Journal 2:
Connor Sirois
Professor Miller
ENG110 H2
September 8
After writing countless essays over numerous topics, my writing process is something I follow every time. Thankfully, I have never been a procrastinator when it comes to school work. Normally, the day I receive the writing prompt I make an outline, or a plan. Here I organize first thoughts, come up with my thesis statement, and organize my thoughts into body paragraphs. Next, I begin the introduction. Here is where I usually struggle most, mainly because I am trying to tie everything together before writing about any of it. These two things are always done within the first few days. Furthermore, I like to write the opening transition sentence for each body paragraph before I actually write them. I tend to spend a day or so on each, depending on how long I have to write. Once I begin writing, I usually write for a good amount of time so I don’t lose my train of thought. Lastly, I always make sure to leave a day before the essay is due to do any revisions, or changes I think are necessary. I like to write my first draft fairly neat and correct, so usually this doesn’t take very long.
Once the revision process is started, I always read the whole essay again before I make any changes. Next, I go through and rethink each of my main ideas. Do I answer my thesis? Is the paragraph in a sensible order? Do I have enough evidence to support my claims? These are all questions that I answer before moving on to the next paragraph. As soon as I feel each of these questions has been answered, and all of my paragraphs are complete, I finish by writing my conclusion. I do this because I now have a better understanding of my writing, and can better wrap up my writing.
Overall, this worked well for me. I always got my work done on time, and was a good english student. This format has helped me stay organized through my writing process, thus helping me become a better writer. While it is still a weakness of mine, this process has definitely worked out for me.
Journal 3:
Connor Sirois
Professor Miller
ENG110 H2
September 10, 2018
This particular section of reading explains the art of quotations and how to correctly use them. In high school, my teachers spent a lot of time going over how to correctly use quotations, but I learned a lot from this reading. The most useful thing was how exactly to start your quotations, such as “X says”. By correctly introducing the speaker, the quote will be incorporated correctly. Also, the various templates for correctly using quotations allows the author to not repeat himself with every quote used. Another useful piece of info was how often to use quotations. I often struggle with knowing whether to use a quote, and when to be more general when trying to make a point. Too many quotes can just be a repetition of the source you are getting them from. Too little quotes makes it hard to prove a valid point, as you will be lacking evidence.
One thing that I thought was interesting was how the author suggests too blend your words with the sources. I had never really thought of it this way, but it can be very useful. This will allow a smooth transition from the quotation used, to how this connects with the point you are trying to prove, or your thesis. The better you can blend the two different pieces of writing into one, the better the evidence will be. While this may not be the most exciting idea, it’s something I always struggle with. Using some of these strategies such as transitioning words and phrases will further help me use quotes successfully.
Connor Sirois
Journal 4
Paragraph 1
Rob Rhinehart, a graduate of electrical engineering at Georgia Tech, is one of many who believe food is more of an engineering problem. After trying numerous diets to both decrease calorie intake and the time needed to cook and eat food, he discovered a product called Soylent Green. This is essentially a product in which has all of your proteins, carbs, and vitamins, and takes almost no time to prepare. This takes away the need to go to the store for food, to prepare food, and to eat it. Rhinehart is so involved in this new phenomenon, he ends up dropping his struggling entrepreneurship and jumping on the bandwagon of the Soylent business. As the article progresses, Rhinehart travels around spreading his idea to many people at many locations. He finds many people too like the idea of replacing meals with the green “slime”. However, one problem develops, how would the owners make money if the recipe was online? Rather than worrying, the owners encourage people to make their own better version, as this is just a benefit to society. Overall, the transition to a soylent life is life-changing. Many believe it can be beneficial, many believe just the opposite.
Paragraph 2
My initial response to this reading was more confusion than opinionated. At first I had no idea what to think of what I just read. However, I have developed more of a stronger feeling after a few more reads. While I do agree that the green solvent is an interesting phenomenon, and could possible have some benefits to society, I am nowhere near jumping on the bandwagon. Not only do I think this product will ruin both the farming business and the american economy, I think food has a much bigger meaning than just to be eaten. Food is a necessity of life. Food is something people have relied upon since the beginning of this world. If this solvent were to become the primary food source for America, millions of people would be without jobs.
Overall, this text did have some impact on my thought process, as it is truly crazy that there is a safe food which can replace any meal. However, I am not jumping on that bandwagon as I believe food has a much bigger meaning that many people associate it with.
