Last Day post

I think I've learned a different way to approach papers. Writing an anaylsis about a space/movie/definition was something I've never done before and I found it challenging. But I think its helped me form the ability to look at something analytically and be able to write about it. I think the workshopping we did in class really was helpful to me because I realized what I did and did not want out of my paper by reading others and commenting on them. This had a good effect because at first I didn't really feel like I knew what I was doing and so after the workshopping i could feel secure that I was on the right path with my paper. I found keeping up the blog hard to keep up with (obviously from my lack of posts). This may be just me because I had a  hard semester with 21 credit hours, so maybe it isnt asking a lot, but with other writing classes it was a lot for me. I think the writing approaches learned in this class are definitely useful for other aspects of writing classes.

In Class writing

For my paper I am still unclear about what I am going to write about my paper. I like the idea of going to urbandictionary.com to find a definition because that site provides a lot of current meanings for definitions. There are many controversial ideas in the media that could be touched upon. By including a broader idea with the definition will make it easier to write about a narrow topic. I am interested to see how this paper will be different to work on then the last to analysis papers we did. I am thinking of doing a definition that pertains to TCU or college life so that it is closer to the readers.

In class activity

my bare feet sink into the soft moist soil of the path. Its early morning, and the orange sunlight trickles through the forest's branches. The path is more of a trail really, over roots and rocks. I find a rusted key near some wild violets. It must be copper, since metal is brown and green from oxidation in the outdoors. I wipe the dirt off the emblem. Nearby I spot a wooden cup, hidden in a hollow of a tree. Its carved from a dark mohagany wood, and smells of cinnamon. I take my findings and continue down the path, eager to find more treasures. Not long I come to a fallen tree that blocks my path. It's long roots now reaching out into the morning air.It must have fallen in a storm, I think to myself, although not too long ago since its leaves are still alive and green. I climb through the horizontal tree, ducking twigs and climbing over the trunk. As soon as I emerge from the branches I realize I'm standing in front of a large tree that must have been as wide as a car. A small thatched door made of boughs and clay. as I look up at the tree I realize it must be hollow since a little clay chimney emitted from the side. Looking around, there was a fire pit and an ancient stonewall, probabley from colonial times.As I extend my gaze past the stonewall, a stronger light streams through the trees: a clearing is ahead. Curious to see where this strange abode neighbors by, I walk towards the thinning trees. I reach the end of the forest I realize the expanse is a drop to a valley below. From this height I can see across the many foothills of the Berkshires, all aflame with the hues of New England Autumn. The air is more crisp out of the trees, less earthy but still as vibrant. I could sense the moisture in the air and predicted a snowfall soon.

In Class 10/27/11

The prewriting prompts really helped me to organize what I could argue within my paper. It helped me to narrow down what topics to talk about. I also really liked the workshopping because it gave me personal feedback and allowed me to read other's papers to ensure that I was on the right track with how I was writing. What I wish was different was perhaps to have the draft deadlines spaced out a bit more - I got caught up with other assignments and rehearsal that I had literally no time to work on it between deadlines. Perhaps if there was more time I could dedicate more attention to each draft.

Author's Note

Having the prewriting prompts really helped me with this paper. I really enjoyed it more then the public space analysis because I felt that there was more tangible aspects to write about. I felt like this paper I really knew more about what I was doing, but I had a harder time talking about the analytic part of the movie instead of the content of the movie. I had to work to find an equal medium in order to make an argument

in response to my feedback

I like being able to read feedback on my paper because I gain information from another pair of eyes. Most of what the readers had to say I agree with, such as incorporating more sources for my argument and providing examples for the point I am trying to make. Besides that, grammatical corrections will come when I give attention to it in my final draft.

In Class

For this movie analysis paper, I am most worried about being biased in my analysis because of how the movie may effect me. The film is a documentary about a man that teaches people how to handle and 'break in' horses without violence. It has very beautiful shots that help the viewer to understand the lifestyle the main character has and what his work accomplishes. I picked this film off itunes because I wanted to do the paper on something I had never seen or knew much about.
The film has no soundtrack or score, with only the main character's voice to narrate it. This gives the film the feeling of being realistic and reflective. I think this movie may be controversial because it is introducing a new way of treating horses that is untraditional for the past 100 years.