Lesson 15: The Final Word

The Instructor asked me to write a business letter and post it here.

I choose to write this letter to the Program Director where I work at. The Resume did not fit here, So I hope This is the result of my work with the help of my dear Doris:
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Fairbanks Native Association, Head Start
Mailing Address: 605 Hughes Avenue, Suite 100,
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Physical Address: 320 Second Avenue
Phone: (907) 456-4989
E-mail: epacevedo@fairbanksnative.org

September 11, 2010

Mary Willey
Head Start Program Director
320 Second Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701

Dear Mrs. Willey:

I am writing to you as part of a requirement for my English Class. Enclosed is a copy of my resume that details my academic qualifications and practical experience. This letter has the informational purpose of describing my accomplishments during my educational career.

As I have mentioned, I am currently enrolled in an English Class. It has been very challenging for me, as English is my second language. I have learned how to write outlines, reports, and business letters. In the coming semester I am taking Positive Social Development, Child Development, Inclusion of Children with Special Needs, and Screening, Assessment and Recording. I am close to completing my A.S.S in Early Childhood Education, and my aspiration is to continue until I earn my Bachelors’ Degree in Child Development and Family Services.

Working in FNA Head Start has opened many doors that have been part of my educational goals.
Thank you, Mrs. Willey, for sharing your experience, and your passion for the Program. The personal conversations that we have had have allowed me to value even more the strengths and weaknesses I have. I truly appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the Head Start Program. It has been one of the better experiences of my whole life. A new year as an Assistant Teacher start I am sure that new challenges and rewards will come.

I hope that you will see the effects of my education in enhancing my capability as an employee serving the children and their families in the Fairbanks Community

It is a pleasure to be part of this FNA Head Start Family.

Sincerely,

Erika P. Acevedo
Assistant Teacher, PM2

Enc.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is my resume. I was not able to published without losing its margin properties, so I decide to perform a screen capture and upload it as a PNG file.

The business letter as my last works from lesson 14 and 15 have been carefully revised with my friend Doris who is a very smart lady. She have experience in business writing. She is a Business Lady.

I am happy =), tired, and excited. I know my blog is not the best but is me, who I am.

Thank you all who read my post, and Romina for the opportunity of keep working with me to complete this course.

God Bless you all =)

Erika

What I wish I have done differently while working in my paper?

I wish I have better organizational skills to complete my task on time, and to have some one's support at home in those moments when the sensation of failure embrace me.
I wish I have more confidence to let my thought flow without the fear of being criticize.
I wish I asked someone from the beginning to the class to help me reading my papers when I knew that the writing center was not in my choices while working in my paper because my busy lifestyle.
And finally I wish to take this class before, because it was one of the better experiences that put me trough many experiences that build up not only my writing skills as ESL student but also show me that challenges have lots of positives than negatives, and that all the effort, tears, and struggle have a wonderful rewards when the course is over and the grade is good as you deserve it.
Thank you all the people who do not let me go down hill and cheer me up when I was about to giving up myself. God Bless you all.

I Can Believe I am Almost Done yayyyy

I am so happy that this class is getting close to the end for me. My instructor give so much support and encouragement each time I was feeling stuck, hopeless, and quite dumb, she plays important part to avoid any idea of giving up. To be honest, every time I send an assignment my nerves abandoned me but the feedbacks were always helpful to me.
When the lesson became even more challenging for this ESL Adult Who struggle with English (hehehe), I decide to use it as my final essay. What a great and rich experience to use as the blueprint of my research work. However, having the difficulties with the language it is not the end of my obstacles. I have had to figure out how to do all my papers, take care of my developmentally delayed twins, my professional enhancement, work trainings, and fighting against emotional-mental up’s and down’s. My instructor understand my strengths and weaknesses while writing a paper, she told me that not only ESL students fails in writing a paper. Many Native Speakers also have problems writing a paper. The date to complete the course was August 6, and here I am all devastated and having a panic attack because of the fear of loosing my grant that is paying for my schooling. All of the sudden the world was grounding me into a fine powder, and nothing could help me to feel better at that moment except for my babies.