Connor Sirois
Journal 5
Professor Miller
September 17, 2018
After completion of the first dozen or so pages in Gerald Graff’s novel They Say I Say, I learned why the novel is titled the way it is. This section talks about proper ways to correctly use other authors writing within your own, and correctly referencing sources. One thing that was really helpful was the templates given in order to do this well. Learning to take it line by line, and learning how to break up the text into parts makes this a lot easier. Also, the template helps both introduce the topic or issue being mentioned, and then ways to effectively qualify the argument being made. In this same small section of the reading, “planting a naysayer in your text” is also mentioned, which is a term I had never heard of before. This is essentially a way to summarize the point being made and then refuting a counterclaim likely to hurt the main argument.
A section I found interesting was in the opening pages of the book. Here the author states that “If there is any one point that we hope you will take away from this book, it is the importance of not only expressing your ideas (“I say”), but also presenting those ideas of others (“They say”). A successful piece of writing will not only accurately portray what the main point of the author is, but also effectively incorporation others ideas into its text. This will allow a connection to form with the reader, something that is crucial to good writing. If this is not done, the format and numerous other smaller details don’t mean anything no matter how well they are written.
Connor Sirois
Journal 6
Peer Review
Link to Emma’s Essay: Emma Bryan- Project 1, Draft #2 Bryan 1-2
Link to Nick’s Essay: Copy of Nick Gould
Journal 7 – Podcast
Link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cVDB9k2S8SLSn2sYiSAEdM2Fo9EuTCXQ
Connor Sirois
Professor Miller
Journal 8
3 October 2018
After reading chapter 1, “They Say”, in Gerald Graff’s novel They Say I Say, there are a few main ideas I have gathered. First, the opening paragraphs of this section I find particularly interesting because the author uses the example of a doctor, and how the doctor failed to use grammar correctly. This gave me the idea that this is a universal misconception, and even doctors are often unaware. The main ideas of this chapter to both address what you are saying early on in the paper, often in the thesis, and to keep the reader intrigued throughout the reading by referring back to this numerous times throughout the writing. The text also gives examples of this in terms of the types of writing, such as short stories, novels, or simple responses. The reason I find this interesting is because I often lose interest in people’s writing. I feel like this is because many often just ramble on, either never using a thesis or failing to revert back to it. The writing I often enjoy reading has this main idea, and common uses examples and action to keep the reader engaged and focus on the point they are trying to make. This chapter made sense of why that happens for me.
Similarly, something I found helpful was the passages based on different templates. There was numerous templates provided for just about every situation in writing. The two most helpful ones to me were “making what they say something you say”, and “keep in view what they say”. The reason these two were the most helpful is because I often struggle with successful using other writers work into my own. Since reading this book, I often refer back to these templates when in a situation when I am trying to use other people’s work in my own. Because this makes writing stronger, I refer to these templates often. Learning these templates allows me more time to focus on what i’m actually saying rather than how to say it.
Journal 9:
After completion of my Soylent essay, there are a few major things in my drafting and revision process that stood out to me. First, my typical approach to writing an essay was defeated before we even started, as this was not intended to be a standard five paragraph essay. This forced me to draft in a new way, blocking out time for each idea I had. I stuck to this plan however, allowing myself plenty of time for revision. I finished the draft on time, and spent numerous days reorganizing and considering my peers comments. I spent most of my time based on this idea of organization. I wanted my essay to be in an order that made sense, and had a nice flow.
If I could change anything, it would probably be my selection of quotes. I had a hard time finding useful quotes from Widdecombe’s essay, so I think I reached on a few. If my quotes were a bit stronger, I think it would make my essay that much better. Next time, I think using specific quotes to them formulate ideas would be a better strategy, rather than doing it the other way around.
Overall, I thought this essay went fairly well. At first I was overwhelmed, but once my ideas got onto paper things went fairly smoothly.
Journal 10:
Page 9 Paragraph 4
This paragraph revolves around how our perception of food is used on tv. As the author says, watching cooking competitions on tv is not to gain knowledge to put to your own use, it is merely entertainment with the message “don’t try this at home”. While this is may not be a necessarily positive statement, I agree with Pollan’s words. Personally, every time I have watched a show on food network it has been competition based, rather than instructional. There are numerous shows which all entail different rules and regulations. Rather than showing the viewers step by step how to make and prepare the food, the entertainment company shows the competitors racing to the deadline of when their meal is due. Nearly every cooking show nowadays skips the actual cooking part of the meal, showing only the struggles of the chefs and the end result. This gives people the idea that cooking is no longer for joy, rather competition and entertainment. As Pollan says, this makes people think they need to go out to a restaurant to get a good meal. Overall, this is a result of the changing times of society, but it is sad that food is turning more into a sport rather than for enjoyment.
