Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Literacy Narrative Essay Example for Free
Literacy Narrative Essay Throughout my childhood, the idea of having a college education was greatly stressed. As a result, it was my duty as the next generational child, to excel in my studies and achieve a life of prosperity and success. Learning became the basic foundation of my growth. Therefore, my youth was overtaken by many hours spent reading and writing what was known to be correct Standard English. I first found this to be a great shortcoming, but as I grew older, I began to realize the many rewards acquired by having the ability to be literate. During adolescence, I began reading and writing through a fundamental learning program called, Hooked on Phonics. This program consisted of long hours spent reading short novels and writing elementary phrases which were commonly taught in the second and third grade. With the motto, Improve your childs reading and writing skills in just four weeks! I was bound to become the next Mark Twain. The method of this course specialized in the improvements of word acquisition rates as well as reading speed; however, it lacked in the area of teaching comprehension. At a young age, I was instilled with the dire need to be highly educated and although I was unable to experience a fun and adventurous childhood like many other children, I am grateful for being raised with a greater knowledge and wisdom than that ingrained in many. From my past experiences, I have grown to prefer reading over writing. When I am reading, I can visualize the text in any way that I see fit. It is almost as if I am rewriting the novel using the illusions that I feel express the words in a passage. For example, in the current independent novel I am reading, it portrays a woman of high stature who is able to lure men in, like a hunter does its prey, and feed on their weaknesses. When I am reading this phrase I automatically visualize a fisherman trying to catch a fish using his worms as bait. Although this illustration has no reference to the novel, it is the picture that I chose to use, depicting the woman and her way of getting what she wants. As the audience, I have control over what I am reading and can express myself in any way that I would like, without having to worry about what society thinks of my views and opinions. Unlike reading, when writing, it is important that grammar, spelling and vocabulary terms are used correctly, therefore restricting me from writing in the way that I would prefer. The most stressed phrase while in high school was, It is not the content of the essay, but rather the mechanics of grammar and speech that are most prominent. Unfortunately, I have never been one to enjoy the art of writing. In fact, I was recently given a diagnostic test, determining at which level I write and whether or not I should be upgraded to a higher achieving English class. Unfortunately, I did not pass the test with flying colors. This was not due to the fact that I am incapable of writing a good paper, but rather that I am unable to write in a limited amount of time, using the emphasized principles of correct; grammar, vocabulary and spelling. In the reading, Shitty First Drafts, by author Anne Lamott, it is a fact that in order to write a brilliant paper, a first draft must be created. According to Lamott, The Only way I can get anything written at all is to write really, really shitty first drafts, all writers write them. (94) This is a quote in which I can relate being that in order for me to begin a final draft, I must first have written a first draft, usually one that is in absolute disarray. From here I can begin my journey into the final essay. This is one reason why my diagnostic writing was so disorganized; I didnt prepare any sort of rough draft to guide me through the writing processes, which inevitably lead to my remaining semester in Writing 01 instead of Writing 10. Writing is an area that requires much preparation and efficiency, ultimately resulting in my reluctance to write just for the heck of it. Overall, writing is too complex! It is rather important to be well-rounded in the aspects of reading and writing. Our country is built on the belief that English is one of the greatest languages of the world and without it anything properly called thought is impossible. Although there are many types of different cultures in America, in order for us to communicate, it is greatly emphasized that we all have the ability to speak and write in the same language. For instance, if I were to visit a foreign country, it would be to my benefit to speak the same language as others. This same principle is being stressed in America today. As foreigners migrate to America, they have an obligation to learn the culture, speech and skill, learned by other American citizens and use them to their own advantage as a mean to get ahead in life. It has become a proven fact that in order to succeed in America-with a number of relatively minor although often highly visible exceptions-it is important to speak, read, and understand English as most Americans speak it. It is also a fact that people who dont learn to speak Standard English have a much more difficult time achieving job and career success. An example of this theory is found in the short story titled, Talking in the New Land, by Edite Cunha. Edite and her family are a valid example of how, speaking one language which is culturally different than that of the common language can be a disadvantage in the long run. Throughout the story Edite