michaelagomez

[michaelagomez]

Blog Post 15: Just me Ranting...

Ok guys, so I’m going to use most of this post to rant about how TERRIBLE this past week has been and how the next week will be no better, if not worse. For this week alone, I’ve already taken an O Chem II exam, U.S. History II final, completed a draft of my final project and reflection essay, finished my final review for Cal II, and BEGAN teaching myself two whole sections of O Chem II for my comprehensive final exam next week. In addition, I’m also trying to start my final portfolio! On top of this, I need to find time to create a resume for a tutoring job I want to apply for at the Learning Center. I’ve been staying up until about 4:30-5:00am on average for the past five days, and I don’t remember the last time I’ve felt this fatigued and exhausted. The amount of stress I’ve been under during this term’s finals period has definitely surpassed that of last semesters, and I’m already at the point where I just want to give up and turn to summer!

So I completed a draft of my final project, and I honestly feel much better about it now compared to how I felt a week or two ago. At first, I was convinced I was going to create an argumentative text directed towards representatives in Congress, but I can see why changing my project made a big difference on the difficulty of the assignment. Narrowing my audience down to college students and then UTRGV students specifically boosted my confidence, especially since the biggest problem I’ve faced all semester is identifying and coming up with audiences.

Anyways, I hope everyone is doing better than I am, and I hope you’ve finished your final projects! Don’t forget to start working on your final portfolios as well! Also, if anyone needs their project to be peer reviewed/a partner, let me know!

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Blog Post 14: Changing my Final Project?

I know I’m writing this post very early in the week, but I have SOOOO many things on my plate that I have no choice but to start early and get ahead! I have one of my Cal exams on Wednesday, and I still plan on finishing a draft of my final project, which I think I’m completely changing, by the end of the week. When I talk about wanting to complete a draft of my final project, I'm talking about both the text and the reflective essay. Even though it isn't due until next week, and I probably won't COMPLETELY finish a draft, I’m hoping to get a good portion of it done so I'll have one less thing to worry about! On top of that, I have to study for both a History final and O Chem exam that I'm taking next week. It’s definitely going to be a long and dreadful week, so hopefully I can time manage and prioritize well enough to get to everything I want to finish.

So I had my student conference with the professor on Monday, and I’m now thinking about taking a different direction for my final project, as I’ve mentioned in the previous paragraph. I was originally going to make an argumentative text with my audience being representatives in government, but I think I’m instead going to create a website about guns and gun control directed towards college students (maybe UTRGV students?). The professor and I talked about how having a more focused and narrow audience makes the project easier, so instead of writing to politicians at the national level, I’m going to be targeting students on college campuses. This idea still isn’t set in stone, as I still need to consult with the professor about it, but there are two reasons why I want to do this. First, having a more specific audience will make the project easier for me, and second, I’ve been writing texts ALL semester long! I want to change it up a bit, especially since the map of the world was the only assignment to contain a visual, and even that assignment was by far the most frustrating to me! Hopefully I’ll enjoy working on a website much more than writing another text!

Anyways, I hope everyone has a better sense of direction after meeting with the professor! Good luck on your final project!

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Blog Post 13: The Final Stretch

Hey, everyone!  So after finishing the annotated bibliography last week, I was relieved to have completed all of our assignments in the course excluding the final project and portfolio.  There is about three more weeks left in the semester, and all of my classes have been loaded with a fourth test crammed in before a comprehensive final.  I have two exams for both organic chemistry and calculus, along with a history final over the next three weeks, and I have absolutely no idea how I’m going to make it through the rest of the semester without having a nervous breakdown!  The final project has been looming as the weeks go by, and now I’m going to start on my argumentative text after completing assignments like the invention journal and annotated bibliography that have helped me determine how I’m going to lay out my argument.  I hope I’m on the right track as we approach the end of the term, but at the same time, I just want it to be summer already!  Anyways, I’m glad we got a break this week, especially since the next couple of weeks are going to be dreadful.

Currently, I’m at the stage in my final project where I’m determining how to present my argument.  I already have sources along with the information that I need, but I now need to layout and present an argument to our representatives in congress that is effective enough to make them consider my position.  The American people understand that gun control measures are a solution to the increased number of mass shootings and spike in gun violence, but it is up to us to convince our representatives to enact legislation corresponding to their constituent’s demands.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to create a solid argument, especially since this is an issue I care deeply about.

