Self-Inflicted Verbal Lashing

Disclaimer: Due to my tendency of thinking I'm absolutely fabulous in everything that I do, I'm going to be as hard on myself as possible.

I did have a clear all-encompassing thesis, however I am unsure of how the paper is received by my peers. It bothered me that I had a hard time revealing the story as vivid as I recalled. Serial rough draft killings took place before I settled on the resulting draft. Although, I feel that my paper was strong, I realize that it is my own personal experience and that bias influences my critique.

I NEED YOUR HELP!
Yes, you reading my post. I need some input on my rough draft b/c I can use all the peer editing help that I can get. If you are interested in helping this poor soul out, please e-mail me: carlyh@bgnet....

Thanks! --C.J.

Response for Wednesday: Discourse Community

The Wikipedia entry for "discourse community" explains that the community has a set of unwritten rules that govern its discourse (which is a concept much broader than "language"). Look at the two texts you read for homework, the Borg essay (academic discourse community) and the Wikipedia entry (Wikipedia discourse community). Choose one and try to come up with 2-3 of these unwritten rules that particular discourse might have. What kind of rules might either of these discourse communities have? How do you know?

--Elizabeth

self evaluation

Self evaluation
Brandon Jones

I feel that my opinions that were on this paper are from experience, and just from my perspective. Also, the inserts that I used from the readings helped make some choosy words for this rough draft. I know that I could use some improvement but I think that I did ok.

Draft Essay #1: Dan Macon

I am coming along with my essay well. I need to find ways of shortening it up so I can have only two pages. Also I am still working on how my conclusion is going to be. I have plenty of information so I am not worried about that. I just need to work on narrowing it down.

Self-evaluation

I think that writing this first draft was a good start to remember how to write efficiently.
I feel that every time that I write though I improve so much better as I did before.
I understand that writing is a vital too for Business and Law career and so I hope that I can develop the skills I need to get the job that I want. I believe that writing should not be underestimated because it can be a vital tool in life to achieve your goals.

essayroughdraft 1

The first essay was a challenge to write. I enjoyed talking about my own style of writing and language. It was fun to tell a story from my past. I believe I wrote alright essay, but there may be some fall back sections. I am not completely and totally satisfied with my rough draft and can fortell that there will be several revisions to come.

self-evaluation

I think my paper has started off pretty strong. I am worried that my personal story is not long enough and needs more depth. I'm glad that I was able to incorporate poems from the reading unit to tie in with the paper.

Self-Evaluation of Essay 1

The first essay that we are working on in class right now is a narrative of the language rhetoric that we have used on a particular situation. My general thoughts of my essay are kind but, critical. I felt my intro was effective and the beginning paragraph set up the format for the rest of the paper. The body was at some times more focused on communication than on language rhetoric but, I felt the examples as well as situation that I chose to write about was original and informative about my language. I still believe that language and communication are very connected and I saw that in most of the essay. I will probably use a citation in the final draft and maybe change some of the content though.

Personal Narrative Rogh Draft reflection

My personal Narrative is a rough draft and I have some tweaking to do to it however some of the concepts are forming nicely. I feel like I have some randomness that I need to clear up and I need to have a stronger concise stand but all in all it's an o.k. rough start. I hope to formulate the final draft better with the feedback I recieve on the rough draft.

Personal Narrative Rough Draft

I think that my draft is progressing very well, but still needs some revision before the final copy. I would like to make my introduction more interesting by adding an anecdote about struggles between the North and South, or perhaps a quote about such differences. I also need to relate my personal narrative with the articles from class. I feel that I my work up until this point has provided a strong foundation for my paper; I will be fine-tuning my language and expanding my examples for my final draft.
Danni Boyd

Essay 1

Writing the rough draft proved to be more challenging than I thought it would be. I have a descent thesis statement which could use some revision. The points are strong, but I need to tie them in more to examples given from the readings. I tried to show the struggles that I had with another language and relate them to the readings. I hope there is a strong enough comparison.

Cassie

So far, I think I have a really good start to the essay. I like the story I chose and the way I tied my experience with dance into the “Right to My Own Language” idea. I think given more time, I will be able to expand on weak sentences and further define my thesis. I would say that organization and a stronger conclusion are my biggest concerns as of now.
-Cassie Dzienny

Self Evaluation

To be honest, I am not happy with my current draft at all. I feel as if I had ideas and concepts in my head, but I was not able to fully transfer those ideas into my draft. I feel that the more time I spend revising, the better off I will be.

Self-evaluation of draft

It took me some time to think of a good topic to write about. i am not the happiest with my draft right now, i think my draft needs a little bit more work. i had some problems coming up with some concluding ideas to my paragraphs and i want to expand a little more on the ideas i used in my body paragraphs. I like some of what i have right now but i feel as though it needs a bit more work.

self evaluation

I think that I did a pretty good job on essay number one. The reason I think I did well is because I was very creative and that was one of the main criteria for the essay. I also wrote my essay from what I truly believed to by my own personal language with Lexi and Bella. I also gave good examples and ideas of my personal language with them. Some people may think the topic I used is a little far fetched but to me its totally normal and also very original. Overall I really liked that we were aloud to use narrative and our own personal thoughts. I think I did a pretty good job on this essay and look forward to the next one.
-Michelle Chalupa

Self evaluation

Joe Mancuso
To be honest, when I first learned about this paper, I felt like I was in trouble. The paper is a very creative work and I am not the best at these types of things. Once I started writing, I noticed that it was more interesting than I thought.

My paper is in VERY rough format right now but I have plans to elaborate. I think that my ideas for the paper are strong and consume the topic for this paper. I also think my grammar and other mechanics are good. I use an story and examples throughout the text. I think that the biggest problem is lack of organization. It does not flow like it should. The body seems a little random at times. I need to elaborate and work on making more complex sentences to give the paper some sophistication. By the end of this I hope to have a free-flowing organized 3 page paper.

About My Draft

Wow,...I completed my first draft unsure about if I had grasped the concept of "my language/narration of" but after recieving feedback, I was able to focus my essay more and have a better understanding of the essay's expectations. My second draft, the one I submitted, was more focused but short and undevelped. I put great effort and thought into my paper and expect great things from it in the end but Im aware of work that needs to be done such as expansion and development.

Self-Evaluation

In a posting, evaluate where you are right now in the writing process of your first essay. Strengths, weaknesses, questions, etc.

Self Evaluation

As of now, I think that my personal narrative is pretty good. At first I thought it would be difficult to write, but when I actually sat down at the computer it was not hard at all. I think that there are some grammatical corrections that need to be made in order for my paper to be "hand-in quality."
There are a few questions that I have regarding the way the paper will be graded. On the evaluation criteria, one point focused on organization. This included a clear thesis and main points to support that idea. When I think of this format, I relate it to an argumentative essay. I wrote my paper in the from of a narrative. While it does have a main idea, there are not three main points and a clearly stated thesis statement in the beginning. Do you want the paper written more as an essay or a narrative? My paper can be changed to fit this format, but I did not do it that way because that is not how the readings that we did in class were set-up.

