Anzaldua

Pre-Reading:

3. I've read many many interviews of Audrey Hepburn, and even watched some that were available. I think it changed how I viewed her as person. Not really her work. As an actress, I thought she was great. Even if she was a terrible person, it would still not affect the way I thought of her as an actress. But as a person, I think my outlook of her would be different. When I've read anything Audrey Hepburn, I thought she was a great person, she was a true lady. Classy, talented, and intellectual in every way. Maybe if she wasn't all of these things, I might not like her as a person, but I would not be able to doubt her as an actress just based on her work. 

Questions for Discussion and Journaling

1. Personally I thought this piece was a bit confusing because it was so personal. I thought that by her not cluing us in, it felt like begin lead with a blindfold. For me, reading this piece without this information felt a bit too confusing. I didn't understand a good amount of it because of it. Even though I'm all up for being personal, there needs to be a line drawn. If you want readers to understand what you're saying and your piece, there needs to be a clear understanding. 

3. I think confidence is the key to everything. Even thought it's not nessarcy, it's a key part of being a writer. It's important to be confident in your abilities so there is no doubt in your own thoughts and abilities. Being a writer is close to being an artist, what you're giving out is your art. Even thought many might not view it as artistic, it is a good chunk of self expression and thoughts. I think being confident helps you do anything in life well. It not only helps me write well, but do everything else in life. My point of view is if you truly believe you can do it, then you can achieve it.  

Applying and Exploring Ideas:

2. I think for a topic like this, it's important to take a more traditional academic format. Even thought I'm all up for creativity and a different type of tone, it's only better if it's not confusing and displays the message without confusion. I thought as a writer, her piece should have been more of a traditional format in order to be a more affective piece of writing.  

3. I do agree that images are more direct than words, it's a lot easier seeing what's in front of you than imagining. Personally, I think every picture especially of places affect me more deeper than a text would. For example, if someone had to describe the effiel tower in paris in words, it would be hard to see the beauty of it. "A triangular building made of metal that has lights on it." But if someone instead given a picture, it would be easy to see why the tower is so iconic and considered beautiful. For a person who might not have the best imagination or ability to write, it may be more useful to use a picture than try to put it down in words. 

Alexander

Alexander Reading

Questions for Discussion and Journaling

6. The concepts of male/female stereotypes are very restrictive for all people because of the idea of stereotypes. Especially in writing, it can block a lot of true inner thoughts and creativity. For example, if a guy wanted to write about his feelings and 'sensitive' side, he would automatically be known as a 'pansy'. That puts a lot of restrict for anyone. I think since society is so harsh on people that have to follow the quote that the world has set up. Anyone who wants to defy stereotypes has to go pass the gender that is given to them. Now people seem to forget that gender is not chosen, yet when you take your first breath in the delivery room, they give you expectations. This can stop anyone from doing what they want to do. This stereotype given to all people can hurt the people of the planet as a whole. What if a women, wanted to become a doctor , but couldn't because society wouldn't allow it. Yet she could have cured cancer , but the world would never know because of the stereotype that was given to her and the restrictions she could not go past. It's important to realize that when people are restricted, it does not benefit anyone in anyway. 

7. Students, whether they know it or not reinforce gender stereotypes. I've been in the position where teachers have given students a topic to choose, and most of the male students have choose to write about sports and girls about ballet, fashion. To me, that's so stereotypical. I think as males and females, there is more to write about than what is usually thought of us. Even though we've come so far in technology, I think we still need to improve on gender roles and stereotypes. 

Applying and Exploring:

3. Many people don't realize that "normally" gendered students can gain as much as they want t from trans theory in their composition class. Being exposed to new theories and thoughts can always help expand the mind. It's like going to another country, it's adapting to changes and accepting what's different. It's important to teach students about this to raise awareness and block ignorance. I think people tend to be ignorant to what they don't know or understand, I think by introducing people to trans theory, it helps them understand. This also is true for every minority discourse in class, it's understanding a new type of discourse and way of being. Especially for something such as race, it's almost impossible to understand, unless given to us and explained. 

