has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that challenge accepted ways of working in science. Science makes strong claims about the universal chaos of complexity. The first chaos theorists, were scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an eye for pattern, specially pattern that was on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edged and sudden turns. Believers in chaos-and they sometimes call them believers, or converts, or evangelists-ponder about determinism and free will, about evolution, about the nature of conscious thought.
I deduce that the aim of Zinsser's essay is to illustrate that there are many ways for students to fall behind in their studies, and that it is important to stay stuctured and focused on your work.
The rhetorical effect of beginning with the group of notes is that it immediately introduces the reader to several examples of situations where students fall behind and cannot complete their exams. It shows the common thread of each student feeling anxious about their impending failures.
The syllogistic reasoning that might be assumed from this peice is that if you are structured you will not fall behind in your work. If you do not fall behind in your classes, you will do well in college. Therefore, if you are structured you will do well in college.
Cortney Berry Reply to Brittany Murphy (reply to Jenny and Rhen)
Brittany,
I agree that you cannot "plan" on getting sick, but I think that this is not that actual point of the writing. Rather, it helps to illustrated that if you are well structured, and have completed your work ahead of time, even if you do get sick, a day or two of recovery should not be enough cause you to fail the exam.
I think that your response to the sylogistic question was too simplistic and needs elaboration. College is stressful and demanding, and I think that this is understood, but the way that I read the article, the writer was stressing the importance of staying "on track".
Chaos breaks across the lines that seperate scientific disciplines. Because it is a science of the global nature of systems, it has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely seperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a feat of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to the audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialization has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that defy accepted ways of working in science. They makes strong claims about the universal acts of complexity. The first chaos teorists, the scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an attraction for pattern, especially pattern that calculated on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden changes. Believers in chaos and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists-speculate about determinism and free will, about evolution, about the nature of conscious chaos.
I think Zinsser is showing how stressed people get when they procrastinate.
A syllogistic explanation for this is-
When you procrastinate you get stressed. The student procrastinated. Therefore he is stressed.
This student obviously procratinated and made excuses for why he did it which just made things worse. This can happen to anyone not just college students.
Dear Courtney, I like the way you looked at what Zinsser said. No one else who read it had the same perception as you. I agree with what you said about how there are many ways for student to fall behind and become stressed. Good job!
I think that Zinsser's aim was to make readers realise how hard it is for a college student. He also wants to inform his readers of the stuggles these college students experience.
The effect of beginning with the group notes from these students is really effective because he is actually showing how stressed and overwhelmed students feel.
A syllogistic reasoning could be:
In college students could get overwhelmed. Being overwhelmed can stress students and they could end up falling behind in their work.
Jenny, You did a really great job on finding words to fill the blanks for the activity on page 124. the words were very close to the original version and that means you were on the right track of how you were thinking!
Chaos breaks the lines that splits scientific disciplines. Because it is a combination of the global nature of systems, chaos has brought together thinkers from fields which had been widely separated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a breakthrough of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to an audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialization has reversed chances of chaos." Chaos poses problems that are accepted ways of working in science. Chaos makes strong claims about the universal theory of complexity. The first chaos theorists, chaotic scientists who set their discipline in action, shared certain sensibilities. They had an inclination for pattern, especially pattern that went on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and jagged edges and sudden changes. Scientists in chaos -and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts or evangelists- fought about determination and free will, also evolution, about the nature of conscience thought.
After reading Silko's introduction to "Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit," I have concluded that this text is a persuasion which tries to prove that the more traditional ways of teaching children are more effective than the more modern ways. I predict that Silko continued with her story and attempted to make the reader realize that children would benefit more if certified teachers weren't the only people educating them. She tries to convince the reader that everyone can be a teacher to children, whether it is telling stories, or answering questions they might have. I believe that the primary argument in this text, however, is that the Pueblo people's methods of teaching are superior to our modern methods of teachings because their teachings taught character and how to live, compared to our modern teachings which are more distant, data-based and only taught in a classroom.
I believe that the argument begins with a description about the Pueblo ways of teaching so that the rest of her argument would have a foundation. Having explained the Pueblo methods of teaching, she could now pinpoint the parts of their methods that were superior to modern methods of teaching.