Thoughts after writing first draft

After writing my first draft for this class I feel that I did well in certain areas and in others I could of used a little more improvement. I was a little confused as to where to start with this draft because I knew that you wanted a personal narrative that dealt with language but I didn't know what angle I should start from. I also feel that I wrote too much, but yet I was struggling with my body of the paper. I had trouble deciding what I wanted to say when and where. I think the thing that I like most about my first draft is that it is personal because it was about something that I have dealt with all my life. Overall, I think that my first draft turned out pretty well.

Self Evaluation

I currently have two pages for my essay. I think it's a solid paper but there are things, given more time, that I would like to try and word better. I think maybe the transitions are a little weak but as a whole, I think it's a decent essay that explains my experience with the English language.

My Lang

Brandon Jones
English 207-Essay #1
8/28/07

A Right to My Language

In the modern day, the use of one's language is expressed differently depending on whom one is addressing themselves to. It can be either formal or informal depending on one's environment. I have come to realize that being of african american descent, language can be a big bonus, or an unfortunate burden. It is said that the african americans use a lot of ebonics.Ebonics also known as African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is a type of slang that is used between african americans on a daily basis. The language of ebonics is a movement of the black community; I feel that I speak for a lot of us when I say we all appreciate our way of voicing our opinions regardless of the language used to expressed ourselves.Ebonic language may not be the most formal way of communication within the workforce but it is what has come to be identified as common language for most Afican americans.
Although i speak ebonics, my native language is english and there is a thin line between the way it is spoken in the work force and our home environment. I personally use ebonic language to fit in with my boys or as many African American woud say to blend in. Within the family environment, ebonics is still used, but not the same way one would use it with friends. It is a structured way of using the terminology, and to be able to be understood by all of our peers.

Response 3

English for me is a way to communicate to someone. English in my life shows my personality and lifestyle. My personality is always changing along with my english. If I am in a bad mood my english is horrible and I use alot of slang. If I am in a great mood I use perfect english to prove my point. The english language is my first and german is my second. I can relate to Tan's idea of trying to fit in with a foreign language. It was difficult for me not only to speak german but also to learn the customs and gestures. Plus there was many different dialects. I live in Rheinland which was differant from Saarland or Bavaria. I understand the struggles that people have in learning english as a second language because it is not just the words but also the heritage that goes with it.

respone 3

English is the means by which I communicate my thoughts and feelings. In my life I have not had to struggle to fit in with learning a second language like Amy Tan mother’s “broken” English, Gillian sacrificing his Italian, and Agosin struggling to find anything to compare with his beloved Spanish. These authors see us as socially judgmental of those who do not speak English perfectly and treat those lacking inferior. I’m sad that all these authors have a negative point of view about how we perceive foreign speakers and are perceptions that English is the “right” and “only” language. Wow, how self-centered we are.

I was really mad when I read Amy Tan’s article and saw that her mother was even treated poorly because of her trouble speaking perfect English. No one should receive poor service or be ignored simply because of their speech. I am glad that I have not had to face these social injustices in my life.

English For Me.

For me english is about unique style, that when is done correctly creates different levels of power that convey messages to others. English for me is an ongoing relationship, something I learn from everyday. I speak English, I write in English, I even think in English. Because I am in constant use of this language, I am always learning its different moods, ways to benefit from using it, to provoke certain emotions, and persuade others. Our relationship is an intersting one, sometimes when I am unable to discover the right word to use, I am frustrated with English. Other times, when I use English to market myself, abilities and accomplishments, or to express my love for another, I have a great appreciation for English.

What English is for me, however, is different from what it is to someone who may not be in constant companionship with it. Amy Tan for example, has a relationship with English that is different for my experience with it. Amy used English to assist her mother in recieving benefits that were denied to her. For Amy, it was as tool that she was fortunate to have, a mastery of the English language, being a gift to her mother. To Amy's mother, however, English was a relationship that was not always satisfying, at times it was disheartening.

English represents my lifestyle and my family. I was born in America and have spoken English all my life. In America, majority of people here speak English except the select few states off to the west who may speak Spanish. In reflection, Maria Mazziotti Gillan wrote a simple poem with bold meaning. She wants to tell her classmates and teacher that she is indeed an American as they are, but can't bring herself to do it because they will just tell her she is wrong. Amy Tan's writing seemed filled with passion. She was a struggling writer who was told numerous times that she needed to give up writing and focus on something that her "kind" was successful at. She ignored them and realized that she wasn't writing correctly for everyone to understand. She began writing in a way that her mother could understand and found easy. That was when she became successful as she wished. Marjorie Agosin only wanted to write in Spanish. She believed that her heritage was striped from her and the only thing left was her language. She continued to only write in Spanish, later publishing a poem that was full of meaning. Agosin is familiar to me because I too love my language enough that I too would do the same as her. My language is who I am and I would never want to change that. I was enrolled in Spanish classes for three years. The language didn't come easy. I found English to be so simple compared to it, but it was a real experience because now I understand.

Response # 3

English is the medium that I use to communicate with and interpret the world around me. English as my language has different, but important functions in my life; the symbols and meaning behind words in English allow me give meaning to my beliefs and emotions as well as identify and define the things around me. English also enables me to comprehend and learn from the ideas and messages that other people send to me.

Marjorie Agosin, in her article, “Always Living in Spanish,” shares that she writes in Spanish and it gives her, “the sense of being and feeling” (203). She is able to harmonize her senses, emotions, and beliefs when she writes in the Spanish word than in English. For Agosin, Spanish is the language that she knew first; in childhood, a time when she was creating meaning for the world around her, Spanish was her medium of symbolization.

Language is a medium of communication and expression; as human being we all share similar thought and belief patterns as well as a need to share with others. People tend to favor their language of origin because it is the most familiar and accurate recall for communication. The sharing of ideas is the reason for lanuage, which form of language should not take away from the ultimate purpose. Agosin notes the importance of translation as she discusses her preference for writing in Spanish. Spanish is the medium that she can be her most genuine and creative. She understands the “great human community of language,” as she explains can that more people can be affected by her message because of translation to English.

Response to Tan, Agosin and Gillan

English represents one of the most adopted and practiced languages in the world. It represents a sort of power because there's a good chance that no matter where an English speaking human might go in the world, that particular language will be present in some way whether it be spoken or written.