I’m now going to end this post and start on the other hundred things I have to do before the end of the weekend.  Good luck on drafting your final project!

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Blog Post 12: Annotated Bibliography

Let me start this post by saying the Map of the World was BY FAR the most confusing and frustrating assignment I have attempted in this class this semester. Actually, it might be the most frustrating assignment out of ALL my classes this semester. Despite asking questions, I found myself reading the assignment description on the website over and over again to no success. I KNEW I had to be doing something wrong throughout the assignment, so trying to complete it was definitely painful. I’m just hoping I’ll get the chance to correct it, as I’m sure it’ll be useful for the final project!

This week’s readings focused on creating and maintaining an annotated bibliography. This was incredibly helpful, especially since we have an annotated bibliography for our research due on Friday. I have always only had to create a works cited page with MLA citations of the sources I have come across throughout my research, so this is the first time I’ll be working on an annotated bibliography! The only difference between the two is the annotated bibliography contains a descriptive and evaluative summary of each source you’ve documented, whereas the works cited does not. Because I’m a very structured and organized person by nature, I’m sure I can benefit from completing an annotated bibliography. Not only do I think writing a summary for each of my sources will help me, but I’m SURE it will be much easier and enjoyable to work on compared to the Map of the World!

After ranting about how terrible my experience completing the Map of the World was at the beginning of this post, I would like to end on a thank you for following last week up with shorter readings and a more clear assignment! I look forward to working on and completing what seems to be our last assignment before the final project, so good luck everyone!

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Blog Post 11: Updates on my Research and Final Project

Hey, everyone! There are actually no readings this week after all, and after taking an exam for both Cal II and O Chem II, I couldn't be more relieved. Even though I feel a little better, my stress and anxiety has now shifted to this class due to the new assignment, Map of the World, due on Friday! I don't know about you, but for me, a new assignment usually means asking the professor questions.

Since there are no readings, I can now update you guys on my research and research process! I have decided that the audience for my argumentative text will be senators, congressmen, and representatives in government who vote on gun control measures. The majority of the American people support stricter gun laws, and an even larger percentage of people support individual gun measures like universal background checks and banning people on the terrorist watch list from buying and possessing firearms, but congress has been silent mass shooting after mass shooting, rejecting almost every gun control measure proposed. The American people understand the actions that need to be taken, but it is up to our representatives in government to represent their constituents and respond accordingly with gun control legislation. This is why I believe it is crucial to address our politicians, especially since they have failed to take the direction the American people are calling for. The only way to get results is to put pressure on our representatives, and this is done by making them understand why gun control is the right solution. Another way to put pressure on our representatives is to withhold support and voting for them if they don't represent you, and there is almost nothing a politician is more afraid of than losing an election.

I'm going to try to focus my attention almost solely on the Map of the World, especially since I've been completely bogged up in other classes for the past week or so. I hope everyone is making progress on their final project, and good luck on this week’s assignment!

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Hey, Leinady! Reading the part of the article where he describes his perception of aging really had me torn, especially since that aspect of growing old is usually suppressed in the back of our minds. Murray does an amazing job of describing the sad aspect of aging and the resposibilities it bares. I have been hearing an unusual amount of stories of people suffering from awful diseases/sicknesses, so reading that part of the article definitely had me engaged.

I have also felt recently like I am constantly doing things all the time instead of taking the time to do the things I genuinely enjoy. Hopefully, the tips for reducing writing anxiety can help me better enjoy writing instead of being immediately anxious and nervous when given an assignment. 

I just have to end on telling you that I couldn’t help but laugh at your joke talking about the professor being delighted with everything and anything you include in your Invention Journal! I found it even more comical since I share the exact same sentiment!

Blog #9

Keep reading

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[michaelagomez]

Hello! I, too, share the same exact problem you face with writing anxiety and formulating a research question. Even though I know generally what I want to write about, making a concrete research question is always difficult for me. I also find it ironic/comical that we both would mention being excited that there wasn’t going to be readings for awhile.

