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James Baldwin literary aspects
Importance of writing skills in English
Baldwin's Essay
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Recommended: James Baldwin literary aspects
Throughout this semester, our class has read four powerful and influential pieces by James Baldwin, Gloria Anzaldua, Haunani-Kay Trask, and Nick Bear. The first piece we ever looked at was Baldwin’s “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?” This was our first writing assignment, focusing on using generative writing to get our ideas from our heads onto the paper, to then develop later. However, we were still supposed to focus on the PAR criteria, in order to get an idea on how we would need to develop our writing and our own pieces to pass the class. One of the first mistakes I made as a writer was as follows: “I really enjoyed the latter quote, on page 263. The importance of this quote, to me anyway, is that in every language, there is a common language. You know, English, French, Spanish, Italian, that sort of thing.” (Barley, Ass. 3) Though it was early in the semester, and we hadn’t developed our writing skills to fit college requirements, you can still see a lot of the high school style in the writing. By using “that sort of thing,” I made this piece seem informal, almost as if I were talking to a friend. The point of this assignment was to generate ideas, however, by using the high school informality, I created more work for myself, and that alone was a defining point of the essay. In Nick Bear’s piece, “The Word,” he is speaking in an “informal” style, but in a way that it’s almost like he’s giving a speech. His piece was made to be spoken. Just by reading, you still don’t get all of the true meaning behind his work. However, my work wasn’t designed this way. I know that I was going for the style of writing where you can either speak or read my work. Later in the year, our professor had one-on-one discuss... ... middle of paper ... ...ally doesn’t make sense, and then I’m adding more and more to this already poor connection.” (Barley, ass. 17). This passage describes exactly how I feel about my work at this point. However, compared to when we first started, I have developed much more. When we first began writing, it was like I was coming right from high school, which I almost was. I hadn’t needed any kind of writing in the first semester other than summaries, which is what a large majority of high school writing is. So when we had to start developing ideas in our essays, my work faltered. Through discussions, editing, revising, I begin to develop as a college writer. However, I’m still developing, and I personally believe that the rest of my class is. That’s not insulting their work. I’ve read their work, and I have been impressed throughout the whole semester. However, we can all always improve.
Even today, African American authors write about the prejudice that still happens, like Ta-Nehisi Coates. In his essay Acting French, Coates recalls when he studied the French language at Middlebury College. Despite all his efforts to integrate with his fellow students into French culture, yet another barrier reveals itself. “And so a white family born into the lower middle class can expect to live around a critical mass of people who are more affluent or worldly and thus see other things, be exposed to other practices and other cultures. A black family with a middle class salary can expect to live around a critical mass of poor people, and mostly see the same things they (and the poor people around them) are working hard to escape. This too compounds.” Because of the lack of black people available to look up to in scholastics, it makes it hard for black students to find the motivation to pursue interests in English or other
Bloom approaches her writing by examining the teaching styles of the common themes of English, and their flaws in the classroom. She takes writing themes such as “standard English”, “organization and order”,
The Writing Center at Cleveland State University, Retrieved 22 Oct 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.csuohio.edu/writingcenter/writproc.html
My portfolio will demonstrate the skills and writing techniques I have developed and honed while taking the course English 1010 at the University of Memphis. Some of the techniques and skills I have learned include how to write with different persuasive strategies on the audience and how to incorporate critical thinking into my work. As well as these skills I have learned how to apply an effective composing process to my writing and have fine tuned my writing abilities. Writing with different styles on different topics has improved the way I approach writing papers. These styles helped me learn quickly, therefore making me a better writer and student at the same time.
Cooper. The St. Martin's Guide to Writing. 9th ed. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2010. Print.
Throughout the years certain paradigms have become a big part of my life. Some paradigms are overwhelmingly difficult to change whiles other are long forgotten and overcome. I try new thinking patterns as often as I can, but sometimes it takes a while for me to get rid of my old ways and get used to my new ways. The following paradigms are the hardest to change.
As I sit here and reflect on how my education and work life experiences have prepared me for my future in the workplace; I truly become overwhelmed by the amount of things that I have learned and experienced. Like many others these experiences has influenced, motivated, and driven me to make the choices I have made. The good, the bad and the ugliest of them all have helped me to become the person that I am today.
Have you ever wanted to read someone else’s story? My personal story is a long journey and I am going to take you through it. It has been a wild ride at times but I have learned a lot from all of my experiences and I plan to share it with you! It all started on February 26 1999, in Woodstock Illinois.