For Gillan it seems that the English language is almost a burden. At first in her piece she seems to be somewhat sad that she can't conquer the English language but then her sadness quickly turns to anger near the end. If I were to move to a new country where I had to learn a new language and couldn't seem to grasp the foundations of it, I, too, would find myself angry. But by the end of Gillan's piece, it's almost like she has decided to not put any further effort in trying to improve her English speaking skills.

With Agosin, I wasn't exactly sure of her journey with the English language. While Gillan focused on her struggle, Agosin decided to place emphasis on how she kept her Spanish identity alive through her writings. I would assume that's how it would be for an English speaking American moving to France: even if they learn to speak French, they will most likely continue to write/speak in English, too.

Gillan, Tan, and Agosin Response

The English language is a very universal and largely spoken language in the U.S. as well as around the world. It is in fact becoming the dominant language used worldwide and this can make a tremendous and impacting effect on the people that are not used to or familiar to using this language. The article excerpts from the assigned readings were good examples of individuals with native tongues being affected by the difficulties of learning or encountering proper use of the English language. In Tan's essay for example, her mother's inability to speak clear and distinct English made certain encounters and social situations very difficult to deal with. Often her daughter would have to speak on the phone or handle other tasks which I'm sure was very impending on her. To conclude on thoughts concerning the difficulty of using proper English, it is difficult to pinpoint when this is necessary and when it is considered to be a "push" for those who can not change or alter their native tongue or dialect.

Response #3

English represents a lot of things to me, it is a representation of who i am because i without my native language who would i be. It is how i express my ideas and emotions, and it is hard to think what it would be without it. In Tan's reading, it would be hard to be in America and people don't respond or critize you because you dont speak english that is up to thier standards. I know some people that say your in America so you should learn how to speak English, and it is not as easy as it seems. We have been brought up to speak this way and use our language to its advantage. Sure I think it is easy, i have been brought up with this language. I think that it would be hard to go to another country and speak their language as your second, it is a barrier that a lot of people deal with and these writers explain it well.

week 2 response tan, agosin, gillan

What the English language means to me is that it represents freedom and democracy. It also represents the language of business, because most business deals throughout the globe is primarily spoken in English.

It has been said that English is the most difficult language to learn, whether you agree with this statement is a matter of opinion, but with are past perfect predicate sentences, words that sound the same but are spelled differently, double negatives, and so on and so forth it's easy to understand why immigrants to this country would have trouble understanding and speaking the English language. In fact, many native born English speakers have trouble speaking English, its no wonder that Agosin preferred to write Spanish instead of English. I know personally when i went to the Philippines to visit some friends of mine over there, they were ashamed to speak English to me for fear that i would not be able to understand them as well, but in fact i was able to understand 90 percent of what they were trying to articulate to me and when i read Tans piece that same point was brought out as well.

To conclude, English to me is the language of the world, a language that most people speak or are learning to speak. It is the language of trade and commerce and also of travel.

#3

In my life, to be able to speak English is very important because it is my way of communicating with those around me. Being able to speak English or any other language for that matter is a way to express how one feels, whether it be writing or speaking. Currently I am majoring to become an English teacher and by taking all the English classes that I am required to take, I am working at mastering the English language even more than what I already have. To me, to be able to speak your own language does not mean that you have it mastered, you have to be able to use that language to basically get along well in the world. In Tan's article when she discusses the way in which her mother struggles with language it reminds me of my brother. My brother has a talking disability and he struggles alot with the English language. When Tan has to call in to the hospital to check on a CAT scan for her mother ( due to her mother's struggle with English) it reminds me of when I have to translate what my brother is trying to communicate to others. Sometimes I find it rather annoying that people don't understand him or look at him funny because of the fact that he struggles with the English language. Since I grew up with him, I understand almost everything he trys to communicate but yet when there are those moments where I don't understand what he trys to communicate, he finds an alternative route such as finding a certain object or showing me online what he wants to say.
Knowing, understanding, and being able to speak English is very important to me. It's the way I communicate in every day life.

Response #3

For me, English represents the way in which I communicate with others. I often find myself thinking about the words I want to say, before I speak. I take pride in the way that I use the English language. I strive to effectively communicate in a way that properly represents who I am.

Since English is my native language, the task of forming sentences to convey my thoughts often goes unnoticed. I think about what I want to say and speak the words at virtually the same time. Although the process of dictating my thoughts is not one that I can remember ever struggling with, this is not the case for Amy Tan's mother. In her piece "Mother Tongue," Tan tells the story of her mother's struggle to translate thoughts into English sentences. Since English was not her native language, Tan's mother often thought things in her mind that she could not properly communicate with others. This frustration led Tan to write a book that would be easily understood by people struggling with the same issue as her mother. While many people strive to use big words and impressive sentences, Tan's goal was to write in such a way that people would understand.

After reading Tan's article I have a greater appreciation for the way in which I am able to use the English language. Having proper control over the way in which one uses a language is a skill that everyone should continually work toward.

Response to Agosin, Gillan, and Tan

My use of standard English is something that I often take for granted. I never really stopped to think about how hard it would be acclimate to a culture in which the native language is held in such high regards. America is such a progressive, fast-paced, technologically based society in which communication is very important. In order to function successfully in our country you have to be able to understand others, and for some its not as easy. I feel that my use of the English language represents myself and my ideas. I would feel extremely frustrated and lonely if I could not communicate my wants and needs with those around me.

I feel that the authors all successfully display their frustrations in their pieces. By using different techniques and styles such as free-verse poems, narratives, and a piece that combined both, I was able to get a better understanding for how the language gap between the authors (or in Tan's case her mother) really effective their lives emotional. The fact that an adaptation had to be made by these people in order to appease the demands of an English speaking society, was hard to grasp, almost as if their identities were a hindrance. The authors felt a sense of shame because they were extraordinanry in prodominantly English speaking culture.

Homework #2: Amy Tan and Marjorie Agosin

English represents for me through out my life is a traditional implied law. In my life correct grammar, has become a rule that’s so deterministic and vital to my life, that if it’s broken serious consequences could arise. I feel just like Marjorie Agosin feels about Spanish in Always living in Spanish. “To write in Spanish is for me a gesture of survival.” (Agosin, 203). In today’s atmosphere, I feel that in English is a gesture of survival because what it requires in such areas like the business world and the legal environment (such as contracts and reading other legal cases.).

Throughout my life I have been punished, for saying and believing the wrong things in society. My actions that I have taken have for my beliefs of English have been something minor, like an incorrect exam question, or something major, like saying or doing things that make your friends loose you forever. Below is an element of Amy Tan’s Mother Tongue.