After this introductory, she could give a description about the modern methods of teaching. She could then compare the methods and point out the good and bad in each. She could then persuade the reader that the Pueblo methods of teachings were more efficient, and then form a conclusion on how the methods of the Pueblo people could be fused with our new modern methods.
Cortney,(In response to pg 124-124) Comparing your interpretation to mine, I realize that while doing this exercise, there were three different types of blanks. First , there were the "giveaway" blanks in which you, me, and the writer of this text agreed on the exact word. Second, there were the blanks that were more flexible. In other words, You, me, and the writer of the text had similar answers that often meant the same thing. Finally, there were the blanks where you either had to know background information on the subject or comprehend the text extremely well to predict the correct word. Most of your word predictions were similar to mine so I believe that depending on how well you can comprehend text can help you not only predict the words, but help you figure out what the text is trying to say.
Jenny, After reading your interpretation of "Chaos" and the real interpretation I hardly found any differences! You're a lot better at cloze than me. With non-fiction I think it is harder to put words into blanks. (Which is why I chose not to do that particular assignment.) I was impressed when I read your interpretation, though. -Stephanie
In response to the PG 135 assignment: Cortney (and Jenny), I think the point of Zinsser's essay was to inform and educate upcoming students that college is difficult. I think that staying on track is implied by the apparent struggles of the random students in the essay, but I don't think that it was the main line of syllogistic reasoning. I agree more with Jenny's thoughts on the author's reasoning that college is stressful because of its demands. -Stephanie
You're syllogistic reasoning isn't just true in school, but in pretty much anything that involves commitment. Whether you are going to college, running a business, or getting in shape for a marathon, it is important to not procrastinate. Do you think that the syllogistic reasoning for this text was implied to be universal? This was just a thought I had while reading your response. -Danny
Chaos breaks across lines that divide scientific disciplines. Because it is an explanation of the global nature of systems, Chaos Theory has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely seperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for an era of increasing specialization," Navy offical in charge of scientific financing remarked to an audience of mathmeticians, biologists, physicists, and many doctors. "Dramatically, that specialization has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that challenge accepted ways of working in science. It makes strong claims about the universal theory of complexity. The first chaos theorists, the scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an eye for pattern, especially pattern that existed on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden change. People in chaos - and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists - wonder about determinism and free will, about evolution, about the nature of conscious thought.
Amy Tan wrote that her mother was treated different because she didn't speak the same English that other people spoke. You could describe Amy's theme in the enthymeme "Amy's mother speaks "broken" English;therefore she is treated differenet from people who speak more correct English." This gives the reader a premise on which to build (the bold words) and a conclusion (the italicized words). However, if you're using Aristotle's reasoning, an enthymem leaves out a step, the second premise. In Aristotle's method, the reasoning behind Amy's arguement would sound more like this:
Amy's mother speaks "broken" English People who speak broken English are treated different Amy's mother is treated different
Amy doesn't need to show the second step though, because she shows that her mother is treated differently. By doing this, she doesn't need to explain that everyone who speaks that way is treated different, because the readers can deduce that for themselves.
In your response to Jenny and Rhen, you pointed out that a lot of the notes were personal issues. Everyone said a well organized schedule could help, but I think it needs one more thing. You have to have your priorities in order, then have a well organized schedule. The person who wrote those notes was obviously placing more importance on many things other than their education and I don't think a more organized schedule would have helped.
You're absolutely right when you pointed out to me that it is important to set your priorities and then make an organized schedule. I failed to look at it in that way, and just sort of assumed school was their top priority. Thank you.
Also, I'm sorry my final posting is a little late. My internet went out thursday night and the repairman just came to fix it today...
Wow, sorry this is two weeks late, I've been so busy lately that I haven't had even five minutes for the computer the entire two weeks I've been gone. And this is definitely not an excuse, just an explanation.
Activity: page 134
Amy’s mother’s English was broken and often unintelligible; therefore many, including Amy, considered her to be stupid.
