Source Evaluation
Brown, Archie. The Rise And Fall Of Communism. Ecco,
2009. Print.
The Rise And Fall Of Communism is a book that I found at Yavapai college library. Since I chose communism as my topic; I wanted to get information on this subject so I could better understand Atwood story, The Handmaid’s Tale. The Rise And Fall Of Communism is a book about how communism started and what counties still live in communism.
“communism." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2010.
Merriam-Webster Online. 21 July 2010
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communism
I chose this website as a source because I needed a definition of communism for my research paper. This site seems to be a creditable site because it is well known and it cites its information.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Outside Project
Wilson 1
Kelly Wilson
Darrow
Summer, English 102
July 17, 2010
Biography of Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood was born November 18, 1939 in Ottawa, Ontario. “Margaret grew up in Northern Ottawa, her father was an entomologist (insect scientist). Atwood began writing at the age of six but didn’t start pursue writing, as a career, till she was sixteen.”(Encyclopedia Of World Biography) In an interview by Linda Richards of January Magazine Atwood was asked, “Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?” Atwood replies,
No, I didn't. I knew from the age of 16, but before that, no. I did write the way most children write. As quite a young child I wrote. But then I didn't. For years. I had no interest in it. I read a lot, but I never thought I would be a writer. From about the ages of, say, seven to 16. I had other interests. At 16 I just started writing. Don't ask me why. I don't know. Looking back, you could say I always read. I always read a lot. I read voraciously. But I did not in my mind translate that voracious reading into writing.
“She received her bachelor’s degree in 1961 and then began getting her master’s
Wilson 2
degree at Radcliff College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1962. Atwood also studied at Harvard University in Cambridge, from 1962 to 1963 and from 1965 to1967.” (MargaretAtwood.com)
Another question that was asked by Linda Richards was: “So you’re a good speller, or you’re not a good speller?” Atwood replies,
I was not a good speller. I'm a better speller now, but I'm still... [Shrugs]. A lot of writers are like that. They hear words but they don't necessarily see them. I wasn't an atrocious speller, but I made enough mistakes that it took my mark down. My mother said: If you want to be a writer, maybe you should learn to spell. [Laughs] And I said: Others will do that for me. And they do. Either it's the real person editor, or it's the little man hiding in the computer who comes out and waves his hands at you and underlines your things with squiggly lines.
I find this interesting, I’m a terrible speller and I’ve always thought a good writer needs to be good at spelling. Obviously this isn’t the case for this award winning writer.
Margaret has stayed quite busy throughout her career, she has done teaching, writing scripts for films and television, and giving lectures at Universities; all while writing her books. “Though her writing career, Margaret Atwood has received numerous
awards and honorary degrees.“ (MargaretAtwood.com) She has written many novels,
Wilson 3
poetry, and children’s books. According to her website, “Margaret is best known for her novels, which include The Edible Woman (1970), The Handmaid’s Tale (1983), The
Robber Bride (1996), and The Blind Assassin, which one the prestigious Booker Prize in
2000.”
The Handmaids Tale is the only book I’ve read from Margaret Atwood. This story is about a handmaid name Offred that lives in the Republic of Gilead. She lives in the house of the Commander and his wife during a time of declining births. Offred’s job as a handmaid is to become pregnant by the Commander. Remembering back in time when things used to be normal, when she had a husband and daughter. Once a month Offred must lay down for the Commander and pray that she will become pregnant so that she can regain her freedom.
This is a dark and twisted story. It leaves you asking question and keeps the reader intrigued. I decide to do a biography of Margaret Atwood since we have been reading her book “The Handmaids Tale” for this class. Doing this biography on Atwood has made me better understand her writing. She is very intelligent artist and has a lot of writing experience. This book is different then any of the other books I’ve read and one of the most difficult. Atwood has a unique way of writing and I have really enjoyed reading her book.
Works Cited
Atwood, Margaret. “The Handmaid’s Tale” New York. April 1998. Print.
