Persuasive Essay Outline

Why Technology has a negative impact on communication, social skills and everyday lifestyle
(plan on coming up with a better title, but will be using this in my into.)

A. Introduction

B. Benefits of technology today

1. Medical advances
2. Technology in education
3. Faster communication

C. Technology impacts communication/social skills

1. Texting convenience vs. talking in person
2. Cell phone becomes a "crutch"
3. Awkwardness/miscommunication/assumptions

D. Technology can impact relationships

1. Cheating
2. Trust Issues
3. No privacy
4. Unrealistic standards

E. News/information spread

(In some cases can be good, but also can be bad)

1. Public figures, government, idols, post or are on media daily
2. Certain info. targeted certain audiences
3. Controls (subliminally) what you SHOULD and SHOULDN'T think  

F. Laziness and lifestyle

1. Boredom = technology
2. Lack of productivity
3. Impact on children and millennials

G. Might add another paragraph comparing places advanced with technology and not as advanced, and the lifestyle of those people who live there, and their lifestyle, but not sure yet.

H. Conclusion

I commented on Eve's and Porchia's blogs

Hannah Almaden
Melinda Schroeder
English 101
11/9/2016
Blog Post #4

Venn Diagram Compare/Contrast

Also forgot to compare the diversity of people between the two

I chose to compare and contrast these two places because I love where I live, and the Pacific Northwest as a whole. Big cities and small towns are very different, and it's interesting to observe them when in comparison. Just a couple hours away, there is a whole another world, where people live different lifestyles with almost completely different surroundings. The people are different and so is the atmosphere/feel of it all. Yet, we live in the same state and aren't even that far apart. Aside those differences, there are many similarities, which are surprising and a little heartwarming to think about (maybe just to me, but I was born and raised in Washington, which you'll understand the purpose of that in my paper). I just really took interest in this topic. The purpose of what I chose is to compare these two places and show that even in a two vastly different areas, there are still some things that will just always be the same.

I commented on Makayla's and Shelby's blogs

Hannah Almaden
Melinda Schroeder
English 101
10/19/2016

Summary and Choice of Analysis

Fish Cheeks
In the short story "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan, the author expresses the main point of her piece by showing how hard it is to accept being different in an unfamiliar or perhaps, judgmental, environment. She explains her past struggle with living a traditional Chinese life in the American world, and also how she overcame it. At first, Amy was ashamed and embarrassed of her family's differences compared to non-Chinese people. As she wanted to so badly be a "normal" American girl, in the end, she learned to appreciate her lifestyle and to be proud of her heritage.
The purpose of this article was to tell her readers that it is okay to be different and to be proud of your heritage; even if your lifestyle isn't the same as others. Never let go of who you truly are on the inside. Instead of being shameful or embarrassed, embrace yourself; you will feel more confident if you do so. Don't let others sway your opinions or make you change.

Superman and Me
The main point of the short story "Superman and Me" by Sherman Alexie, is to not only give a different perspective on the lifestyle of American Indians, and his own life and experience with the rest of the world, but also a perspective for other struggling students and people. Alexie tells a story on how he overcame the judgement and destiny to "fail" in the "non-Indian" world by hard work and dedication, which he claimed to have saved his life.
The purpose of this piece is to reach out to students who may be struggling to find themselves; which today he targets young American Indians who live on the reservation, ensuring that they get the guidance that he said he never got when he was in their place. He tells that he refused to fail, and he had to teach himself how to read and write, which lead to where he is today. Sherman wants to share his knowledge and push people to do the same, especially young students. Failure is not an option, save your own life.

Choice of Analysis
For my essay choice, I will be writing about "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan. I like the purpose of her article and I agree that heritage is important; also it interests me. I don't really have a particular heritage that I can embrace or stick to, so I admire those who do. Especially in today's world, it is very hard to be yourself and to be different, because everyone wants to fit in or be like someone else; it is a common issue within today's society! Of course Sherman Alexie's short story has an important meaning and purpose as well, and if you think about it these two articles are very similar, but Amy Tan's stood out to me a little more. In one way I can relate to it, but in depth I cannot. Which makes it fascinating.

Work Cited:
Alexie, Sherman. "Superman and Me." The Bedford Reader 12 (2006): 582-85. Print.
Tan, Amy. "Fish Cheeks." The Bedford Reader 12 (2006): 110-11. Print.

I commented on Starlena's and Eve's blogs.

Hannah Almaden

Melinda Schroeder

English 101

10/5/16   

Blog Post #2: Practice Narrative Writing

The air begins to grow cold and crisp, as the sun starts to sink below the treetops; painting the sky with vibrant colors. Music quietly dances in the background while the joyful conversation of my peers slowly becomes the only sound echoing into the distance; everything else is still.

Dusk creeps in, and the shadows swallow our surroundings. My fists start to clinch as numbness begins to prick the tips of my fingers, so I cup my hands, letting out a warm breath to bring back the feeling. The glow of the fire gently flickers across the faces and bodies of my family and friends, quietly snapping and crackling behind all of our noise. I quickly lean back to avoid the children who rush in front of me, running towards the picnic table to tear open their bags of marshmallows. Laughing, I look at everyone around me - there’s not a cell phone in sight. Everyone we enjoy is right here with us. I can smell the damp, fresh scent of the nature that lingers around me while I sit still in my chair, holding a can of soda, thinking to myself how there is no place I would rather be. The fire pops and lets out a puff of smoke, sending tiny, glowing, bits of ash floating into the sky. Slowly one by one, everyone disappears into their tents or campers, until the fire is the only thing left awake. We all can’t wait for tomorrow night, when we will proudly wear the strong scent pine and campfire once again.

I commented on Makayla's and Cameron's blogs.

Response to "Why We Lie"

Hannah Almaden
Melinda Schroeder
English 101
9/30/16


Summary

"Why We Lie" by Dan Ariely is a short read that provides examples of dishonesty within people. The author gives details of various experiments, which each had a different approach, to test if people would lie or cheat to get a good result. While each experiment was changed to switch up the situation, the outcome changed along with it. The author claims that everybody has the ability to be dishonest, and shows that different situations can have an effect on how much, or how little, people lie or cheat.


Paraphrase Paragraph 10

Since we are all well aware that almost everyone cheats, either more or barely at all, we are now left wondering what is causing us to do so.


Favorite Quote

"Although it is obviously important to pay attention to flagrant misbehaviors, it is probably more important to discourage the small and more ubiquitous forms of dishonesty — the misbehavior that affects all of us, as both perpetrators and victims.” (Ariely, par. 26) I chose this quote because I have never thought about small lies this way. I think it is interesting that the author is suggesting that smaller forms of dishonesty are the misbehaviors to be more cautious of, because not only is it contagious, but it can lead to more, and larger, lies. This gave me a different outlook on things, and the more I read it, the more I realize how true it actually is. It is weird to think that the smallest of lies could be the most devious.


Ariely, Dan. "Why We Lie." The Bedford Reader (2014): 440-446. Print.

I commented on Porchia and Shelby's blogs.