Often time, people who talk in broken English are considered to be stupid because they can’t fully convey their message in what little English they know. I have come across this more times than I’d like to say at my job. I work at Kings Dominion, which employs international “traveling students,” the purpose of this is to allow these internationals to make money and gain experiences. Unfortunately, because English is their second language, some don’t understand Americans on a level most would call acceptable for working with people on a daily basis. My personal Serbian friend and coworker Milan is actually an English Literature Major at VCU, but because he has an accent and doesn’t understand some slang, whenever he’s on register and actually talking to customers, some customers talk down to him as if he’s stupid. Another example of this is when one of my American coworkers was talking to me about a Macedonian who unfortunately does have extremely limited English, and referred to him as “adorably dumb.” It’s a sad fact, but it’s true, and I can fully relate to Amy when she says that when an idea is expressed imperfectly, people tend to assume that the thought was imperfect as well.
If the “initial definition” of rhetoric the book gives us in the first chapter is that of the method of persuading readers, than the detail of this passage is the rhetoric. Instead of contributing to the rhetoric, an argument could easily be made that the suburbians destroyed this beautiful place with simple people. Without even using emotional words such as “raze” or “pry,” the readers can sympathize with the residents of the Bottom, and understand that their livelihood was replaced by suburbs. It’s obviously meant to send a message of the changing of times and gives a distasteful connotation to it. She’s trying to convey a message that a down-home, simple life was uprooted, just as the simple nightshade and blackberry patches were for a more modern system.
Created with the energy from one tablespoon of holty water, this website offers a safe haven for all members of my hott mess of an AP class to share, discuss, and get easy points. Questions: email me rholt@hs.spotsylvania.k12.va.us
41 comments:
So, the blog has been going along very well (in my opinion). There are a few issues I'd like you to consider:
1. Post early. A few of you (I know who you are) are continually posting at the last minute (Friday afternoon/night). This does a disservice to the blog because it doesn't allow others to see/respond to your ideas. Get away from procrastination.
2. Spell check/proof read. Some of you are losing points each week for spelling errors or silly stuff like not capitalizing I. This is English class after all.
3. When you post a response, don't say "I agree with you" or "good style." I want this to be an actual discourse, not a kiss-up session. The best responses take issue with what someone has said, challenge their assertions or choice of words/evidence, add to their argument, or qualify their claim somehow. NO MORE SUPERFICIAL POSTS!!! This is AP: Go deeper.
Jenny Wheeler: pg 124-125
My Interpretation
Chaos breaks across the lines that divides scientific disciples. Because it is a line of the global nature of systems, it has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely seperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a feat of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to large audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and , medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialazation has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that defy accepted ways of working in science. He makes strong claims about universal actions of complexity. The first chaos theorists, the scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an nack for pattern, espicially pattern that matched on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden leaps. Thinkers in chaos- and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists-think about determinism and free will, about evolution, and about the nature of conscious chaos.
The Real Version
Chaos breaks across the lines that seperate scientific disciples. Because it is a science of the global nature of systems, it has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely seperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a feat of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to large audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and , medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialazation has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that defy accepted ways of working in science. It makes strong claims about universal behavior of complexity. The first chaos theorists, the scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an nack for pattern, espicially pattern that matched on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden leaps. Believers in chaos- and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists-speculate about determinism and free will, about evolution, and about the nature of conscious intelligence.
Jenny Wheeler: pg 135 2nd act.
Zinsser is basiclly illustrating the most terrible of college pressures. A syllogistic reasoning for his paper could be that:
Demands are stressful,
College has demands, so
College is stressful.
This could also be a lesson to the student about procrastination. Waiting on on one thing makes other things pile up. The scenerios in this paper describe what could possibly happen if you're careless with your studies. A carefully planned schedule can help keep you from succumbing to these pressures.
Rhen Brooks: PG 124-125
My Interpretation
Chaos breaks across the lines that seperate scientific disciplines. Because it is a fact of the global nature of systems, it has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely seperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a feat of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to the audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialization has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that defy accepted ways of working in science. They make strong claims about the universal acts of complexity. The first chaos theorists, the scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an attraction for pattern, especially pattern that matched on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden changes. Thinkers in chaos- and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists- think about determinism and free will, about evolution, about the nature of concious chaos.