Encyclopedia Of World Biography. “Margaret Atwood“. 2010. Web. 20 July.2010.
http://www.notablebiographies.com/An-Ba/Atwood-Margaret.html
“http;// margaretatwood.ca/” Biography. Web. 20 July. 2010.
http://margaretatwood.ca/bio.php
Richard, Linda. January Magazine. Nov. 2000. Web. 20 July.2010
http://januarymagazine.com/profiles/atwood.html
Kelly Wilson
Darrow
Summer, English 102
July 17, 2010
Biography of Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood was born November 18, 1939 in Ottawa, Ontario. “Margaret grew up in Northern Ottawa, her father was an entomologist (insect scientist). Atwood began writing at the age of six but didn’t start pursue writing, as a career, till she was sixteen.”(Encyclopedia Of World Biography) In an interview by Linda Richards of January Magazine Atwood was asked, “Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?” Atwood replies,
No, I didn't. I knew from the age of 16, but before that, no. I did write the way most children write. As quite a young child I wrote. But then I didn't. For years. I had no interest in it. I read a lot, but I never thought I would be a writer. From about the ages of, say, seven to 16. I had other interests. At 16 I just started writing. Don't ask me why. I don't know. Looking back, you could say I always read. I always read a lot. I read voraciously. But I did not in my mind translate that voracious reading into writing.
“She received her bachelor’s degree in 1961 and then began getting her master’s
Wilson 2
degree at Radcliff College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1962. Atwood also studied at Harvard University in Cambridge, from 1962 to 1963 and from 1965 to1967.” (MargaretAtwood.com)
Another question that was asked by Linda Richards was: “So you’re a good speller, or you’re not a good speller?” Atwood replies,
I was not a good speller. I'm a better speller now, but I'm still... [Shrugs]. A lot of writers are like that. They hear words but they don't necessarily see them. I wasn't an atrocious speller, but I made enough mistakes that it took my mark down. My mother said: If you want to be a writer, maybe you should learn to spell. [Laughs] And I said: Others will do that for me. And they do. Either it's the real person editor, or it's the little man hiding in the computer who comes out and waves his hands at you and underlines your things with squiggly lines.
I find this interesting, I’m a terrible speller and I’ve always thought a good writer needs to be good at spelling. Obviously this isn’t the case for this award winning writer.
Margaret has stayed quite busy throughout her career, she has done teaching, writing scripts for films and television, and giving lectures at Universities; all while writing her books. “Though her writing career, Margaret Atwood has received numerous
awards and honorary degrees.“ (MargaretAtwood.com) She has written many novels,
Wilson 3
poetry, and children’s books. According to her website, “Margaret is best known for her novels, which include The Edible Woman (1970), The Handmaid’s Tale (1983), The
Robber Bride (1996), and The Blind Assassin, which one the prestigious Booker Prize in
2000.”
The Handmaids Tale is the only book I’ve read from Margaret Atwood. This story is about a handmaid name Offred that lives in the Republic of Gilead. She lives in the house of the Commander and his wife during a time of declining births. Offred’s job as a handmaid is to become pregnant by the Commander. Remembering back in time when things used to be normal, when she had a husband and daughter. Once a month Offred must lay down for the Commander and pray that she will become pregnant so that she can regain her freedom.
This is a dark and twisted story. It leaves you asking question and keeps the reader intrigued. I decide to do a biography of Margaret Atwood since we have been reading her book “The Handmaids Tale” for this class. Doing this biography on Atwood has made me better understand her writing. She is very intelligent artist and has a lot of writing experience. This book is different then any of the other books I’ve read and one of the most difficult. Atwood has a unique way of writing and I have really enjoyed reading her book.
Works Cited
Atwood, Margaret. “The Handmaid’s Tale” New York. April 1998. Print.
Encyclopedia Of World Biography. “Margaret Atwood“. 2010. Web. 20 July.2010.
http://www.notablebiographies.com/An-Ba/Atwood-Margaret.html
“http;// margaretatwood.ca/” Biography. Web. 20 July. 2010.
http://margaretatwood.ca/bio.php
Richard, Linda. January Magazine. Nov. 2000. Web. 20 July.2010
http://januarymagazine.com/profiles/atwood.html
Friday, July 16, 2010
Research Proposal
Research Proposal
For Essay #3 I would like to get a better understanding of communism. Since Atwood’s book seems to be about a communistic time in the future, I would like learn more about it. Where did communism come from? Is all communism the same? What is the purpose of communism? What countries still live with communism? These are some of the questions I would like to learn more about.
I plan on finding my information online and at our local library. The library is a good way to find a more creditable source, rather then the internet if you ask my opinion. Sometimes online sources can give false information and you really have to be careful. I’m still not comfortable with research papers. I have a hard time with all the different rules to avoiding plagiarism and I’m sure I will be spending quite a bit of time in the tutoring center. However; I’m open and excited to learn.