Deplit & Smitherman

Deplit & Smitherman

Delpit:

Questions for Discussion and Journaling

1. Personally I don't think Delpit's race has anything to do with this article. It wasn't nessarcy for it to be revealed in order to determine anything about this article. I think it was part of her plan, to not reveal her race in article to prove a point. Since many can be judgmental about race and stick to stereotypes, not revealing her race helped prove her point even more than before. I think it's important to realize that it was all in her plan when writing this. At the end of the day, writing and race shouldn't have a connection. Writing is writing, it should not be judged on who you are rather how you write and express your thoughts. To me, her message wouldn't change my perception of her identity, I don't judge people's work based on their race, instead I judge on the facts that are given to me. 

3. I do agree with Delpit's arguments. She has factual arguments to back it up, and a personal connection to tie it in together. I believe the most effective part was when she pulled her own story into the argument. Instead of making it sound biased and unprofessional, she made it as a perfect example. The weakness are some of her arguments, I think she meant well, but I don't think she took it into the right direction. I don't think she told people to embrace what they had, she only encouraged equality and learning in a way. I thought she should have covered more about embracing who you are. 

Applying and Exploring Ideas

3. I do see generalizations in this text, I think you can see the generalizations in the overall reading. But I think her point throughout the writing. It's to show that generalizations can hurt people and writing itself. In my own experience, generalizations are always problematic and never end up too well. For example when you generalize in a paper, teachers will automatically assume you don't know what you're talking about and question why. Generalization doesn't help in many situations because they create more questions and assumptions that may or may not be true. It's important to put everything as clear as possible. 

Smitherman :

"Pre Reading"

During high school, I had to read 'Romeo and Juliet', like most students it was like reading a different language. I didn't understand any of the meanings of sentences, yet I could read the words. Even though many people may think Shakespeare might not be 'dialect', however it is in a way. There are words and sayings that are not used anymore. It would come to the point that our teacher would have to explain every sentence that was said in the book because as freshmen we were not expecting this 'language'. It made reading this story extremely difficult to understand and make sense of. 

Questions for Discussion and Journaling 

2. He's using Black Idiom rhetorically as an example and to prove his argument. Smitherman is using this to show the readers the connection that should be broken. Even though many people don't think in such a biased and negative way, he uses this example to make a point to people. Many may confuse for what he's saying as ignorant, instead of seeing his irony to convince the audience about the argument. 

Applying and Exploring Ideas

5. I don't think it has any difference in the meaning, just grammatically. I think anyone who would read this would realize the double negatives. However, in the generation we have today, it would be almost impossible to not understand the meaning even with the double negative. I don't think there is a significance in the title because it means the same thing. Personally I'm not fazed by the language. It's the idea of "text talk", writing what you think or say in 'real life'. Think of someone saying "lol" in a paper, it's unprofessional however, the message is still there "laugh out loud". 

Flynn

Flynn Reading

Questions for Discussion and Journaling :

2. It's really important to take note of which time period a piece is written, it can really help understand the piece a lot more. Not only with language and slang that can be used but ideals as well. Obviously anyone who has read books such as Pride and Prejudice must note that time period that it was written for. Even more famous Shakespeare plays, there must be a note on the type of language that is involved as well. If someone read Romeo and Juliet now, and thought it was written yesterday, they would be baffled with not only language but 'culture' that is given off. The dominate male figure, that any feminist would cringe at. Ideas within should not be affected by years and generations, it should be noted and understood but not always agreed with. 

3.  This means that Women have been suppressed throughout the years. But even now with the unfair wages, and prejudice that can easily be found today. It's the idea that anything or anyone different is excluded because the world is so focused on being united. People often fear the unknown and different because the inability to relate. The way women's voices are silences can easily relate minorities. There are still a lot of racism that can be found. With all the hate that is found, it can be intimidating to anyone, its the idea of society pushing down anything that seems to be different. It's society way to blame change and differences on the unknown. Being not only a women but a minority as well, I've already felt the effects of society and the pressure of silence and fitting into a category. People expect you to fail or do extraordinarily well , there is no in-between. 

