Mother Tongue

Being an  emigrant can be a hard challenge adjusting to the new life style. English is a complex language to learn and even people living in the United States have trouble learning it. Tan's teachers encourage her to be a science or math major because Asian-Americans tend to test higher in those subjects. Asians have a difficult time learning and understanding English. Tan's story is showing people that even though people doubt you you shouldn't stop trying. Tan wanted to prove her teachers wrong that even though she is an Asian-American she can still learn, talk, and write English. Her mother was raised in Asia most of her life before coming to America which is why she had such a hard time understanding and speaking English. This point fits in with the argument "Mother Tongue" because her mother understands everything she read in English, when she tries and speaks English she has a difficulty speaking.

A Friend for a Life Time

Amelia has been my best friend since I was five years old. My digital story is going to be how we grew and where we are now. I will relive some of the best memories I had with her.

Digital Story Telling

Digital storytelling can "revolutionize" the narratives experience in many ways. We as narratives, have to pick out the importance of the story, relive the experience, and tell the audience the significance of the story. Each time we go to tell the story we rethink about what happened. When I tell my friends stories about our past we all contribute to the story. I might leave out details I forgot and when one of my friends add that detail I say to myself "how could I forget that". I believe each time we tell the same story it changes our experiences because each time we tell it differently. When creating my digital story I have to pick the most important about my best friend and I's life long friendship. This will change my experience because I get to relive all the precious memories I had with her and change the way I thought about them memories because I am older now.

Outline

"Student Metaphors of Themselves as Writers"

Introduction:

            -Reason of assignment 

            -Affects

            - How it helps 

Body 1:

            - Process and Speed metaphors

                  - Examples of process and speed metaphors

            - Why they chose the animal or thing

                  - What affect the animal or thing has on their writing

Body 2: 

            - Fear and Courage metaphors 

                  - Examples of fear and courage metaphors

            - Why they chose the animal or thing

                  - What affect the animal or thing has on their writing

Body 3: 

            - Controlled metaphors

                   - Examples of controlled metaphors 

            - Why they chose the animal or thing 

                   - What affect the animal or thing has on their writing

Body 4:

            - Silence metaphors

                    - Examples of controlled metaphors 

            - Why they chose the animal or thing 

                   - What affect the animal or thing has on their writing

Conclusion:

           - What other literary figures have to say about metaphors

           - How student metaphors are implications and assumptions

           - Their opinions on writing through metaphors

           - Metaphors help find and see yourself 

The article is organized to help show us understand our own writing. People wrote metaphors about themselves then explained why they chose the metaphor they did. It helped them see who they really are when they write. The central claim of each section of the article is to realize who or what you identify your writing as. Each section contributes to the thesis because each student is revealing their personally through metaphor. This helps the student and teacher to get a better understand of who you are or they are.  

Wikipedia

Wikipedia should be used as a last resort. I agree with Middlebury College's policy because we are in college and should be using reasonable sources. With Wikipedia anyone could something about a topic whether it is write or wrong, we wouldn't know.  Other schools in the article agree with Middlebury's policy, students should use primary source or a scholar website. Wikipedia is trying to be more sufficient with their information by having many historians edit the old information. I think students in college should listen to their professor the first time. If a professor says not to use Wikipedia don't use it. Creating a policy to ban Wikipedia would be a waste of time because students are going to do what they want in the end. If the school has a to ban it from the school's network do what you have to do but students will find away around it. Therefore, I don't think there is a way a school could create a policy banning Wikipedia.

-Rachel

The End

The film and novel Into the Wild are very similar. The character the plays Chris does a great job showing the audience Chris's true personality. I think the film give Chris justice. Many viewers that read Chris's story thought he was dope or a whack job, but after seeing this film I think it give the audience a better feel for what Chris was aiming for. Chris was his own individual and lived his life as he wanted. I think the film gives us a better understanding of what Chris went through. For example, when he killed the moose and wasn't able to eat it. The character in the film wrote journals, cried, and struggled as Chris did in the novel. I believe the film helps us get a better sense of what Chris went through on his journey. Chris in the movie hitched hiked, met lots of new people, worked different places, hunted, traveled down the river, and road the trains which all gave us a new image in our heads of what he really went through. Although, some films skew our sense of reality and romanticize tragedy. Films that aren't real but wished they were. Into the Wild was a real adventure that more then one person can relate too.

-Rachel

Perceptions

Chris McCandless was always a man I adored He was young, open-minded, ambitious, creative, and adventurous. My perceptions never changed. McCandless followed his dream and you can not blame him for that. People in today's society sit around at home wishing they would have did something different with their life. When McCandless's family visited the bus they were a little scared and didn't know what to expect but once they got their they understood why their son has come to Alaska for his journey. If I wasn't so scared to follow my dream I would go on an expedition like Chris did. I plan to go to Africa for a few month to help the families with illnesses and starvation. Since I attend Juniata I can do the study of broad to Africa. Once I have visited and got a feel for the country I plan on going back for years to come. Everyone has dream but they are to scared to actually do them. Follow your dreams and do something new with your life.