“Like others, I have described it to people a “broken” or “fractured” English. But I wince when I say that. It has always bothered me that I can think of no way to describe it other than “broken”, as if it were damaged and needed to be fixed, as if it lacked a certain wholeness and soundness. I’ve heard other terms used. “limited English”, for example. But they seem just as bad, as if everything is limited, including people’s perception of the limited English speaker.” (Tan, 244-245)

Work Cited
Agosin, Majorie. “Always Living in Spanish” Multingual USA. 25 Aug. 2007. 203.
www.bgsu.edu.
Tan, Amy. “Mother Tongue” Multingual USA. 25 Aug. 2007. 203. www.bgsu.edu.

response for monday--mchalup

English to me is a way of life. I think that its not just a language but that its much more. Its emotions, expression, and attitude. With out language (not just English) we would be totally different. I just image not being able to express in words how I feel to my mother or best friends and it makes me sad. The world would be a less emotional and understanding place if we had no language. In the Tan article she talks about her Chinese mothers "fractured English" and how some of her friends can understand her mother completely and others not at all. I think everyone speaks differently when with family and friends opposed to when in a professional setting. But on the other hand when you haven't quite got the language which you are trying to speak down completely then its hard to be professional at all. Also in Agosins article she talks about how she feels the English language doesnt quite make her peoms sound the way she wants them to. Spanish is what makes her peoms emotional and meaningful with visual themes that stand out. An experience that comes to mind is when I went to Cancun, Mexico. Everyone spoke Spanish that worked in the hotels and at the resturants. It was hard to undertsand them but I really appreciated listening to them speak it. The flow of the their language just sounded so cool and so smooth. It really made me have a desire to learn their language and understand it. Maybe someday I will pursue that dream.

Response for Monday: Tan, Agosin, Gillan

What does English represent for you? Why? In your reflection, cite any of the authors you read for homework and what English means for them. Make a connection between Tan's, Agosin's, or Gillan's views on English and your own views. Keep in mind the differences between your experiences (as a native speaker of English) and the authors' experiences (as learning English as a second language).

--Elizabeth

In the short section of Patricia Smith's reading, she talks about her mother's "dream" to talk correct. Smith states that she just wants to talk right before she dies. Through her process of assimilation, she argues that she has lived to long to be stupid, acting like she just got off a boat. I believe this is her argument because you can feel the anger in her voice and the desire to change something before she dies. She also doesn't have all her life to change therefore she has to move quickly, making the process much more serious to her. Smith includes some types of rhetoric into her writing. She includes invention because she is looking for the correct things to say; the art of arrangement because she organizes a trip to Chicago to better herself; the art of style because it reflects the way she lives and her values; and the art of delivery in order to present herself well and dramatize an idea or belief. Smith incorporates almost all five constituents of rhetoric.

Talking Wrong by Patricia Smith

Smith argues that the assimilation process is one with many faults. She argues that it produces a level of shame in those who have a history of not speaking "standard" or "proper" english. She appreciates ebonics for all it's worth, the stories it tells, and the feelings it brings to her in her personal life, from one black to another. She illustrates this argument, "It hurts to hear the measured effort, which conjures a picture of the two of her on the Greyhound bus headed for the Windy City from Alabama", which reflexs her feelings of disgust for the emphasis society has put on those who do not fit the profile of all that is "standard" or "proper". Smith uses rhetorical devices of memory to convey a sense of credibility and emotional attactment to the issue.

Patricia Smith response

In the very first paragraph of "Talking Wrong", author Patricia Smith looks through her mother's eyes on a trip to her speech therapist. The therapist is described as, "a pinstirped benevolent white angel who has dedicated two hours a week to straightening the black, twisted tounges of the afflicted." As the audience, I felt as if the mother believed she was diseased; that the way she spoke was a disease. Throughout her article, the author bemoans the loss of her mother's Black Vernacular English. To her, it was comforting "like cornbread, buttery and full of places for heat to hide."

Smith's personal rhetoric is powerful in expressing her feeling of loss. She felt as if her mother was distancing herself throughout her assimilation to "standard" English. The mother's dialect was a part of who she was, and in changing that aspect, discomfort arose.

Response to Mellix and Smith

In response to the assigned readings, I feel that both authors touched on a general concept of language assimilation, but both authors had different personal feelings in regards to this subject. Both authors included personal stories about their mothers and/or families in their narratives and how the way their mothers spoke influenced their way of speaking. Both stories pertained to a "southern" style of "black English," and the type of diction and pronunciations these areas produced. I feel that both authors considered their "black English" to be very personal, and it almost defined them in a way.

Although both stories were very similar, I feel that Mellix was more comfortable with the idea of adopting "standard English." Mellix felt that in order to be successful in the academic and professional world, she needed to use "standard English" in order to sound educated. Smith saw how her mother wanted so much to speak in "standard English" because for her, it represented possibilities in a new life. It represented hope and the future, even though her daughter wasn't so keen on the idea of conforming to this proper English.

Both authors used personal stories and used examples that helped their narratives become successful rhetoric. I feel that the strongest element of both pieces was the way that the authors portrayed their language as such a personal attribute.

Assignment 2: Response to Mellix

In Barbara Mellix’s chronicle of her struggles to master the transition from “black English” to “standard English” she explains that the struggle is not only over language, but her views about herself as well. Mellix transitioned between “black” and “standard” English easily as a child; she was raised to understand the use of “black” English was reserved for close friends and family, whereas “standard” English was expected when in the company of whites and the “proper” relatives. She expressed the ease of using “proper” English in the workforce as well, learning from her co-workers and customer letters.

It wasn’t until Mellix enrolled in her first college English course that she had feelings of inadequacy and expressed doubt in her ability to master the language of the “others”. Assimilating her writing required her to work to practice a language she was not comfortable with.” Mellix felt as if she had to abandon part of herself and her past; she claims, “I had the sensation of being split in two, part of me going into a future the other part didn’t believe possible.” As she progressed through her course, she became confident in her writing and herself. Through the assimilation process from “black English” to “standard English” Mellix not only became a stronger writer, she found a way to become a stronger person by finding her own voice as a writer.

Response to "Talking Wrong"

The author of the "Talking Wrong" article is opposed to her mother chaning the way she talks becuase the mother believes she talks wrong. The author feels that it is a part of her mothers identity and the fact that she is changing the way she talks because of where she lives and not what her roots are. it is clear that she opposes it at the end where she talks about her mother dreaming of perfection and heading for hell. The author makes it clear the differences between "Black" and "standard" english giving examples of how her mother talks and that her mother believes that it is wrong.

This was interesting because, i believe that this is happening and will be happening for some time. It seems that some people can relate to these articles and get a good sense of what the author is trying to say.

Homework #2: Smith and Melix

Mrs. Patricia Smith and Mrs. Mellix stories both show the struggle of "Black English". Even though both of these young African American ladies explain that they have communication problems based upon their foreign language. The two stories Mrs. Smith, "Talking Wrong" and Mrs. Mellix "From Outside, In" however have two different interesting outcomes which teach us a morally important lesson.

