Learning Log

English 2010
January 15, 2019
“Donald J. Trump, Pope Francis, and the Beef That Defied Space and Time”-Benjamin Soloman

-”Instead, they used intentional, crafted language to take specific actions, to create new
meanings, and to assert their identities in the world. In other words, they used language to do
things, make things, and be things.”

-”These aren’t the only ways that the Pope and Donald Trump used language to do things, make
things, and be things in the world. The closer you look at each of their motivations, audiences,
word choices, methods of delivery, and yes, even their grammar, the more you’ll discover.”

In this article it talks about how writing can be used to change the world, and in any ways it has.
Writing has a way of touching, and relating to others and this is what this article is talking about,
the Pope and Donald Trump both touch people by sharing their opinions and thoughts about
building a wall instead of building bridges.

January 17, 2019

“Language Matters” -Blankenship and Jory

-”Within that text is language that encourages readers to view the writer as educated,
experienced, and skilled in particular ways that are suited to the job expectations. In other words,
it’s language that allows the writer to be—or at least appear to be—the best candidate for the
job.”

-”rhetoric is a discipline built on the notion that ​language matters.”

When Blankenship and Jory say language is difficult and messy, they weren’t kidding.
Languages can be different depending on whom you are talking to, if you’re talking to your mom
or a friend you are going to be more laid back and not worried if you spelled or said something
wrong. Rather than talking to a teacher or boss, you are going to have a more professional tone.

January 22, 2019

¨Genre in the Wild¨ -Lisa Bickmore
-¨another way to think of these compositions is as predictable and recurring kinds of
communication—in a word, ​genres​.¨
-¨So a genre is an act of language—for our purposes here, mostly acts of writing, in
particular—that behaves in typical or characteristic ways, which we can observe in repeated or
persistent situations.¨

I do not think that the word genre makes writing feel robotic. The writer gets to decide how their
writing feels to the audience. It could get the readers in a certain mood, sure, but other than that
genre is what you make it.

January 28, 2019

“Writing for Community Change” - Elisa Stone

-”College was designed to teach us to be whatever it is we want to be when we grow up
(assuming we do grow up at some point), but it is also intended for a larger purpose: to make us
good citizens.”
-”Being a good citizen doesn’t always help us make rent, or have enough money to see a movie.
Did you know, though, that service learning actually enhances student learning, and that it leads
to greater employment opportunities? Being a good citizen, in other words, can actually help you
get a higher GPA”

If money and time didn’t play a part in service, I would always be serving. I would love to travel
and help others in need. OTher countries that go through natural disasters and problems like that,
I would love to just go and be able to give them the love that they are in sheer need of.

January 28, 2019

“The Elizabeth Smart Case: A Study in Narrativized News”
-”In February of 2006, a bill passed the Utah legislature allowing for forcible medication of
defendants to ensure competence to face trial. In June, a judge approved forcible medication of
Barzee so she could stand trial.”
-”Smart’s kidnapping readily lent itself to being told as a traditional narrative, with a clear
perspective on heroes and villains, and a dramatic conflict progressing through multiple
obstacles to a victorious climax and resolution.”

I think that the Elizabeth Smart story is so universal and long-lasting because in the end she was
found. With the help of the community, they were able to recognize the kidnapper. This was a
very VERY rare case, especially because she was returned with the help of the people around
her.

January 30, 2019

-”​In modern English, recursion is used to describe a process that loops or “runs again”
until a task is complete.”
-”Even if you’re not writing a research paper, you still generally have to figure out
new things to complete a writing task. “

-The first image has no way of measuring how well your writing is. The second
image has all the factors that include writing and shows how each factor ties into
something else, all of it is related.

February 5, 2019
“An Open Letter to Ninth Graders” -Patrick Sullivan
-embark on your high school career because I think there’s a lot that you can do on
your own to get ready for college.

“Open letters to people or entities who are unlikely to respond an open letter to
America from a public school teacher” -By Michael Mau
-”It’s not a parent’s job to teach their children. That’s why they pay us.”

“An Open Letter to all Americans”- By veterans assisting veterans

-Know the difference between legal and illegal activity and chose instead into act out
negatively in selfish political theater.

February 7, 2019
Peer Review- Jim Beatty

-”Poor grammar usually only greatly impacts your grade if it gets in the way of clarity
(if the professor cannot decode what you are trying to say) or your authority (it would
affect how much readers would trust you as a writer).”
-”Perhaps the biggest challenge in peer review is deciding what advice to use and
what to ignore. When in doubt, always ask your professor.”
-”​Far from being scary or annoying, peer review is one of the most powerful tools
at your disposal in the life-long process of becoming a more effective public writer.
No good writing exists in isolation. The best writing comes out of a communal
effort.”
From past experiences, I have noticed that when other critique me, it’s to make my
work better. It can really improve your paper, the difference between making peer
review worthwhile is if the editor is serious about it and doesn’t waste your time.

February 11, 2019

“Personal Literacy and Academic Learning” -Marlina Stanford

-”You likely engage in several literate practices on the job, such as designing and
delivering presentations or adapting to new technologies. You might read to your
child each night before bedtime, or you might regularly use social media to keep in
touch with family and friends.”
-”Personal literacies are the reading and writing practices individuals engage in during
activities of their own choice and for personal satisfaction or to meet personal goals.
Examples might include documenting your daily food intake with a smartphone app,
keeping a journal, creating a weight-training plan and tracking your performance, or
writing and playing music.”

2004- learned how to read

2006- Learned how to comprehend and write
2007- learned how to play piano and read music
2007- read chapter books
Now- read what I need to get through school

February 13, 2019

“You Will Never Believe What Happened: Stories We Tell”- Ron Christiansen

-We all tell stories. For humor. For clarifying our view of the world. For asserting our
identity.

-We are naturally rhetorical beings who attempt to engage those around us through
narrative—we shape the events in our life so they have a plot, characters, conflict, and
some sort of resolution.
Stories are all around us but we don’t take the time to realize that they relate to every
person in some time of way, shape, or form. There is a lesson behind every story.