Reviewing and editing should definitely be an open, group conscious, task that will stimulate we, as writers, to pay more attention to the rules of the English language. I'm a stickler for grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Whenever I read something on a web page, in the newspaper, or even a published book, I find typos that I want to correct; it's very distracting to me. I like to re-read my own posts and then edit them.
1) spelling, and using the right words, is probably one of my biggest pet peeves. ex. they're their there ( >_< )
2) grammar and sentence structure are hard to correct when you're not the writer, so for me to edit something, it needs to be put together right.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Research topic
Andrew Bell
Eng 1050 T 2:00
Research Exercise #1
Topic: Converting American highways to the Autobahn
Topic 2: Safety and cost on the upkeep of the American Interstate & Highway
Subtopics: "Driving on the Autobahn" & "Civil Engineering Projects"
Eng 1050 T 2:00
Research Exercise #1
Topic: Converting American highways to the Autobahn
Topic 2: Safety and cost on the upkeep of the American Interstate & Highway
Subtopics: "Driving on the Autobahn" & "Civil Engineering Projects"
Subtopic 1 - Driving on the Autobahn
Works cited-Clash, James M. "Joy of Autobahn." New York Sept. 15, 2003: V. 172, I. 5; pg. 224
Summary
James Clash describes in "Joy of Autobahn", some very promising aspects of the German Autobahn. Getting a German license requires drivers to fork over $1000 and have to go through 24 hours of one-on-one training as well as autobahn training (Clash 224). The Autobahn itself has no speed limit, putting drivers in higher-risk situations, but the road is also safer and, though accidents happen, they occur less frequently and have a lower death rate than accidents on U.S highways. Clash's research found that, to remake the 45,000 mile U.S interstate system to meet autobahn standards would cost approximately $12 million dollars per mile, or around a half-trillion dollars (Clash 224). The U.S is suffering from unemployment, an increasingly unstable economy, and many people who are unhappy about the current state of affairs. Clash presents that the roads would last twice as long, (40-years instead of 20), so the overall prospect is actually rather feasible (Clash 224). Spearheading such a project would give many people jobs, and the benefits would last for years to come.
Response
Though transforming the U.S Interstate into an expanded autobahn would be a great project in innumerable ways, neither the senate or congress are really focusing on homeland issues like this at the moment. Even though the unemployment rate is rising dramatically every year, the dollar is dropping in the world market, and U.S made cars are becoming inconvenient, such a civil engineering project doesn't seem to be in the works or even under consideration.
Additional ideas
I could look into what such a large scale civil engineering project would do for the U.S economy, or the automotive industry, or the number of unemployed workers across the U.S. I could research current interstate laws and compare them to those that govern the autobahn and then explain either the benefits or limitations that such a change would have based on the results.
Summary
James Clash describes in "Joy of Autobahn", some very promising aspects of the German Autobahn. Getting a German license requires drivers to fork over $1000 and have to go through 24 hours of one-on-one training as well as autobahn training (Clash 224). The Autobahn itself has no speed limit, putting drivers in higher-risk situations, but the road is also safer and, though accidents happen, they occur less frequently and have a lower death rate than accidents on U.S highways. Clash's research found that, to remake the 45,000 mile U.S interstate system to meet autobahn standards would cost approximately $12 million dollars per mile, or around a half-trillion dollars (Clash 224). The U.S is suffering from unemployment, an increasingly unstable economy, and many people who are unhappy about the current state of affairs. Clash presents that the roads would last twice as long, (40-years instead of 20), so the overall prospect is actually rather feasible (Clash 224). Spearheading such a project would give many people jobs, and the benefits would last for years to come.
Response
Though transforming the U.S Interstate into an expanded autobahn would be a great project in innumerable ways, neither the senate or congress are really focusing on homeland issues like this at the moment. Even though the unemployment rate is rising dramatically every year, the dollar is dropping in the world market, and U.S made cars are becoming inconvenient, such a civil engineering project doesn't seem to be in the works or even under consideration.