5. In general I believe that Chodorow's clans to be true, but there are bits and pieces I do not agree with. I agree with the idea that 'women parent women', I've been raised by my mom and have a lot of her ideals. Throughout my entire life I've had her support and care. She is the reason I'm so independent and the person I am today. However, I don't think ALL women are raised by women, I have quiet few friends who were raised by their dads. Even though i'm not one of them, most of my friends have expressed that they are daddy's girls and relate more to their dad throughout their entire life. 

Applying and Exploring:

4. I think Flynn's article is very general. She obviously has a biased views, she has not seemed to knock down any opposing arguments. It felt that even though her work was backed up and researched, she sounded more like she was ranting than informing. I don't think that her generalization served any benefits, I think an article like this, it's important to remember to include all details. This is an important topic that will always be discussed and played with, to put any generalization in this will offer no help. I think it's important to remember that any generalization can be used against you, and makes article look weak. 

5, I think gender influence language in a different way, It's difficult to explain most of the times. I think when we think of a male writer, we think of machoism and less emotional type of writing, more straight to the point. While women writers tend to show more personal example and emotion. The way society has taught us to act and think, makes us assume that anything that has emotion and 'soft' is often something written by a women. And any action film and gorge film was written by a man. Personally, I think that my writing may be considered the "typical women writer" however, I don't think every woman or man should be classified into that section especially with such writers like Nicholas Sparks and Mary Shelly.  

Villanueva

Questions for Discussion and Journaling 

3. This piece gives a personal touch, which makes it interesting. Instead of starting off the piece like the rest, it makes us think more and more. It really makes the audience intrigued and interested in what Villanueva has to say. Sometimes when you're reading these long articles, you forget that the person behind these writings are actual people and not robots. I think, just by starting his article the way he did states a lot. It's important for authors to remember to make that personal connection to the audience or else it'll just be words on a page. Personally I felt that starting this article with a memory really helped the text as a whole. 

4. The different poems and passages contributes to Villanueva's point because it shows us different sides of the work that is presented. It helps us relate more to the post and helps us realize more about the reading in general. By Villanueva bringing all this outside information, it gives a sense of more raw emotion. Something that isn't frequently found in readings from this book. By including these pieces, it gives him more of a point and clear message. These readings show us the discourses that come into one single purpose. 

8. I think people who aren't accepting in general can take a lot from this reading. It really shows them to 'open their eyes' and see more than what the world offers. By having a close mind in general, blocks a lot of people from truly being free. Even though there are ton of different discourses with different views and understandings. There still needs to be a mutual respect and attempt to mix. The world seems to be getting smaller and smaller , there needs to be an idea of a melting pot. Ignorance and closed minding thinking will not solve any of the problems that are arising in the world today. It's important to realize that times are changing, and it's impossible to live a bubble any longer. 

Applying and Exploring:

2. Intertextuality plays a very large role in this piece because of the article's purpose. Villanueva obviously has a lot of prove with this article because it's such a large message, but with intertextuality, it helps bring his paper not only to live but with enough information and proof to support his claims. Intertextuality makes us understand different discourses and etc. Different traces of memories affected my writing in such a positive way, It makes it easy to prove my point and connect with my audience. Because for all I know a reader could have gone through the same thing as me , and by making that connection with someone, it makes my piece more memorable.  

Dialectical Notebook -Heilker and Yerbeau

1. “We contend that autism itself is a rhetoric, a way of being in the world through language, a rhetoric we may not have encountered or recognized frequently in the past nor value highly in academic contexts, but rhetoric nonetheless.”

2. “Though the definitions of rhetoric are legion, what most have in common is their focus on language use in the social realm. Most definitions of rhetoric focus on the role of communication in social interaction.”

