Saturday, December 4, 2010

So You Think You Can Dance?

So...I haven't ever watched the Ellen DeGeneres show, but one of my friends loves her show.  Last night we were all hanging out and she showed me these videos.  The first one is of a dance on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance, and the second one is of Ellen doing the dance in the first video in her own way.  We thought it was pretty impressive of Ellen. Haha check it out!


Curriculum Goals

Course Goals:
1. I do understand that persuasion is a fundamental part of reading and composition.  I realize that everything I write, say, or do is persuasive.
2. I have a better understanding of how the audience should be addressed depending on factors such as age, cultural background, and/or values, beliefs, attitudes, etc.
3. I think I became better at planning out my ideas and thoughts when I am organizing my papers.  I think I can organize my thoughts better.
4. I think we spent a lot of time going over how to properly support our ideas with enough information, but not too much that it takes over the paper. I think this is really important and I think I have improved in my analysis of information.
5. I understand that both primary and secondary sources are key to forming a strong, believable paper. I think that we didn't spend too much time going over primary sources and how to address them, but I have a solid idea of how to incorporate both sources into my written documents.
6. I think we all were challenged to become better critics of our own papers as well as our peer's papers in this class.  The intensive reviews and peer reviews definitely helped to strengthen this skill.
7. I think during our peer reviews and intensive reviews we focused on each others punctuation and grammar errors as well as the actual analysis of the sources.  Therefore, I think we spent enough time on punctuation, spelling, etc. so that we could all improve on it.
8. I think I definitely take responsibility for my own progress because I try to get my work done ahead of time so I will have time for questions or suggestions if I need extra help.
9. I think this class developed this skill by working in the small groups during our peer reviews.  It helped us get to know each other better and it also promoted cooperative group work.

Course Content & Format:
1. I think during this class we had a lot of different topics that we addressed.  Our class had a variety of interests and beliefs so I think we covered this pretty well.
2. I think I have gotten better at analyzing and discussing a lot of different topics in our class.  I think our intensive reviews helped a lot with this.
3. I provided the people in my peer review groups with feedback and the people who were picked for the intensive reviews with valuable feedback.
4. I think because we focused so much on how to improve our papers and receive help from our peers, I have gotten better at revising my papers and going back and making them more effective with more examples and support.
5. After talking so much about different types of audiences, I think I am able to discuss the reasons for forming my papers the way I have regarding audiences.
6. I know how to analyze and critique my own work.
7. All of our writing assignments varied greatly because they all had different purposes and different audiences, so I have gotten better at this.

University Core Curriculum Goals:
1. I don't know if I'll be acquiring knowledge for the rest of my life about all of the topics I chose, but certain ones that apply to my future, like education, I will always have an interest in.
2. I think I communicate at the level I am expected to communicate at.
3. I don't know if all of my personal values are clear-cut and obvious in all of my papers, but I know what they are and I am respectful of other people's values.
4. I know I can't solve all of the problems that people commonly come across on a daily basis but I know that I can offer people my advice and knowledge for help.
5. I am definitely willing to work with others in order to solve life's common problems.
6. I know what's important to me and what I think is interesting and worthwhile, so I tried to incorporate those things in my writings to make them more meaningful to me.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thanksgiving blog post

When I was having dinner with my family on Thanksgiving at my aunts house, we started to discuss Christmas presents and Black Friday deals.  Then, my cousin brought up the story about a man being trampled last year at a store on Black Friday.  The way she described it made me feel sad and sympathize for those who have gotten hurt due to store crowds; she included the appeal of pathos in her story to help us understand the story more.  Using the appeal of ethos, she told us about how she had experienced a lot of angry, crabby customers on Black Friday, because she works in the mall.  Lastly, using the appeal of logos, she told us that if we wanted to avoid aggressive, angry shoppers, we should not go to the stores right when they open, because that is when people are most likely to act inappropriately.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Black Friday

I can't wait to go shopping on Black Friday!! A lot of people get annoyed with the huge crowds and sale lines, but I don't really mind.  I think I'm going to have to get pretty much all of my shopping done on Friday because I don't have a job right now and I have to save my money! haha. Anyway, I think I'll probably head out around 5am with my mom and my siblings and then I'll go shopping with my boyfriend around 10am.  It should be fun! 

Thanksgiving!!!

I am so excited to be home for Thanksgiving!!! I left on Friday after my class got out at 9am.  I drove home with my friend Brittney.  We got home in about 4 hours so it was a pretty good drive!  I decided to leave early because my Monday classes are just two lectures and my Tuesday class got canceled...so it would be silly to stay.  I love being home and seeing my family and friends.  I hope you all have a great break! :)

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Lee DeWyze :)

Lee DeWyze is a great artist.  He is the most recent winner of American Idol.  I have a lot of respect for Lee because he came from a small, quiet life and he made a big star out of himself.  I think that American Idol is a pretty fun show to watch.  Simon is apparently leaving next season, so it should be interesting to see how the show changes because of that.  If you get a chance, listen to "Falling Slowly, Hallelujah, A Little Less Conversation, or Treat Her Like a Lady" by Lee. :)

Friends!

I LOVE the tv show Friends.  I wish that it didn't have to stop, because I think that it is extremely entertaining and all of the actors are amazing.  I always find myself laughing during Friends episodes :) My roommate and I sometimes watch Friends during our lunch break.  I don't think I'll ever get sick of watching Friends because I think it's a great show. :)