I also realized that I can find my “voice” in my writings back to when I can remember. This is a concept that has never crossed my mind before, so after reading it for the first time, it blew my mind! I guess this is one example of the many threshold concepts we’ve learned throughout the semester. Although we have also learned to be skeptical and critical of other’s arguments, I find this one to be the correct stance.

Even though I also get nervous/anxious for new assignments, I am always able to get passed them, so I’m sure the next couple of week’s assignments will be the same! Good luck on the upcoming assignments!

Blog Post #9: Invention and Inner Lizzie’s

Hello everyone I hope you all are having or had a wonderful week. We didn’t have any readings scheduled for awhile and I’m sure we were all ecstatic about that. The theme for this week and the next is invention. With the Invention Journal due this week and the Map of the World due next week, we are all showing the steps to get to a research paper. Both of the articles talked about how to come up with and formulate a research question, while controlling your writing anxiety. As someone who has major problems with formulating a research questions and writing anxiety, I understood these articles on a personal level.

In Antlitz article she talks about how to start writing and roll with it. Antlitz gives some amazing advice on how to map out ideas. Her taking flight approach was something refreshing to see. Often we put our personal feelings into our writing which isn’t always a great thing. By writing your feelings on one side of paper or wing, and writing the social context on the other, it gives you a balance between your ideas and a group of peers ideas. Being able to bounce of the two to not only draw similarities but differences.

My favorite writing advice that Antlitz gave was the random words idea. I find it hard to connect my ideas on how I want my research paper to go with articles I find. So this exercise will help me connect not only my ideas but articles together to help form a connected work. The idea of putting two things together that wouldn’t necessarily work is always a little scary but, it could make something beautiful in the end.

In the second article Murray talks about how all writing is autobiographical since we are writing it. What I mean by that is we all have different writing styles and different inner people.We all have that different inner voice that comes out when we write. Which is what I call the Lizzie McGuire affect.

Anyway I stand with Murray on the fact that all writing is indeed autobiographical. We all write with our own cartoon Lizzie’s. As we grow older or learn more about the topic our view on that changes but our writing style always stays the same. If I go back to look at my writing through the years my ideas may have changed but my voice that I find in my writing is always the same. Even if I wrote a poem in 5th grade I can still find my writing style that I use now as a sophomore, just more developed.

In the end of all my blabbering I find this week’s theme of Invention really helpful. I am also a little nervous about next week’s assignment. As always I’m sure I can get through it somehow. I hope you all have a great week next week, see you soon, Bye.

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Blog Post 10: Invention

So before a day or two ago, there were almost no readings scheduled for the rest of the term, including this week, but I knew it was too good to be true! Like most things, of course. Anyways, enough of my complaining and whining! This week’s articles were centered around invention, which is the ongoing process of discovery. One of the things I really liked was how the beginning of one of the articles addressed the struggle many writers face when trying to figure out what to write about. It immediately continued to talk about writing anxiety, which I have also said affects me all the time, so the article talking about these relatable issues definitely makes it a much more effective and enjoyable piece of writing.

In the first article, Murray talks about how everything we write, from poetry to academic writing, is autobiographical. This is because we all have our own way of writing, and through this way of writing, we are always showing who we are. Murray mentions how an excerpt or sentence can sound perfect one day, but after reading it over again another day, can sound completely different. This reminded me of a time when I stumbled across an essay on alcohol and pregnancy I wrote my junior year of high school, and it wasn’t good whatsoever. I remember writing “punchlines” that I perceived to be SO good, but after reading them now, they seem sooooooo dumb and ineffective. It kind of makes me think about the type of writing I do now and if it sounds/is any better!

The second article focuses on strategies for more easily generating ideas, reducing writing anxiety, and making writing more enjoyable by connecting your writing with things you find meaningful. Antlitz talks about how writing is driven by both outside guidelines and personal identity. This is because we aren’t always allowed to write for personal satisfaction, so creating writing that reaches an audience and is effective requires straying from what we are most comfortable and content doing. I found the tips for reducing writing anxiety pretty interesting, and since this is something I experience ALL the time, I will definitely try them sometime.

*Dr. House from my FAVORITE TV series, and the only TV series I’ve EVER completed, House M.D.

We have our invention journal due this week! Although this sounds like it should be easy, I’m still a bit confused about the acceptable formats to layout what we believe is important information relating to our final project. Hopefully everything works out  because I have a couple of exams to study for as well! Anyways, until next time, bye everyone!