I cried so many times when my schedule did not allow me to visit the Writing Center then, I find couple classmates who offer their help to read my papers, and one family member from my ex side offers help also. My instructors name is Romina =). She told me that I can apply for an Incomplete that will give me an extension to complete my course. At that moment everything came back to normal, so I start serious changes in my life that were bothering me.
Cherie is the name of my classmate who after an awful accident still helping me in couple assignments. I stop asking as soon she comments that she wasn’t feeling really well so why bother. The other person’s name is Doris, she is my friend since I married my babies’ daddy, and she is an excellent professional, I remember she helped me with a paper long time ago. I did not ask her from the beginning of the course because she was working driving one of the Princess Hotel Tourist Bus around as needed, and I developed an ugly anxiety that goes along with my impatience.
Doris is been there when I felt down, cried, achieve, and pursue any dream since I moved here in Alaska. She can be deadly honest, but she is not rude at all. It helps me so much in many ways. I can say that she trains me to digest and accept positive criticism without getting into victim mode. Sound quite dramatic but heck that’s my life and I am darn proud of my stubbornness and dedication when I choose something especially when that something is to better myself in all aspects of my life.
The funny part is that Doris started to help my with this Academic Writing class exactly in the process of lesson 11 ha ha. But is never later I need her in this last lesson badly, because they are the finals and hardest for me as writer. I am confident that the paper will turn out just perfect at least for me. I am aware even with Doris assistance, my paper will not be 100% the best, and I only want a good grade and the satisfaction of completing my course before September 13.
Whoever is reading my post might say; why is she thinking that we care about all this personal details? TMI. My answer to this question is that I am following my thoughts and emotions to be who I am, to write and say what I feel, and to feel get what I want. Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. Is your as my blog title said is to be in touch with the world not to presume be the best of the best. I am just a simple person sharing learning experiences through my college class that feed my personal life with outstanding outcomes.

Lesson 12 MLA Exercises

My instructor requested to do some plagiarism exercises since we are so close to the end of this course.
I fail by reading too fast, and impatient, then I read carefully and my score were 100% both.
this is my scores.

I have learned once again my impatience is my worse enemy; otherwise, I did just fine and also without excuses I did learn more with this exercises that let me see what i shouldn't do in my papers =0)

Lesson 11: My Experience summaring the readings.

When I elaborated my first annotated bibliography, I ignored some sources because the length of them. I never thought that they actually are the best sources I ever read for my personal benefit; and my paper at the same time. My thesis is focused in the ESL student point of view; however, after studying this extends documents I realize that the teachers also learn, and go through a lot of work that will reflect in their dynamics in class. Once I complete my reading, I start my writing work. I went back to study in detail what I have done before sending my homework at Blackboard. And I will like to share what I find out.First the thesis; I believe that my original thesis is very large for the pro‘s and con‘s because clauses: Many immigrants who come with a dream to become self-sufficient might be able to attend college classes; however, this stage of their life can be harsh and bitter as an ESL student. Taking classes to earn a specific degree plus English itself have been delaying due dates for important assignments that generate stress and frustration. In addition, some other ESL might not been so dedicated and expect the instructor to do their assignments with the premise of not knowing how to put it on writing, and other students who really need the help might be neglected. Next, I brain storm, review and edit many times and this also helps me to simplify the content of my writing resulting what I believe is a more concise thesis for this type of outline: Many immigrants who attend college as an ESL student are in a learning stage of their life that may or may not result constructive… (Then I wrote the pro’s and con’s because clauses.) I am not saying that I change my mind of what I wrote as thesis. To be honest if someone else beside my friend were reading my paper with this long thesis for an outline, is possible to get confuse and wonder what I really meant with in this large paragraph. I might have errors in the wording or structure of the paper but I will only know as soon as the instructor sends back to me the feedback of lesson 11; hopefully, will be fine. Finally I found out that I miss one piece to the lesson the summaries. GREAT HUH!
What I was thinking? This lesson is all about summaries and I let myself stress out to the point of forgetting about it. Actually I send it to my instructor, and I wonder what the score would be? Is very important to be organized and try your best to stick with the planning and goal of the class. The closest to the end of it, the worse get your stress, worries. I am trying my best to not let these emotions to take over me because if I lose control of them I will end doing nothing but failing by neglecting my assignments, is best to have some sort of grade than a C for not showing any effort.

Lesson 10 What to write about hmmm?

Free writing yeah…I am getting close to complete my course; my summer session at campus is over. This is one of the craziest summers I ever had in my whole life. Normally I play softball, travel out of town for state tournaments and more. I use to work in a different environment and I was not happy. Suddenly a 360 degrees turn took place in my personal life that bring mix feelings such as stress, pride, fear, threat, hope, confidence, peace, and happiness.
From all the things I have learned this semester, dedication and love for what you are studying is the key of success in your future career. I am humble, thankful, and very emotional for all these A’s, I also have C’s but for me this is good regardless. I work hard, cried, and stay long hours working on my assignments for each of my classes because all of them are meaningful to me. Academic Writing is been the hardest for me, each time the instructor’s corrections comes to me I also laugh. Wow without noticing I make mistakes like writing been when I want to write being, and so for. I feel sad when I cannot meet my goals but I never give up. This is my thank you note to God, and each of the people, teachers, and co-students who help me out in my educational career. This is a difficult journey that I been slowly conquering with a smile and gratitude far away from my natal Ecuador. Dreams sometimes come true; it is up to you and one more thing… Love you all “because my thankful heart is happy heart” (Veggie Tales song about the real meaning of love-my little ones love it too)

Research Paper: Confidence or threat by

This prompt offers two positions concerning the research paper:
Why am I feeling threathened by this research paper (if you are)? or Why am I feeling confident about this research paper?

