Hi!
Usually I don't write on here unless it's for english class, but I felt that today could be an exception. Recently, I guess I've been feeling stressed out because of classes. I finished my exams but I have more coming up in about two weeks (I think 3 exams). It seems trivial that I'm so worried about tests but I didn't get a good GPA last semester so I really want to make up for it. It also seems so meaningless when I hear my upper-classmen friends worry about job interviews and future plans after college. When hearing their troubles, it made me feel selfish. Hopefully, though I'll be able to push through this tough semester and finish strong! Good luck to anyone who has exams coming up!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Philadelphia
One scene I remember from Philadelphia was when Miller first saw Bekett at the law firm. Bekett admitted to Miller that he had AIDS; in a way, this frightened Miller. The rest of the scene consisted of Bekett touching objects on the desk and talking about his story, while Miller tunes out and focuses on the actions of Bekett. I found this scene most memorable to me because it really did display the barrier we tend to put up around 'sick' people. We get cautious around them and try to not have any physical contact with them.
If I could identify a certain rhetorical device, I think they use a bit of pathos (in my opinion). Miller definitely felt uncomfortable while Bekett was talking; while I was watching, I also felt uncomfortable because the close ups and the camera angles conveyed those feelings.
If I could identify a certain rhetorical device, I think they use a bit of pathos (in my opinion). Miller definitely felt uncomfortable while Bekett was talking; while I was watching, I also felt uncomfortable because the close ups and the camera angles conveyed those feelings.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Final Topic Choice
Thinking about my previous choices, I decided to write my research paper about autism. To me, this is a topic that has been circulating around me, my whole life. Pertaining to the definition part of the Stasis Theory, I will address what is autism. I will go into specifics on the causes of autism, what characterizes it, and (if) there are cures for it.
I would also talk about the negative parts of autism; my focus would be more of a social viewpoint, and less of the scientific one. I want to write about how my family experienced a form of discrimination a few years ago, like no health care policy and school bullies. It would explain the "Is this a good/bad thing?" of the Stasis Theory.
Over the years, I believe the number of autistic people increased so less people attach a stigma to autism. I think my main focus of this paper is, why did people attach a social stigma to autism in the past? Is there still some discrimination between autistic and non-autistic people?
I would also talk about the negative parts of autism; my focus would be more of a social viewpoint, and less of the scientific one. I want to write about how my family experienced a form of discrimination a few years ago, like no health care policy and school bullies. It would explain the "Is this a good/bad thing?" of the Stasis Theory.
Over the years, I believe the number of autistic people increased so less people attach a stigma to autism. I think my main focus of this paper is, why did people attach a social stigma to autism in the past? Is there still some discrimination between autistic and non-autistic people?
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Possible Topics for English Paper
1. Autism
Though most people don't really know, I have an autistic brother who is a year older than me. While I was growing up, I grown accustomed to remarks from school. My family and I dealt with prank calls, and my brother dealt with bullying from his fellow classmates. Now, my brother is generally accepted by people he comes into contact with. My question would be, back then why did people hold a stigma against autistic people? Why did people treat them so differently, yet they are no different from me or you? My intended audience would be very general, like anyone interested in autism.
2. Smoking
In my family, most of my male relatives smoke frequently. As a result, they suffer from some health conditions. For example, my grandfather on my dad's side, smoked frequently and passed away when he was 65, low compared to the average longitivtiy. My question to address would be, if this negative behavior can be avoided, then why do we still choose to do this? What is so great about smoking? This topic would be intended for people interested in health and social behaviors. For example, college students majoring in Public/Community Health or Sociology.
3. Poor Choices relating to drinking alcohol excessively
After my senior year, my friends and I went to Ocean City for senior week. While we were down there, we heard multiple stories of classmates or friends getting into car accidents, etc. We even had a fellow classmate die from cocaine overdose that week. My question regarding this topic is, why do we consider alcohol as a catalyst for excitement/fun? Though it is fun at the moment, people usually regret their decisions once the feeling passes. I guess this would be intended for alcoholics or anyone who likes to drink excessively.
