Awildfireisanyinstanceofuncontrolledburningingrasslands,brush,orwoodlands.Wildfires destroypropertyandvaluablenaturalresources,andmaythreatenthelivesofpeopleandanimals. Wildfirescanoccuratanytimeoftheyear,butusuallyoccurduringhot,dryweatherWildfiresare usuallysignaledbydensesmokewhichmayfilltheairformilesaround.TheNationalWeather Service,U.S.ForestService,andStateforestryagenciescombinetogivewildfireprobability forecasts.Localradioandtelevisionstationsbroadcastinformationandwarningsonlocalfire conditions.WildfiresposeanincreasingthreattotheresidentialUnitedStates.In1987,53,000fires consumedmorethantwomillionacresByOctober1988,almostshowmorecontent
Ontheactualdayofthefire,thefireplannerswillagainchecksuchconditionsaswindandmoisture contentinthevegetation.Thewinddirectionwilldeterminewherethefireisstarted.Firecrewsstart theburnwithadevicecalledadriptorchAdriptorchisacanoffuelwithaflame–carryingwickat theend.Whenthecrewmembertiltsthewicktowardtheground,aflamestreamsoutandignitesthe vegetation.Mostoftheeffortthatgoesintoaprescribedfireismakingsurethatitiscontainedinthe boundariessetforthefire.Firefightersandfiresuppressionequipmentarenearthesiteifthefire growsoutofcontrol(www.nps.gov/wica/fir–why.html,pgs.1–3).
WhilenotalltheeffectsofprescribedburnsareknownsomeareveryevidentThefirstofthese commoneffectsisthatvegetationandfallendeadmaterialareburnedcreatinganopenforestfloor. Thiseliminatesanyfuelthatcouldcontributetoahighintensityfireinthefuture.Whenthefire burnstheorganicmaterialintheforest,nutrientrichashisleftbehind.Whenthefirstraincomes, thenutrientsintheashdissolveintothesoilforthenewplantstouse.Thisprocessiscallednutrient recyclingThesenutrientsleftinthesoilareagoodsourceoffoodfortheyoungplantsthatwill begintogrowback.Anotheroutcomeofprescribedfireisthatnewgrowthbeginsimmediatelyafter thefireshavebeenextinguished.Within
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EffectiveWritingisImportant
Ihavebecometonotice,throughmycoursework,thatwritingwellisatoolthateveryonecan benefitfrom.Goodwriterswilltellofmanyanoccasioninwhichtheirtalenthasearnedthem advancement;anadvancementthatcomestoplaynotonlyinthejobmarketbutalsoforpersonal gratification.
Fortunately,writingisaskillthatcanbebothtaughtandpracticedtoapointatwhichvirtual perfectionisreachedThemanyfacetsofwritingcanseemquiteoverwhelmingtothenoviceThe aspectofwritingthatmostpeopleareunawareofisthefactthatitisactuallybrokendownintojust afewbasicprinciples.Becauseofthemanybenefitsthatpropervoice,structure,andthesis developmentbringtoshowmorecontent
Voiceisthekeytogettingthereaderinvolvedinanessay.Withoutit,thereaderbecomespassive andtheessaycannotbecomprehendedMostessayshavetheessentialmaterial,sothemannerin whichthematerialispresentedcanmakeadifference.Whenvoiceisproperlyexecutedinanessay, thereadercaninteractwiththewritingandmakethenecessaryconnections.Thebestsportswriters inthecountryareexpertsinusingvoice.Howelsecanonebecomeinvolvedintheaction?Without voice,aplaybyplaydescriptioncanbecomeatediousmassofwords.Voiceisalogicalfacetof writingwhich,whenproperlyexecuted,leadsthepathtoeffectivewriting
Effectivestructureisanecessityinessaywriting.Withoutit,acapablepieceofwritingcanbecome anebulousmazeofimperfection.Structureactsasaroadmapforthereader.Whenthereadercan followtheessay'sstructure,theessayasawholebecomeseasiertocomprehendThereadercan followtheessaylogicallyandthereforedoesnothavetofillinhisowngaps.
Whenareadercanreadwithoutstumblingacrossdeformities,heisatblissandproperstructurecan leadtothisbliss.