Psychology deals with the study of mental processes and a variety of behaviors. In order to fully comprehend ourselves, we need to understand the causes of our behaviors and our outlook on life. Habits and behaviors have positive and negative effects in our life. When we know ourselves and learn about our unique personality, we can develop and pursue goals. Psychology also helps us to understand other people and the differences of people. Gaining this knowledge can improve the relationships and enhance our communication skills. Throughout the psychology course I gained knowledge in various areas, and the topics that impacted me the most included: the introvert, anxiety disorders, stress management, self discipline and how to develop strong relationships.
I cannot lie, especially in a paper my Bible teacher will be reading! I have struggled to accomplish this assignment. For weeks, I continually have forgot to read my Bible or do a long just me and God prayer. Not weeks at a time per say, there were many nights however, I would finish my homework, crawl into bed at 12, after my roommate and I had turned off the lights, and remember I had not done my Bible reading that day. This of course was a good time to have a me and God talk, but I would have trouble staying on task. After all, it was late, I was tired, and I had a lot on my mind! None of these are excuses which is why in my reflection I have decided to share the ways I used to get myself in the habit of reading, and prayer, as well as what
For everything we do, even if it is our best performance, there is always room for improvement. It could not be different in a career such as teaching. Teachers are always self-reflecting to analyze and evaluate their own teaching methods in order to find out what works and what needs to improve. With this information in hand, teachers can come up with strategies to improve certain areas of their teaching. There are many tools teacher can use to self-reflect. As a teacher, I will continually evaluate the effects of my professional decisions and actions on students through self-reflective journals, video recordings, students’ formal and informal assessments, peer support, student and parent evaluation, and suggestion box.
Ethics is an important part of living in today’s society as it raises questions to our morality and how we react to certain situations. According to Bennett-Woods (2005), ethics is best defined as a “branch of philosophy that studies morality through the critical examination of right and wrong in human action”. Characters and behaviors start to form over time not just because of the morals we were brought up with but also through life experiences. While working as a health care professional, there are times that situations may challenge our morals as humans but it is essential to decide what would be the best course of action that will benefit the patients. I know that my morals have been challenged quite frequently, but these challenges have also helped me to form a new perspective on many issues.
Dr. Shook’s critiques directed me to revise for the lack of transitional phrases between main ideas within my essay, as well as my tendency to compose run-on sentences. Accordingly, I inserted transitions that connected the major points that my essay touched upon. In order to do so, I used phrases such as “furthermore” in order to create a better flow without compromising the important ideas that were essential in regards to properly communicating the context to my audience. By commencing the process of revising my first essay, I developed the understanding that one of my shortcomings as a writer at the beginning of the semester included compiling numerous ideas into one sentence, consequently making it too “heavy.” By taking corrective action, I separated sentences that surpassed three lines into two entities. I found that Informal Assignment 10: Writing with Clear Style, assisted in improving my understanding of how my style of writing assists in communicating to my audience. Initially, I failed to realize that clear communication is of the utmost importance in regards to becoming an astute college writer. I entered English 101 focusing on incorporating words with over three syllables to intelligently convey my argument instead of focusing on how clearly my argument will be received by my
II.Reflect:3.Intrapersonal Reflection: While looking at this person and observing his way of leaning with his back against the wall, his face was quite expressionless at first but within no time, his presence made me suspect him. I felt that I should not talk to him myself and to keep myself in safe position because I was volunteering at the front desk, I thought it would be best to ask help from Richard that he should talk to him instead of me. Later, when this grey haired fellow came and stood close to the welcome desk, I decided I should talk to him. I talked to him but when he chose not tell me his name and asked me instead where I was from, I hesitated telling him. I was cautious and wanted not to reveal my information before I saw myself in any kind of trouble. He heard me say my name and also saw my name tag and the spellings but I did not want
Throughout humanity, individuals evolved and adapted to a changing society. People have not always been perfect in their selected field, however, as time progress individuals learn to develop themselves. A common factor that drives success throughout humanity is an individual 's capacity to set goals and strive towards personal development. As we progress through life and become older, individuals tend to realize life only becomes harder, and in the working world; life is not a walk to Elysium. With each passing year, life becomes more extensive, and stress tends to consume us, although life is difficult anything can be achieved and overcome by setting goals and attempting to enhance our personal development. Personal development is the key