Heather

For my research essay it has been very helpful writing my source analysis and the proposal. I have been working on this essay for a while now, and I am now feeling fulling comfortable with what I have wrote. I have been revising this essay over and over both in class and out of class. I have often had my peers review my writing and correct errors I may have had in my writing. Now, my essay is almost perfect, and I am excited to see what feedback I receive. I am really excited about my topic, and I am excited for other to read my work. But, I really believe that the source analysis was extremely beneficial in this essay, and I’m very glad that we decided to go about our writing this way.

I felt fine with having someone rewrite my work. I feel as thought it could help me get my audience’s views and incorporate that into my own work. But, i feel the opposite about rewriting my classmate’s work. I feel very weird and I personally thought it was inappropriate, basically because I felt so uncomforable about the situation. I learned that it was a similar way to do peer review, and I thought of ways that I could improve my work while looking at someone else’s work on a different topic. I also found ways to improve my work from suggestions given by my classmates. Cheating is very bad because I wouldn’t want someone to cheat off of my work. Writing should be fun, and you shouldn’t have to relate to someone else’s words to incorporate them into your own thoughts. You should be able to think of your own valuable thoughts and write a meaningful paper.

The argument I’m arguing is how Greek life is beneficial for college students.

Were you, or are you currently active on your college campus? Have you ever considered the benefits that may come from being in an activity, such as Greek life? From research that I have acquired from sources, I have found that in fact, Greek life is beneficial for students. Not only does it make you involved on campus in numerous ways (philanthropies, community service, networking tool), it also introduces you to a whole new crowd, and in some cases betters your academics. There is more to being Greek then meets the eye; it’s not everything the media cracks it up to be; it’s more. It’s just as the slang goes, “don’t judge a book by its cover” because once you learn what’s inside, you’ll be grateful.

From the source analysis I have learned how to review the possible sources that I am interested in usuing, and finding possible quotes to fit my main topics that go along with them prior to the final paper that is due. As well as finding my main topics and putting them into paragraph form. Similarities between the source analysis and the argumentative essays are that they both provide information that you are interested in and have supportive details from sources back up the argument you are providing. Differences between the source analysis and the argumentative essay is that the source analysis isn’t supposed to be ‘argumentative’ although it is; it’s more or less trying to back up something that you feel could be argumentative. An argumentative essay is more ‘you’ stating what you believe and backing up those up with sources. These two essays are very similar but have their differences. The source analysis is supposed to direct you more toward a researched essay rather than an argumentative essay. This is the major difference. The source analysis has been very helpful to me while I’ve been developing my researched essay.

The reason that we were to write a proposal was so that we could gain knowledge on the argument we are going to write about in our final research essay. It was to start us off on the right foot, and taking things slow. Since the research essay is such a long essay, we are doing this slow and understanding what we are writing about. The proposal is beneficial because it will help us with our academic writing in the future and we will be able to refer back to this practice. This proposal will help in future assignments because we’re now able to write one, and it will make the paper easier doing this. From a proposal, we have all our ideas typed out, and already planned. I see myself writing a lot in my paper, and from writing my proposal, I already have a heads up on my ideas; proposals are a good way of writing and is different from what we’re used to, it’s just another useful writing style we’ve been introduced to.

My issue on Greek life is a current issue that college students around the country are dealing with. Colleges around the country are offering their upcoming students a chance to “Go Greek” and these students are being forced to consider the chance. I would want to talk to girls in my sorority and ask them about their experience being Greek, as well as those are not involved in the Greek life; and consider the difference. I have heard many talk about how the media portrays Greek life, and how they are not interested in becoming that stereotypical person, when in reality, what the media shows is not all the truth in most cases. You really need to be involved to understand this matter. On the other hand, I have heard plenty of positive feedback, saying that Greek life really makes a student involved during their college career, as well as helps them in the long run when applying for jobs. For those who don’t fully understand what Greek life, brotherhoods and sisterhoods are truely about, I would encourage them to try it out and consider what they have to offer, which is more than meets the eye. I would be able to find plenty of sources online at the library academic website, as well as search engines such as “Google” to back up my claims. My take on this issue is that I believe Greek life is beneficial for all college students in more than just one way. If I was to develop a thesis right now, it would be something similar to; Greek life is a beneficial and very influential part of college for students involved, it’s not just what the media portrays it to be. This essay is going to be written in an argumentative way getting my point across to those who feel uneasy about Greek life in college.