Additional ideas
I could look into what such a large scale civil engineering project would do for the U.S economy, or the automotive industry, or the number of unemployed workers across the U.S. I could research current interstate laws and compare them to those that govern the autobahn and then explain either the benefits or limitations that such a change would have based on the results.
Subtopic 2 - Paving America Coast to Coast
Works cited-Reid, Robert L. "Paving America Coast to Coast". Civil Engineering June 2006: V. 76, I. 6; pg. 37
Summary
The origins of the American Interstate, Robert Reid explains, originated when president Eisenhower was supreme commander of the U.S Expeditionary force in World War II. and he was able to move his troops quickly along the early German Autobahn (Reid 37). Before the American Interstate was created, movement across the country was slow and dangerous, between mud roads and the lack of roads between cities made traveling difficult. According to Reid, after becoming the president in 1953, Eisenhower decided that the U.S needed it's own quality highway and modeled the U.S interstates after the German Autobahn (Reid 37). It's been nearly a generation and our roads reflect the passage of time, but our society is progressive and needs a new system to stimulate growth similar to after the original highways were built.
Response
Now that the U.S has dived into the 21st century and everything from missiles to CDs are being revolutionized, it seems that our roads have remained relatively the same. A civil engineering project would certainly benefit the economy, which is currently declining, and would re-revolutionize transportation in and across the U.S.
Summary
The origins of the American Interstate, Robert Reid explains, originated when president Eisenhower was supreme commander of the U.S Expeditionary force in World War II. and he was able to move his troops quickly along the early German Autobahn (Reid 37). Before the American Interstate was created, movement across the country was slow and dangerous, between mud roads and the lack of roads between cities made traveling difficult. According to Reid, after becoming the president in 1953, Eisenhower decided that the U.S needed it's own quality highway and modeled the U.S interstates after the German Autobahn (Reid 37). It's been nearly a generation and our roads reflect the passage of time, but our society is progressive and needs a new system to stimulate growth similar to after the original highways were built.
Response
Now that the U.S has dived into the 21st century and everything from missiles to CDs are being revolutionized, it seems that our roads have remained relatively the same. A civil engineering project would certainly benefit the economy, which is currently declining, and would re-revolutionize transportation in and across the U.S.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
paragraph editting
Thesis
Academic integrity for the sake of a passing grade can be promoted or discouraged by parents, competitive schools, declining ethical standards, society, and even the punishments that schools use to punish students who are caught cheating; all these can weigh down a student, making cheating an acceptable option to failure.
Topic 1:
Cheating, on tests or homework, is practically an epidemic, starting with a child's first test to an adult's final exams.
Topic 2:
However, technology cannot be held completely to blame, what about the role models, the parents, and society promoting this behavior?
Topic 3:
Technology and parents can contribute to a student cheating, but sometimes the very rules that are supposed to prevent students from dishonest behavior might not be enough.
Topic 4:
However, multiple consequences for the same crime is nothing compared to schools with an adamant policy on academic dishonesty.
Conclusion:
Academic dishonesty is tearing down the caliber of education students across the country are receiving. Pinning the blame on one institution or group isn't very practical considering the amount of sources that said blame can reside in. Succeeding is only rewarding if honesty and integrity are upheld in the process.
Academic integrity for the sake of a passing grade can be promoted or discouraged by parents, competitive schools, declining ethical standards, society, and even the punishments that schools use to punish students who are caught cheating; all these can weigh down a student, making cheating an acceptable option to failure.
Topic 1:
Cheating, on tests or homework, is practically an epidemic, starting with a child's first test to an adult's final exams.
Topic 2:
However, technology cannot be held completely to blame, what about the role models, the parents, and society promoting this behavior?
Topic 3:
Technology and parents can contribute to a student cheating, but sometimes the very rules that are supposed to prevent students from dishonest behavior might not be enough.
Topic 4:
However, multiple consequences for the same crime is nothing compared to schools with an adamant policy on academic dishonesty.