I am very confident because I am writing a personal situation as an Adult ESL Student in College facing many obstacles and at the same time gaining many good experiences that is expanding my vocabulary, knowledge, and other qualities that I need to achieve.
However, the threat is there around the corner when the researching takes long hours that detracted me from other obligations. Scares me just to waste my time in some articles that are not good evidence to support my claim, but I am very happy because I found myself learning more and more. I am very happy with my progress.

What do I need outside help with?

I found a friend who is reading my papers. I can get an advice of what should be avoid of any other corrections. The person who is helping me is a nice lady who shared a Biology class with me and she is also studying to become an Elementary Education she represent an extra opinion, no someone who is writing for me, she is a caring friend who trust me and is also pushing me to become a better writer.

What else do I still need to do?

Lesson 9 was annotated bibliography.I submit 10 sources, four were images. The cartoon was my favorite and is very funny. The previous lesson is already submitted and waiting for grading. I am currently working in lesson 11, I must research a little bit more so I can write a summary of extra sources.

Lesson 8- promt three: Is your thesis weak?

I believe is good but I might consider some revision. Remember that I mentioned before that my essay is about ESL students? Well on the top of my head I do not recall what was written or how it looks like.
Our instructor asked to complete an exercise about Thesis Statements from Writer's Handbook site.
My score was 90%.
I did it twice though lol...lucky me the server was failing so i haven't the chance to save the previous score. So i had to start all over again and that's how i got a 90%.
Why lie? I am good but not that excellent lol.
Only one more thing to add, I am so proud of myself by working this class so hard and trying to met the deadlines.
My instructor is very supportive and by now i think I have stopped apologyzing when something goes wrong.
Have a happy lesson 9 :)

Borrowing an image as a visual that can fit with my thesis.

This is the second prompt from my post assignment of lesson 8. My topic is concerning ESL College Students who struggle while going through an educational career mixed with stress, tension, and current life responsibilities. Why this topic? I am having a battling with my own demons and fears. For example, when I find out some writings are not accurate that raise some insecurity as a worker leading my confidence to abandon me. For other individuals who are English native speakers this could be considered as dumb;However, it is real life situation. Sometimes I think: God take my brain away, wash it and reset it so I can update myself without neglecting my life. This is a twist of sarcasm aiming to amuse my readers as well. Now in my research work, I was goggleing and review many of the results Sara Haley talks about What You Can Do When Overwhelmed at her blog "A Sharing Connection". Her post is very interesting and helpful, from her tips the one I identified myself as the one difficulty to achieve is saying NO, and just loved Larson’s Cartoon. I agreed with the statement because is really hard but so necessary sometimes. I wrote to her just today while preparing this post, and hopefully she will know that I am requesting/linking her post in my essay journey. Finally I just can add that I hope you enjoy Sara’s tips to avoid the feeling of quitting when things get tough and hairy.

"Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt." Image and Essay Review.

Our instructor has request to review, read and annotate any image of the Essay from the Anthology Rereading America: Cultural Context for Critical Thinking and Writing. This is one lesson I have enjoyed the must until my first love; Advertising and Marketing become under the microscope when the persuasion shift to perversion.
Jean Kilbourne have compile and argue about how sexuality is used as the best shot to increase sales and clientele. First the devaluation of the dignity and the permissive violence toward women is simply disgusting.
Second, a societal right of men over women that turn female population responsible from all bad, dirty, and nasty things even get killed because we are or we want to be (as I will say) daredevils.
Third, no matter our age we still been the instigators of sexual harassment, child molesting, and even rape; a pathetic thinking but a cruel reality.
Oh how sad is to see brilliant minds hungry for fame and money go for the easy idea just because the audience like it! For example, from the images of this essay all are repulsive sweet talking with romance, fun, and sensuality; however, we can put them in scales of offensiveness based in the content, implicit message, and visual connotation.
In page 418, my first disappointment is an advertisement where the elements show a messy bed, with three ties, one rose on the white bedding and some sort of feminine bag to the right side of the bed. Next the label said is ok to go adventurous and do whatever it takes just to have some pleasure for one night. At first, my annotations were: "This promotes sugar talking and trickery to get sexual reward, also give to men the right to lie to women as some type of nice strategy to achieve an one night stand"... Now that I review the image is suggesting that an orgy is just fun. Why? Three ties from three men, and only one feminine bag, plus the legend of the advertising itself , one more time "The right Lie can make even the most casual evening more memorable."
This is just a piece of this disastrous art, why the talent of illustrators, photographers, creative writers, and marketing savvies just sale their soul to the devil that in this case is money making and prestige.
We are grown up, our mature mentality can handle these subliminal messages but what about our youngsters, we are creating a manual of how to be a pervert, how to get what we want from the opposite sex where no is just the first step of a nice cruel adventure until a successful forceful intimacy occurs. Gender wise is also a competition of who is the dominant sex.
Who is responsible for this huge mess, we might never know. Hopefully, we can find a way to do things right, no man or woman have the right to deceive, abuse or mistreat the opposite gender. My humble but raw opinion is not trying to offend no one. This is just my trail of thought concerning something I live and learn in my past. I study Advertising and Marketing, I am a natural illustrator, a creative writer, an intermediate graphic designer. I have worked in the field back home in small but successful Advertising Companies and I never saw things like I see it now. I guess is time to wake up and do my best to be an open minded role model.
Sometimes a feeling of being in the wrong era or the wrong planet posses me, I just don't get it, and is nothing that I can do to change the rest of the world perception of things but I can do something else, teach my own children and the ones I borrow at my work (as a Early Intervention Teacher) that is something called dignity, respect, and morality. I am not an angel but I do have feelings and love for humanity; I will hate to see my little girl or boy or my other little ones become the Target or oppressors of this malevolent generation where sex is the best way to enjoy, survive, and experiment life.

