Deadline #15 HW #2

Deadline #15 HW #2
Peer Review Reflection

The two Reflection cover paper I read were very good, and only needed minor correction. However my paper was another story, but I would like to thanks Alex, Brennan Dardis, and Kathey for all your help. I still like peer review, "Alex" I think it was veryhelpful. Happy Holidays, and I wish everyone success in the future.
Here is my Final Relection Cover

During the course of this English class I've learned a lot. I've never realize how uneducated I was about English. It had been over 7 years since the last time I was enrolled into school. When I first registered for this class I didn't have a clue, and after the first day I was intimidated about the load of work required, plus the computer aspect. This class was very challenging, for me. You've demanded a lot of hard work, but you were also very knowledgeable and helpful. I believe I have grown a writer and a student. Both books (The Bedford Researcher, and Everything an Argument) helped me better understand the different terms and overall process on how to write an argument.The only major concern I still have is the lack of proper grammar skills . The following chapters and homework assignments helped me not only to survive this class, but to complete my assignments.
The first course outcome in Deadline #2, and #3 rhetorical contexts, (purpose, topic, audience, and writer) all these chapters influence me on how to get started . Without reading them I wouldn't have been unable to put, the whole "argument" paper into action. When I first started I was clueless as to where to begin . Clustering was also very helpful to me, it helped to break down what topic I was most passionate about. I came up with three topics I was interested in. . Chapter #2 helped me narrow my topic, execution alone is a big topic. I wasn't clear on what approach to take. Surfing the web, gave me a lot of ideas. In Deadline #3 Chapter Three helped me to develop my research question. There are three points you must consider when developing a research question. First what role will you as the writer take to your audience. I decide to take on the roll as an advocate. An advocate presents evidence to his or her audience, both the positive and negative of the argument as well as gives opposing view's. Here is an example on how I broke down the process for coming up with my thesis question. Original question was Death Row prisoners, are they all Guilty? This research question was too wide. Second attempt : Americans should keep the execution. This sentence was to demanding. Third question : Should America Question Executions? I thought this was the winner, but chapter three helped me re-word it. The final result was: Is it Necessary for Americans to Question or Stop Executions? I finally felt confident with this question. I would be able to tell of both side of the process of execution, without being to demanding, or one sided. I believe I was able to show this in Deadline #3 in one of my earlier blog posting http://pauletteestrada.blogspot.com/2007/09/deadline-3-hw-2.html
The second course outcome in Chapter #10 in the Bedford Researcher briefly explained the proper methods on how to take notes. My ability to take notes has always been poor. Looking back on how I used to write showed me that I have in fact, plagiarized in the past. Bedford briefly showed how to paraphrase, which is how you interpreted. Summarize is writing out the main facts about the whole article, and add the author and where you got it from. I know this isn't one of my strong abilities, but its a lot better now. This is a starting point for me and hopefully in the future it will be a strong ability for one. Writing project #2 was a major project which showed how important it was to have all your sources organized. You can see how I was able to organized all the information I used in my final paper. You can access WP# 2 on my blog site. http://pauletteestrada.blogspot.com/2007/10/deadline-9-hw-2.html
In the third course outcome (consistent voice, tone) Deadline #6 Chapter 4 (Everythings an Argument), was about how to back up your argument. You can back up your argument by using facts based on evidence such as statistic, surveys, or personal experiences. Having a source which is well known or an experts in their field will help persuade your audience. Chapter #16 outlines all the different types of evidence you can use. Lot's of evidence doesn't matter, if you don't use it right. It's how you use that evidence to answer your audience's questions and give them the right information that important. In my argument my audience was the uneducated society (the uneducated about execution)so I tried to think of what they knew and didn't know about executions. Based on that, I found subjects to clue them in such as the history, methods, and murder which is the number one crime to commit to be sentenced to death row "execution". I wanted my audience to know about execution because I was trying to persuade them to not doubt execution just because it has a few flaws. When delivering information, I tried to present to my audience in a neutral manner. I did not want to come across as biased, demanding, or know it all. I simply tried to lay out the facts and remind my audience that sometimes the right thing to do is not the easiest to do. Hopefully I was able to demonstrate that in my final paper. http://pauletteestrada.blogspot.com/2007/12/deadline-13.html
Fourth course outcome Online and print sources were a huge factor in this class. I used the Internet pretty much for my whole argument. Google and CQ Researcher were very helpful when I first began my search. What was interesting about CQ Researcher was that it gave you articles on both side of the topic. Deadline #4 explained how to use books and web in your research. http://pauletteestrada.blogspot.com/2007/09/deadline-4-hw-1.html
The fifth course outcome paraphrase I showed the ability in every Reading Reflection, posted on my blog.http://pauletteestrada.blogspot.com/2007/09/deadline-4-hw-5.html A example where I showed summarizing skills was in my Annotated Bibliography. With both of these methods you, as a writer, you have to watch out not to plagiarize. Before this class I believe I unknowingly plagiarized, which can be as simple a misquoting, or not giving the true author credit.
The sixth course outcome, appropriate documentation style was Modern Language Association (MLA). Although both required books showed you how to write your paper in MLA style it was still difficult. This was the first time that I can remember that I used this format. I found it interesting that every source had its own proper format. This is also shown in my Annotated Bibliography.
The seventh course outcome dealt with feedback, and peer review. Both peer review and feedback was very helpful to me. Peer review was definitely a plus when it came time to revising. The peer reviews I received gave constructive criticism. Being able to review other classmates arguments allowed me to see what they over looked, and gave me a chance to see if I did the same. This section of the class helped both parties. It also allowed us to see how each of us have our own writing style. You were very informative in class, and though we didn't always have a lot of time you've made sure to answer everyones questions. Thank you to both my peers and you Mr. Adams http://pauletteestrada.blogspot.com/2007/09/deadline-5-hw-2-and-3.html
The eighth course outcome As mentioned earlier English was never my strongest class. One of my problems was seeing my mistakes within my own paper. A lot of my mistakes were due to the fact that I knew what I was trying to say. The Bedford Researcher book gave excellent tips on how to review your on paper. http://pauletteestrada.blogspot.com/2007/10/deadline-8-hw-5.html I believe overall this class has enhanced my writing skills. they are not prefect but as they say practice makes perfect. Ninth course outcome Before this class I've owned and used a computer whenever I had too, but this class opened a whole new world. I knew and used the net before, not personally , but I've always hated the Internet due to the fact I had dial-up and I'm impatient. This class forced me to get over it because you had to use the Internet a lot. Google Docs was a new program to me. It seemed simple but at times I had problems with keeping my format from skipping around when I cut and pasted. Overall I feel a lot more comfortable using not only the computer, but the Internet and google docs. One of the features I really liked was how you can send your document to everyone, and also allowing them to comment feature. Also when editing, I like that multiple people could edit your paper. I also liked how your corrections were shown on your document that was sent out to everyone.
In conclusion I feel that I demonstrated all these course outcomes, throughout this English class. I know that I have improved in all areas, more important I know my biggest weakness is in grammar. I have over came my lack of Internet ability, I have learned new computer programs: Google Docs, my own blog, a site to practice my grammar "Grammar girl". I know that in the future I will use the knowledge that I've gain from this class toward whatever project I'm faced with.