English 112 Portfolio

Stefano Serene
Dr. Brandon
English 1120-08PR
4 May 2012
  
  When I first walked into English 112, I thought I would be writing papers most of the time and have to learn about grammar and such. I was right about the “writing papers” part, but the assignments were not what I expected. We learned about life skills such as the art of conversation. I learned how to converse properly or rather I learned how to prevent awkward moments while talking to other people. Also, I observed what I do when I am conversing with someone so that way if I noticed any flaws or common mistakes when conversing I can fix them. Another thing I learned this semester is what other things that I can do with digital technologies such as creating blogs and how to use google’s word processor and search engine. Last but not least, I have learned how to write an argument analysis, which gave some issues, but once I realized I was making a simple mistake I was able to write the analysis with ease.

     In English 112 I’ve learned how to use digital technologies such as creating my own blog. I have learned how to publish my essays digitally by using blog from google, and I use google documents for writing research notes, drafting papers, and revising my papers. I know how to research topics and cross check the sources I search for legitimacy by using the search engines on google. Also, I know how to cite my sources in order to prevent plagiarism and to allow my readers to use those sources for their own use. The fact that I am using a blog to publish this portfolio is proof that I know how to use the tools that digital technology has to offer. Also, I used google document to draft this portfolio before actually publishing it in the blog.

     I understand the art of conversation and how to effectively use it. The art of conversation is something that I was already knew, but I was not aware of how I communicated with others until I learned that there are rules to conversating. I learned that to successfully communicate with others I need to observe the mood of the situation you are in so I can know the proper things to say. If the situation changes then I will adapt the change and adjust my mood in order to keep the conversation flowing. I learned that posture is also apart of oral communication. Such as, standing or sitting straight up and keep your hands by your side or you can keep them behind your back. Also, it is important to not fold your arms and to make eye contact with the person you are speaking to.

     Writing argument analysis at first became a slight problem for me. Once I discovered why I was struggling with writing an argument analysis, it came easy to me. I kept assuming the reader already read the argument I was reviewing and by doing so I made my paper look short and empty. What I did to fix this is explain the meaning of the argument to the reader and then go into analyzing it. I am rather glad I can do this now because I do enjoy writing reviews, but before I hesitated in writing a review. Now I can write with ease and I am confident that the review will turn out well. Proof of this is provided in provided in my blog http://rycoricochet.blogspot.com/2012/04/arguement-analysis-do-we-need-pickle.html .

     English 112 was an experience for me and probably for other students as well. I have learned life skills such as the art of conversation, which will surely benefit me in the future. I have learned more about the tools that digital technologies provide me. Also, I can now write reviews not just for editorial arguments, but for just anything else now. As far as grades go, I want to say I deserve an “A,” but I learned honesty is the better approach and I would be content with a “B.”

Research Notes

Research Topic: Ukulele

Sources with questions:
What are the best brands?
Sources: http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/categories/ukulele-brands/
What is a great first ukulele?
Sources: http://ukuleleonline.com/buying-a-ukulele/buy-ukulele/
- http://natalie-cooper.suite101.com/choosing-the-best-ukulele-for-beginners-a134185
Which woods are top quality ukuleles usually made of?
Sources: http://www.gale-edit.com/products/volumes/ukulele.htm

What is the best affordable ukulele?
- Kala
Source: personal experience

Extra Credit

Midterm Self Evaluation

      The things I have learned this semester are related to the subject English itself and life skills that I do use in life, but I was not always aware of those skills. Such as the art of conversation, I knew how to converse with others, but I was not aware that there were proper ways to have a conversation with another. Now I am aware of how I converse with someone and what I do to keep it flowing or from upsetting the other person. The next thing I've learned or rather noticed is that many historical figures were rhetoricians. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr. or Benjamin Franklin were excellent Rhetoricians. I learned a little about myself when we were asked to write a paper about where and how we would live after winning the lottery, and what are the reasons for wanting to live this way. I suppose I am a critical thinker or am still in the process of becoming one. I am fairly open minded and I tend to accept things very easily. From what I was told, being open minded is a step into becoming a critical thinker. My goal is to convince my readers that I have learned what I taught during this semester.