3. “Every utterance belongs to, exists in, issues from, and reveals a rhetorical universe. Every utterance comes from somewhere (its inventive origin), emerges as a structure, and manifests itself as a style”

4. “When we choose to listen rhetorically, though, when we purposefully adopt a stance of cross-cultural openness toward autistic discourse, we can begin to see that we engage in similar, though not identical, echolalia in academic settings, when doing research and citing sources.”

5. “Empathy- a loaded worded in autism discourse, a characteristic that autistics are said to lack- presumes that one can be so in tune with another person as to actually understand that person’s emotional state, to even perhaps vicariously experience it.”

1. When we discuss something such as rhetoric many people forget to recognize autism as rhetoric itself. However when you think of rhetoric, autism can fit into it. It’s misunderstanding for autism and dismissal that shows how it can affect how people think about what a definition can be.

2. This quote basically states the defection of rhetoric and how it’s main focus is on social communication and interaction. This really shows that many people are so easily to dismiss autism and the part it takes in rhetoric because of so much misunderstanding and ignorance. History seems to repeat itself that when society doesn’t understand something, it’s quickly labeled as “different” or “weird” not something that can be studied or understood in a different light.

3. This quote speaks about communication from people that have autism. It sheds a light for when people communicate, every single utterance stands for something. Nothing is done by accident or meant to be written off as unimportant. Everything has meaning and can be understood.

4. Through this quote it urges people to have open minds when we’re trying to understand the autism community itself. There is a lot of information out there that could be misunderstood and quickly judged by people that refuse to be open minded. But that is said for every topic, it’s impossible to learn and really experience life with ignorance and a closed mind.

5. This shows that empathy, something we constantly use to define what is human is put into the spotlight when it comes to autism. When people try to define ‘human’ they say it’s someone who has empathy. Since many assume that people who are autistic have no empathy, it’s easy to write off their existence. However, this quote tells us that autistic people are empathic but in a different way that we cannot simply understand. It shows us that we cannot just assume because of a misunderstanding, it’s important to realize that there are different ways of thinking and understanding. 

Intro to Proj#3

Discourses in the Celebrity community.

                Everywhere we go we’re constantly surrounded by tabloids and juicy gossip on the world of celebrities. It seems like there’s nowhere to go or hide from all the drama happening in Hollywood. However, we can only blame ourselves for these headlines. Let’s face it; we’re infatuated with the world of the unknown. We know so much about celebrities yet so little about their personal lives. We’ve all picked up a magazine that has a big headline about celebrities such Brangelina, Justin Bieber, and ton more. It makes you wonder why ordinary people are so interested in business of other people they don’t know. Is it because they’re lives are so glossy and fabulous compared to everyone’s seemingly bland lives? Or is it that we secretly enjoy seeing others stuck in situation instead ourselves. Maybe it’s all of the above. But one thing for sure is the lives of celebrities and the interest it creates makes revenue.  It’s come to the point where careers are made from just following the lives of people who are unknown to us.  

                In a celebrity discourse community, it seems like privacy is something that’s always invaded. With more and more technology these days, celebrities’ emails and other personal social media sites such as twitter are being hacked with the one purpose to find information.  It comes to the point where we must ask ourselves is it ‘right’? Is it okay to invade someone’s privacy because they are pushed into the public eye? The public and media think it’s just fine; the constant quote “it comes with the job” is always being thrown. It’s difficult to imagine what it’s like being followed with cameras and harassed with questions, but it doesn’t seem pleasant. Yet this unknown world is why people continue to become curious about the lives of celebrities.  

               

Malinowitz

Malinowitz

Questions for Discussion and Journaling 

2. Personally, I don't think it should be discussed in the classroom. I think it's a more private matter. I've never had to speak about how I was heterosexual, and I don't think anyone who is the LBGT community shouldn't be forced to speak about it in the classroom if they are uncomfortable. Obviously there should be discussion but on the terms of the students. I've known many kids that (especially in high school) are still uncomfortable with discussing their sexual orientation. I believe there should more discussion on acceptance on different communities, not the discussion how different they are. The truth of the matter is, no matter what sexual orientation a person is, they're still human beings. They deserve to be treated with the same respect and not feel so aliened from the rest of society. But the presence in the classroom shouldn't matter, they shouldn't feel any different than heterosexuals. Teachers should still acknowledge that there is diversity in the classroom. 