Audience prompt three:

What value does each of your sources have to your audience?

Work Cited

Anyon, Jean. “From Social Class and Hidden Curriculum of Work.” Rereading America:
Cultural Content for Critical Thinking and Writing. 7th ed. Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007. 173-89.Print.The first source provides information of a series of studies on 5 different schools that shows differences of the quality of education according with class stratus. The work class schools were the least to show Developmental Appropriated Practice among children.

“Education Summit.” Department of Education and Early Intervention. State of Alaska, n.d. Web. 7 July 2010. The second source tell us about the ongoing work the Department of Education and Early Intervention have done so far to guaranty the quality of the education in Alaska with the goal of having a lower rate in the drop off and increase the numbers of students who will continue College Education that will also improve the future economy of the State by having qualified professionals as the leaders of tomorrow.

Ongtooguk, Paul. “Their Silence About Us: Why We Need an Alaska Native Curriculum.” Alaskool.org. Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, n.d. Web. 23 Aug. 2010.The third source is a web site with native based curricula applied to the need of native, and non- students. New teachers who are not familiar with the values and traditions will not connect or build bonds of respect and closeness. Is a good source for parents who are looking from other cultures who are residing in Alaska.

Audience prompt two:

Can the audience be swayed by your claim and reasons? Why or why not? Tell why each reason is strong enough to sway a person to your way of thinking.
I present the audience, thesis, and the three supporting reasons to support my claim in the prompt one corresponding to lesson seven.
My claim has both sides of this polemic, I am a parent of developmentally delayed twins, and I am a teacher assistant with a different cultural background. I see, live, and learn every day from my own children, and my other children who I work with in a Head Start Program. I fall into every single supporting reason of the thesis; I am a mother, a worker and, a student who depends of the government grants to afford my Bachelors in Child Development. My goal is learn how to be a protagonist in my children educational journey, become the best Special Ed teacher I can be through my education, and a student who comes from other country and have faith and is grateful for the opportunities I have in the State of Alaska.

Audience prompt one:

Who is the audience for you essay? What is the thesis of the essay? Does it include the claim and three supporting reasons to make it a strong thesis?
The Audience of my essay is parents of multicultural children of Alaska who must appreciate to know more about The Alaska Education Plan to reinforce parent involvement as part of student’s success in their educational career, and other topics related the quality of education itself.
The thesis: The mix population in Alaska brings numerous challenges in regards the student’s education vs. the quantity of qualified teachers that should meet the Alaskan needs. Most of the work-class schools are affected, and this is expensive for the Government to afford professionals to cover programs for children with learning delays, second language peers, and last but not less the portion of qualified individuals who are not in the position to complete the Masters degrees.
I believe it is a strong thesis and it has three supporting reasons that are in bold.

Find another graphic and write a response.

The Instructor asks to find another graphic, commercial, or video to analyze. I search online and found Political Cartoons of the Week A Roundup of the Week's Best Political Cartoons By Daniel Kurtzman, About.com Guide (Cartoons for the Week of July 25-31, 2010Copyright © 2010 Universal Press Syndicate). Bennett shows how skin color can build misconceptions about Arizona population regarding legal status. Even though, many cases of illegal immigrates nationwide is on the news very often, this type of prejudice mentality affects the people who sacrifice is a legal alien who work hard to build a better life for their relatives. By the other hand, is a fact that many illicit negotiators well known as coyotes make a living encouraging people to take the risk and spend lost of money, this same people normally are in debt to make this dangerous journeys. Many people will criticize and said why they spend this money trying to get in the United States instead of using it to create their own businesses. Sadly many third world countries economies are bad, and there is a very competitive market that put out of business the micro industries. United States have a quota of legal immigrants per year and the government is working hard to be more flexible and also intensify the legal control in the borders, and the American Dream must stop being the Americans Nightmare for the sake of humanity and equity of rights.

