Monday, September 27, 2010
Chapter 12 - Writing a Cause and Effect Essay
This chapter describes how essays focused on analyzing and explaining of some phenomenon. First, an overview of what the author of this type of essay must consider. In this, the author needs to understand his goal and items that will guide successful creation of the essay.
The chapter then provides three examples of cause and effect essays and provides highlighting how the author uses cause and effect reasoning.
Adrenaline Junkies: In this essay, the author wants subtly provides an argument that adrenaline junkie might be a useful asset if focused correctly. The author first introduces examples of activities that cause adrenaline highs, provides a clinical explanation of the physical actions that provide the rush, and then points out that the adrenaline response could provide the extra push in intense and important efforts.
The Legacy of Generation N: The author’s basic cause is that a high population growth with an effect of that the US will belong to Latinos in the future.
Our Tired, Our Poor, Our Kids: This essay discusses the plight of the American homeless and especially, the children and our ineffective policies that are expensive and do not solve the serious problem. It provides both examples and statistics that highlight the problem. The effects on the children as they are shuffled from one school to another is a strong example of using the personalized stories to bring the story home. These children should never be treated in this matter and the reader knows it.
Interestingly, there is a reference to the middle class embracing their new houses and the booming stock market, two areas in the nearly two decades since the article was written which have greatly reduced the size of the middle class.
The Chapter concludes with guidelines for writing a cause and effect essay.
The chapter then provides three examples of cause and effect essays and provides highlighting how the author uses cause and effect reasoning.
Adrenaline Junkies: In this essay, the author wants subtly provides an argument that adrenaline junkie might be a useful asset if focused correctly. The author first introduces examples of activities that cause adrenaline highs, provides a clinical explanation of the physical actions that provide the rush, and then points out that the adrenaline response could provide the extra push in intense and important efforts.
The Legacy of Generation N: The author’s basic cause is that a high population growth with an effect of that the US will belong to Latinos in the future.
Our Tired, Our Poor, Our Kids: This essay discusses the plight of the American homeless and especially, the children and our ineffective policies that are expensive and do not solve the serious problem. It provides both examples and statistics that highlight the problem. The effects on the children as they are shuffled from one school to another is a strong example of using the personalized stories to bring the story home. These children should never be treated in this matter and the reader knows it.
Interestingly, there is a reference to the middle class embracing their new houses and the booming stock market, two areas in the nearly two decades since the article was written which have greatly reduced the size of the middle class.
The Chapter concludes with guidelines for writing a cause and effect essay.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Beauties of Italy
I am on a tour of Italy with my husband. We wonder which of the Italian wonders is the most beautiful. We appropriately begin our investigation in Rome. I say it is appropriate in that the Italian history is dominated by Rome and the Romans. First we see the great fountains and architecture, the Spanish Steps and the three sisters.
Then we tour the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and are introduced to the genius of Michelangelo. The tour guide tells us that Michelangelo never came down from the scaffolding during the four years required to complete the work. It was a commission that he did not want, but could not deny the pope’s request. He even added a self-portrait of the tortured artist (himself) on the ceiling.
However, the image of civilized Rome is offset by the stark beauty of the Roman Coliseum. Lions are released into the Coliseum separated from the fans only by netting (which is sometimes insufficient.) The floor could be flooded to simulate navel battles. Crocodiles are kept in the water to encourage combatants to remain in the boats. Ghosts of Roman prisoners from a thousand years haunt this edifice. This shows Rome not only as a brilliant luminary in the advances of man, but also a dark and brutal society.
From Rome, we move on to another giant in the progress of human development; Florence, home of the Renaissance. Florence is also home of my favorite statue, Michelangelo’s David. The statue shows a young man, not a child. He faces Goliath without fear or bravo. He is surveying the coming battle lightly balanced on the balls of his feet, ready to throw the stone from the sling at the appropriate time. Michelangelo resisted the urge to create another heroic statue instead creating a thoughtful interpretation of the famous battle.