Jenny,
When I logged on and posted my activity on page 124-125. I posted it and then read yours to reply. I noticed we used a lot of the same words. I couldn't find all the words and had to look at the end test for some. But overall, we agreed on most of these blanks. Good Job!
Rhen Brooks
Rhen Brooks: PG 135
Zinsser is showing the pressures of a college student. What they would go through every semester and school year.
This student has not planned out his semester at all. He has let all his work pile up from procrastination. Even if your a person who does not like a schedule, in college it is wise to have one. Because when you have serious classes, if you fall behind it is extremely hard to catch up!
A syllogistic reasoning for this paper could be:
Schedules keep procrastination away,
Wise college students have schedules,
So wise college students don't procrastinate.
Jenny,
On acivity 135 I agree and disagree at some points. I agree that Zinsser is showing the college pressures of students. And I agree about your paragraph on procrastination. Good job on that!
But on the syllogistic reasoning you make it sound like all demands are stressful when I believe that if you have a schedule demands are really simple. And yes, college is stressful but if you have a schedule much stress is eliminated.
Rhen Brooks
Stephanie Floyd: PG 134-135
I’ve tried to create two different enthymemes that express Tan’s position.
1. Tan’s mother speaks broken English; therefore, Tan’s perception of her mother is limited.
This implies that broken English is not common so other people’s thoughts of her are going to be limited. And because other people’s thoughts are limited, then Tan’s should be too.
2. She spoke broken English; therefore, no one accepted her.
Because her mom’s English isn’t perfect it is why others don’t accept her. Tan thinks that if only her mom spoke better everything would be fixed. But I think she has to consider that speaking poorly is not the only thing accountable for acceptance.
Also, Tan’s essay has an enthymeme of her own when she says that because her mother expressed her thoughts imperfectly, her thoughts were imperfect.
Stephanie Floyd: PG 137
Rhetorical Analysis
Part One-
Morrison uses a lot of details in the opening paragraph of Sula to describe a place formerly known as “The Bottom.” Because of this the reader can really understand how much this place must have meant to her and the families that lived there. The details make “The Bottom” seem much more personal, so it’s easier for readers to relate to the author’s connection with such a special place.
The tone is solemn as Morrison recalls past memories and events, but it also seems angry and frustrated, like she’s asking how someone could tear down a neighborhood for something as material and frivolous as a golf course. Her statement of, “a steel ball will knock to dust Irene’s Palace of Cosmetology…” is ironic. The place was a palace, and it just gets knocked down by a big ball? It seems a very undesirable way to go.
Part Two
The writer’s aim is to inform the unknowing of how her old town, full of history and memories, was torn down for a money making golf course. I think she’s trying to say that people are becoming too obsessed with material things. The passage makes readers think about others and consider the outcome of different families when someone decides to build a fancy new building, or golf course, over an already occupied area. The writer is trying to get across that maybe destroying a place with so many memories of so many families isn’t a good thing, after all.
Brittany Murphy
Response to activity on pages 124-125
My Interpretation
Chaos breaks across the lines that defy scientific disciplines. Because it is a law of the global nature of systems, chaos has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely serperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a time of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to an audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and medical doctors. "Dramatically that specialization has reserved ideas of working in science. He makes strong claims about the universal concept of complexity. The first chaos theorists, some scientists who set the discipline in chaos, shared certain sensibilities. They had an eye for pattern, especially pattern that calculated on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden changes. Believers in chaos- and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists- thought about determinism and free will, gradual evolution, about the nature of concious decisions.
Brittany Murphy
Response to Activity on page 135-136
I think that Zinsser's aim for the essay is to inform readers about the different struggles and stresses college students go through.
Zinsser's method of using notes from students to their counselor is effective rhetorically because it isn't him just stating that it is easy to get behind and overwhelmed in college, he is actually showing you students who have gotten behind and overwhelmed. This way it is possible to read one of the notes from the students and think "Hey I've felt like this before", and then you would be more in tune with the rest of his essay.
A line of syllogism that might follow the aim of Zinsser's piece could be:
In college it is easy to get behind.
Getting behind can be very overwhelming and stressful.
Therefor, college can be very overwhelming and stressful.