      The art of conversation is something that you can either use consciously or use subconsciously. There are those who have no conversation skills and must learn how to gain these skills. How you converse with someone also depends on the persons personality. You must learn how to say things without making the other uncomfortable. The one I noticed that I do when speaking with someone is I adapt to the situation. I observe the mood of the person that is talking to me so I can be careful with what I say. I also take in a little bit of the person's personality or rather try to understand his or her personality. By doing so I know what would be the correct thing to say, or I would know how to say it. The art of conversation is something I learned through out my childhood unconsciously, but I did not become aware that I had the ability to converse until this semester.

Something else I have noticed during this semester is that several historical figures were rhetoricians. I also learned that being a rhetorician did not necessarily mean that you were a good person. Hitler is a pretty good example. Adolf Hitler was a very effective rhetorician. He was able to persuade the citizens of Germany with great success. Hitler used rhetoric to rise in power and perform hideous crimes. Then there are the other rhetoricians that people would most likely approve of. Martin Luther King's “I Have a Dream” is a great example of his skills in rhetoric. He uses repetition to draw in the audience and emphasize the importance of his topic.

      On our “If you win the lottery” assignment I chose Hawaii as a place where I would live. It would be a decent sized home with a art studio, a wall to hang my acoustics, and a nice relaxing front porch facing the white sandy beach where I can watch the sunset as I enjoy my tropical drink and play the ukulele. I would have a tropical fish tank and a pet dog. The amount of people near my house would be few to none so that way I would have few disturbances. I would also own a 1969 mustang fastback and gas would not be a problem due to the large amount of money I own. In order to keep a steady income I would continue my dream of becoming an animator or possibly a free lance animator.

      I have put some thought as in to why I want things to be this way. I love my acoustics and one of my dreams is to have a wall with all of my favorite ones. I chose Hawaii because of its culture and its environment could be a good source of inspiration for short films. Also, almost everyone there plays the uke. I have always wanted a rather large fish tank filled with colorful tropical fish that I could watch. I have never been much of a people person and prefer to be isolated. I want that specific mustang because its the only car I can find that fits me perfectly. I would continue my dream to become an animator so that way I wont have to worry about running out of money. I learned a bit more about myself by asking why I want these things.

      Now I do not believe that I am a critical thinker, but I am rather learning the steps into becoming a critical thinker. Being open minded is one of those steps. My whole life I have been able to accept anything that was different from my views and not have any quarrels about it. Also, I believe or in my opinion knowledge is a key factor to being a critical thinker. I believe the more you know the more you could answer questions with deeper thought or have a better understanding of the world around you. I have also learned how to become a critical reader. I am able to paraphrase old words and turn them into modern ones. When I am reading a book or article I am able to think beyond the basic information I was given. When I read or write, my mind will automatically start thinking of anything is this world that is related to the topic. For example, If someone asked me what if my life was just another persons dream, then my answer would be that it would not make much of a difference; in comparison, it would be like “Plato’s Cave,” because I would not notice I was in the dream, and the world I live in would be the only world that made sense to me. I have learned to think with more detail rather than just seeing the obvious. I have learned that you do not use critical thinking, but critical thinking becomes apart of you. I just had to learn how to unlock the ability within my mind.

      I enjoy this class very much because I don't just learn English lessons but skills I can use in life as well. Dr. Brandon teaches English by using life lessons as examples and to keep his students awake and attentive. During this semester I have learned that anyone can be a rhetorician and that those people are not always going to be good willed. I have learned what my goals are in life and why these are more goals. I have become aware of the art of conversation and by doing so I can converse with others more successfully. I understand what a critical thinker is but I do not believe I have truly become one yet. Instead I have completed the first few steps into becoming a critical thinker. The grade I honestly believe I should get this semester is either an -A or a B+. I have always seen this class as something to look forward too rather than dread because I feel like I have been learning and understanding the lectures. I hope to continue to learn life skills and writing skills for the rest of the semester.