Mrs. Patricia Smith is making a critize. I know that Mrs. Patricia Smith is making this argument because, she explains the self-disciplining judgements that her mom for not speaking on the professional terms. However, Mrs. Barbra Mellix is making a interpret. I know that Mrs. Mellix is making this argument because, she describes how she adjusts to the different culture when needed.

Mrs. Patricia Smith is making a professional form of rhetoric because she explains that her mother spends her whole life devoting herself to develop the perfection of her speech to earn a stabelized income. Her discipline from her training and her old habbits explains to us that she strives to learn that what's best for her carreer.

Mrs. Barbra Mellix is making a cultural form of rhetoric because she adapts with the "Black English" and "Standard English" as if it were a second language. Even though "Black English" is not necessarily a foreign language pertaining to the two authors, I believe it is because according to the community the two cultures demand different input and output while interacting with each other.

Over all I think that both languages are very important to learn. Even though in professional areas whether you are a (Dean of a University or a Chief Executive Officer of a Company) "Standard English" is a very vital skill that everyone should have. However if you were a City Manager or a mayor you might want to learn "Black English", and other Foreign languages so that you can understand what is best for the public because in the public you will always see multicultural people and its very vital to learn how their beliefs operate so that they don't mistakenly offend there culture. "Black English" Should not be viewed as a "curse" as what Mrs. Smith's mom believe, but a "gift" if used in the right culture.

Response to Smith Article

In response to the Patricia Smith article that was assigned I will state that I agree that the adaptation of one's vernacular of language to another more formal and "accepted" one is a significant transition. In the article Patricia Smith goes on to explain her mother's trip north to Chicago to improve and change her current "slangy" dialogue to the accepted and proper way to use English language. Her mother even states at one point, "I want to talk right before I die". These I believe, are some strong words and help aid in the rhetoric and the telling of this story. It is quite evident to notice that Smith's mother wants very much to change her way of speaking and does so by the end of the article. The narrator does not seem to be totally comfortable with the change which brings in the question of the necessity to alter one's way of speaking or to somewhat "change" their history of tongue. It is difficult to answer whether this is right or not but, it does eventually fall into the hands of the individual and what they feel is best for them. An interesting article and topic.

Assignment One mchaup

In the Patricia Smith Article her mother wanted her to give up her accent. Some people think just because you talk a certain way (slang for example) that you are uneducated. I think that this is wrong and a stereotype. I have so many African American friends that talk with slang and they are strait A students who are going to school for things like chemistry, medicine, and a lot of other hard majors. I think that Patrica thinks changing the way she talks would be changing part of her personality as well, and i agree!

Response to Mellix article

I think that what Barbara Mellix is trying to aruge in her article about the assimilation process is that there are certain times and places where we need to be aware of how we use our language in certain situations in life. What she is basically trying to describe in her article is the times in her life where she had to use "standard English" instead of "black English". How we use our language in our personal homes is not going to be the same language we use when we are at our jobs or professional places. I know that this is her argument because she gives examples of when she is at home she used her "black English" but when she was at work she had to concentrate and remember to use "standard English" when writing back customers. I think that what Mellix is trying to get across is that mastering the "proper English" language occurs over a lifetime and not just in a few years. How we speak at different events or with differnt people is not going to be the same at all times but yet we progress with our language over a period of time.

response 2 Melix

When i read this i can personally relate to her situation. I understand that there are times for "black talk" or as i like to put it " Ghetto slang" and then those times where i am forced to speak what is considered proper English. The way that i feel about her assilimation is that it is easy for individuals to assimilate depending upon the sitiuation. For instance, when she worked for the insurance company all she did was copy what her co-worker wrote in response to her customers, also while she was a youth she knew she had to speak to the officer using proper English as opposed to while at home she could use "black talk". Another point that I will use to argue my point that I feel that she thought it was easy to assimilate is this, when she did move up North near her aunt and uncle she saw how they easily were able to switch from black English to standard English or they would mix it up depending upon the situation and eventually Melix learned to mix and match after awhile.

Her style is more of a personal rhetoric in which she reports events in her life from growing up, to high school, and to college with various aspects of her life involved in between. She also intends to instruct her readers to say hey this i what many black people have learned to do and some do it better then others. Again i know this well because there are times where for instance if am talking to my friends, i can talk ghetto, but when i am calling a business i have to change my voice per say and speak in manner that's more accepted in everyday living ie inquiring about an apartment. Those are some of the things i got out this reading.

Response #2

In the Patricia Smith article, "Talking Wrong" the author is saddened by the steps her mother is taking to get rid of her "native tongue." The author is trying to convey the loss that she feels through her mother's assimilation process. Although to many people talking "Northern" is a simple thing, the author is saddened by the process. To the author, talking "northern" is more than a way to speak, it is a part of her identity.
The loss of her mother's southern ways of speaking symbolize the loss that the author feels within herself. The absence of phrases such as, "ain't got" and "don't have" represent the transition that the author's mother made. These phrases brought comfort to the author. Although she is still the same person, the author's mother is viewed differently by the author due to the transition she made.

Smith response

In Patricia Smith article she is saddened by her mother's desire to give up her southern talking ways and speak "north." The author's mother wants to speak what she considers the right way before she dies and no longer sound what she thinks is inferior. By talking like educated white folks she thinks this will unlock all her dreams and make her successful.

The author totally disagrees and laments the loss of her mother's "sweet" way of talking likening it unto buttery cornbread. She also considers this change to be a betrayal of who she really is.

Response for Friday: Smith and Mellix articles

Patricia Smith and Barbara Mellix, while they narrate a personal story, at the same time make an argument about assimilation into society through language. Specifically, both discuss the transition made between "Black" English and "standard" English. In a 1-2 paragraph posting, focus on either Smith or Mellix's article to analyze, being guided by the following questions:

• What argument is the author making about this assimilation process?
  
• How do you know this is their argument?
  
• What rhetorical moves (methods) does Smith or Mellix make?

Excellent quality in posting and commenting so far--let's keep that up for this post.

--Elizabeth

Cassie Dzienny 1st response

I have always enjoyed reading and writing. At preschool when I was young, I was the kid in the corner with a book in her hand at all times. I appreciated the articles by Rose and Raymond, but could not associate with them as a first hand experience. I have always been strong with writing and reading. In my free time, I love to read all kinds of novels. My favorite read of the summer was The Kite Runner, which I enjoyed tremendously, as well as A Mighty Heart. I have recently been very interested in reading novels about the present-day lifestyle of people in the Middle East. I find it very fascinating.

I can see how if you were brought up in a bad neighborhood, or had a learning disability, such as dyslexia, school might be difficult and seem impossible. I would be interested in reading more about this, and personal accounts of people who struggle in school so that I could get a better understanding of how it might feel to struggle with something others find so easy.