For the steps to Identifying Issues, for step one: Draw on your personal experience. Relating this to my essay; Greek life is a good way to be involved in college; since I am a member of a sorority, I can relate to this. Next step is: Identify what is open to dispute. For this, not everyone understands Greek life, therefore, it would be hard for someone who is not aware of what we do to understand, therefore I believe it is open to dispute. Then, Resist binary thinking. This, would be easy considering sorority’s for example are completely different from one other, as well as the same sorority at different schools, things change. Fourth, Build on and extend the ideas of others. I understand that Greek life changes in different chapters and I’m able to look at this issue in new ways. Next, Read to discover a writer’s frame. There are a lot of different ideas on Greek life, it would be interesting to talk to someone who is not involved in Greek life, and consider their perspectives as well as reading many of articles on this topic; and write about the differences. Lastly, Consider the constraints of the situation. I would consider writing about the differences and how Greek life affects the life of a college student, and the benefits of such, and how it’s not just what you see in television, it’s something that you would not understand if you were not involved in such. I’m really interested in the topic of Greek life, and how stereotypical television programs make it appear to be. A question to my audience would be something like, “Greek life affects those involved, do you believe it’s bigger than how the media flaunts it?” I’m really excited to start this paper, and write about my views on Greek life.

Now that the first essay is over and graded, and I’ve learned what I need to change. I feel more confident in my writing for this course. The only trouble I seem to be having is with the works cited page. I feel like I need to work on it and I’ll be able to get it right. Now that we’re doing a synthesis paper, it’s completely different from the writing we are used to. I need to learn how to develop my ideas more with this paper, and put it together using background information from what I’m citing. Everyone that we have to do lately in this class is frustrating because it’s so much work, but beneficial. I’m glad that we’re practicing our writing so we can get it perfect for our synthesis essay. I’m glad that we’re able to write the different sort of essays, so we have more practice with our writing skills.

As far as the writing process that has been given to us in our textbooks, I’ve pretty much followed what they have suggested. I also feel that I’ve done maybe my own style, as well as what they suggest. I have done what I feel is comfortable to do for myself, only I can judge what works for me and what doesn’t; everyone’s style is different. But, as far as the textbook is concerned, I have followed their suggestive writing process and it has helped me thus far. I first start with gathering the information that I will need to write a successful paper, then I read the articles and find background examples to support my main idea, after, I start writing my rough draft and put my ideas on paper. When I’ve completed my rough draft, so far I’ve had someone proof-read my work for further judgment, and I’ve also met with my instructor for their comments. I then make my needed revisions, and finish up my paper. This style has been to my benefit thus far, and I plan on sticking with it in the future for successful writing.

Every year for spring break I always try and convince my mom to take me somewhere nice and warm. We usually go somewhere at least once a year for vacation, and personally, my favorite time to go is spring break. One argument is that, spring break is the best time to go because it’s usually during the end of winter and beginning of spring. There is a week long break where you can miss school and work without is mattering. During this time, it is usually cold, so it’s nice to get away for a week, where it is nice and warm. When you vacation it’s very relaxing, and during spring break, since it’s in between both school and work, it’s a nice get away. If you need to do some work, it’s nice to know that you are able to, while enjoying fun in the sun! But, for the most part, vacation during spring break is a nice, warm, comforting get away with people you know you can have fun with. This is my main argument each time we have this conversation.

However, if my mom doesn’t fall for this argument, i try to convince her that if she’s not interested in going somewhere warm, then we should look into a vacation somewhere that we could drive to. We have family members in Chicago as well as New Jersey. I hint that we could possibly go to either one of these places, and have a place to stay. In New Jersey, my cousin lives about an hour from New York, so we could take a day trip to New York, while having a place to stay. This argument may work if she’s not interested in making flight and hotel plans. This would be an easier vacation while still doing similar activities to the “warm vacation”.