Arguement Analysis "Do we Need a Pickle Flavored Chip"

The title of the argument I have chosen is “Do we Really Need a Pickle-Flavored Potato Chip.” The author of this editorial goes by the name of “A. Barton Hinkle.” He is arguing that America's snack-food makers fear that the other companies are going to come up with the next “disruptive innovation.” A perfectly suitable product is shot to the unknown simply by a new model, so everyone is constantly coming up with unbelievable new ideas. I agree with the author's argument, because America itself is a consumer society. They have become immune to the advertising slogan shouting quality only. They have an attention deficit disorder that only responds to the freaky, the bizarre, and the wildly insane.

The author's argument parallels to my own argument about the itouch. A new version of the itouch is constantly coming out. If a person does not own an itouch, then it is perfectly understandable for that person to purchase one. However, there are those that already own an itouch, but they will still spend hundreds of dollars for the newer version. Usually, when the new itouch comes out, the differences between the new and the old. Are there usually reasons for people to be doing this? “A. Barton Hinkle argues that the snack-food industries create such a bizarre range of potato chip flavors is because there is a chip for everyone. People buy the new itouch every time it comes out either because they do not want to feel left from the group of people that have the new itouch, or they jail broke the itouch they already have and by doing so they lost their warranty on it.

The author compares his chip argument to his love for office supplies. Pens, specifically. There are several different types of pens out there. There are gel pens, brush tips, technical pens, and even space pens. If you are looking at a vending machine or the chip aisle at a grocery store, then you will notice the large variety of flavors. Do we really need this many choices. The answer is no, but it is the snack-food makers way to make money. A person may not feel like eating a potato chip or they are sick of the original flavor. Instead, That person will other choices such as salt and vinegar, cheddar, or barbecue and purchase one of those. The industry makes it so that you will purchase their product one way or the other, whether you had that salt craving or not. There are also a variety of ipods for peoples different need or amount of cash. The company Apple has the ipod nano, itouch, ipad, ipod shuffle, and probably many others or more designs they are about to make in the future.

Yet, there is most likely a man in a box sized office trying thinking up of some crazy new chip flavor for a snack-food lover or an extraordinary pen for the office supply lover. Its obsessions such as these that keep companies in business. The chip companies depend on our cravings for a new chip flavor; Pen makers depend on our need for the perfect pen. The only thing I do not agree with on this argument is the author drifting off describing his favorite pen. It causes readers to lose sight of the topic without even noticing it. Besides that, I do agree with A. Barton Hinkle's argument about the fact that the glories of free market capitalism are capacious.

If I Won The Lottery

The place I would want to live in if I won the lottery is Hawaii. It would be a decent sized home with a art studio, a wall to hang my acoustics, and a nice relaxing front porch facing the white sandy beach where I can watch the sunset as I enjoy my tropical drink and play the ukulele. I would have a tropical fish tank and a pet dog. The amount of people near my house would be few to none so that way I would have few disturbances. I would also own a 1969 mustang fastback and gas would not be a problem due to the large amount of money I own. In order to keep a steady income I would continue my dream of becoming an animator or possibly a free lance animator.

I have put some thought as in why I want things to be this way. I love my acoustics and one of my dreams is to have a wall with all of my favorite ones. I chose Hawaii because of its culture and its environment could be a good source of inspiration for short films. I have always wanted a rather large fish tank filled with colorful tropical fish that I could watch. I have never been much of a people person and prefer to be isolated. I want that specific mustang because its the only car I can find that fits me perfectly. I would continue my dream to become an animator so that way I wont have to worry about running out of money and I would continue living this way probably for the rest of my life.

FIRST POST FOR ENGLISH 112 BLOG WOOT

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