Conclusion:
Academic dishonesty is tearing down the caliber of education students across the country are receiving. Pinning the blame on one institution or group isn't very practical considering the amount of sources that said blame can reside in. Succeeding is only rewarding if honesty and integrity are upheld in the process.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Possible research topics
Highway speed limits
1) The highways aren't fast enough
2) Punishment for traffic violations isn't severe enough
3) Getting a license is far to easy
4) Driving a car is a privilege not a right
"No child left behind"
1) A school getting the same score any number of years in a row is considered a failing school
2) Schools that are closed have their students shipped to another school; this increases class sizes and restricts all students' qualities of education.
3) Children with mental disabilities take the same test as those without, and must do so under the same conditions
Stem cell research
1) Curing diseases
2) Repairing extreme injuries and reducing the amount of disabled
3) Saving lives
1) The highways aren't fast enough
2) Punishment for traffic violations isn't severe enough
3) Getting a license is far to easy
4) Driving a car is a privilege not a right
"No child left behind"
1) A school getting the same score any number of years in a row is considered a failing school
2) Schools that are closed have their students shipped to another school; this increases class sizes and restricts all students' qualities of education.
3) Children with mental disabilities take the same test as those without, and must do so under the same conditions
Stem cell research
1) Curing diseases
2) Repairing extreme injuries and reducing the amount of disabled
3) Saving lives
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Satire, the future of real news
As funny as the comedy shows The Colbert Report or The Daily Show are, and they are quite funny, there is a certain depth in these shows that makes you think. Unlike 'real' news, which squishes real stories into tiny 5 minutes-or-less time slots in between a family whose house was destroyed by a tree or a lost dog being reunited with his 12 year-old owner; is this real news? Does this kind of feel-good news make you think? Even stories about Virginia Tech were feel-good stories! 17 people were shot and killed, and instead of focusing on the stupidity of the administration and security, we focus our attention on the funeral, on mourning for those who were could. That's all well and good, and I truly sympathize, but there is a bigger problem when that is ALL that is focused on.
17 college students, just like you and me, were locked in a room with a killer, and waited to be killed. Cattle wait to be killed. We are at war, and yet we have people, the future of our nation, waiting, hoping, to be the next one to get a bullet in the back of the head. If this isn't funny, I don't know what is. This is palpable to Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal.
Some shows, specials usually, will show an audience shocking images of some of the most terrible college, business, public crimes, and people are frightened. There's no unification against such abomination, why is that? Some will feel outrage, some will cry and hug friends and family, and other's think 'this'll never happen to me.' But what do most of us actually do? Nothing.
This genre of supposed 'fake news' is the only real connection with new ideas, and new ideas require people to take action. Think, it doesn't matter if you're liberal or conservative, it's all you've got to do. For 30 minutes all you have to do is laugh and think. Get a friend into a discussion on something. Try watching real news and doing the same thing. There's so much extraneous crap that the real issues, the new ideas, get covered up by little johnny learning how to throw a baseball. There's a problem with information nowadays. We've set up a giant network for the exchange and introduction of new information, yet half of all Americans can't find New York State on a map...I was stunned and sad when I learned that fact was real, not by watching the news, but by watching a fictional television show, and then looking up background research on the net.
Sadly, nothing will happen now because people are slow. Reading electronics articles I see predictions for new devices in the future and wonder, 'why aren't we just developing these now?' I'm no expert, but if the ideas are there, why not jump ahead and pour more effort into developing less expensive, faster, smalled, etc. models of systems we already have? If money is the problem, I'm sure the U.S. can withstand another trillion dollars in debt. The here and now seem to be years away. News shows report the problems and yet, years after hurricane Katrina struck in New Orleans, they're still rebuilding. But what news coverage is there on New Orleans today, how much public attention is the reconstruction getting? Hundreds of thousands of people are still without homes, and I don't even have to talk about New Orleans for that to be a fact.
News isn't news if it doesn't force new ideas into our heads and make us act on those ideas. Maybe some do, but the majority doesn't. At least 'fake news' gets new ideas into our heads.