and her family struggled to communicate because they had no knowledge of how to convey their issues to others. According to Edite, I looked at her blankly, not knowing what to say. What was a Social Security number? (549) As a result, her father was unable to collect on his unemployment and they failed to pay their rent. This is largely due to their inability to speak the English language. In any event, Edite had no choice other than to begin her lessons in learning Standard English for the sake of her and her family. The American language, commonly referred to as Standard English, is one of the most widespread languages in the world and therefore has become a tool that can help people of different backgrounds communicate with one another. It bestows a power that is almost invaluable, a power which allows us to have our own views, opinions and preferences. It gives us the freedom of speech, (The First Amendment) which inevitably allows us to express our ideas and thoughts in every fashion possible, without having to gain permission from the rest of society. There are many connections between my reading experience and the power of language. I am given the power to read in the privacy of my own home without the interruptions of others. Therefore, I am able to read aloud and gain an understanding of the text, without having an audience to critique my reading skills. I am given the power to express my opinions and views without having to debate why I had that sort of reaction to the reading. Lastly, I can read at my own pace. I have no obligation to read speedily in order to seem as though I have no complications with the words in the text. In my opinion, people should be given the right to speak and read in any language that they wish. Although, it may benefit them to be knowledgeable in the speech that is being taught and spoken in the common country, everyone has their own cultural background and each has the right to be literate in the way that they desire. They were given the right to freedom of speech through the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights and therefore, have the right to speak in their own native language. Literacy plays a major role in the lives of humans today. It gives us the power to read, speak and write and is therefore a valuable asset to society and the development of its economy.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
A Common Thread Essay -- essays research papers fc
A Common Thread      We as a society are surrounded by life, as we know it each day. Never stopping to look around and absorb what is going on around us. Our surroundings pass us by and we never take a glimpse at what those surroundings may hold. Our society presses forward without looking over their shoulder to see where we have been. Without acknowledging our present culture and studying our culture in the past, where are we going?      Studying Clifford Geertz, Patricia Limerick, John Wideman, and Ralph Waldo Emerson has made it easier for me to answer my own question. These four authors of varying expertise tied together a common thread called culture.      Clifford Geertz in his essay â€Å"Deep Play†brought us the world of cockfighting in Bali. In this essay he portrays the culture of our present American society through the use of the Balinese cockfight. Amazingly enough Geertz used what some would call a primitive culture to show us the aspects of our culture and the role these aspects play in our culture. Social structure, family, tradition, and money are just a few of the aspects brought out by Geertz that govern our present society. Geertz sums up our culture when he states,           â€Å"Their life, as they arrange it and perceive it, is less a           flow, a directional movement out of the past, through           the present, toward the future than an on-off pulsation           of meaning and vacuity, an arrhythmic alternation of           short periods when â€Å"something†(that is, something           significant) is happening and equally short ones where           â€Å"nothing†(that is, nothing much) is- between what they           themselves call â€Å"full†and â€Å"empty†times, or, in another           idiom, â€Å"junctures†and â€Å"holes†(387).      Patricia Limerick in her essay â€Å"Empire of Innocence†exposed many ot... ... the effectiveness list would be John Wideman’s â€Å"Our Time.†Wideman continues building on all the other author’s information by showing us how the rules that have been established for culture apply to family, race, and the pursuit of happiness.      Considering the facts that the essays discussed here were written at different times and encompass various subjects, we have torn them into pieces and used the pieces to complete one puzzle. Upon completion of the puzzle, we now have a picture of culture. Furthermore, the essays have given us a common thread that we can now use to tie our puzzle pieces together. This common thread is our culture.           Works Cited Emerson, Ralph Waldo. â€Å"The American Scholar.†Rpt. in Ways of Reading.      5th Ed. David Bartholomae and Anthony Petrosky. Boston: Bedford/      St. Martin’s, 1999. 304. Geertz, Clifford. â€Å"Deep Play.†Rpt. in Ways of Reading. 5th Ed. David      Bartholomae and Anthony Petrosky. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s,      1999. 387.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Alliances in World War I