Page 11 Paragraph 2
Similar to the previous paragraph, here the author writes that the focus of food is shifting from actually making it to consuming it. I agree with this statement as well. Tv ads today don’t encourage people to get off the couch, turn off the foot network, and make a meal. Instead, they encourage going out to eat, or ways to make a meal as simple as can be through as few ingredients. The art of cooking has almost become a nuisance to many, which was not the case years ago. The reason I agree with this is because the evidence is overwhelming, and I see it first hand everyday. More and more people are going out to eat, or buying microwavable meals. Being a college student, this is also very prevalent to me as well. With such a busy schedule, nearly every meal I eat is made for me. The last time I made a full meal for myself was months ago, which is striking. While it may be sad for many, there is no doubt the way we perceive food is changing greatly.
Page 17 Paragraph 2
This paragraph ties in really well with the whole idea of Soylent. The author brings up the idea that cooking gives us not only the meal but also the occasion. Again, I agree with what the author is saying. Like I shared in my favorite food essay, food carries an value that many things cannot. This is why it is important to keep the art of cooking alive as times change. Having a special family member make their famous dish tastes better because they made it. If you go out to dinner and get the same type of meal, it may taste good, but it won’t be the same. These values and meetings play an essential role in our lives, which is why I agree that they cannot be forgotten. I agree with the author on the idea that food has had a role in civilizing us as well. Sitting down over a meal, making eye contact, sharing food, and having discussion is something important to everyone.
Journal 11
In chapter 14 of “They Say I Say”, the author discusses the motivation of writers, and why they write certain passages. The author states that it is important to not only just try and understand the main point of what you are reading, but also what he/she is responding too. This is interesting to me because I have sat through many of those english classes where the teacher asks “what is the author trying to prove here?”. After awkward silence usually we would up with something. Why I find this interesting is the addition of of the question “what is he/she responding too?”. This provides new insight, and allows for the reader, like me and my classmates, to have a new way of thinking, making discussion flow more naturally. This helps create conversation as well.
Something that I found helpful is the section in which the author talks about finding what “they say” when it is not a clear point. One of the main ways to go about this is constructing a counter argument to what you think is the main idea of the passage. This helps see both point of views, as well as ideas that you may have taken for granted. Using your counter argument, it will be more evident in to exactly what the author is trying say. I often struggle with understanding what an author is trying to promote if they are not clear about it. This strategy allows me to better comprehend what I am reading, so I can better use this is my own writing. While a counterclaim is only one of the ways to better analyze a confusing piece of writing, it was very helpful to me.
Connor Sirois – Journal 12
What issues or tensions are in play when considering cremation?
- Doughty believes that families should have a larger role in the death rituals during cremation. She explains that working there made her realize the families are hardly involved, and that the families should be there to send their loved one off. She believes the family should be doing the cremation, rather than just some worker who doesn’t even know the person being cremated. The issue this suggests is whether or not it is moral for cremation to occur. Doughty even suggests she would like to see other methods of body disposal created and used.
Describe Doughty’s Philosophy?
- Doughty’s philosophy is based off honesty. She explains that we have purposely avoided talking about death for years, so the whole idea of it is crazy to many. However, she believes we need to be honest with ourselves, and there shouldn’t be anything wrong with openly talking about it.
Connor Sirois – Journal 13
Reflection over Paper 2
Overall, there are two main takeaways in terms of reflection for paper 2. The first, I feel pretty good, considering on the first day of the paper I sat at my desk in disbelief and confusion. However, once ideas began to spark, the writing started to flow. I was able to successfully break my essay up into certain time frames. I achieved every due date, and was able to put all of my ideas on paper. Due to the density of this paper, I knew procrastinating anything would catch up to me, so for the most part I stayed ahead, and finished everything on time or before. For me, this is a good way to avoid stress. In terms of what’s actually inside of the paper, I feel pretty good about that too. I made an outline which helped me keep my ideas fairly organized, and continued to flourish new ideas into my mind.
However, I feel as I could have put more effort into my revising stages of my essay. Once I had my meetings with both Professor Miller and Steven, I worked on considering their opinions. However, after that, I didn’t do that much. I formatted everything, made a works cited, but I could have spent more timing editing grammatically. I had a very important test for psychology which got in the way of the time I had to study, so next time I need to balance it out.