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Blog Post 9: My Midterm Conference and Final Project

Hey, everyone! So it’s the calm after the storm, and the midterm portfolio is finally no longer a stressor! At first, I was anxious because I was still confused despite asking many questions, but after typing for hours and hours, my frustration took the place of my anxiety, and I ended up just wanting to be done with the thing! Anyways, I had my midterm conference via FaceTime with professor Hawkins today, and I can honestly say that I feel much more comfortable with my direction and performance in the course. I have always had an underlying feeling of uncertainty, but after our conference, I feel much more confident that I have been doing well.

One of the things professor Hawkins and I talked about was what I will be doing for my final project. Due to the nature of the research I have conducted and will continue to do, I thought it was best if I worked on an argumentative text. A lot of my research has been analyzing statistics for my argument, and now I need to choose an audience to present my argument to. This will definitely be the most difficult part of the final project for me, especially since the biggest problem I’ve had in this course has been identifying audiences. It’s ok though! After receiving help from the professor during our conference, I think I’m FINALLY getting the hang of what is supposed to be super easy, identifying audiences.

There’s a new assignment due next week that we haven’t come across yet, and it’s the invention journal. This assignment seems rather fun, as it sounds like we’ll be making some sort of “collage” for our research. I guess this just means I have even more questions to ask. By the looks of it, we have a couple of new assignments to start working on and finish before the end of the semester, so I have a feeling the next couple of weeks are going to be pretty stressful. Thankfully, we were given a break this week! I hope everyone is doing well, and good luck on the rest of your research!

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[michaelagomez]

Hello! I’m sure I’m missing some context, but I find it UNBEARABLE when ANYONE makes such a comment without giving constructive criticism. Skipping the constructive part of constructive criticism makes almost any comment demoralizing, and sometimes people just don’t understand the negative impact that this can cause. I obviously haven’t read the essay you’re referring to, but after reading many of your posts and comments, it is clear to me that you’re an amazing and fluent writer! Don’t let a single comment from one professor make you think otherwise!

Like you, I was also surprised that constant personal scrutiny can be counterproductive. I literally ALWAYS do this from the start of any writing to the end, and even though I knew that this can cause a piece of writing to take much more time to complete, I didn’t think it could make your writing sound “weird”.

Anyways, I hope you have a good week, and I look forward to responding to more of your posts!

Blog #8

Hello everyone. I found our reading this week on The Need for Care in Writing really interesting and relatable. I am taking two English courses this semester. The professor from my other English course was very harsh on the first essay I submitted which has caused me to overthink and rephrase literally every sentence I write in his course. I remember he commented on one paragraph and said it “was not thought through or organized well” which hurt like crazy because I spent hours working on that paper. The comment was only on one paragrah but I felt like he said that about my entire response. When the reading this week mentioned how “unrelentingcare–the feeling that you can never relax your skeptical scrutiny” could be a problem made me reflect on how that habit could actually be harmful to my writing which is something I had not thought of before. I use the collage style of writing very frequently. I type 80 wpm so when I am writing I think of an outline, then type everything I think on a word document as I think it, delete what I believe is not especially persuasive/relevant, work on the structure, and then work on the smooth transitions. I am a messy writer and I know it which is why I constantly restructure and rephrase my work until I am thoroughly satisfied. For this reason,  I also related to Mark Twain’s quote: “Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words” because it is the third step of my writing style. I find the collage style of writing more natural than the skeleton style of writing. Peter Elbow’s explanation of how the four stages get carelessness and care to interact was especially helpful. I am definitely going to follow these four stages in my next assignment.

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Hi, I’m glad to hear things are going well now! Being stressed SUCKS, and I’ve been completely overwhelmed with stress lately. 

I also found the skeleton process most useful, and I would have never thought about writing germ sentences to help me with composition. Because my biggest problem is deciding what I want to write about, I think germ sentences in the skeleton process can definitely help me avoid freezing for big sums of time. I find myself having more trouble generating ideas compared to the composition portion, so hopefully these methods can help me out.

Another aspect I need to work on is freewriting. Freewriting is supposed to help get ideas flowing, and because I almost never freewrite, I should definitely try it to see if it works for me. The collage is something I have NEVER heard of, and though I think using it wouldn’t do me much good, it’s something to look in to. 