We arrive on the outskirts of Pisa to a hubbub of vendors surrounding the wall that, in turn, surrounds the collection of buildings that include the famous leaning tower. Having been forewarned, I keep my valuables close and move past the aggressive in-your-face vendors inside the wall.
Moving inside the wall, I am greeted by not only the famous leaning tower, but the other three buildings. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the freestanding bell tower of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. It is situated behind the Cathedral. It turns out the collection of the four buildings is argued to be the most beautiful set of buildings on earth. The startling white marble settled on the green lawn is indeed striking and very beautiful.
The beautiful buildings of Pisa, the statues, fountains, and buildings of Rome, the stark beauty Roman Coliseum, and the statue of David are so very different that I cannot chose a single one as the most beautiful. However, I have experienced and been moved by each of these beauties.
Then we tour the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and are introduced to the genius of Michelangelo. The tour guide tells us that Michelangelo never came down from the scaffolding during the four years required to complete the work. It was a commission that he did not want, but could not deny the pope’s request. He even added a self-portrait of the tortured artist (himself) on the ceiling.
However, the image of civilized Rome is offset by the stark beauty of the Roman Coliseum. Lions are released into the Coliseum separated from the fans only by netting (which is sometimes insufficient.) The floor could be flooded to simulate navel battles. Crocodiles are kept in the water to encourage combatants to remain in the boats. Ghosts of Roman prisoners from a thousand years haunt this edifice. This shows Rome not only as a brilliant luminary in the advances of man, but also a dark and brutal society.
From Rome, we move on to another giant in the progress of human development; Florence, home of the Renaissance. Florence is also home of my favorite statue, Michelangelo’s David. The statue shows a young man, not a child. He faces Goliath without fear or bravo. He is surveying the coming battle lightly balanced on the balls of his feet, ready to throw the stone from the sling at the appropriate time. Michelangelo resisted the urge to create another heroic statue instead creating a thoughtful interpretation of the famous battle.
We arrive on the outskirts of Pisa to a hubbub of vendors surrounding the wall that, in turn, surrounds the collection of buildings that include the famous leaning tower. Having been forewarned, I keep my valuables close and move past the aggressive in-your-face vendors inside the wall.
Moving inside the wall, I am greeted by not only the famous leaning tower, but the other three buildings. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the freestanding bell tower of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. It is situated behind the Cathedral. It turns out the collection of the four buildings is argued to be the most beautiful set of buildings on earth. The startling white marble settled on the green lawn is indeed striking and very beautiful.
The beautiful buildings of Pisa, the statues, fountains, and buildings of Rome, the stark beauty Roman Coliseum, and the statue of David are so very different that I cannot chose a single one as the most beautiful. However, I have experienced and been moved by each of these beauties.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Chapter 11: Description and Reflection
This chapter provides examples of how Description and Reflection are used to draw wisdom from past experiences. The chapter provides guidelines and a writing checklist.
Chapter 10: Writing Narration and Description
This chapter discusses how Narration and Description can be used to illustrate and emphasize the writer’s point. Mzee Owitti writes narration and description in her essay to explain how she learned the pain of loss. James Schaap explains the impact of a location on his students and how that is emphasized by 9/11. Additional essays are provided. The chapter provides guidelines and a writing checklist.
Chapter 9: Forms of College Writing
This is a short chapter that provides a grouping of college curriculum into three divisions. It then specifies types of writing commonly found in each division. It then provides set of traits that generally distinguishes good writing for each task.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Chapter 8: One Writer’s Process
This chapter follows one writer’s process for creating a document including all elements decisions and work products.
Chapter 7: Submitting Writing and Creating Portfolios
The chapter discusses issues associated with submitting a document. First, it is important to format the writing with clear and uncluttered page design, use a easy-to-read serif font in the main text, correct rules for indents and margins, and use bullets or numbered lists. Per the test book, I will create both a “working” portfolio and a showcase portfolio.
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