Connor Sirois – Journal 14
Consider the Lobster
After re-reading David Foster Wallace’s writing “Consider the Lobster” there are a few main things I see differently now. The first time I read CTL, it seemed very similar to all of the other animal cruelty rants. Not that they aren’t effective, but it just didn’t stand out. However, after reading it again, I see more of what Wallace is writing about. It’s not necessarily the actual act of boiling the lobster, it’s the idea of it. This idea is much bigger than one lobster, and that is what Wallace is portraying. The moral obligation that we go through on whether to save the lobster, or any animal it may be, or are we willing to overlook the idea of what we are doing, and simply seeing it as food we need to eat.
As I mentioned, this essay is about more than just the killing of lobsters. It brings out the inner self, and the values we are willing to withhold. It’s clear that the lobsters don’t want to be thrown in the pot, so why do we continue this? When reading this for a second time, I had a realization. Are we able to overlook what we are doing because we are the predators, and the lobsters are the prey? Or is this different because we are able to cook our own food, and think more complexly than any other organism? These are the thoughts this second reading generated. While it gave me new ideas, I am not sure that there is a right answer to this discussion, or that it will ever be agreed upon as what is the right side to take.
Journal 15 – Connor Sirois
“Some of happiest childhood memories…”Response:
By giving up meat, he loses part of his culture. Foods such as sushi, chicken, and turkey all served as childhood memories that he would be leaving behind. The memories wouldn’t have been the same without the meat, as food holds certain values that most other material objects cannot hold. Not only would he lose an essential part of his happiest childhood memories, but he would also lose the pleasurable experience of eating this meats. Letting these tastes made from your memory serves as a sort of cultural loss, as each individual flavor can hold its own unique value. Removing meat would serve as the reason for such a cultural loss.
However, there are some things gained for Foer. Choosing to remove meat from his diet allows him to conform to the moral obligations, increasing how he feels about himself. Also, this will allow him to use new foods and beliefs to hold values that are important to him. He will create important that are unique to only him, which can be thought of as something important.
Page 5 Response: Foer makes the argument about why a horny person has a strong claim to rape an animal just as much as a human. I understand the connection, as the animal doesn’t have choice in either scenario, and its not like they want to get eaten nor raped. However, where the two ideas differ is that food is essential for survival, where as rape is not. The reason humans have ate other animals for years, and used their body parts for other parts of their cultures is because of our natural instincts. We are animals, just as chickens or cows are. Because of this, we have the natural need to be predators just as a lion would. While we have the capability to create our own food, which other animals don’t have, we are still part of the food chain, making us a predator who is trying to eat to survive just as other animals do.
They Say I Say // Playing the NaySayer in your Text
Connor Sirois – Journal 16
After reading pages 78-91 in “They Say I Say”, there are a few main points I found specifically interesting. On pages 78-79, the author talks about the importance of citing counterclaims. By doing so, he says rather than contradicting yourself or making your argument weaker, you are actually making yourself more credible. This way, the reader doesn’t see you as close minded, and your point seems more valid. This was helpful to me because I often struggle on whether or not to use a counter argument in my writing. They can still be helpful even in texts that are not necessarily all argumentative, and this gave me the confidence to incorporate into my own writing, as I often do with the numerous templates provided for example.
On a less serious note, Something that I thought was quite comical was one of the reasons why the author says it is important to include “naysayers” in your writing. Graff says that providing a naysayer in your writing “makes it easier to generate enough text to meet their page-length requirement. While this is more funny than useful, I knew I had to include it because it made me laugh and caught my attention. I had never really thought about using a counter argument in that way, but I guess it could work!
Journal 17: Peer Review
Gunnar: Copy of Project 3 – Gunnar (1)
Emma: Copy of Emma Bryan- reconsidering the lobster (1)
Connor Sirois – Journal 18
As I have just finished my essay, at 9:08 pm on sunday night, I can’t help think of how far my essay has come. From wednesday to now, my essay, I hope, has gotten a lot stronger because of few main things. I have spent probably 3 hours between now and then, mainly focusing on diving deeper into the texts I used. This was a challenge with having to stay around 1500 words. One of the things I worked on most besides that was my thesis. I rewrote my thesis to incorporate the troubled middle, which I left out of my original essay. After talking with my peers I decided I was essentially mentioning all of the points, I just wasn’t coming out and saying it. Another way in which I spent time was through the grammatical and grammar portion. Last essay I had comments that I needed to spend more time proofreading my work, so I made sure to re read my essay for small mistakes.
Compared to the draft I had wednesday after class, this one is fairly different. The ideas are mostly the same, but the change to my thesis I think really strengthened my essay, as I hope It made my connection to the text stronger. The reason I spent my time as I did was because of the comments I received on my last essay. It is my goal to get a better grade each essay, so I would like to go from a B- to a B or an A. I took what comments were made on my essay and used them to hopefully do this.