-Rachel

Outcasts

We all have little nicknames that fit our personality. Names allow people to get a understanding of someone but can also be misunderstood. For example, music artists, Ke$ha changed her name so people can understand her crazy partying personality or Nicki Minaj who has multiple "egos" and characters. Krakauer put various different "outcasts"  in chapter 8-10 to help give us a better sense of Chis's story. Chris and the others that were mentioned  aren't like everyday people. They look into life with deeper meaning and want to make something out of themselves. Therefore, they would change their names so they are not like everyone else but their own personal character.

Tolstoy, Stegner

Tolstoy was an independent man. I am sure he loved his family very much. In his epigraph he believes he is in a life with no movement. Tolstoy wanted an adventure, some excitement in his life same as Chris. Tolstoy and McCandless were both filled with excited and both needed to escape. Stegner's epigraph is simply about being free. You can walk where ever your little heart desires; whether it is miles or blocks. When we walk on a beach or take a hike up the mountains you think to yourself "damn this is one beautiful place, I am here free from everyone." We tend to love that feeling knowing there is no one around and you can experience nature. Tolstoy, Stegner, and McCandless all wanted to be free and experience the world on their own, which McCandless did. He lived his life to the fullest. We need to all start living a bit, we are not guaranteed tomorrow so you should live everyday like it's your last.  Chris was inspired by these authors. He related to them in so many ways, which gave him the idea to actually do want he wanted to do in life. That is why I am a big fan of Chris McCandless. He shows dedication, motivation, and adventure. Every human being has that one thing they want to do before life is over but some are to scared to actually do it; not Chris though.

-Rachel

Alexander Supertramp

Would I reinvent myself? Good question. After thinking about it for a few moment I actually think I would reinvent myself. I would make myself a better person and try to help out the world in as many ways as I can. If I could I would travel all over the world. The world is such a beautiful place and has so much to offer. All over he world there are places with many stories behind them that I want to see. McCandless was a smart man when it came to traveling. He had so many new experiences in life he could write multiple novels. I don't blame him for wanting to reinvent his life. Today people rely on to many things and need to start living like back in B.C time period. The human race became to educated and now we are tearing the earth apart affecting the atmosphere with pollution and also Global Warming. We are so deep in the situation we con not fix it no matter how hard we try. It will be our fault if the earth no longer exist. Therefore, I would love to reinvent myself and meet all the kind people Chris met.

-Rachel

"Death of an Innocent"

Chris McCandless was a free spirited, adventurous, ambitious man. He was his own character. No one could tell him what to do or change his beliefs. I admire Chris, you only meet or know very few people like himself. A lot of people call him crazy but honestly how many people do you know that has dropped everything in life family, friends, money, car, etc to do what they truly believe in? He is not a wacko because he did something with his life, this is what made him happy. In some ways I believe Chris was an idealist. He was inspired by many which probably gave him the idea to actually do what he wanted in life. Chris's actions were similar to transcendentalism. He went out into the wild to live how we are all supposed to live, like animals. Chris did this with no problem. He is intelligent and knew what he was doing until he mistake a poisonous berry with an edible. That's when he began to suffer and pleaded for help.

-Rachel

"How Much Land Does A Man Need"

Today our world is filled with materialistic people. Why must we have to buy name brand things to feel important? Pop culture has a huge affect on people's character and impression. When one thing becomes popular for example, Polo, Uggs, Gucci, and Prada(clothing), we feel the need to go out and buy the expensive material to rub it in people's faces. You may look like you have all this money but really you could be spending it on more valuable things. We should be living life more simpler. No one should feel the need to try and compare with one another, just be yourself. I would be damned if I went out and bought Gucci or Prada, other stores are selling the same items just not with their logo. So why waste your money? I feel as though we need a reality check because people are changing who they are to try and be like other people or just be popular. All your doing to yourself is showing people you are a follower. Therefore, I do not believe we are on the right path. We should be living life simpler and more comfortable.

Transcendentalist

Today we look at nature and don't think much about it, when nature is what created us. What we are doing to nature such as animals, plants, and the atmosphere is wrong. For example, we lock up wild animals into cages at the zoo. No animal wants to have a limited space to where they can go, they want to be free. We torture the poor animals and not once do we think about how the animals feel. Nature is beautiful and apart of life we need to recognize before we destroy everything God has given us.  In Australia the polar bears are being hurt due to our actions such as Global Warming and pollution. Us humans are so selfish because all we are worried about it our entertainment and our happiness. I feel like we all need to return to nature and realize what we have before it is gone. I believe there is somewhat a relationship between nature and our spiritual  side. Look at the various children movies that were made, for example, Tarzan or Pocahontas, we wouldn't randomly create a movie if there was no true meaning to it. Therefore, I believe there is some type of relationship between nature and our spiritual side.

-Rachel

One semester down, seven more to go. Back up to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania to finish off my first year of college. First semester went well although I wasn't to pleased with my grades. This semester I set high standards for myself therefore I can get a higher GPA and better grades. Coming back from a long break with my friends made me realize the people here changed me. Not only did I notice but my friends were bitching at me that I wasn't the same "Rachel" as before. The people up here are VERY different from the people I grew up with in Philadelphia but I am used to them now. I honestly can say I did change a bit, I am not drinking so much nor do I smoke anymore, which is a plus. Being up here you tend to have a lot of time to yourself. There isn't much you can do up here besides the gym, movies, and well that's kind of it. Anywho, this semester I plan on doing well to prove to my parents I am not taking college as a joke.

-Rachel