5. Sojourner Truth's category of 'woman' was a comparison to the past of slavery. She felt that she didn't get any special treatment as women yet society still barred her in. The idea of a double standard. A woman must do the same work as a man yet there is no equal respect and right. She discussed how strong women are and what she's personally been through. In Truth's point of view, women were equal to men and deserved the same rights and respect.

11. My definition for queer was a very offensive word to call someone in the LBGT community. In my opinion I think it's a disgusting word to call someone. Even thought people might be wiling and 'proud' to be called a queer, if i was in the LBGT community I wouldn't be so thrilled. Sure you're proud of your orientation but why should there even be a name in the first place? By even having a name, it makes them this outer discourse, which is the last thing people in such a community need.They should feel accepted and not even have to face such harsh words. It's as if, someone called me a 'chink' and said "you should own that name. that's what you are'. But no, it's not right, there should be no name calling in the first place. After reading the article I still feel the same way I felt about the word before, I believe it's wrong to even call people names in the first place. It's disrespectful and unnecessary, no matter the context. 

Applying and Exploring:

2. An aspect of my identity is being an Asian American. When I want to identify with my community, it would be Mandarin Chinese. It was what I was taught as a child and my first language. When I speak to my parents or when I go back to Taiwan, I only speak Mandarin and anyone who didn't know me would have a hard time believing that I'm fully fluent in English as well. If I didn't have this 'language' I would have a difficult time relating to my family and even communicating with them at all. I've dealt with many difficulties when it comes to this language, my grandfather does not speak mandarin, he only speaks japanese and taiwanese. However, I can only understand Taiwanese yet don't speak it. So it's impossible to communicate with him.  If I didn't know mandarin at all, I would be unable to communicate with anyone in my family which cause a big issue. 

Meta Moment

I think my teacher would want us to realize the importance of acceptance in the classroom. Even thug everyone has different views, it's still important to realize that there needs to acceptance. The world is changing, the generation is becoming less ignorant to what's around them. In order to have the most of an experience, you need to have acceptance. Obviously not everyone is going to agree with what's going on, but they need to accept it. If you look back at the times of slavery and segregation, people didn't want to change, but it did any way. And it shows in history it's only for the better. The importance of this text is having an accepting and diverse classroom.      

Project#3 Proposal.

My discourse community I'm interested in is the community of celebrities.  I've always felt interested by the lives of celebrities and the pressures they have on their life. I think even though there are so much news on them, it's always interesting to think about how they act and how it is like being famous. I think it's such a different community and nobody really understands them unless you are one of them. My friends and I constantly stock up on gossip magazine and E! News, it would really fun to look more into this subject as a topic for english. 

A back up topic I would choose is the community in different cities, specifically London. When I'm older my dream is settle down in London and live my life there. It would be fun to see the discourse in such a influential city, and see how it's different from New York City (where I'm originally from). 

Devitt

Questions for Discussion and Journaling: 

2. There a ton of conflicts that seem to have a toll when switching genres. I think it creates confusion and difficulty for students. Conflicts I often have is the idea of connecting. When my art class wanted me to relate art to math, I found it so difficult because of the polar opposite ideas of both of them. Another difficulty I faced was my knowledge, I didn't know that much about art itself, now they wanted me to relate it to math, something i'm not that great in either. It was just causing me stress and a hard time. A writing class differs from all the other class because it has a certain set up, it calls for a different type of difficulty. Say for example math, writing is obviously so different from math. In math you solve equations and find the answer yet in writing there is no definite answer, its more of exploring to find an answering. These differences in subjects creates conflicts for students because they constantly have to turn on these different switches for different classes. It hardly seems fair for anyone to have to balance out all these different subjects that are given. 

