Writing Journal Assignment #4

Hello Everyone,

For your fourth Writing Journal assignment, please read the following article: “English: It’s the Real Thing - As a college major, the language has more going for it than just Shakespeare." Lisa Stefany, Philadelphia Inquirer. Friday, August 21, 2009.
- From Falvey Library's homepage (on the left side), choose "Databases A-Z."
- Then choose " Philadelphia Inquirer."
- Write the article’s title in the “Search” data field, and perform your search.

You’re welcome to respond to the article however you wish. I do encourage you, though, to consider the following:

Do you know of any current rhyming advertisements or political slogans that illustrate Lisa Stefany’s ideas, or do you remember any from the past? What are they? What makes them memorable?

Considering the “four words” the author mentions that characterized a political campaign: What is it that makes an advertisement or slogan memorable to you?”

Can you take an advertisement’s slogan (examples— “Just Do It” (Nike) or “Dude, you're getting a Dell”) and turn it into a memorable rhyme?

What do you think about Ken Steele’s quotation? Would you expect her to hire an English major to work in her organization? Why or why not?

Did any of the author’s ideas surprise you? If so, which ones came as a surprise?

Please include the following information as a heading on your work:
Your name
Eng1050 – 20
Writing Journal Assignment #4

Please post your Writing Journal response to this article / topic (200 - 250 words) by Thursday, October 8, 2009.

Have a good day.

Mr. Dierkes

Writing Journal Assignment #3

Hello Everyone,

For your third Writing Journal assignment, please read the following article: “Compassion Compulsion and the Mentally Ill" by E. Fuller Torrey, Wall Street Journal. (Eastern Edition). New York, N.Y.: Jun 9, 2008. p. A.17

- From Falvey Library's homepage (on the left side), choose "Databases A-Z."
- Then choose "ABI/INFORM Global (ProQuest)."
- Next, click on the "Publications" tab.
- Choose Wall Street Journal: Eastern Edition.
- Write the article’s title or author in the “Search for articles . . .” data field, and perform your search.

You’re welcome to respond to the article however you wish. I do encourage you, though, to consider the following:

Do you think the ideas discussed in the article need to be treated as a homelessness issue, a mental health issue, or something else? Why?

Consider the arguments both for and against keeping people with severe mental illnesses confined to institutions. Which arguments do you find to be persuasive? Why? Which arguments are weak? Why?

Suppose the medical community determines that a person must take medication, otherwise he may become a danger to himself and others. What can or should be done if he refuses? Do such patients have a right to refuse treatment?

Please include the following information as a heading on your work:
Your name
Eng1050 – 20
Writing Journal Assignment #3

Please post your Writing Journal response to this article (200 - 250 words) by Thursday, October 1, 2009.

Have a good day.

Mr. Dierkes

Assignment 1

Finding accurate information in today’s society is a difficult assignment, but finding time to find truthful answers is an even more challenging task. After reading Hesse’s article I am inclined to agree that people’s apathy toward finding credible sources is upsetting, but at the same time I can regrettably understand why it has become a problem. The average college student is not only burdened with a heavy course load and pressure to receive good grades, but is undoubtedly involved in activities on and off campus. The adult in today’s society is also constantly busy, and I can understand not wanting to search through books or many internet sites to find a reliable answer. When I perform a Google search Wikipedia is generally the first hit I receive, and if I am in a rush I will scan it over to find the information I am looking for. If the information is not there the next available source is used. If I have time I will check other references to ensure the accuracy of the answer I have obtained, but sometimes it is just not feasible in the fast-paced lifestyle I lead. Our generation has become accustomed to finding things instantaneously and many have blamed laziness and apathy, but I truly believe it is because our lifestyle does not allow for anything less. One is constantly moving from one assignment to another and going to the library to check out a book interferes with the system we have developed to cope with the demands put upon us.

This is not to say I believe all assignments and tasks can be raced through using Wikipedia. Research papers deserve the time and dedication from the student, but that is not to say that the internet cannot serve as a good starting point. I have had teachers and professors that will not allow Wikipedia as a source or limit the number of internet sources one can use, and I understand why. It allows the student to learn what a credible source looks like; a skill one will probably need in any profession, from doctor to lawyer to businessman. I believe discerning fact from opinion is a skill that everyone constantly works on, for there is bias everywhere, even when the information is supposed to be objective. I also believe it is human nature to gravitate toward information that agrees with our own opinions, and people will dismiss credible information as opinion if other credible resources more in concurrence with their opinions are presented. Avoiding prejudice and bias is more difficult than just finding a reliable source.

Writing Journal Assignment #2

Hello Everyone,

For your second Writing Journal assignment, please read the following article: “You Have Too Much Mail" by Christopher F. Chabris, Wall Street Journal. (Eastern Edition). New York, N.Y.: Dec 15, 2008. p. A.17

- From Falvey Library's homepage (on the left side), choose "Databases A-Z."
- Then choose "ABI/INFORM Global (ProQuest)."
- Next, click on the "Publications" tab.
- Choose Wall Street Journal: Eastern Edition.
- Write the article’s title or author in the “Search for articles . . .” data field, and perform your search.

You’re welcome to respond to the article however you wish. I do encourage you, though, to consider the following:

Consider the situation described in the first paragraph. How does it compare to your own experience?

Do you accept the writer’s ideas about technology’s affect on productivity? why or why not?
Do you agree with the writer’s ideas about multi-tasking and our brains’ limits when paying careful attention? why or why not?

Are the writer’s ideas about the “mismatch between our modern lives and ancient brains” persuasive? why or why not?

Please include the following information as a heading on your work:

Your name
Eng1050 – 20
Writing Journal Assignment #2

Please post your Writing Journal response to this article (200 - 250 words) by Thursday, September 24, 2009.

Have a good day.

Mr. Dierkes

Writing Journal Assignment #1

Hello Everyone,

For your first Writing Journal assignment, please read the following article: “Truth: Can You Handle It?" by Monica Hesse, washingtonpost.com April 27, 2008. p. M01

- Go to the website for washingtonpost.com
- Then choose " Web: Results by Google" (next to the SEARCH: data field).
- Next, Type the article’s title in the SEARCH: data field, and perform your search.

You’re welcome to respond to the article however you wish. I do encourage you, though, to consider the following:

Consider Monica Hesse’s points. How does your own experience confirm or disprove what she says about conducting research in the current information age?

Considering the author’s explanation of “wikiality,” what (if anything) can students do to avoid that trap? What are some possible consequences of this phenomenon?

The author mentions the notion of discerning fact from opinion. How do you yourself tell the difference (in your sources for news, for instance)?

What do you think about the amount of time the one student, Hillary Swain, is willing to spend “to track down an answer before giving up”? How much time do you think is reasonable?

What can be done to encourage students to use research as an opportunity to educate themselves and deepen their knowledge rather than a chance to reinforce their own beliefs?

Please include the following information as a heading on your work:

Your name
Eng1050 – 20
Writing Journal Assignment #1

Please post your Writing Journal response to this article (200 - 250 words) by Thursday, September 17, 2009.

Have a good day.

Mr. Dierkes