First homework response

We begin gaining literacy when we learn the alphabet, right? For me, my first memorable learning experience was with "The Letter People". It was either a show or a series of videos my teacher would show us once or twice a week. Educational entertainment at it's best, I say.

Ann Westrick, my sophomore English instructor (Eng 112) greatly influenced my writing skills. Perhaps I should give some credit to the class in general, but she was wonderful. That class, along with Eng 111, taught me how to set up my papers and write quite effectively. Without either of those classes, I would not be the writer I am today.
-Ashley Ward

Assignment #1

Growing up I hated reading. Homework was a pain and all I wanted to do was play outside and watch T.V. This mentality was changed when a friend of our family gave me a book called The Hobbit. From there literature gave me a great escape from the doldrums of common life. By middle school I was given a structure to my writing and lots of help from wonderful English teachers like Mr. Rose had.
I high school my family moved to a new city during the middle of my Freshman year and it was during that time of melancholy that I discover poetry as an outlet to my feelings. This ability to communicate with written words what I could not say to anyone let me express what was bottled up inside and let me connect with an audience real or imaginary. I didn't mind if no one read my work. I was just glad it was on the written page and could be read someday. I more think that my poetry was a way for me to communicate with myself.

My Experience Gaining Literacy/ Writing Skills

I have had a long exciting journey through out my educational experience gaining an appreication for literacy and learning to write. Gaining literacy, for me, was a process that was lived by many in my school district. Seventy percent of the students in my K-12 school district were not reading at their "grade level". There are many factors that may had contributed to that devestating reality, that is why I can relate to Raymond's article. Before seventh grade, when I became apart of the Silvan program, I was not able to read. Yes I could pronounce words by mean of memorization, however, I could not recall what I had read five minutes after I read it. I remember feeling a sense of inadequecy, unfulfillment and failure. How could I succeed at life if I did not enjoy reading, after all every other comercial or poster in school enphasized the fact that reading was fundamental. After, participating in Silvan's learning program, I began to attain feelings of self pride. That was probably the beginning of my love for english.

My nineth grade year in high schoool, I was fortunate enough to have a teacher who had took her experiences gained throughout college and produced a classroom full of models of structured yet free writing. I felt as though she had given out all the secret that teachers hint at but never give out. I can relate this experience with that of Rose's when he speaks of, "journey up through the top levels of the American educational system will call for support and guidance at many, many points along the way". I had gained so many valid points throughout that class that I have taken with me throughout my college career so far, and I plan to increase and build upon those skills gained on the way.

Posting 1

My writing skills have seen growth and change throughout the past few years of my life. I have found through different experiences and rhetoric that what I write about and how I feel about my writing is usually almost always influenced by my own thoughts and experiences. My mentors and influences have helped me into a better writer from time to time and have shown and taught me a variety of contexts, styles, and methods to try and put to use. I feel that the story excerpts were very helpful and useful examples to use and analyze. I found that the experiences of Rose and Raymond were very closely tied in to the study of rhetoric in this examination of writing especially in conveying feelings and thoughts to the audience. It is always important to consider how you want to tell or say a particular thing or idea when you are writing about something. I feel that proper rhetoric is something that can be successfully used in writing when it is properly exercised. An individual's creativity, rhetoric, and experiences are all certainly impacting factors in effective writing.

-Alex Wiebe

Assignment 1

Through elementary school a child is taught the basics of reading and writing. If learned properly, the learned skills are carried on to the next levels. I was a child who had trouble with reading. I was a good reader, but when the time came to answer the worksheet that followed the readings I was lacking comprehension skills. My teachers realized this quickly. They knew I was reading, but also knew I was answering the questions wrong on the comprehension worksheets. My parents were notified and began working with me at home. My parents were a huge help. They would read with me to make sure that I was actually focusing on my reading instead of just following the words. My teachers also helped me to improve. I would be given readings with questions listed half way through instead of at the end. I began to pay more attention to what I was reading and improved quickly.

Writing seemed to come easy to me. I had a very large imagination and could write quite well. As I went through junior high I had a teacher, Mr. Snyder, who taught the basics of English. I enjoyed that class very much so and Mr. Snyder was my inspiration to become an English teacher at that same grade level. Continuing through high school I enrolled in college English courses. I believe that these few courses I was enrolled in helped immensely. I was taught to write in such an order that an outline was habit to me while to other students, it was a hassle to find an opening statement.

I can relate to David Raymond and Mike Rose in such a manner that we all had some set backs, but were able to defeat the problem, some easier than others, and quickly move on. I am looking forward to becoming an educator so that I can help students such as myself, Raymond, and Rose, to pursue their own dreams and control the minor setbacks they have.

the first person i would have to say that has influenced my reading has been my mother, to this day she reads and ever since i was younger she always has. She would always take me to the book store and that really got me into the habit of reading just by being there. She always has told me to read and that it is good to keep it going for the rest of my life because some people stop reading after they are done with their schooling.

The person who has influenced my writing abilities the most is my high school teacher, Mrs. Kuslits. I had her my junior year, and she challenged me the most to write my best and really think out and analyze my ideas. This is like Rose who was pushed by his teachers to become who he is today. I would never say i am the best writer, i think that i can work on a lot more things and improve, there are habits i still need to get out of. She was the teacher to prepare me the most for college and i really appreciate it. It was not an easy class for me at the time and i did not like it but i learned from it tremendously.

Homework #1: Raymond, Rose, and Laib

I have lived a very hard life while concerning about reading and writing, and like Mr. Mike Rose in his story(as discussed later) and Mr. David Raymond in On Being 17, Bright, and Unable to Read, I have had a difficult time understanding the material in some of my subjects in my courses. Most of my high school was based more on reading where as most of my Associates Degree experience was based more on writing. I beleive that reading and writing are both are important personally and publically in this world.

Throughout my life there have been people who beleived that they were better than I was in some cases in my reading and writing education, and have disrespected me due to my slow responses at times. Some of these people have been my classmates and others have been some teachers and professors. These people's styles of rhetoric constituent areas communication fails to make the memory retrieve unimportant pain rather than to accurately deliver whats really needs to be learned for that subject as what I can occur from Nevin K. Laib's Rhetoric and Style. I felt just as bad as Mr. Raymond, when he was at school too because he needed an extra boost in his academic career in which either the people around him didn't know, or immorally could careless to do.

On the lighter side, there have been people who have helped me through out my life. The person who has really helped me out the most in my writing education was Dr. Mohammed Elanhal. Not only did he check my paper when I was in ENG 112 at Owen State Community College, he also encouraged me to write more than what is required, which really helped me to develop more of a professional trait I use to this day on a daily basis. Which was just like the four people who helped Mr. Rose in Entering the Conversation.