3. The type of genres that are set in Ohio University are endless. From social aspects to global aspects. There are always different views of social scenes, even though Ohio University is apparently known for the party scene, not everyone is involved in it. Same with greek life and the way people are involved. A big genre right now is politics. Ohio University is a bit divided with Republicans, Democrats and the people that don't really care. Personally I'm apart of many genres, I'm in a sorority. I'm democratic. I'm also an out of state student. These genres set me apart from many OU students yet connect me to them as well.

Applying and Exploring Ideas

3. Throughout my life, I realized that you can never really understand someone until you walk in their shoes. I think it's important to explore and learn rather than just reading it. I think students can only absorb and memorize so much. It's way more productive and useful to go out there and go through it yourself.Take for example traveling abroad. Sure, you can easily get information about London from a book. But you'll never understand the vibe or speak to the locals until you actually go to London yourself. It's so important to travel and explore the globe because it opens your mind to new ideas and environments. It prevents ignorance and help banish the idea of just one "right" genre. It's the idea that researching through the world can lead to more information than reading and absorbing. 

Meta Moment:

I believe it's better to do Ethnogralph fieldwork, personally I've never been the type to understand readings and relate them to myself. I find it whole lot easier to experience things first hand than to read it. It might be harsher to experience but it can definitely be a whole lot memorable. I've always loved to travel and explore. i've been blessed with multiple opportunities to travel and it's taught and helped me experience things that I'll never learn from a book written by a scholar. Reading a book about tasting sushi doesn't give you the insight, knowledge, and experience of actually tasting sushi. That's how I feel about understand discourse communities. 

Wardle

Wardle Reading 

Questions for Discussion and Journaling 

1. The main three ways that 'newcomers' try to belong is engagement, imagination and alignment. Engagement is basically building a foundation, it could be as simple as finding something to talk about. Imagination is trying to to think outside of the box and go beyond from what you already know. Its basically taking what you know and multiplying it with new ideas. Alignment can be like engagement but basically finding these bases and relating them even more and finding more of a base than before.  Newcomers might not choose to participate because they don't always work, also the fear of rejection. It's often difficult to continue as a newcomer and it's easier to give up.

3. Personally, I've realized that you get what you receive. If you give off a certain vibe, you will receive it back. Point blank, if Alan didn't even try, why would others try. Everyone has things to do and especially in such stressful environments like a work. If Alan gave off a vibe that he didn't care or want to socialize, his coworkers could have easily took that as a sign to say 'forget him'. I think he could have easily changed the energy he gave off, he could have made small talk or try to be social. Alan didn't seem to care , so his co-workers didn't care as well. Nobody has the time as an adult to say "gee I think we should help the new guy". As an adult there are more things to worry about. If Alan wanted a different environment he definitely should have acted differently and let out more of a positive/social energy. 

5. I agree with Wardle overall. I think that it wasn't that he wouldn't have been accepted, it was the fact that he never tried. I think it's a lot easier as a newcomer who has a fresh slate to make something of yourself. Sometimes it's often overlooked but the way you come off is the way people will react to you. if you send out a negative puss face attitude nobody is going to be like "that person seems great to be around". But if you shed a positive light, and make connections, it is possible to set yourself up. Thousand of years have been set up with human interactions, civilizations and nations have been formed with the idea of socialization and finding a common ground. I have a hard time believing he couldn't have set up some connection and have a successful joining to the discourse. 

7. An example would be my teachers. I've dealt with many teachers, good ones and bad ones. I've realized it's what the teacher gives off the student that makes them work. I've had teachers that seemed to slack off, so my peers and I would just be like "why should we care when they don't". It didn't make sense, nobody wanted to feel like they're wasting their time. When a teacher seems to slack and uneducated they lose all their authority. Most times, teachers already have authority without any given reason. It's when they present themselves is when they lose their authority. Say for example a teacher constantly gives out tests and doesn't check it, a student decides not to study because they know the tests aren't graded. In that sense the teacher has lost authority.

