English portfolio

Out of all of the papers I am putting into my English portfolio I think the one that shows my best work would have to be the McCandless essay. I actually didn't mind writing that paper, and I felt like I provided a good connection to Chris. I also thought I had a good analysis. Although I know I do need to work on context, and close read the epigraphs more. At first I thought I was doing really well on my research paper, but then I got a bit off topic and didn't connect it to my primary source as much as I should have. The paper that I think needs the most editing is my personal analysis essay, along with my research paper. My research paper isn't finished so it obviously still has a lot of work that needs to be done to it. I need to find a better source than "People" for my personal analysis essay and explore my own relationship in the paper more. I also need to add more details and emotion, along with working on my pathos.

Research Paper / Primary Source

What does your primary source say about the topic of your research paper? How do you address this point of view in your paper and why is it important? Why do you think we (your classmates) should care about your research? How might it affect us?

My primary source is providing an example to why teachers deserve an increase in pay. The movie Dead Poets Society is about a teacher who all the students looked up to and appreciated him. He makes a huge impact on all of his students. There are plenty of examples of other movies where the teacher has affected the students so much to change some of their lives. It's so important that teachers get payed a decent amount because obviously they are the ones who provide us with an education. I think you, and all of us should care about this topic because obviously we're all paying a bundle of money to learn and get an education. So obviously we're going to want a teacher or prof who has an education of their own, and knows what they're talking about. We need and want a professor who can help us succeed, and reach our fullest potential. One way to get teachers and profs like this, could be by increasing their salaries to motivate them, and provide all of us students and future students with the best teachers possible.

Research paper

What is your topic for the research paper? How does this topic currently impact American culture (or another country, if that's where you're going with this)? How is your book/show/movie different from all of the other books/shows/movies out there like it? How is it unique? What specific cultural issue will you be addressing in your research essay and why is it relevant TODAY?

My topic for the research paper is to persuade to increase teachers salaries. This topic currently impacts American culture in many different ways. Such as enticing more people with high teaching potential to enter the profession, especially in subjects and geographical regions where there is a shortage of teachers, convincing effective teachers to stay in their classrooms rather than seeking other jobs, inducing more great teachers to take on tough assignments like teaching the most disadvantaged kids, and enhancing the capacity of teachers to use practices that are likely to increase student achievement. This is relevant today because it is something that effects the entire world. A majority of our thanks for the smart, knowledgeable people in the world today go out to teachers. That is why I want the paper to argue that teachers do deserve a higher pay for such a big impact they have on our lives.

"In light of Krakauer's self-expression, do you find his recount of Chris' story more or less credible? Explain your answer."

I find Chris' story more credible. I think by Krakauer relating himself to Chris and sharing his experiences it makes Chris sound less crazy and makes people realize that there are other people in the world who have went into the wild and tried to accomplish something they had their heart set on. Also by Krakauer explaining his journey in detail it made me realize that what Chris did was not easy, and obviously very challenging.

Taylor Swift

"In response to the Taylor Swift article we read and discussed about in class, what is one song that means something to you? Is it by your favorite artist? Analyze the lyrics (if there are any). When listening to the song, what images come to mind? Why?"

After reading the Taylor Swift article I still feel the same way about her as I did before. Although I do agree and disagree with some things that were said in the article. True, her songs aren't all that meaningful but they're fun. She's young and most of her songs are listened by young teenagers as well who can relate to her. Although the author says all she sings about love and what not, how many other artists are there who do the same thing? I feel like 75% of songs are about love, boys and the same kind of stufff that Taylor talks about. One of my favorite songs that means something to me is Learn to Live by Darius Rucker. Although he's not my favorite artist, I think this song sends a really important message on the way you live your life. I love country music and I think most of the time, it's very meaningful and doesn't talk about sex, drugs and etc.

Pathos, Logos, or ethos

In your opinion, what do you think is the most effective (pathos, logos, or ethos) when writing a paper? In your "Into the Wild" and "American Literature" essays did you focus more on one rhetoric, or did you balance all three? If so why?

In my opinion, I think all three rhetorics are equally important. Although if I was to choose which one I believed was most important I would probably say pathos. Pathos is an appeal to the audience’s ethical judgment. It can be in the form of metaphor, simile, a passionate delivery, or even a simple claim that a matter is unjust. Pathos can be particularly powerful if used well, but most speeches do not solely rely on pathos. Pathos is most effective when the author connects with an underlying value of the reader.

Into the Wild

After reading further into Into The Wild my opinion has slightly changed about McCandless. As I continued to read, I felt began to not feel as bad for him. I really do feel like he could have survived, if he just would have accepted some of the necessities from the friends that he met along his journey. He very easily could have brought along more of the things that he needed to survive, and still accomplish his journey of going into the wilderness. I still like McCandless, and support him, I just think there are a few things that he could have changed and he just might have survived.