Through out my readings I still have a hard time pin-pointing what's really important. In some books like my Entreprenuerial Finance, I can pin-point what's important because of what the review questions are at the end of the chapters and definitions to the back and through out the book, but in some books that I read there are no helpful guides. Which is hard for me to understand as well as it was for Mr. Raymond and Mr. Rose before they had the extra help.

In conclusion, I do understand that the by some people's cultures are set only to pay attention to the best and ingnore the rest, and if you wanted to become a part of that certain culture, you have to learn what you need to do mainly by yourself. However, you and the society benefit more if you all understand what the "Rhetorical Situation" as discussed in Nevin K. Laib's Rhetoric and Style, is mainly the clear understanding between you and the society.

response to topic 1

As a youth i was always engaged with reading books and writing stories. My mother as well as my religion molded me to become a reader and a writer, activities that i enjoy a lot. I remember in elementry school we used to have weekly reading groups and i recall reading some of the great classics such as Treasure Island, A Wrinkle in Time, The Black Cauldron, and many other books. In the sixth grade that was when i started to write short stories because at the time i wanted to become an author.

I have to agree with Rose when he states in his article when he recieves papers back that state "rewrite", "awkard", or my favorite "does not make sense" without indicating exactly what they want. I can understand his frustrations when it comes to papers and i am sure anyone who has ever written a paper for a teacher can understand that as well.

Response to Assignment 1: Laib, Rose, Raymond

My mother has emphasized the importance of literacy since my early childhood. She read to me everyday and taught me how to understand and use words to expressly communicate with others. She helped me to understand the value of communicating effectively in all aspects in life. I excelled in reading and writing in high school; it was not until after my freshman year of college that I learned to formulate my thoughts in a more structured, academic manner. Although writing came naturally to me, learning to speak the “language of the academy,” referred to by Mike Rose has been much more of a challenge. My first advancement beyond this barrier can be attributed to my ethics professor Spence; he helped me to think of arguments and question different points of view through discussion and logical examination.

Response to Rose and Raymond

After reading the selections from Raymond and Rose, I got to thinking about all the people who have positively effected my skills as a writer. Although I feel that I obtained knowledge and advice from various sources, there are two people that seem to stand out amongst the crowd.

When I was little, my grandmother was the one who really got me into reading. By the time I was in kindergarten, I was reading at a second grade level. Weekly, my mother would take me to the library with a tote bag and tell me to "fill er' up." I would then take my bag full of books over to my grandmother and just sit on her lap while she read to me for hours. I feel that because of her involvement in my reading, it has really helped me to maintain an interest literature. Because I was such an avid reader, my vocabulary expanded and I never really had problems writing papers in school.

The second person to influence my writing was my creative writing teacher in high school. He was a very intelligent man who would grade people not on the accuracy of grammar and the use of proper English, but on the students ability to articulate their thoughts and feelings within their work. I feel that he really helped me to express myself in a more coherent manner, rather then to make sure all of my thoughts and opinions were grammatically correct.

Assigment #1 Response

Some of the first people that shaped my reading and writing skills were my parents. I remember listening to bedtime stories as a little kid every night before I went to bed. I believe that this simple task made me familiar with many words, terms, and sentences that I otherwise would not have been introduced to. Once I entered high school, Mr. Warner, my senior English teacher, really expanded upon the skills that I had been developing throughout my school career. I learned how to critically analyze text and properly compile my thoughts into an argumentative essay. It was my senior year of high school that prepared me for the English classes I have taken thus far in college. While I did learn a few new skills in English 111 and English 112, I feel that most of my writing skills can be credited to my senior English teacher.
Similar to the article written by Rose, my senior English teacher was very willing to help all students with any difficulties. While I often understood the readings we were assigned, I did not always grasp the overall messages of the text. Mr. Warner was able to explain the text and words in a way that I understood. This allowed me to look for deeper meanings within all the readings that I did, not just in English class.

Response to assignment 1

I think that my senior year of high school and my first year of college is where my writing really developed the most. Both of those years I learned a lot in how to develop, organize, and find useful resources for essays. In high school, I was in a tech prep program for education where we had to complete a portfolio with 24 essays in it by the end of the year. If it wasn't for that class I would probably still be in english 111 because we didn't do much writing in any of my english classes in high school. My teacher always took time out of her busy schedule and helped me to understand what was missing in my writing and pushed me to figure out on my own how to correct the mistakes. My instructor for 112 was also very helpful when it came to helping me to further my abilities in writing. He always explained his assignments thoroughly and we studied the material in depth before writing in class to make sure we understood what we were to do. Overall, I think that if it wasn't for those teachers that cared enough to help Raymond, Rose, and myself in our struggles with writing or reading that we probably wouldn't be where we are today.

Response to Laib, Raymond and Rose/ assignment 1

There are many events and people that have influenced my writing over the years. The first person to influence my writing was Mr Stuebner, back in my senior year of high school. This was a college composition class. He introduced me to the different writing styles and how to perfect my writing skills. The second way I was influenced was by the military. This writing was very disciplined and concise. Reports and blotters were very to the point, but with extreme detail. Finally, English 111 and 112 shaped my writing into a cookie cutter fashion. I set up my writing like a math equation. Thesis statement, three points, counter arguement, then conclusion. These method seemed to be followed through both the courses which made them vary boring. Hopefully this course does not follow this model.

First Homework Response: Raymond and Rose

After reading Laib, Raymond, and Rose, reflect on your own experience with gaining literacy. What events, people, or experiences led you to being the writer/reader you are today? In a 1-2 paragraph response, briefly talk about your experience in this area. Try also to connect your experience to either Raymond or Rose's articles.

This post is due by the beginning of class on Wednesday (cutoff: 8:30 am). Also make sure to post a comment to at least one peer's post by this time as well.

Introduction: Elizabeth Fleitz

Hi, my name is Elizabeth and i'm your instructor this semester. I'm a 3rd year Ph.D in Rhetoric and Writing, having just passed my preliminary exam two weeks ago. I also teach English 111 this semester, and have taught both 111 and 112 for the past four years. I got my BS in Education with a focus in Integrated Language Arts Grades 7-12, and then got an MA in Literature. I like school so much I'm still here! I have two more years for this degree, then I'm off to find a full-time teaching job at a university. I'm planning to write my dissertation on cookbooks and how they work as an empowering text for women.

In my free time (what's that?), I like to read, cook, sit out on my balcony with my plants, and check Facebook. (Yes, I fully admit I have an addiction to the website.) I wish I had just one more week of summer, but still I'm excited to be teaching 207 this fall!

See you on Wednesday,
Elizabeth

Joe Mancuso

My name is Joseph Mancuso. I am a senior here at BGSU majoring in Business Administration: Pre-Law. I am also minoring in Geology. Eventually, I would like to be a environmental lawyer. I am from Reno, NV and have high hopes to return there after graduation. I work three jobs and take 15 credit hours so my life is very busy. I look forward to a good semester.