Gee Reading

Gee Reading

Questions for Discussion and Journaling 

3. Gee's definition of a discourse is the main idea. In exact quotes he feels that discourse is the way of being in the world. Discourses are the bases of yourself and how you react to the environment around you. His definition of discourse seem to be a bit confusing, I understand what discourse is, however the way he presents the information is a bit confusing at times. He explains how discourses are affected by other discourses, so there is no such thing as a full "pure" discourse. It's the idea again that nothing is original and everything is an embodiment of it's own. 

5. Primary discourse is the initial discourse. It's the way we first use make sense of the world and interact with others. According to Genn the primary discourse is our original and home based sense of identity. We don't learn about this discourse but by being apart of it with family. Secondary discourse is the idea of 'school', the whole idea of learning through an institution. Dominate discourse are basically the mastery of secondary discourse at a place and time with social "good" basically shallow points. While non dominate discourses  is society at large. 

11. Metaknowledge is gift of understanding what discourse is and how to relate it to yourself and society. The value is basically not being ignorant. It's the sense of knowledge and understanding that few people don't seem to understand or overlook. Metaknowledge allows valuable abilities that include understanding that many people often overlook. 

13. A discourse I would love to be apart of is the world of doctors. I've always found the topic extremely interesting. However useful it is, I know because my lack of skill in science will forever keep me out. I always found the idea of understanding the human body so interesting. It's an incredible skill, almost talent to have. I don't think I will ever be accepted because the fact that my understanding will never full be there. I can never process that much information. I think i wouldn't be accepted because the foolish questions i might ask, or the fact that i constantly use WebMD when I'm sick. I've never tried to really become part of this discourse, I've learned through my chemistry grades, it would never work out. i've never felt like a pretender at all, I've always accepted my grades and faults.

Applying And Exploring Ideas

3. Dear Mrs. Katz,

Even though my grades weren't great in Chemistry. I've always felt that you shunned out of the discourse community for chemistry. It's unfair and inevitable that I realized I had no future in the medical field. Unfortunately you've never realized the importance of being a community, discourse or not. it's important to realize that not everyone is born into the same talents as you are. Your way of teaching and explaining did not reach all students, for the most part it never reached me. I've never had as much trouble as I had in that class. The idea of a discourse is differences and strengths. I never felt you understand that, and i just wanted to let you know that I've always wanted to be good a chemistry and I'm simply not because your non existing efforts to help me reach my goal. If I ever go back to high school again, it would be great for you to include me when you're teaching. Hopefully with a ton of practice and tutoring I would be able to understand chemistry. 

Sincerely, 

Joy Trinh

4. Two different discourse I belong to is the discourse of myself at home with my family and the other when I'm with my parents. All my life I've always spoke Mandarin with my parents. I'm extremely polite and respectful with my elders. I've never raised my voice or even disobeyed. However when I'm with my friends I'm loud and obnoxious, i only speak english. Anyone who saw who I was with my parents and how I am with my peers would be in full blown shock. Even though it's difficult I understand there are boundaries and I constantly jump in-between them. Sometimes I'll act up around my parents and sometimes i'm super polite with my peers. It's difficult to 'navigate' these discourses but overtime, it becomes easier and more expectable. 

Glenn Reading

Glenn 

Before Reading:

1. An advertisement I could think of is Taco Bell’s dog mascot. I don’t think it’s recent, but I can still remember the “te quiero taco bell” from the tiny dog. When I was younger , I actually made me want to go to taco bell. The mascot was this tiny cute dog that I wanted, and taco bell was pretty good. I never really thought about the meaning of having the dog until now. I realized that now, it did have an effect on how I saw the company. It was a cute helpless dog that sponsored a mexican chain restaurant. Obviously it made me feel (at the time as a child) like taco bell was a good company. Back then I didn't realize it was a giant cooperation wanting nothing more than profit. Overall I think how a company uses image affects how they're viewed, thus providing a 'brainwash' for the consumers of the world. 

2. I don't have much of a connection to farm animals, I've grown up in New York City all my life. I've never had any connection to any type of environment that called for animals in general. To me, seeing a cow or a chicken around would be a huge deal because it's not something I see ever. Overall I don't have any knowledge or exposure to any of the farm culture that there is in the United States. I know more about the way skyscrapers are built than how farm animals are raised. 