Wars are large and complicated affairs. The First World War was the product of many things. Although the war officially began on July 28th, 1914, it had been building up for a while. The beginning of the war was a lot like a domino effect. It started when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. On July 29, Russia ordered a mobilization only against Austria-Hungary in support of Serbia. The Germans threatened war on July 31 if the Russians did not demobilize. France then mobilized. On August 1, Germany declared war on Russia, and two days later, on France.The German invasion of Belgium to attack France, which violated Belgium's official neutrality, prompted Britain to declare war on Germany. World War I had begun. Nationalism, militarism, and imperialism all prompted the rivalry between nations which led to WWI. Nationalism, the love and support of one's country, has always existed. At this time, however, it was so prominent, it helped cause the First World War. Since so much pride wa s devoted to countries, it made the possibilities of peace between past rivals less probable.People felt great loyalty and were willing to do anything for their country. In history, many wars have been over territorial disputes. A country feels nationalistic, and people's pride leads to people wanting to expand with more land. A country can feel so strongly about this that they will fight for it. The spark of the world was the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife. They were shot by a Serbian nationalist because of the crisis in the Balkans. The Balkan Peninsula was a mountainous area below Austria-Hungary and consisted of many different ethnic groups.Each group was very nationalistic and wanted to extend its borders, especially Serbia. Austria-Hungary took over two Balkan Slavic areas. Document 6 describes the tension in this region at the time. Serbia did not want Austria-Hungary to have Bosnia and Herzegovina. The archduke was shot because the Serbians fear ed that when he came into power he would continue to persecute the Serbs who lived in the Austro-Hungarian borders. The assassination, however, only created more problems. A harsh ultimatum was given to Serbia and when Serbia tried to negotiate the harsh terms, war was declared upon them.Serbia's ally, Russia joined right in the war, and soon after many other European countries. Nationalism was also a contributing factor to the alliance system. A country having more people on its side meant they felt more powerful, and more nationalistic. During World War I there were two alliance systems; the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. The Triple Alliance included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The Triple Entente included Great, Britain, France, and Russia. Later on in the war, the United States entered the war on the Triple Entente side, and Russia left.Members of the Triple Alliance were also known as the Central Powers. This is because the three countries were grouped together in the center of Europe. On each side of them, they had enemies, which is not a good spot to be in if you want to have a war. The Triple Entente became known as the Allies. By the end of the war the Allies had won. The war was officially ended on November 11, 1918 by The Treaty of Versailles. This was supposed to be the treaty to end all wars, but it ultimately just fueled future conflict.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Change Is Inevitable Is Passive, Like We Have No Control...
Saying change is inevitable is passive, like we have no control over it. We must embrace change. Change brings a new opportunity for rejuvenation, rebirth, or to even redefine and refocus an organization. Change in an organization can come in the form of procedures, systems, structures, or policies. Once a change has been made, management must focus on the behaviors and the production of its employees. The change must be carried out from CEOs to district managers, to store managers, and even supervisors. A united front will help championing change while stopping any kind of resistance. Roles of Managers A direct reflection of communication and workflow is a result of management. If something is not going correctly, it is because the†¦show more content†¦They are also the advocates of the change. If they show no enthusiasm then the employees will have resistance. The role of the supervisor and intermediate-level manager is to report back to the executives and senior-level mangers. They must report all findings, both good and bad. Each individual employee is responsible for their own personal transition into the new changes. They must also help the organization. If they find problems they must report it to their supervisors. It is up to each employee to be proficient after training and use the change in the daily workplace. Change Agents Regardless of the size of an organization, the change process will require a change agent. According to Lunenburg (2010), a change agent is defined as â€Å"individual or group that undertakes the task of initiating and managing change in an organization.†The two types of change agents is internal and external. The internal change agent means the change comes from within the company. It is carried out by senior leaders and executives. Most organizations will pick a team that will provide knowledge, perspectives, and skills. They will also organize problem-solving procedures while provide training for teams. Once they find the best avenue of approach for the change they then establish it throughout the organization, (Swenson, 2001). One of the best attributes to an internal change agent is that they know the
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