Finally,theactualdevelopmentofthethesisisakeytoeffectivewriting.Again,thereaderisalways theprimaryfocusandthewritingmustadheretohisneedsThethesisstatementprovidesabasisfor theessay;abasisforthereader.Once
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Therearethreeveryimportantaspectsthatplayamajorruleinmylife.Theycanbecategorizedas intellectual,social,andspiritual.MyintellectualselfisinterestingbecauseIammainlyright–brainedwhichmeansthatItendtousemycreativitymorethanmymathematicalskills,alsomaking meavisuallearner.Mysocialselfconsistsoffriends,family,andmysurroundings.Ispendmostof mytimeathomewithmyfamilyWheneverIamwithmyfriends,Iobservetheirbehaviorsand listentotheiropinions.Iammoreofanindependenttypeofperson.Beingwithdifferentpeoplehas influencedmeintoappreciatingdifferentculturesandbeliefs.Ihavelearnedthingsthathavenow beenincorporatedintomyownsetofbeliefsandshowmorecontent
IfindthatIcanonlyrecalllong–termmemoriesiftheyareimportanttome,oriftheyaredramatic experiences.Afewexamplesofmychildhoodmemoriesaremymotherreadingtome,my grandfatherplayinghisguitar,andmydadrelentlesslyteachingmehowtoiceskate,nomatterhow manytimesIfell.Thepeoplewhoaffectmysociallifethemostaremyfamilyandfriends.Ihave anextremelyclosefamilythathasplayedamajorroleinmylifeTheyarewhomIspendmostof mysparetimewith.Myfamilyusuallygatherseveryweekendfordinner.Iamalsoveryopento differentreligions,cultures,andpracticesbecauseIknowmanypeoplewithdifferentbackgrounds andbeliefs.SinceI'vebeeninfluencedbyvariouspeople,I'velearnedataveryyoungagetonever judgepeoplebyhowtheylook,dress,feel,oract.Iamveryfortunatetohavelearnedtheselessons, becausemanypeoplestilldonotunderstandtheimportanceofacceptingdifferencesInagroup,I prefertolistentowhatothershavetosay,andthencontributetothediscussion.ItrytolistensoI amabletocomparethemtomyownthoughts.Ienjoyworkinginagroup,becauseitgiveseveryone anopportunitytoincorporatetheirownideasMysocialselfismostgreatlyinfluencedbymy familyandfriends.Ibelievethatmyspiritualselfisthemostimportantoutofthethree.AlthoughI haveacertainreligionthatIbelongtoandpractice,Ibelieveinabitof
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Well,myscheduleduringtheweekisusuallyfocusedatschoolorathome.Myweeksarenever smoothandIusuallyhavealotofhomeworkbecauseIamtaking18units.Ispecificallyhandleall mydaytodaythingsbythefirststudyanddomyhomeworkbeforeIgoplayavideogame,sleep, oreat.MydaysfeelverystructuredandIusuallytriedtoprepareanddoallmyhomeworkatleast1 weekaheadThatwayIhaveabitmoretimetostudyforatestMostofthetime,Igetahomework assignmentoutofnowhere,whichalwaysforcesmetogowiththeflow.Iorganizemydaytoday byatodolist,apile,andbysection.Ialwayseatbreakfastduring8:00A.M.to9A.M.,Ieatlunch at1PMto2PMandIwouldeatmydinnerusuallyatshowmorecontent
Thoseclassesareusuallythelongesttime–consuminginmyweekbecausetheyareabout3hours long.OntheSaturdayandSunday,mostofmytimeistostudyfortheexamordohomework becausemyclassgivesmeahugeamountofhomework.Iusuallyplaygamesforabout30minson randomlyonmyscheduleorwhenIhavearandomfreetime.Isleepabout4to5hoursadayinthe week,butontheweekend,Isleepabout7to9hours