The reason I picked communize for my research topic is because Atwood’s book seems very similar to communism. It seems like everybody has a role and they lack any kind of freedom. Picking this topic will help me better understand the depth of the lack of freedom Offred has. Her only purpose in life is to procreate. She has absolutely no choice and is constantly living in fear. I believe that’s how communism is but I’m not really familiar with it and so that is why I chose communism as my research topic.
For Essay #3 I would like to get a better understanding of communism. Since Atwood’s book seems to be about a communistic time in the future, I would like learn more about it. Where did communism come from? Is all communism the same? What is the purpose of communism? What countries still live with communism? These are some of the questions I would like to learn more about.
I plan on finding my information online and at our local library. The library is a good way to find a more creditable source, rather then the internet if you ask my opinion. Sometimes online sources can give false information and you really have to be careful. I’m still not comfortable with research papers. I have a hard time with all the different rules to avoiding plagiarism and I’m sure I will be spending quite a bit of time in the tutoring center. However; I’m open and excited to learn.
The reason I picked communize for my research topic is because Atwood’s book seems very similar to communism. It seems like everybody has a role and they lack any kind of freedom. Picking this topic will help me better understand the depth of the lack of freedom Offred has. Her only purpose in life is to procreate. She has absolutely no choice and is constantly living in fear. I believe that’s how communism is but I’m not really familiar with it and so that is why I chose communism as my research topic.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Identify the weak thesis statement:
1.
a. I’m going to write about Darwin’s concerns with evolution in The Origin of the Species.
-Or-
b. Darwin’s concern with survival of the fittest in The Origin of the Species leads him to neglect a potentially conflicting aspect of his theory of evolution-survival as a matter of interdependence.
(a) Is the weak thesis statement. It’s a statement, but not one that can be argued.
2.
a. An important part of one’s college education is learning to better understand others’ points of view.
-Or-
b. Although an important part of one’s college education is learning to better understand others’ points of view a persistent danger is that the students will simply be required to substitute the teacher’s answers for the ones they grew up uncritically believing.
(a) Is the weak thesis statement. Again sentence (a) cannot be argued; it makes no claim, and is an obvious true statement.
3.
a. By inventing terms, such as “loose fit” and “relaxed fit”, the jean industry has attempted to normalize, even glorify, its product for an older and fatter generation.
-Or-
b. The jeans industry targets its advertisements to appeal to young adults.
(b) Is the weaker thesis statement out of the two sentences. It’s an obvious true statement and it’s not original.
4.
a. Othello is a play about love and jealousy.
-Or-
b. Although Othello appears to attack jealousy, it also supports the skepticism of the jealous characters over the naïvete of the lovers.
(a) Is the weaker thesis statement. It is more like a summary of the play. It has no opinion and is not arguable.
5.
a. The songs of the punk rock group Minor Threat relate to the Feelings of individuals who dare to be different. Their songs are just composed of pure emotion. Pure emotion is very important in music, because it serves as a vehicle to convey the important message of individuality. Minor Threat’s songs are meaningful to me because I can identify with them.
-Or-
b. The punk rock group Minor Threat uses emotional lyrics to appeal to their target audience, which considers itself individualistic and therefore the lyrics must convey a message of individuality.
(a.) Is the weaker thesis statement. It’s not asking a question and it’s more like a summary.
-My Question and My Answer-
What is this story really about, in your perspective?
This story is about communism and sexism. A time when each individual has a specific position and is expected to follow that role. Woman are treated badly as if there only reason for being is to procreate.
-My thesis statement-
Atwood’s book is a twisted tale about the life of a woman during a communistic time.
My thesis statement is strong because it is arguable and yet I can support my theory with evidence from the text.
1.
a. I’m going to write about Darwin’s concerns with evolution in The Origin of the Species.
-Or-
b. Darwin’s concern with survival of the fittest in The Origin of the Species leads him to neglect a potentially conflicting aspect of his theory of evolution-survival as a matter of interdependence.
(a) Is the weak thesis statement. It’s a statement, but not one that can be argued.
2.
a. An important part of one’s college education is learning to better understand others’ points of view.
-Or-
b. Although an important part of one’s college education is learning to better understand others’ points of view a persistent danger is that the students will simply be required to substitute the teacher’s answers for the ones they grew up uncritically believing.