Jenny and Rhen,
You both pointed out in your response to the activity on pages 135-136 that schedules can help you to not fall behind in your studies and classwork. While I agree whole-heartedly that schedules do help you to stay more organized, it can't help everything.
Many of the notes from the students in Zinsser's essay talked about getting sick or other personal issues that have prevented them from being on task. Obviously, nobody would schedule in getting sick, so if that does happen you can still get behind.
Brittany,
I agree with your syllogistic reasoning about college. If you don't do your work or procrastinate, it can be easy to fall behind, and that makes it hard to catch up.
I understand what you said about an organized schedule not helping everything. I personally hate schedules and have a hard time following them!
Rhen,
I'm not sure yet if I agree with everything you have written, but I do agree with you that this was basically a glimpse into the life of a poorly planned college student.
I also agree with your sylogistic reasoning for the paper. It is true that wise students use schedules to keep away procrastination.
Brittany,
I like you syllogistic reasoning for the college student. It sounds good and it is completely true. Good job!
Rhen Brooks
Cortney Berry: pg.124-125
(My interpretation)
Chaos breaks across the lines that separate scientific disciplines. Because it is a study of the global nature of systems it has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely separated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a future of increasing specialization," a navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to an audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialization has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that challenge accepted ways of working in science. Science makes strong claims about the universal chaos of complexity. The first chaos theorists, were scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an eye for pattern, specially pattern that was on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edged and sudden turns. Believers in chaos-and they sometimes call them believers, or converts, or evangelists-ponder about determinism and free will, about evolution, about the nature of conscious thought.
Cortney Berry
p.135
I deduce that the aim of Zinsser's essay is to illustrate that there are many ways for students to fall behind in their studies, and that it is important to stay stuctured and focused on your work.
The rhetorical effect of beginning with the group of notes is that it immediately introduces the reader to several examples of situations where students fall behind and cannot complete their exams. It shows the common thread of each student feeling anxious about their impending failures.
The syllogistic reasoning that might be assumed from this peice is that if you are structured you will not fall behind in your work. If you do not fall behind in your classes, you will do well in college. Therefore, if you are structured you will do well in college.
Cortney Berry
Reply to Brittany Murphy
(reply to Jenny and Rhen)
Brittany,
I agree that you cannot "plan" on getting sick, but I think that this is not that actual point of the writing. Rather, it helps to illustrated that if you are well structured, and have completed your work ahead of time, even if you do get sick, a day or two of recovery should not be enough cause you to fail the exam.
Cortney Berry
Reply to Jenny
Jenny,
I think that your response to the sylogistic question was too simplistic and needs elaboration. College is stressful and demanding, and I think that this is understood, but the way that I read the article, the writer was stressing the importance of staying "on track".
Cristine De Los Santos
Activity pg. 124-125
Chaos breaks across the lines that seperate scientific disciplines. Because it is a science of the global nature of systems, it has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely seperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a feat of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to the audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialization has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that defy accepted ways of working in science. They makes strong claims about the universal acts of complexity. The first chaos teorists, the scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an attraction for pattern, especially pattern that calculated on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden changes. Believers in chaos and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists-speculate about determinism and free will, about evolution, about the nature of conscious chaos.
Cecilia Bulzomi
Page 135
I think Zinsser is showing how stressed people get when they procrastinate.
A syllogistic explanation for this is-
When you procrastinate you get stressed.
The student procrastinated.
Therefore he is stressed.
This student obviously procratinated and made excuses for why he did it which just made things worse. This can happen to anyone not just college students.
Cecilia Bulzomi
Page 134
Amy Tan was epressing how she feels people see her mother because she is unable to speak full english. A Syllogistic example of this is-
People undermine others who dont speak full english.
Ms. Tan doesn't speak full english.
Therefore people undermine Ms. Tan.
Dear Courtney,
I like the way you looked at what Zinsser said. No one else who read it had the same perception as you. I agree with what you said about how there are many ways for student to fall behind and become stressed. Good job!
Cristine De Los Santos
Activity on pg. 135-136
I think that Zinsser's aim was to make readers realise how hard it is for a college student. He also wants to inform his readers of the stuggles these college students experience.