Rain Rain Go Away: Blog #8

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a great week. Last week was a little bit stressful when it came to balancing work and school, but other then that I’m doing pretty good.However, this week was an easy train to calm town. I hope everyone had a less stressful week.

Anyway this week’s reading was about tools to help your writing. Peter Elbow talks about turning your chaos into something you can actually turn in. Elbows tool about using a collage to get from chaos to coherence is actually something I kind of already do, Along with using a skeleton. 

I tend to kind of just through out words to try to form anything.Basically just free writing like Compose Design Advocate says. If you have read my writing you know this because a lot of time I just don’t make any sense. I do a hybrid of chaos and structure so I did find the skeleton method most helpful and most like my writing style.Trying to find time to read and re read everything about the topic and finding the most important information. Making little notes while you read, germ sentences. Is something I really try to do when forming a paper.

The one thing I really need to concentrate on is figuring out a main idea. I always have trouble figuring out what I want to write about. I can create a collage and list about anything but trying to put it all together into something cohesive, is not my forte. I defiantly think the skeleton method is something that I will keep on coming back to.

I see myself using both methods and ideas from The Need for Care: Easy Speaking Onto the Page is Never Enough and from Compose Design Advocate.

Anyway sorry if this was more chaotic than a coherent work. I’m currently typing this with the horrible rain outside trying to get this up before anything happens to the wifi. As always I hope everyone has a great week. Off to go sit by the window with some tea and a book. Bye bye for now.

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Blog Post 8: Composition Strategies and Deadlines

This week has been an epic debacle for me. I was already stressing knowing the midterm portfolio was due on Friday, and after not doing as well as I expected on my O Chem II exam, I thought the week couldn’t get any worse, that is until I probably failed my second Cal II quiz. You can imagine how I felt after this, knowing I still have the midterm portfolio ahead of me. After receiving the email regarding postponing the portfolios until the 20th, my heart literally sank, so THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Anyways, this week’s readings consisted of opposing theories/methods, both of which are a tool to aid you in composing a piece of writing. Peter Elbow introduces a linear method and approach to composition, whereas the second article refutes the idea that composition can be linear, and instead offers an alternative approach to composition. I personally think I would find the skeleton process most helpful compared to the other options, and this is probably because I’m very left-brained and a structure-oriented person by nature.

Because the article by Elbow almost precisely describes the situation I face every time I write, I was much more engaged when reading the article. The biggest problem I face when writing is strongly criticizing myself AS I write my drafts, and this yields assignments taking much more time to complete and me being far more frustrated. I’ll constantly tell myself a sentence I have written sounds funny or can be written better, and I’ll spend an unnecessary amount of time trying to revise that one sentence before moving on. Another major issue I face is not knowing exactly what to write about, and I believe writing germ sentences after reading articles and pieces of information can greatly aid me in having areas to talk about. The strategies in both of these articles can definitely help me with the process of generating ideas, compared to the scrutinizing part of the revising process, which I do A LOT of already.

Even though this has been a TERRIBLE week, not having to turn in the midterm portfolio tonight has definitely helped me feel a little better. I hope everyone is doing well and the extension allows everyone to complete their portfolio. Good luck everyone!

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Let me start out by saying that you’re doing an amazing thing for these people and kids, especially at a time when they might need someone the most. 

I’ve flown a handful of times in my life, and I don’t think I’d be able to do it all the time. I’m afraid of heights, and flying on a plane makes me anxious, so I applaud you for being able to do it many times in ONE day! Even though I know transportation through air is safer than driving, there’s just something about being thousands of feet in the air, not to mention the possibility of turbulence, that I will never overcome.  

I can’t imagine how stressed you are working a full time job, especially given the nature of your job, and taking 4 courses! At least not having readings this week helps to some degree. Good luck, and I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying your new job!

Blog #7

Hey everyone! Hope everyone has had an awesome week so far. First of all, I have to thank our professor @tekla-courseaccount for having mercy on us and not giving us a reading assignment this week. I am struggling working full time and taking 4 college courses so having even one less assignment was just awesome.

