In high school drafting was always a pain in the butt. You had to do them, but you only got about five points for them, and the teacher didn't even read them. They would just come around and see if you had papers that looked like an essay on your desk. That alwasy really annoyed me that they made us do them within a certain frame of time but didn't take any of their time to read them, that was left completely up to us and our peers during peer revision day. I have no problem with a day like that, it's helpful too, but I like it when I get some legitimate feedback from my teacher.
But coming to college and this class that changed. I like that we turn in our drafts before peer revision and get a number to let us know how on the right track we are. It makes me more inspired to write a good essay the first time around instead of just getting something on paper for the points.
By far my first draft is always the worst. For me the main goal of my first draft is to just get my ideas out on paper, then after that I can add or take away and polish it up to make it something good.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Henri de Toulouse Lautrec Painting
The painting that I chose to look at in terms of rhetorical situation is titled "The Dancer in Her Dressing Room", and was painted in 1885. I think that the most difficult part of rhetorical situation is the first part, purpose. It's always difficult to make your own assumptions on what a painter is trying to get across with his or her art. But, since I do know a little about Lautrec, I know he did many paintings at night clubs or dance halls, especially the Moulin Rouge, and my guess is that this was at one of those places. So it seems to me that maybe the purpose is to give the people who look at his work a behind the scenes look. A chance to see what goes on before he usually draws what he normally does.
As I sort of began to say with purpose, I think the audience would be the same people who looked at his previous work. People that want to know more about the places his paintings are set in. All they would have seen before was dancers who are totally prepared, but now they can see a glimpse of their life behind the stage.
The genre, clearly, is a painting. But what makes this different is the colors he used and how he made them all kind of blend together in a really cool way. It makes it not as easy to see what all is going on, you really have to focus and take in all the colors. I think he would have wanted that effect, so people would stop and take longer to notice what's going on inside it.
Stance is always something that I personally find a little bit tricky with paintings. There are no words from the creator to give you a hint at what's in their mind, so you have to go on instinct. I think his feeling towards the painting is definitely a good one. Instinct tells me he wanted people to see the life that was behind what he normally painted. I feel there's a certain beauty in this piece, and he wanted to be able to show what these halls and clubs were like when you couldn't see what was happening.
And lastly the medium would be a painting , but the design is really up to Lautrec. He made his choice, to put in lots of color, and blend them together to make the admirer look just a little bit harder. I don't think this painting would be the same if he had made it so easy to define who is who and what exactly is going on. I think he made the perfect choices.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wait, taking away TV's?
When I first read this topic I just kind of laughed about it. In my life I've never heard of TV being spoken about like it was all anyone ever thought about and should be taken away forever. At least that's what I got from the quote. The writer may not think people think it's the center of the universe, but it must be pretty close.
When I was little TV was like a privelage. We learned it's more fun to play games or be outside than sitting inside all day in front of a TV. My brother and I never thought of the TV as the most important thing in our life, it was simply a fun thing to have in the house.
And think of all the shows that are teaching kids about things, like Sesame Street, or any of the new shows they have now like Dora. They are designed to help kids see things and hear things that they're going to be learning, it's just pushing it in farther in a fun way. I watched Sesame Street and Arthur, and Lamb Chop as a kid, I turned out just fine. I'm not a TV addict, there are just shows on that you want to watch for fun. As long as you teach kids there are more fun things out there everything is going to be fine. In my opinion the author was making TV sound a little more evil than it really is.
When I was little TV was like a privelage. We learned it's more fun to play games or be outside than sitting inside all day in front of a TV. My brother and I never thought of the TV as the most important thing in our life, it was simply a fun thing to have in the house.
And think of all the shows that are teaching kids about things, like Sesame Street, or any of the new shows they have now like Dora. They are designed to help kids see things and hear things that they're going to be learning, it's just pushing it in farther in a fun way. I watched Sesame Street and Arthur, and Lamb Chop as a kid, I turned out just fine. I'm not a TV addict, there are just shows on that you want to watch for fun. As long as you teach kids there are more fun things out there everything is going to be fine. In my opinion the author was making TV sound a little more evil than it really is.
The Power of Advertising
I think that the advertising can definitely be powerful to people. Think about how many times you have seen a commercial or an ad and thought "I want that!". It happens to me all the time. Especially with makeup, it's something I don't use a lot of but I love to buy it because the commercials make it look so nice.
Advertisments can have the power to make people want to do a lot of things, from buy food or other products, or getting people to buy their product because it will get them what they want. And they do a very good job of it, I don't know how many times I've wanted to go shopping somewhere because their advertisements make their clothes appealing and look good.
Advertisers know how to make things look and what colors or designs to use to make their items appealing to the right kind of audience. Sometimes it may be deceiving, like cigarette ads that don't put the important information where the reader can see it clearly, but they get points for doing their job well.
They have always done the same thing, which is to get people to buy their products. I don't see this changing anytime soon, because the goal is always going to be the same no matter how much time goes by. So we just have to keep using our heads to determine whether it's really a good product or if we're being tricked.
Advertisments can have the power to make people want to do a lot of things, from buy food or other products, or getting people to buy their product because it will get them what they want. And they do a very good job of it, I don't know how many times I've wanted to go shopping somewhere because their advertisements make their clothes appealing and look good.
Advertisers know how to make things look and what colors or designs to use to make their items appealing to the right kind of audience. Sometimes it may be deceiving, like cigarette ads that don't put the important information where the reader can see it clearly, but they get points for doing their job well.
They have always done the same thing, which is to get people to buy their products. I don't see this changing anytime soon, because the goal is always going to be the same no matter how much time goes by. So we just have to keep using our heads to determine whether it's really a good product or if we're being tricked.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Wright State?