17 college students, just like you and me, were locked in a room with a killer, and waited to be killed. Cattle wait to be killed. We are at war, and yet we have people, the future of our nation, waiting, hoping, to be the next one to get a bullet in the back of the head. If this isn't funny, I don't know what is. This is palpable to Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal.
Some shows, specials usually, will show an audience shocking images of some of the most terrible college, business, public crimes, and people are frightened. There's no unification against such abomination, why is that? Some will feel outrage, some will cry and hug friends and family, and other's think 'this'll never happen to me.' But what do most of us actually do? Nothing.
This genre of supposed 'fake news' is the only real connection with new ideas, and new ideas require people to take action. Think, it doesn't matter if you're liberal or conservative, it's all you've got to do. For 30 minutes all you have to do is laugh and think. Get a friend into a discussion on something. Try watching real news and doing the same thing. There's so much extraneous crap that the real issues, the new ideas, get covered up by little johnny learning how to throw a baseball. There's a problem with information nowadays. We've set up a giant network for the exchange and introduction of new information, yet half of all Americans can't find New York State on a map...I was stunned and sad when I learned that fact was real, not by watching the news, but by watching a fictional television show, and then looking up background research on the net.
Sadly, nothing will happen now because people are slow. Reading electronics articles I see predictions for new devices in the future and wonder, 'why aren't we just developing these now?' I'm no expert, but if the ideas are there, why not jump ahead and pour more effort into developing less expensive, faster, smalled, etc. models of systems we already have? If money is the problem, I'm sure the U.S. can withstand another trillion dollars in debt. The here and now seem to be years away. News shows report the problems and yet, years after hurricane Katrina struck in New Orleans, they're still rebuilding. But what news coverage is there on New Orleans today, how much public attention is the reconstruction getting? Hundreds of thousands of people are still without homes, and I don't even have to talk about New Orleans for that to be a fact.
News isn't news if it doesn't force new ideas into our heads and make us act on those ideas. Maybe some do, but the majority doesn't. At least 'fake news' gets new ideas into our heads.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Thesis statements
1. Many accidents on American highways could be avoided if highways were run more like the autoban and less like a street without traffic lights.
2. Violence in Disney films is corrupting the innocence of our children through hidden messages.
3. The army ant is the single most deadly ant in the world because of their social hierarchy.
4. Animal cruelty is a horrible practice that shows a lack of humanity in the attacker and should be punishable by the law.
5.Droughts are a serious threat, and people affected by a drought should be sent immediate aid in the form of irrigation systems.
6. Stephen King is the greatest horror/thriller author because of his original characters, strange plot twists and vivid imagery.
7. The Atlantic ocean has claimed many ships, but the Titanic was the most famous due to the odd circumstances, the public reaction, and the economic repercussions.
8. Drug addiction is a growing problem in America that will give children bad role models and increase violent crime.
9. War movies portray the most patriotic side of America, Private Ryan is a great example because of the cinematography, unprecedented amount of research, and talent the director put into this film.
10. Rabbits aren't good pets because they eat carrots, are small and make small children cry.
11. The President of the United States, though the election process, will only be elected if he or she has charisma, compassion, and the ability to motivate people through his or her actions.
12. Beauty pageants are the reason why many of our most talented actresses are where they are.
13. Without school uniforms, the moral integrity of our children will fall because of skimpy and profane clothing.
14. William Shakespeare was the most brilliant writer of all time; through stories like Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Tempest, themes, which are still used in stories today, were created by Shakespeare and are the roots of many great novels.
15. Aromatherapy will allow a person to reach a state of relaxation that will allow them to think clearer and work harder.
2. Violence in Disney films is corrupting the innocence of our children through hidden messages.
3. The army ant is the single most deadly ant in the world because of their social hierarchy.
4. Animal cruelty is a horrible practice that shows a lack of humanity in the attacker and should be punishable by the law.
5.Droughts are a serious threat, and people affected by a drought should be sent immediate aid in the form of irrigation systems.
6. Stephen King is the greatest horror/thriller author because of his original characters, strange plot twists and vivid imagery.