This week was pretty awesome. Monday was my first day in my new job at work. I previously had an office job and now 90% of my job is to transport people and children to court or for court ordered services. Tuesday and Wednesday I spent almost all day flying from airport to airport to get to Lubbock, Texas. I can’t believe my job is to fly and get paid for it! I feel so blessed and am so very grateful to have been chosen for this job.

I don’t have children of my own yet and a part of this new job is to take care of children. It was an interesting experience to have to take care of a 9 year old for an entire day. I really admire those of you who are parents. The kiddo would randomly from one second be laughing and the next second get into a depressed mood. I only took care of him for ONE day and it was exhausting to constantly be keeping an eye on him and making sure he was happy and okay. I loved taking care of it but at the end of the day I was happy to take him back home. Kuddos to all you parents out there! I don’t know how you do it.

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[michaelagomez]

Hi! I think we’re all definitely enjoying having one less thing to worry about! As midterms near, things are becoming much more stressful, so being able to write about what’s on your mind, and just more freely in general, is probably one of the best things to happen to me this week.

It’s ironic you bring up writing in your journal because I’ve actually been thinking about starting a journal! A lot of things have been on my mind lately, and I’ve been meaning to try writing as a tool to vent. I know writing about your feelings is supposed to help you feel better, but I’ve never actually tried it, so hopefully it works for me.

I’m all over the place talking about the first part of your post during the last part of my comment, but I’m in disbelief that it’s already week 7 as well! Our midterm portfolio for the class is already due next week, and by the time we know it, we’ll have to be worrying about our final project. Anyways, hope you had a good week, and good luck with all the work you have!

Blog Post #7

I can’t believe it’s already week #7. Where is the time going?!? So this week we didn’t have a reading! Which was fine because I’m still drowning in other school work. It was a goal of mine to develop a better work ethic this year. It is already halfway through the semester and sometimes I feel defeated. Although I do, I still won’t give up! I am still trying my hardest, I just need to find ways that work better for me. Work is really stressing me out right now too. I contemplate quitting all the time because I just want to focus on school, but that seems impossible. I am very thankful for my job though. Working as a waitress can be very interesting and entertaining at times. I meet people from around the country everyday and they always have insane stories. Coming home to my excited puppy makes it a little easier too. Actually a lot easier! Anyways, this week was pleasant and I actually started writing in my journal. Hope my fellow classmates had a great week!!! Stay awesome.

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[michaelagomez]

Blog Post 7: Updates on my Thoughts and Research

This week is particularly special because it’s the first time we don’t have any readings! I even had to send an email to confirm this was true! Anyways, I’m done taking my exams, and I can finally catch my breath for a moment. Finding out there weren’t any readings this week definitely helped ease my anxiety, for as much as that’s worth, but at least I can free write about my thoughts and research now! Something well needed, and different, after a stressful week.

I have recently incorporated viewing videos on YouTube into my research process as a way of consuming information. I already consume news via digital media, more specifically YouTube, on a daily basis, so it makes sense to use this platform as a way of getting information for my research. I usually watch a news outlet called The Young Turks every day, so now, for my research, I watch a variety of channels that report on gun control and gun violence. Of course the majority of my research is text-based sources, but watching videos makes things MUCH more enjoyable and relaxing sometimes.

I’ve enjoyed researching gun control and gun violence more than I thought I would, and this is because It is satisfying to be informed on a position you hold. I strongly believe that enacting stricter gun laws is the answer to America’s massive gun violence issue, and after doing research over the past 7 weeks, I am becoming better at forming an argument for gun control. Hopefully, by the end of the semester, I’ll be able to create an effective argument!

The last thing I want to talk about is the midterm portfolio that is already due NEXT FRIDAY! Time to start getting my ideas flowing because I’m VERY undecided about what I’m going to do. This will probably be the thing I’m MOST stressed about over the next week until the moment I turn it in, but I’m going to do my best to not procrastinate and start early. Anyways, good luck on our second Critical Response and first portfolio!

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[michaelagomez]

Ok, so after reading the last paragraph of your post, I was convinced you read my mind! You literally took the words right out of my mouth! Even though the portfolio includes writings we have already completed, just the fact that it’s a midterm portfolio triggers my anxiety. I couldn’t agree more that the anxiety I’m experiencing won’t get any better until the moment I turn in the portfolio. Anyways, the dictionary-based portion of the reading was probably my favorite. I used to just read words for fun from the dictionary for a short period of time, and some of the words are really intriguing. Learning this new word even helped you find a word for an important emotion you experience. As long as we don't procrastinate and overthink it, we'll get through the portfolio. I hope you had a good week, and good luck!