Response to the cartoon on page 227 of Writing Arguments.

The instructor asks to write a strong thesis statement for the cartoon's argument. How did you figure out the claim being made?
Darien Times published a political cartoon by Sven Van Assche. The author tells us about the polemic regarding child safety and the accessibility to chat rooms. Thus, innocent conversation of young children and teenager can prompt kidnappers to find with ease their next target. Sadly many victims are providing information as addresses, stratus, family activities and other relevant hints to commit a crime. For example, the audience will accuse the parents by not using parental control in their computers at home; moreover, are other places that this child can have Internet access like their peers houses, libraries even their own portable computers. By the other hand, the other portion of the audience and parents of victims go against the chat rooms, online friend finders and more sites where the same youngster publishes pictures of properties, self portraits and other source for the abductors and child molesters to strike. Finally, in actuality the majority of these online sites have policies to guaranty the confidentiality of the user, and parents are more aware of what their children are doing or going online. This is a team work where all of us need to open ears and eyes and reinforce that communication part with our young community to reduce the numbers or murders, sexual abuse and missing children in our cities, states, countries. This is a worldwide concern that is been taking care of and have no time for distractions or procrastination.

Which of the techniques for generating ideas for essays has been most valuable to you? Why? Give and example fron the writing you have done so far.

Clustering or topic mapping allows me to organize my subtopics with artifacts needed that could be included in the essay. For example, one of my revised essay about lesson one assignment, I notice that it has much evidence that can be very confusing and will need lot of work writing them all in a 4 pages essay. I learn that the reader can be bored or confused with this clutter of information, the work cited is also a reference for the audience if they are not familiar with the evidence, and is unnecessary go into tedious details. An essay is more a compilation of an investigation, not a database of all the information. I believe I were too worry in how it looks instead in how it must be done but now that I noticed my errors it would be easy for the next writing assignment.

This is the sample of the first and last paragraph of freewriting based on the clustering previous my revised argument:

“Thoughts of a Silent Warrior: Secret Wounds and Numerous Rewards of an Ecuadorian Woman in Alaska” This title tries to explain the pros and cons of the author’s personal experiences and current life as an immigrant. Lots of personal baggage and a mix of sadness, discomfort, solitude and regrets contributes to her current pain. Does this essay reflect the author’s self-pity? It seems like is too much pressure on her, trying too hard, and finally finding an excuse to feel pity. Did she?

The author of “Thoughts of a Silent Warrior: Secret Wounds and Numerous Rewards of an Ecuadorian Woman in Alaska” did some housekeeping and clerical jobs in a laundromat when she started to work. (Smart way to avoid first person ha ha) Living as a legal immigrant can open so many doors in the United States. The World Wide Web and the Newspapers are the source of the claim from much of my reading that regards this topic side by side with opposite outcomes despite illegal workers. The news and some facts point out the Latino American population is fairly passing the levels of poverty. Welfare is the temporary rescuer until we get on our feet, is also a fact, thus the period of temporary assistance is short by finding employment in the occupations mentioned above. Most Americans resent us because we accept the employment refused by them. The Alice in the Wonderland effect is not a problem anymore, we can develop and perform many important occupations, we are willing to cope with our fears and emotional roller coaster, and we just need to be trusted.

Which technique would you choose not to use again? Why?

From the three writing formats: Formal Outline, Classic Outline, and Pro and Con Because Clauses, my least favorite is the Formal Outline. This format is quite complicated to me. For example, I was working for a small audience about Secondary Smoking, I was having problems organizing the facts by importance to meet the outline guidelines because Secondary Smoking is a very polemic topic and all the facts are relevant. Even though took me a while molding my paper I like to say that I did OK. Now between audience choices: Smallest to Largest I think I can work with both; moreover, largest audience is my personal favorite, is more challenging that compose and we must be careful how we present our thesis, and I am a quite adventurous writer.

What have you learned about the textbooks we are using for this course?

I used to read a lot when I was in High School; I have read research essays, poetry, and prose. I also enjoy composing the same genres I loved to read, but other things changed in my life that took me away from this my first love. Now reading in a non-native language is even more fascinating for me, I have my dictionary handy or use some online software to learn the pronunciation; however, sometimes is hard to think in English while composing my writing work. Writing Arguments to me is like comparing old knowledge of what I loved to do in my teenager years, Re reading America is a new flavor full of the richness of American Culture and vocabulary, and finally A Writer’s Reference becomes my best friend because refresh my knowledge and add some other concepts that I do not remember or maybe I did not learn before.

What have you learned about the writting process and/or about yourself during this lesson?

Writing Process is very entertaining but exhausting for an ESL lady who tries hard to do it right. I love to write, is my favorite thing to do, I can go on and on, I also got lost in the process. The difficult part for me is because I still thinking in Spanish sometimes, usually when I a stressing or in a rush for something, or when I feel exhausted.
My mind diverges from the main idea and put me into a different track of thinking which is very inconvenient. I wonder if I do the same while talking to people. My answer to this question is HECK YEAH hehehe. I cannot stop been a goofball, a jokester, a happy person (at least I try to) but I have been doing my best and relax so I can do a better assignment.

