Blog #5

  I thought my evaluative summary was solid, but rough around the edges. This summary can and will be improved. When writing the evaluative summary I did mention whether the article was successful or not. The article was successful, but as a reader, I had a bias opinion in favor of the author before reading his article. Although I had a stated opinion in my summary, I could have done a better job. I could have been more vocal about my knowledge and experiences. I saved my opinions on the author's topic until the end, in my conclusion. In future writings I could offer up opinions more often and take a more evaluative stance. When looking back I could have used active verbs in numerous places to better express my thoughts. More reflection throughout the paper could have been made back to my thesis.

     I found this assignment fairly easy to complete because I agreed with the author's point of view. Using the TSCD method really helps my structure and makes reaching required lengths easier to achieve. I find myself reaching the page length without any effort. I think my evaluative summary gave a fair and accurate portrayal of this author's article. By using multiple quotes from the article its hard to argue that a summary is slanted.

Blog #3

     I don't have as much confidence in my writings as I should. I don't think I'm bad, just average. This could be due to my lack of structure. Often my writings lack a logical flow or purpose. I think the TSCDs are helping me with this problem. Reflecting back to my thesis through my writings could also use some attention. I tend to stray from my thesis.
    
    I am proactive when working on a group assignment. I hate to depend on anyone; I need control over my own grade. This does not qualify me as a leader. Telling others what to do has never been a goal of mine. Sometimes people are too busy or slow to response to email and this gets very annoying. I don't mind letting other read my work and offer up suggestions, but all together I do not like working in groups to write a paper.

     I felt my individual summary was much better than the group summary. Trying to complete a paper when the members of the group have differing opinions is not easy. I enjoyed selecting one of the articles and not being told which one to summarize. After reading the author's work over and over I think I fully understood his points. I agreed with most of his opinions before reading his article. I guess its easier to summarize someone you agree with than fighting yourself to accept their argument and summarize it at the same time.

    

Blog #2

     My writing strengths include grammer and my love for researching new topics. Grammer as a strength does not come naturally to me. I have to keep reading my work and I tend to over analyze. I enjoy reading about new topics and forming an opinion for myself. Free writing is uncomfortable to me. I feel uneasy writing down whatever comes to mind. It has been several years since I had English 101 and long time since I had English in high school. I forgot a great deal of "the writing rules" or never learned them to begin with. Transitions are another weakness of mine. Often I just forget to use them and it's a problem.
    
     This essay was difficult for me. It takes me time to gather my thought and form an opinion. I thought about the issue from many sides. Was this computer class needed? Who would pay for it? Would it be a "credit" class? Can student test out of the class? In the end I thought the class should be required. Even people who think they know the basics might learn something. If I could do the essay again I would start writing quicker and do less contemplating. I would take the same position again and argue the same points to back up my reasoning.

     I enjoy writing because I like to refelct on the finished product. When all is done and ready to turn in I let some family or a few friends read what I have been working on. Sometimes it just provides a place to vent, even if you don't let anyone read it.

    

Research Paper Free Write

     I don't play sports and I'm not a member of any clubs. I'm old. When having discussions with friends or family we talk politics, the economy and sometimes sports. Things that upset me not the news include bailouts (banks, auto, and realtor), political games, and arrogance. News, politics and economic issues may interest me too me for my own good. I've been told there is nothing you can do to change it, so stop thinking about it. They may be right. Political economics and economic policy are interesting as well as useful subjects.
    
     World affairs are becoming increasingly more important with free trade and the ease of world travel. Numerous wars, trade issuse, and currency manipulation are leading to uncertainty. I'm curious to see how some of these issues will unfold.  

     On a less serious note, I love to watch football. College or NFL, it doesn't matter. To me its about analyzing plays, watching match-ups, and reading the defence. I am a Bears fan, but more importantly, a fan of the game. I enjoy going to the games but tend to over hydrate myself.