WEEK SIX BLOG-

Whats up Everyone! Hope everyone is having a fine week.

We are now on week six and for this weeks “Reading” consisted of two audios from Grammar Girl. I became aware of Grammar girl for the first time today and as I listened to this week’s audios I found myself very intrigued with the way the information was being portrayed this week. AS the weeks have gone on I like how we’ve been given different

    First audio episode was “#551 Words of the Year. Easy Tips to Improve Your Writing”

Grammar girl first talks about online dictionaries. Online dictionaries are very helpful because it’s given an idea on what words are being looked up and used. One word that stuck out to me specifically was Hygge. Grammar girl states that the danish word was used with major different dictionaries.

    Living in Washington I’ve been on A TON of hikes. Washington in my opinion is one the most beautiful places to ever be. With the mountain ranges surrounding the state, the San Juan islands and trees that covers acres, it is such a breathtaking view when able to scope it all out at once. BY climbing up mountains and experiencing the view I have always felt sense of genuine pleasure. I was never able to describe that feeling of -hyggee- comfort and peace I encountered until today. I feel a bit confused with how that has been one of the most popular words looked up this year and I never knew it existed.

  For the Second episode ” 510 GG How Aphasia Causes Difficulty Speaking”, Grammar girl introduces language disorders. She specifically talks about Aphasia. Aphasia is a condition when you lose the ability to understand or express speech, usually caused by brain damage. My major is psychology so I’ve been over most of the stuff Grammar girl covered.

    This weeks Learning Journal consisted of a few more things than the previous weeks because I had a lot on my plate. I am feeling more anxious as the weeks go by because our midterm portfolios are due here soon. Even though it’s over everything we’ve been doing, ill feel this way until we turn it in.

#ENGL130299

[michaelagomez]

Hey! I also have noticed that the readings have been much different lately, and I’ve honestly been enjoying them a lot more as a result! It’s always interesting when the method in which you learn isn’t just reading text. These readings were also not as difficult to understand compared to the previous weeks, and they focused less on the philosophy aspect of writing.

I too share your surprise that a category for digital word of the year exists! With these types of categories becoming more and more common, It’s obvious that society is shifting to more technological and digital based forms of communication. The various readings are an example because instead of every reading being completely text-based, we have been learning by listening to recordings and watching videos.

Gaslighting was definitely one of my favorites as well because It was a term I heard throughout the 2016 election cycle. I became familiar with the term a long time ago, so learning some of the things in class you have a personal interest in is definitely a motivator. 

BRAIN STUFF: Blog 6

In this week’s reading it was a podcast, I’m loving the new way we can connect and learn, anyway. I found Grammar Girl very interesting. In the first podcast, “Words of the Year and Easy Tips to Improve Your Writing” I was surprised. I never knew that there was a tally of all the words searched at the end of year, that is pretty dang cool. Of course the top words where words that had to do with this years political election and certain government moves through the world.

Dumpster fire being the word of the year was genius 

along with the matching emoji. The fact that we now have categories like these, such as digital word of the year being an @ and using it as a verb is so funny to me. I’m definitely going to start using gas lighting.How does someone even join the american dialect society? Other note Grammar Girl’s easy tips to improve writing where actually really good I might use 2 of the four.

I also enjoyed the second podcast How Aphasia Causes Difficulty Speaking I always find it interesting to think about language and how the brain works. It’s crazy to think if you were blindfolded and had something in your left hand you wouldn’t be able to name the object in your hand as easy as you would in the right. I have always said left handed people had it better now I know that’s true since they can recover faster and use language more evenly in their brain.

The whole time all I could think about was being a kid and calling apples bananas and talking like dog chase cat. Having a niece with aphasia has made this very normal to me but, to think about how the brain compartmentalizes these words we use everyday is interesting to say the least. This podcast just made me think the brain is weird.

Sorry if that this blog post is everywhere that is just how my brain is this week. As always I hope everyone had a wonderful week and goodbye for now.

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