(a) Is the weak thesis statement. Again sentence (a) cannot be argued; it makes no claim, and is an obvious true statement.
3.
a. By inventing terms, such as “loose fit” and “relaxed fit”, the jean industry has attempted to normalize, even glorify, its product for an older and fatter generation.
-Or-
b. The jeans industry targets its advertisements to appeal to young adults.
(b) Is the weaker thesis statement out of the two sentences. It’s an obvious true statement and it’s not original.
4.
a. Othello is a play about love and jealousy.
-Or-
b. Although Othello appears to attack jealousy, it also supports the skepticism of the jealous characters over the naïvete of the lovers.
(a) Is the weaker thesis statement. It is more like a summary of the play. It has no opinion and is not arguable.
5.
a. The songs of the punk rock group Minor Threat relate to the Feelings of individuals who dare to be different. Their songs are just composed of pure emotion. Pure emotion is very important in music, because it serves as a vehicle to convey the important message of individuality. Minor Threat’s songs are meaningful to me because I can identify with them.
-Or-
b. The punk rock group Minor Threat uses emotional lyrics to appeal to their target audience, which considers itself individualistic and therefore the lyrics must convey a message of individuality.
(a.) Is the weaker thesis statement. It’s not asking a question and it’s more like a summary.
-My Question and My Answer-
What is this story really about, in your perspective?
This story is about communism and sexism. A time when each individual has a specific position and is expected to follow that role. Woman are treated badly as if there only reason for being is to procreate.
-My thesis statement-
Atwood’s book is a twisted tale about the life of a woman during a communistic time.
My thesis statement is strong because it is arguable and yet I can support my theory with evidence from the text.
Friday, July 9, 2010
To whom it may concern,
This semester has been a challenge for me. Being a young widow; I find it hard finishing my assignments, while still having time to spend with my kids. English has never been an easy subject for me. I have a lot of good ideas but writing them down in an organized way is difficult for me to do. I have so much to say but struggle with getting my point across clearly. The biggest challenge has been learning all the new technology. Figuring out how to do the homework on the computer takes up a lot of my homework time. Now that the semester is halfway over, I feel that I have finally got that down.
Reading has always been a hobby of mine. I really enjoy reading, however, I usually only read books with stories that I can relate to. The stories we have been reading in class are not something I would choose to read for enjoyment. Poetry, for instance, has never been something I’ve liked reading, it’s an art I’ve never acquired. This was the first time in college that I have had to do anything with poetry, so analyzing poetry was a new experience. In the past I took a critical reading class and I think it helped prepare me for English 102.
My goal for this semester is to improve my over all writing skills. I would like to be able to use correct punctuation, improve my vocabulary, and spelling. Writing is very important, it is an essential tool, and is a critical way of expressing yourself. Now a days, with the new technology such as; E-mails, Blogs, and Facebook; writing is being used more to communicate. Writing has never been something that I am good at and has never been easy for me. Already I feel more comfortable with writing, due to taking this class, and I’m excited to continue to learn more throughout the second half of this semester.
Sincerely,
Kelly Wilson
This semester has been a challenge for me. Being a young widow; I find it hard finishing my assignments, while still having time to spend with my kids. English has never been an easy subject for me. I have a lot of good ideas but writing them down in an organized way is difficult for me to do. I have so much to say but struggle with getting my point across clearly. The biggest challenge has been learning all the new technology. Figuring out how to do the homework on the computer takes up a lot of my homework time. Now that the semester is halfway over, I feel that I have finally got that down.
Reading has always been a hobby of mine. I really enjoy reading, however, I usually only read books with stories that I can relate to. The stories we have been reading in class are not something I would choose to read for enjoyment. Poetry, for instance, has never been something I’ve liked reading, it’s an art I’ve never acquired. This was the first time in college that I have had to do anything with poetry, so analyzing poetry was a new experience. In the past I took a critical reading class and I think it helped prepare me for English 102.
My goal for this semester is to improve my over all writing skills. I would like to be able to use correct punctuation, improve my vocabulary, and spelling. Writing is very important, it is an essential tool, and is a critical way of expressing yourself. Now a days, with the new technology such as; E-mails, Blogs, and Facebook; writing is being used more to communicate. Writing has never been something that I am good at and has never been easy for me. Already I feel more comfortable with writing, due to taking this class, and I’m excited to continue to learn more throughout the second half of this semester.
Sincerely,
Kelly Wilson
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