Honestly, I never really thought I would end up here. I didn't know where I was supposed to be or what I was supposed to be doing. Coming here was a complete surprise, but a pleasant one.
It wasn't until early May, when my plans were still undecided, that my cousin suggest to me that I apply to Wright State and we could get a place together, which we've wanted to do ever since we were little and dreaming of being older. It took me a while to completely agree with her, but I did it, and now I can only thank her for giving me a great suggestion.
Needless to say my other cousin who graduated from here was very excited to see me going here, and getting to show me the ropes of how things worked. She helped Abby and I pick a good place to live, and taught me everything I know about how to get to school and get around.
So even though this was a complete shock to me, I think things worked out for the best. I had never pictured myself going here, it wasn't even on my list, but it has definitely been the best surprise for me, and quite the adventure. I know I'm going to have a great four years here.
It wasn't until early May, when my plans were still undecided, that my cousin suggest to me that I apply to Wright State and we could get a place together, which we've wanted to do ever since we were little and dreaming of being older. It took me a while to completely agree with her, but I did it, and now I can only thank her for giving me a great suggestion.
Needless to say my other cousin who graduated from here was very excited to see me going here, and getting to show me the ropes of how things worked. She helped Abby and I pick a good place to live, and taught me everything I know about how to get to school and get around.
So even though this was a complete shock to me, I think things worked out for the best. I had never pictured myself going here, it wasn't even on my list, but it has definitely been the best surprise for me, and quite the adventure. I know I'm going to have a great four years here.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
A Special Song
The Song "Melissa" by the Allman Brothers has been one of the biggest songs of my life for the past few years. My mom's name was Melissa, so after she passed away in 2005 this song became a way for our family to remember her well. It's the song that when it comes on in a restaurant or at home the family just looks at each other and smiles, because we remember her with this song.
When I miss her I'll put it on and think about the memories I have. And even though the Allman Brothers will never know, they've helped my family in so many ways simply by having made this song many years ago. I will always appriciate them for that.
In terms of rhetorical situation, it's fairly simple to decode. The genre is considered rock, but this song is very soft. The media is clearly music, and the song is from the album A Decade of Hits. The audience is definitely a lot harder to figure out. I don't normally listen to the Allman Brothers except for this song. I know my dad loves them, and so does one of my best friends. So I suppose the audience is more toward people who in general listen to their music. Or for people that find something special in the lyrics, like me. I feel like their stance and their purpose are kind of one in the same. The stance is to get across that a man can't go on without Melissa with him. And the purpose is to tell that story through the song. With lyrics like, "Knowing many, loving none, bearing sorrow, having fun, but back home he'll always run, to sweet Melissa".
My family
When I miss her I'll put it on and think about the memories I have. And even though the Allman Brothers will never know, they've helped my family in so many ways simply by having made this song many years ago. I will always appriciate them for that.
In terms of rhetorical situation, it's fairly simple to decode. The genre is considered rock, but this song is very soft. The media is clearly music, and the song is from the album A Decade of Hits. The audience is definitely a lot harder to figure out. I don't normally listen to the Allman Brothers except for this song. I know my dad loves them, and so does one of my best friends. So I suppose the audience is more toward people who in general listen to their music. Or for people that find something special in the lyrics, like me. I feel like their stance and their purpose are kind of one in the same. The stance is to get across that a man can't go on without Melissa with him. And the purpose is to tell that story through the song. With lyrics like, "Knowing many, loving none, bearing sorrow, having fun, but back home he'll always run, to sweet Melissa".
I love the story, and I love the song. It's always going to be one of my favorites, even if I have to dig deep into it and find it's stance. :)
My familyFriday, September 10, 2010
My Guard, My Girls
This is the first time since probably half way through my senior year I have been able to write about what i want to. And now that I actually have the chance to..I'm kind of stumped.
So I guess my best option is to write about what I miss the most from home, and that would be my guard. I got to see my guard girls every single morning, and two to three nights a week. We got to know each other and formed a very tight bond through the wind and the rain and the injuries. I spent four years with these girls and they mean the world to me. We've had epic fails, like my very first winterguard season, and total triumphs, like taking 3rd place at championships my senior year. I have gotten to watch the little freshman that were too scared to talk to us grow into confident upperclassman who take the floor to show what they have for the spot of captain.
They were always my biggest rock. No matter what we can tell when something is wrong with anyone else, and you can guarantee you're going to be surrounded by hugs and comfort. We listen when someone needs to talk, and talk when someone needs advice. We give out paper plate awards to show off peoples strengths, and have a sleepover to get to know all the new girls. We always had fun no matter where we were.
No matter where I go in life, or how many more amazing things I get to do, I'm always going to remember my four tremendous years with a truly gifted group of girls.
So I guess my best option is to write about what I miss the most from home, and that would be my guard. I got to see my guard girls every single morning, and two to three nights a week. We got to know each other and formed a very tight bond through the wind and the rain and the injuries. I spent four years with these girls and they mean the world to me. We've had epic fails, like my very first winterguard season, and total triumphs, like taking 3rd place at championships my senior year. I have gotten to watch the little freshman that were too scared to talk to us grow into confident upperclassman who take the floor to show what they have for the spot of captain.
They were always my biggest rock. No matter what we can tell when something is wrong with anyone else, and you can guarantee you're going to be surrounded by hugs and comfort. We listen when someone needs to talk, and talk when someone needs advice. We give out paper plate awards to show off peoples strengths, and have a sleepover to get to know all the new girls. We always had fun no matter where we were.
No matter where I go in life, or how many more amazing things I get to do, I'm always going to remember my four tremendous years with a truly gifted group of girls.
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