What have you learned about your intructor's expectations of you?

Mrs. Kline sounds to me like a very open minded person; she pushed me to become a better writer. Her expectations are not lower than other current teacher towards the other students. I believe her expectations are less complicated than my personal expectations; I can be harsh on myself. My instructor will cheer me up to continue with the hard work, a very genuine and nice thing to do for a stranger. As an ESL student I am less flexible than her which is funny to me (if I am in a good mood). I learn that is not about perfection, I can make mistakes and each time that the same old mistakes are there and she correct me will stick with me and hopefully one day I will stop having the same errors.

Is Academic Writing difficult just for ESL student or is also hard for a native English speaker too?

Our instructor request us to write a question about any writing problem I think other students might also be experiencing, so I choose to ask about how hard is for a native speaker to write an appropriate formal document.
English is my Secondary Language. It is my joy and everyday challenge to interact and exchange with my classmates and coworkers criteria’s or new ideas that will build up knowledge for all of us. There are many things like grammar, sentences structure, verb tenses, etc. We use an informal style while conversing, but it is important to learn how to communicate effectively on paper. My goal is that everybody understands what is there to be shared. So the question goes back and forth in my head, and I wonder if it is hard for native English writers too? I will love to hear some opinions about this question.

How previewing sections of a book rather than simply reading them help you to understand the material?

Previewing or reading the entire material has different outcomes. For example, if you are just scanning for simple ideas, be aware that this material will be not retained. This also varies from person to person must people do not like to read long chapters with tedious topics. By the other hand, as an ESL writer I need to read the whole material to be able to understand and also generate questions for my instructor for a better comprehension and avoid to be stuck in the literature. In addition, previewing can be very convenience when the material is extensive and intensive. We are going to read it at least three times before the concept can be retained in our brain as fresh and new information in our database.

What is worth arguing about?

Ramage in chapter one of Writing Argument speak about Argument is Not Pro-Con Debate. He said that “Argument entails a desire for truth seeking, not necessarily Truth with capital T but truth as a desire to find the best solutions to complex problems." We might be very touchy about the topic we are defending or criticizing, is almost impossible just pass by without been noticed. This is why I need to be prepared for the opposite point of view. Is very important understand that this truth varies from the individuals who argues and defend a personal thesis by putting on front what they are thinking to see the audience reactions that would generate new ideas or question to find a universal agreement or that precious Truth. I like to talk, discuss, discover other people ideas, I might learn from them, maybe they will learn something from me. Arguing is worth it as the book said "Argument is Both a Process and a Product."

Did you ask somebody else to make recommendations about your revising process? Why or Why not?

Honestly is one of my qualities, and I will said that most of the time is not possible to me ask someone else to revised my writing. Is many thing in my head that takes me to other different direction, I am aware that this will be a problem and will have direct impact on my grades. I have tried one to use the assistance of the Writing Center it went good, the problem for me is lack of timing, I want to do one thing in 30 minutes and I end using 3 hours. Seldom easy, it will take time to get it right, but is rewarding once you learn though the experience, and ask people with more knowledge what it should be necessary to revise properly a document.

Which Genre of argument would you most likely write on your own? Why?

The book tell us about thirteen genres, in the chapter two of Writing Arguments we can see that "genre are often categorized by format, purpose, or type of publication." As personal choice, it is more comfortable to adopt the Blog and posting to chat rooms and electronic bulleting boards genre. If we like to be quite informal, telling what we think about certain topic, presenting personal opinion as one important piece of mind in regard that idea; this is the type of genre that fits our style. It will always go with some evidence. This genre is also like open ended questions to the ones who might read it, then commentaries and short pro’s and con’s even short debates may occur. Even though, this same topic would be presenting in other blog, the originality of our writing style, and thinking will frame the post.

Which of the suggested Tasks from Writing Arguments did you find most helpful in pre-writing your revision? Why?

Writing Arguments present some exploratory ideas techniques: Free Writing, Idea Mapping, Believing and Doubting Game, and Brainstorming Pro and Con Because Clauses. Idea mapping fits in the learning style of visual/spatial people, it is easier to work as pre-writing strategy because is no room for worries in this technique, we can display what is in our mind by creating a web of ideas and questions about a topic of interest. ESL writers would find this strategy less stressful like will occur when we try to avoid grammar errors, possible run-ons, and is quite fun to work with. Having the main idea or tentative title in the center allows us the formulation of a variety of sections or subtopics and the supportive ideas of our thesis as branches. Each branch has subdivisions that will vary according of the relevance of the essay. Idea mapping is always a nice blueprint for other strategies such as free-writing, and pros and cons because clauses. This will bring us back and forth between these writing tactics, which is always good since we can see where we missed a point or what tentative idea

What is the goal of argument?