Though most people don't really know, I have an autistic brother who is a year older than me. While I was growing up, I grown accustomed to remarks from school. My family and I dealt with prank calls, and my brother dealt with bullying from his fellow classmates. Now, my brother is generally accepted by people he comes into contact with. My question would be, back then why did people hold a stigma against autistic people? Why did people treat them so differently, yet they are no different from me or you? My intended audience would be very general, like anyone interested in autism.
2. Smoking
In my family, most of my male relatives smoke frequently. As a result, they suffer from some health conditions. For example, my grandfather on my dad's side, smoked frequently and passed away when he was 65, low compared to the average longitivtiy. My question to address would be, if this negative behavior can be avoided, then why do we still choose to do this? What is so great about smoking? This topic would be intended for people interested in health and social behaviors. For example, college students majoring in Public/Community Health or Sociology.
3. Poor Choices relating to drinking alcohol excessively
After my senior year, my friends and I went to Ocean City for senior week. While we were down there, we heard multiple stories of classmates or friends getting into car accidents, etc. We even had a fellow classmate die from cocaine overdose that week. My question regarding this topic is, why do we consider alcohol as a catalyst for excitement/fun? Though it is fun at the moment, people usually regret their decisions once the feeling passes. I guess this would be intended for alcoholics or anyone who likes to drink excessively.
"Trickers and Truthtellers"
One thing that I found really surprising was when Sontag talks about Lorde's book, The Cancer Journals. Lorde writes about how the nurse was trying to convince her to wear her prosthesis. Instead of telling Lorde to wear it for her health, the nurse said that without it, "it's bad for the morale of the office"(190). I mean, how outrageous is that?! Shouldn't a nurse, a person considered an angel of the hospital, be concerned about the health of her patients?
I liked how Lorde talks about two different types of characters: truthtellers and trickers. The truthtellers speak truth for power, while the tricksters have the ability to slip out of definitions that seek to limit whatever is defined. It kind of defines the structure we have in society. The truthtellers can represent lobbyists or protestors, those who proclaim their opinions outwardly. The trickers don't really represent certain people but they portray those who quietly go against the rules. I particularly like the line Sontag wrote, "Trickers know that they have a different calling: to heal the world" (196). It makes the trickers look like mysterious superheroes!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Apology vs. Confession
What is a confession? To me, a confession is like spilling a secret, or revealing the unknown. A confession is usually made to a close friend, family member, or a member of the church such as a pastor.
So is confession and an apology the same thing? Both an apology and a confession have one thing similar: they both address an action from the past. An apology, to me, is a statement to make up for a previous and hurtful action/statement. A confession usually states an action that happened (unknowingly from the public) in the past.
However, they are still not similar. a confession usually acknowledges the fact that a person has committed a negative action, but it doesn't mean that they will repent or feel sorry for their action. For example, a husband may confess to cheating on his wife but he may not feel guilty of doing it in the first place. An apology shows regret to another person; this statement shows warmth and love to another. For example, my friend may apologize for saying a nasty comment to me accidentally.
In any type of writing, when the author confesses to readers it shows vulnerability and honesty. Most readers like honesty; they do not want to read meaningless ideas from the author. When the author breaks down, it shows that they are not perfect. In a way, I feel that I can relate to them.
Also, when the author becomes honest, it makes me interested in the reading; I begin to trust the author's statements and ideas. It also puts a personal effect into the article, rather than a monotonic effect.
So is confession and an apology the same thing? Both an apology and a confession have one thing similar: they both address an action from the past. An apology, to me, is a statement to make up for a previous and hurtful action/statement. A confession usually states an action that happened (unknowingly from the public) in the past.
However, they are still not similar. a confession usually acknowledges the fact that a person has committed a negative action, but it doesn't mean that they will repent or feel sorry for their action. For example, a husband may confess to cheating on his wife but he may not feel guilty of doing it in the first place. An apology shows regret to another person; this statement shows warmth and love to another. For example, my friend may apologize for saying a nasty comment to me accidentally.
In any type of writing, when the author confesses to readers it shows vulnerability and honesty. Most readers like honesty; they do not want to read meaningless ideas from the author. When the author breaks down, it shows that they are not perfect. In a way, I feel that I can relate to them.
Also, when the author becomes honest, it makes me interested in the reading; I begin to trust the author's statements and ideas. It also puts a personal effect into the article, rather than a monotonic effect.
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