7. The Atlantic ocean has claimed many ships, but the Titanic was the most famous due to the odd circumstances, the public reaction, and the economic repercussions.
8. Drug addiction is a growing problem in America that will give children bad role models and increase violent crime.
9. War movies portray the most patriotic side of America, Private Ryan is a great example because of the cinematography, unprecedented amount of research, and talent the director put into this film.
10. Rabbits aren't good pets because they eat carrots, are small and make small children cry.
11. The President of the United States, though the election process, will only be elected if he or she has charisma, compassion, and the ability to motivate people through his or her actions.
12. Beauty pageants are the reason why many of our most talented actresses are where they are.
13. Without school uniforms, the moral integrity of our children will fall because of skimpy and profane clothing.
14. William Shakespeare was the most brilliant writer of all time; through stories like Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Tempest, themes, which are still used in stories today, were created by Shakespeare and are the roots of many great novels.
15. Aromatherapy will allow a person to reach a state of relaxation that will allow them to think clearer and work harder.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Audience and writing
For college students, myself included, the primary focus of a paper is filling all the requirements a teacher wants. In the respect, many papers are dull, lifeless facts with little opinion and less real meaning. For instance, this blog, being my first, is probably going to be read as if I were talking to your face. So you are my audience. My writing is being effected by you because I don't know who you are. Because I don't know you I'm writing in a general format, with no real facts, just common knowledge stuff that I have gathered in my life and from my composition readings.
The simple fact is, I would never write this way for a professor. When a teacher is the primary audience, the paper generally contains five or more paragraphs, the first containing a lead, the subjects the paper will cover, and a thesis statement. Then it's fact, commentary, fact commentary; until the conclusion. So, that's one audience. For a big project that requires fliers, they need to be colorful, big print, friendly, and compel the audience to take part in whatever activity is being promoted.
The last paragraph is yet another example of the audience that is currently being written to: you. If I were speaking to you, I wouldn't organize my thoughts, I'd give you examples and jump from one topic to the next and then link them all together in the end. Good idea?
People like fluidity in most forms of writing, one topic to the next; that's easier to follow and understand. People often talk in circles, repeating their point over and over, each time adding something "new and exciting" to make said point seem more valid. In a paper there is a clear beginning and end. The audience that this is written for doesn't get an end. Endings don't make you think, they can be easily dismissed, and therefore render a paper meaningless.
That is why the audience is important. Meaningless papers need to be written sometimes; teachers, research projects, boring assignments whose only relevance is a grade. Papers with purpose are equally as important; asking people to donate blood, a resume , even a love letter. The papers that I enjoy the most, though, are those that don't necessarily need to stay on topic. Audience can give a paper life or make it devoid of value, that's how audience effects my writing.
The simple fact is, I would never write this way for a professor. When a teacher is the primary audience, the paper generally contains five or more paragraphs, the first containing a lead, the subjects the paper will cover, and a thesis statement. Then it's fact, commentary, fact commentary; until the conclusion. So, that's one audience. For a big project that requires fliers, they need to be colorful, big print, friendly, and compel the audience to take part in whatever activity is being promoted.
The last paragraph is yet another example of the audience that is currently being written to: you. If I were speaking to you, I wouldn't organize my thoughts, I'd give you examples and jump from one topic to the next and then link them all together in the end. Good idea?
People like fluidity in most forms of writing, one topic to the next; that's easier to follow and understand. People often talk in circles, repeating their point over and over, each time adding something "new and exciting" to make said point seem more valid. In a paper there is a clear beginning and end. The audience that this is written for doesn't get an end. Endings don't make you think, they can be easily dismissed, and therefore render a paper meaningless.
That is why the audience is important. Meaningless papers need to be written sometimes; teachers, research projects, boring assignments whose only relevance is a grade. Papers with purpose are equally as important; asking people to donate blood, a resume , even a love letter. The papers that I enjoy the most, though, are those that don't necessarily need to stay on topic. Audience can give a paper life or make it devoid of value, that's how audience effects my writing.
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