The goal of argument is compile information from different sources and delivering these in an impartial tone. Argument seeks for the accuracy and versatility in the exploration of the claim.
The claim can be spread in many other subtopics that will enrich the results that will satisfy both the executors of these inquiries, and the public who is expecting for new and better answers of their questions. We can say that argument goal is to learn to be able to see all the branches a question can be extended. Visualize the reaction and possible polemical we can generate in regards of the process and the product of the argument.
We also need to pay close attention of the way we choose to declare our thesis by asking ourselves who? How? Where? When? What if? Why?

Why and how is argument both a process and a product?

Why is arguemnt a process and a product?

Is both a product and a process because we need and rely on the findings and how we get them.
Is a excelent way to develop better tools of investigation, also enhance our thinking and it is expanded through examination of the strategies we used and the accuracy of the results.

How is arguement a process and a product?

Argument is a work in progression where every single stage of it have a valuable meaning until the final results are visible. Thus the process is constantly evolving and sometimes brings us back to the roots of our investigation.
Contributors are also important part of this process, the must ideas and points of view we faced, the better sources we have to stablish the questions we are going to figure out with solid answers.

What does the book Writing Arguments tel us about the concept of truth?

The book tells us that Argument is a tool to find the truth as a solution of a complex problem. Make also a comparison between argument and debate. By one side argument is a medium or process to find multiple evidences and contribute finally with a solid realistic fact or answer of a specific question that also leave a door open for even deep gathering. At the other side of this truth seeking, debate instead of collaborative searching is I mention in another post a battle of thinkers who are worry in who will be the victor of the debacle, nor who have more accurate responses. Debate divide the field in two contenders, argument regroup this thinkers to compile this results. With debate in only one winner, in argument we all win and the price is the truth (page 4).

The truth varies depending of the audience, the media, the tone of the claim, and the purpose of the investigation. Perspective plays a role in the meaning of truth, argument goes in between truth and persuasion, and we can try to sell an idea depending of what we want as individuals, to what we all need as a community (page 8).

Chapter one also mentions this specifically with the example of mechanics of truth seeking of the Sophists and Socrates in a battle of who is the owner of the truth. Socrates suggest to dig and go as further possible with in-depth reasoning and logical explanation, and the Sophist believe that persuasion at any cost is more valuable and covers reality with false statements just to accommodate who was in the elite at their time (page 11).

The truth is the best solution of a matter that will satisfy and benefit the audience as a whole group through detailed proof, diversifying the sources, and adopting impartiality when these solutions are delivered.

Why is a written argument a good way to defend(support) an opinion?

Writing an argument imply more than one point of view from different sources to communicate a main idea, nor a battle of thinkers who impose their thesis. Arguments differ from debates in the simple fact that all of the participants are winners. The goal is information through investigation. Sometimes is a good exercise to have a one on one correspondence to gather pros and cons of the thesis we are discussing or simply sharing what we think about without getting into a hectic situation.

It is two directions that an argument can follow; implicit or explicit. Based on chapter 1 on Writing Arguments is easy to describe what it is understood from the differences between them.

When we use another source to influence the audience towards an idea through a personal essay, an illustration, etc, for example the Medias used to advertise a new product that offers better results than competitors, this is a sample of implicit argument, and we are creating some emotional bound. Like advertisements based in please an specific desired or need of specific market group.

An explicit argument is when we support our thesis with some evidence, with strong facts, in this case media also used but we are looking for rationality. This case we can use as example journalism, the articles of the news papers, or even a book.

As we notice in both explicit and explicit, an argument needs to have some reasoning with solid proof. At the same time is works in progression where every single stage of it have a valuable meaning until the final result are visible. Thus the process is constantly evolving and sometimes brings us back to the roots of our investigation

Lesson 4 Revised Argument

The instructor ask for an evaluation of the supporting evidence I found for my revised claim

For the revised essay "Parenting Developmentally Delayed Twins:
Beyond the Multicultural Stress and the Willingness to Cope"

It was used as word cited the following documents:

• "Thoughts of a Silent Warrior: Secret Wounds and Numerous Rewards of an Ecuadorian Woman in Alaska.” 15 May 2010:1-3. Print. 26 June 2010. This is an essay that tell us about an immigrant struggling in Alaska, who is a single mother of twins with developmental delays. The writer experiences have many sad episodes that developed in Erika Acevedo sorrow, suicidal thoughts, and lack of coping skills with depression; however, her children build up strength for her. She decide to become an teacher aide and hopes one day work in the special education field.

• Delgado, Bettina Marissa. “Factors Related to Depression among Hispanic Women: Review of the Literature.” Record Details - ED389973. ERIC-Education Resource Information Center. “n.d.” PDF file. 26 Jun. 2010. She critizice the literature about Factors Related to Depression among Hispanic Woman that said is rarely common. Delgado research and compile an study presenting the characteristics of Hispanic Women life that are depressors. In adittion, she mention that is necessary future researchs on this topic considering that Hispanic Woman Depression could be different according with the country of origin.