Questions for Journaling and Discussion:

1. According to Glenn, the main characteristics of a 'factory farm discourse' is the idea of the creation of a falsehood that then becomes the 'truth' in the world. It's the idea of propaganda of how the lie slowly becomes the truth. Factory Farm discourse is definitely a good example for this because it's so easy to think that animals are being treated in a nice way and have a nice home with open space. But in reality farms more like factories with packed animals. There is no such thing as only open farms. The media has given us this general imagery so we don't feel guilty and continue with our savage choices. The term 'ignorance is bliss' is a big part of it, people don't want to realize the consequences of their actions, they want a blind eye so it's easier to go to bed at night. In my point of view these discourses are not ethical at all, there is no reason for the lies, and if people want to have it this way, they should be well aware of the consequences. Everyone should be allowed to have their own feelings and perception but there needs to be facts and truths provided. 

Applying and Exploring Ideas:

2. The company I choose is tyson. Tyson as a company is probably one of the worst companies out there. They make advertisements about healthy chickens and how they're raised well. Tyson might be one of the creators of the "factory farm". I could tell because I watched 'Food Inc' and they interviewed a ton of farmers and showed how the chickens were really raised. And yes tyson does pretend to be a family farm, marketing how their chickens are healthy and well raised.

4. One of the companies I've chosen is Apple. Apple has many factories in China. Obviously as everyone has an iphone and macbook, there needs to be people behind all these products. Recently a picture has come out as the production of the iphone 5 has come out, that they forced workers to stay until products were made. They even had a safety net outside incase any workers wanted to jump and commit suicide because of their overworked conditions. I think people will overlook these conditions because they want the Iphone or Macbook so bad. Heck, even I've done it. I've willingly bought a mac AND iphone because I wanted the products that badly. 

Literacy Narrative

                Throughout my life, I’ve had many people that have helped in my sponsorship in literacy. Since English was not my first language, I had a hard time earlier on in elementary school keeping up with my peers whose families all spoke perfect English.  A literacy sponsor would be the support of my parents, even though they felt helpless at the time (since their English weren’t the best as well), they would always buy countless numbers of books for me. Even if I never asked, my dad would come home with a new book for me to read every day.  I grew up reading many books, and I still have 13 large boxes of them in my basement. Although my parents didn’t speak English very well, I know they tried their best to make sure that I had the best education they could possibly provide. Sending me to private school and hiring tutors. My mom often brings up the fact that she would always put on PBS kids for me, and at night during dinner we would watch wheel of fortune and Friend’s (still one of my favorite shows).  Looking back now, even though my parents aren’t great examples for literacy sponsorship, their support is large reason I’m so fluent in English.

                Another sponsorship would be my teachers throughout my entire life. Every teacher, good or bad, young or old has affected me in some way. I would have to give my Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher the most props. They took a little girl who didn’t speak a word of English to an extremely chitty chatty child. Many of my teachers took time out of their lunch hours, giving me extra homework but most importantly giving me time and confidence to succeed in such a difficult task. Without such dedicated teachers I wouldn’t have been able to complete each grade with failing. My teachers all have inspired me in some type of way to do what I want to do. Each teacher has challenged me in some type of way, showing that I must work for the grades I want.  All my English teachers in high school have showed me the importance of writing and understanding. But also thinking beyond the words and finding the deeper meaning than what’s just on the page.

                Last but not least, a literacy sponsor that has greatly affected my life is music. Back as a kid, I used to idolize Britney Spears ,N’sync , and the Spice Girls. Looking back now, I don’t think I have any idea of what they were singing about. Yet my mom plays back the tapes of me blindly singing along. I will always remember how music has given me a large amount of sponsorship. It’s inspired me in more ways than I can ever describe. To this day music has been the best part of living at times. Music is such an important part of literacy and without it, my way of interpretation on life would not be the same.