The effect of beginning with the group notes from these students is really effective because he is actually showing how stressed and overwhelmed students feel.
A syllogistic reasoning could be:
In college students could get overwhelmed.
Being overwhelmed can stress students and they could end up falling behind in their work.
Jenny,
You did a really great job on finding words to fill the blanks for the activity on page 124. the words were very close to the original version and that means you were on the right track of how you were thinking!
Brittany,
I think you did a really good job on the activity on page 135-136. I also completly agree with you.
Danny Holland: pg 124-125
Chaos breaks the lines that splits scientific disciplines. Because it is a combination of the global nature of systems, chaos has brought together thinkers from fields which had been widely separated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for a breakthrough of increasing specialization," a Navy official in charge of scientific financing remarked to an audience of mathematicians, biologists, physicists, and medical doctors. "Dramatically, that specialization has reversed chances of chaos." Chaos poses problems that are accepted ways of working in science. Chaos makes strong claims about the universal theory of complexity. The first chaos theorists, chaotic scientists who set their discipline in action, shared certain sensibilities. They had an inclination for pattern, especially pattern that went on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and jagged edges and sudden changes. Scientists in chaos -and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts or evangelists- fought about determination and free will, also evolution, about the nature of conscience thought.
Cortney,
You did a good a job on the activity on page 124-125. I also agree with you responses mainly because we have a lot of same words.
Danny Holland: pg 139 (second choice)
After reading Silko's introduction to "Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit," I have concluded that this text is a persuasion which tries to prove that the more traditional ways of teaching children are more effective than the more modern ways. I predict that Silko continued with her story and attempted to make the reader realize that children would benefit more if certified teachers weren't the only people educating them. She tries to convince the reader that everyone can be a teacher to children, whether it is telling stories, or answering questions they might have. I believe that the primary argument in this text, however, is that the Pueblo people's methods of teaching are superior to our modern methods of teachings because their teachings taught character and how to live, compared to our modern teachings which are more distant, data-based and only taught in a classroom.
I believe that the argument begins with a description about the Pueblo ways of teaching so that the rest of her argument would have a foundation. Having explained the Pueblo methods of teaching, she could now pinpoint the parts of their methods that were superior to modern methods of teaching.
After this introductory, she could give a description about the modern methods of teaching. She could then compare the methods and point out the good and bad in each. She could then persuade the reader that the Pueblo methods of teachings were more efficient, and then form a conclusion on how the methods of the Pueblo people could be fused with our new modern methods.
Cortney,(In response to pg 124-124)
Comparing your interpretation to mine, I realize that while doing this exercise, there were three different types of blanks. First , there were the "giveaway" blanks in which you, me, and the writer of this text agreed on the exact word. Second, there were the blanks that were more flexible. In other words, You, me, and the writer of the text had similar answers that often meant the same thing. Finally, there were the blanks where you either had to know background information on the subject or comprehend the text extremely well to predict the correct word. Most of your word predictions were similar to mine so I believe that depending on how well you can comprehend text can help you not only predict the words, but help you figure out what the text is trying to say.
Jenny,
After reading your interpretation of "Chaos" and the real interpretation I hardly found any differences! You're a lot better at cloze than me. With non-fiction I think it is harder to put words into blanks. (Which is why I chose not to do that particular assignment.) I was impressed when I read your interpretation, though.
-Stephanie
In response to the PG 135 assignment:
Cortney (and Jenny),
I think the point of Zinsser's essay was to inform and educate upcoming students that college is difficult. I think that staying on track is implied by the apparent struggles of the random students in the essay, but I don't think that it was the main line of syllogistic reasoning. I agree more with Jenny's thoughts on the author's reasoning that college is stressful because of its demands.
-Stephanie
Rhen, (In response to pg 135)
You're syllogistic reasoning isn't just true in school, but in pretty much anything that involves commitment. Whether you are going to college, running a business, or getting in shape for a marathon, it is important to not procrastinate. Do you think that the syllogistic reasoning for this text was implied to be universal? This was just a thought I had while reading your response.
-Danny
Greg Baugher
Pages 124 - 125
The paragraph with my words in the blanks.