Michelle Chalupa

Hi my name is Michelle Chalupa and I am a senior at Bowling Green State University. I am from Cleveland Ohio and graduated high school from Villa Angela-St Joseph. I am getting ready to graduate in December and cannot wait! I work at Changing Times Hair and Tanning in town so come and visit! My major is IPC and minor in biology. That's about all I have to say for now.

Danni Boyd

Hello, my name is Danni Boyd. I am a senior in IPC and anticitpating graduatation in May. I like working with people, however I have no idea what I want to do after I graduate. For the past year and a half I have been working as a server at Applebees on Dussel Drive in Maumee. I have been a member of Pi Beta Phi since my freshman year, and I am from Mentor, Ohio.

intro to ashley sims

I am 5'2, 19 years old and a sophmore @ BG. This is my first class of the day. My major is Bussiness Pre-Law. I am excited about going to law school in the future and hope to gain writing tools that are essential to doing well in law school in the future. I plan to attend the University of Michigan law school, i am a big fan of Michigan-Go Blue!! English has been my favorite course so far at BG, i hope i can enjoy this one....

Introduction

My name is Ryan Kreischer, I am a senior and a double major IPC and Ethnic Studies. I am very political and racial minded, I am a constant critic of the U.S. Government and of U.S. Media and popular culture. Historical figures that I admire and study are people like Malcolm X, Che Guevara, Emiliano Zapata, and other counter-hegemonic individuals that find problems with Imperialism and racism.

Chris Stewart AS

Hello ENG 207 Class, my name is Chris Stewart, My major is Business Pre-Law and minor Entreprenuership. My AS in my name stands for Associates of Science, at which I graduated at Owens in the Fall of 2006. My main goal in life is to have my education and the student organizations that I have and will join, help me form a fun, relaxing, and lucrative career that will help me pay what is required in my daily life. I am an outgoing person because I believe that the nicer you are to people the farther you will get through life.

Kaye Frye

Hi everyone, my name is Kaye Frye, i am 19 and am a Sophomore here at BGSU. i am from Rochester Hills, Michigan. I am an IPC major with a minor in a business field but i have not decided which one yet. I plan to take on event planning and be an event cordinator someday in the future. I hope to get an intership this summer and continue on that path.

deshon

whats up everybody, my name is deshon bradley and it is a pleasure to meet everyone. I am 27 years old and i am senior this year with a major in liberal studies. I commute daily from Lima, Oh, i have 2 children ages 4 and 1 and i am single. I chose liberal studies because i still have not decided what i want to do after graduation. I am leaning toward becoming a lawyer or a claims adjuster for auto insurance. That is about all i have to say, if you have any questions go ahead and ask.

Christopher Smith --- saulsimeon

Ello... my name is Christopher Smith and I'm a junior. My major is English Education and I transferred to BGSU after getting my associates from a community college. I love music and songwriting. My favorite songwriter is Paul Simon.

Introduction to Alex Wiebe

My name is Alex Wiebe and I am a Junior at BGSU. I am pursuing a major in Interpersonal Communications with a minor in Film. I am currently employed at the University bookstore. I am originally from Paulding, Ohio. I enjoy college very much and look forward to what the future holds from this point in my career and beyond.

Introduction to Jeff Behanic

Hi, I am Jeff Behanic, am currently a junior and am a creative writing major. I enjoy reading, sports and watching movies. I also enjoy listening to music. Some of my favorite bands are the Beatles, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Metallica, Switchfoot and My Chemical Romance. I live in Ashland, Ohio which is about two and a half hours south of here and graduated from Hilllsdale High School.

Erin Favor

Hi! My name is Erin Favor. My username is ErinF. I am from Findlay, Ohio. I am a senior and in my last year at BG. I am a business Pre-Law and Marketing Major. I plan on attending Law School next year to pursue a career in the legal field. I am undecided regarding exactly what I would like to do within the field of law. It is nice to meet everyone.

Heather Shoenleben

Hi, I am Heather Shoenleben from Greenville, Ohio. I am currently a sophomore and I am majoring in AYA Integrated Language Arts. After I recieve my bachelor's degree in that I want to master in Administration. This past summer I held two jobs and when I actually had a day off I spent my time with my friends. I aslo have one brother who is going to be a senior in high school.

Dan Macon - First Rainy Day

Hello my name is Dan Macon. I am a senior here at Bowling Green. I am a Telecommunications major. One interesting fact about me is that I play football for the University. This is my last semester and season here, and I am really excited to end it on a great note!

-Dan

Intro to Eng 207

Hi, Im Sarah Mabe, a sophomore business student here at BG. I am interested in pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Management, with a minor in English. I am involved in the Alpha Phi sorority and I am a UAO director on campus. Im from a small town outside of Dayton called Beavercreek, but was born in Lima, Ohio. I look forward to getting to know you all this year!!

Ashley Ward!

Hey guys, I'm Ashley. I'm a junior (sort of) and an Interpersonal Communication major. I'm from all over Ohio and Michigan, but mostly Toledo. What else? I work part time at a bakery here in town. It's pretty sweet. Ha. I'm looking forward to this class and meeting the rest of you!
-Ash

Introduction Cassie Dzienny

My name is Cassie. I am an IPC major with a entrepreneurship minor. I am a senior this year. I live in Bowling Green, but I commute to Toledo everyday because I own a dance studio there. I am in my third year of business and have 103 students. After college, I plan on continuing to build the business.

Julie Pierce

Hello, my name is Julia Pierce. I am a freshman and am majoring in Secondary Education. This is a new experience for me and I'm excited to see what is in store. I am from Troy, OH and attended Troy High School. I also was enrolled in a PSEO program which allowed me to take college courses at a local community college called Edison State Community College. I played varsity soccer for four years in high school and was involved in many other soccer clubs. I also played softball, basketball, and was in Key Club. I love animals and my favorite color is blue. I have an older brother and twin brother who both attend Wright State and an older sister who lives in Chicago and attends a portfolio school there. Hopefully I get to know you all and have a great semester.

Keving1981

My name is Kevin Gormish. I am a senior and my major is IPC with a minor in Criminal Justice. I joined the United Sates Air Force upon finishing high school. My occupation was military police(MP), I was stationed in Las Vegas for a year and Germany for three years. If there are any questions contact me...

Hello and Welcome

Welcome to our class weblog! If you're here, that means you've followed the instructions correctly--thanks. This site is where we'll be posting responses to homework readings and extending our class discussions. To use this site effectively, I expect you to:

1) Post your responses in a timely manner (they are due by class time--no later), preferably earlier than class time so people have time to read your response.

2) Visit this site frequently to see other's responses and gain perspective on alternative and similar viewpoints.

Thanks and let's have a good semester!

--Elizabeth