• "Heritability of Autism." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia.12 June 2010. Web. 28 June 2010. " Your Family & Autism." Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks. Web. 27 Jun. 2010. The Wiki source talk about important facts about Autism, shows some true and false statements related with twining as factor of children autism. Its information is a first step for deeper researching that is been used for the revised essay "Parenting Developmentally Delayed Twins:Beyond the Multicultural Stress and the Willingness to Cope."

Lesson 3: How does one demonstrate his or her belief in an opinion?

We are willing to share an idea, belief or personal opinion, they are all different ideas, hence we gather extra information, facts, and evidences to support our claim. Usually we go to library, the Internet or simply ask others who have deep knowledge in regard our thesis. In the process we found pictures, recordings, and even similar claims to tell others what we have in mind, and we also find out that these findings differs from our thinking. Now is time to figure out how we are going to present this idea, and choose which of the findings fits with the tone of our claim, then we can perform some edition until we are satisfy with the final result.
After reading chapter one of Writing Arguments is easy to explain this in my own words. I am more visual and greatly imaginative person and I though this way will be also entertaining for the readers since I mixed my post with some brain stimulation to make less boring the reading process.

How does one demonstrate his or her belief in an opinion?
Instead of he or she lets use a universal view of this question turning my answer focused as a group of individuals.
Let’s explore this through an example and exercise that can be shared if you wish.

1.-Lets imagine that we are a small company with some years in the market that builds well recognition and acceptance from the regular customers. (I choose multi-age daycare)

2.-We want to expand our clientele by the presentation of a new product.(In this case my new product is some creative curriculum based on my college education that will be greatly appreciated for the parents knowing their children will development some life skills and pre-academics aside of a fun play-day)

3.-We use as a source our current clientele to gather new information that can be relevant for our Marketing Strategies and Advertisement. (Most of our parents share the concern about their children development, and the lack of time to do some stimulation at home after work, and they wonder if is possible to have some quality service for the children into the same budget if possible)

4.-Previously our professional engineers been working in a new presentation for one of the favorite products of our company and we do some testing’s, and give free samples just to record the reactions of new possible costumers.(As the owner of this home-business and parent of developmentally delayed children I empathize with the clientele and start making some questioranies to gather what they will like to have if this new changes occurs as additional services and if they are willing to pay a minimal fraction for this arrangements, and I also invest time visiting some educational programs and pre-k, and special ed classes and interview teachers to visualize the mechanics and also gather opinion about my plan to add some curriculum in the daily activities of my daycare)

5.-Once we have all the results from all this investigation we decide the design of the final product, the Advertisement strategy to persuade the target, and how much will be invested to make possible the public announcement through media.(I do have all positive feedback from my clients and with the extra information, add some services in my daycare with a minimal 10% total to afford extra educational material and elaborate a lesson plan for each day, create some fliers, afford a small advertise in the radio and request permission to the preschool directors of programs and special ed classes to leave some pamphlets for the mothers who will like to have a quality service after class.)

It might seem out of context the usage of this example to explain how writing argument works. We just have to worry about some effective communication through revision of grammar, common sense, and fluency in the whole message specially as writing. The process has the same basis, the goal is introduction of novelty or enhance old criteria, and the result varies in the tone of the presentation of our claim. Is all about communication and how we delivered. We can be versatile and creative is just about to put our skills on practice and add some extras while working on it.

Lesson 1 and 2 Reflection

After reading the instructor feedback from lesson 1(essay) and 2(resume) is easy to understand how to work with page setup, punctuation and MLA format. The mistakes during learning process are welcome. Having experience writing in a foreign language is helpful while composing the essay, but is not pleasant when confronting to broad ideas, and an ongoing struggle with the English proficiency. Is impossible to denied the frustration, to feel stuck while comparing the corrections with the original draft.

Is not to funny to face our own weaknesses, specially by being Latin we are so stubborn, we are raised with the mentality to do everything perfect, pride is our enemy and is very hard to accept that is not healthy to believe so ."Cultural Stress" here we go.

At the end of the day is better that somehow the errors are made, and someone can let us know about it. Is a great feeling having the opportunity of a personal growth learning from writing experiences, and the reward of knowing that we are actually learning ...the beauty of writing and self achievement.

Erika

My very first post

This is my first informal post and can be very long sometimes, is to easy to just go with the flow. I am from Ecuador and currently living in Alaska with my twins Nyssa and William.


This is my adventure through the English language proficiency and the benefit of living the life i had in the way it is. I am a innate communicator and am excited with the development of this virtual space where my primary goal is to connect and be close to the readers.

I named this blog In Touch with the World because of that reason.

Greetings from Alaska,