Chaos breaks across lines that divide scientific disciplines. Because it is an explanation of the global nature of systems, Chaos Theory has brought together thinkers from fields that had been widely seperated. "Fifteen years ago, science was heading for an era of increasing specialization," Navy offical in charge of scientific financing remarked to an audience of mathmeticians, biologists, physicists, and many doctors. "Dramatically, that specialization has reversed because of chaos." Chaos poses problems that challenge accepted ways of working in science. It makes strong claims about the universal theory of complexity. The first chaos theorists, the scientists who set the discipline in motion, shared certain sensibilities. They had an eye for pattern, especially pattern that existed on different scales at the same time. They had a taste for randomness and complexity, for jagged edges and sudden change. People in chaos - and they sometimes call themselves believers, or converts, or evangelists - wonder about determinism and free will, about evolution, about the nature of conscious thought.
Greg Baugher
Pages 134 - 135
Amy Tan wrote that her mother was treated different because she didn't speak the same English that other people spoke. You could describe Amy's theme in the enthymeme "Amy's mother speaks "broken" English; therefore she is treated differenet from people who speak more correct English."
This gives the reader a premise on which to build (the bold words) and a conclusion (the italicized words).
However, if you're using Aristotle's reasoning, an enthymem leaves out a step, the second premise. In Aristotle's method, the reasoning behind Amy's arguement would sound more like this:
Amy's mother speaks "broken" English
People who speak broken English are treated different
Amy's mother is treated different
Amy doesn't need to show the second step though, because she shows that her mother is treated differently. By doing this, she doesn't need to explain that everyone who speaks that way is treated different, because the readers can deduce that for themselves.
Brittany,
In your response to Jenny and Rhen, you pointed out that a lot of the notes were personal issues. Everyone said a well organized schedule could help, but I think it needs one more thing. You have to have your priorities in order, then have a well organized schedule. The person who wrote those notes was obviously placing more importance on many things other than their education and I don't think a more organized schedule would have helped.
Danny,
I think that could go along with many things, but I just figured that procrastination would fit for the syllogistic reasoning.
Greg,
You're absolutely right when you pointed out to me that it is important to set your priorities and then make an organized schedule. I failed to look at it in that way, and just sort of assumed school was their top priority. Thank you.
Also, I'm sorry my final posting is a little late. My internet went out thursday night and the repairman just came to fix it today...
-Brittany
Skylar Haigler
Wow, sorry this is two weeks late, I've been so busy lately that I haven't had even five minutes for the computer the entire two weeks I've been gone. And this is definitely not an excuse, just an explanation.
Activity: page 134
Amy’s mother’s English was broken and often unintelligible; therefore many, including Amy, considered her to be stupid.
Often time, people who talk in broken English are considered to be stupid because they can’t fully convey their message in what little English they know. I have come across this more times than I’d like to say at my job. I work at Kings Dominion, which employs international “traveling students,” the purpose of this is to allow these internationals to make money and gain experiences. Unfortunately, because English is their second language, some don’t understand Americans on a level most would call acceptable for working with people on a daily basis. My personal Serbian friend and coworker Milan is actually an English Literature Major at VCU, but because he has an accent and doesn’t understand some slang, whenever he’s on register and actually talking to customers, some customers talk down to him as if he’s stupid. Another example of this is when one of my American coworkers was talking to me about a Macedonian who unfortunately does have extremely limited English, and referred to him as “adorably dumb.” It’s a sad fact, but it’s true, and I can fully relate to Amy when she says that when an idea is expressed imperfectly, people tend to assume that the thought was imperfect as well.
Skylar Haigler
Activity: page 137
If the “initial definition” of rhetoric the book gives us in the first chapter is that of the method of persuading readers, than the detail of this passage is the rhetoric. Instead of contributing to the rhetoric, an argument could easily be made that the suburbians destroyed this beautiful place with simple people. Without even using emotional words such as “raze” or “pry,” the readers can sympathize with the residents of the Bottom, and understand that their livelihood was replaced by suburbs. It’s obviously meant to send a message of the changing of times and gives a distasteful connotation to it. She’s trying to convey a message that a down-home, simple life was uprooted, just as the simple nightshade and blackberry patches were for a more modern system.
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