TherearethreeexamplesfromthetextthatIplantouseinmyfutureornowtohelpmecombatmy timemanagementinthedaytodaytask.FirstistoknowhowmuchtimeIamusingforstudying andincreasingthattimeifneeded.Secondistouseasystemtoplanandsetpriorities.Lastly,itfor metostaymotivatedtofollowmyplanandavoidprocrastination.ThethreestrategiesIwoulduse inthetextbookwoulddothemostimportantstudyfirst,useacalendarplanneranddailyto–dolist, anddotheeasiertaskfirst.Ichoosethosethreestrategiesformytimemanagementbecausetimeis thekeytobesuccessful.ThemostimportanttostudyfirstwouldhelpmeseekaquestionthatI mightnotknow;therefore,IcouldaskforassistanceifIgetstuckinmystudyFormetousea calendarplannerwouldhelpmeschedulemytimemoreefficiently.Formetouseadailyto–dolist willhelpmeknockoffwhatIneedtoaccomplishbytheendofmyday.Doingtheeasiertaskfirstis importantbecauseit
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Inmyopinion,agoodteachershouldbeonewhoputsherheartintoteaching.Thisisbecauseonly bydoingsowillthestudentsfeeltheirpassionandhardwork.Whenateacherstriveshardforthe students,studentswillputintheireffortaswell.Ifateacherdislikesherjob,goestoclassesinabad mood,herteachingwouldalsobeaffectedandstudentswouldnotbeabletoenjoylessonsaswell. Anotherpointthatmakesagoodteacherwouldbehis/herpatience.Teachersshouldnotgetupsetor evenworse,giveuponthestudentswhoarenotsostrongintheirstudies.Instead,theyshouldhave thepatiencetoslowlycoachthem,givethemextralessons,andfinddifferentwaystoencourage them.Letthemknowthattheteacher...showmorecontent...
Itwouldbebetteriftheteacherisabletofindcommontopicstochatwiththestudents.Thiswould letthestudentsfeelliketheycanrelatebettertotheteacher.
"YoumustnotgiveupIwanttoletyouknowthatevenifyou'refacingsomanyproblems,andfeel likethere'snoonetotalkto,I'llbehereforyou.Everyoneelsemightwanttobethesunthatlights upyourlife,butIratherbethemoonthatguidesyouthroughyourdarkesthours.Let'sstrivehard andworktowardourgoaltogether!"Thiswaswhatmyhighschoolteachertoldme10yearsago andIhaverememberedituntilnow,andwillrememberitforthenext10yearsandsoon.
Iwasonceaproblematickidwhomixedwithbadcompanyandflunktests.Ineverthoughtabout whatIwasgoingtodothenextday,whatmorewhenIgrewup.OfcoursewhenIwasyounger,I hadlotsofdreamsIwantedtosetupmyowncompany,Iwantedtobeateacher,Iwantedtobe abletodriveanairplaneandthelistwenton.Butastheyearswentby,theybecameless insignificanttomeandsoon,Iforgoteverysingleoneofthosedreamsandgoals.Igottoanew schoolandknewfriendswhosmokeandtookdrugs.Mygradesstarteddroppingfrom"A"tofails. ButIdidnotcare.Icouldnotbebotheredbythen.Iwentpartyingeverynightandgothomedrunk. Whatwasthepointofstudying?Myparentsare
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Reflection
MywritingskillswhichIhaveworkedonoverthefewmonthsIhavebeeninEnglish102have changedquiteabitinmyopinion.TherearemanythingswhichIhaveimproveduponthatwere amongstmyweakerwritingskillswhentheyearbegan.Ontheoppositesideofthatpoint,thereare alsomanythingswhichIstillneedtoimproveuponifIwanttotrulyelevatemywritingtoalevel thatIwillbeconfidentin.Finally,Ihavegainednewskillsoutsideofwritingfromthisclass, particularlytheactivitieswhichwedidinclassatvariouspointsthroughouttheyear.Thesethings allcumulatetogethertogivemeanappreciationofEnglishcourseswhichIdidnotpreviouslyhave ThroughoutthissemestertherearemanyskillsthatIhavenoticedhaveimprovedthroughthe constantwritingofessaysforthisclass.TheonethatIfindmostnoticeableisahabitIhadlong struggledwithwhichwasessentiallymytendencytobeovernecessarilywordywhenwritingmy essays.IbelievethatIwasabletosomewhatfixthissubconsciously,justbyknowingthatIwasno longerinhighschool,andcouldnolongergetbywithjustattemptingtofillupmywordcountI alsobelieveIhavegreatlyimprovedinmytopicselection.InhighschoolIwouldthrowcautionto thewindandjustpickwhatevertopiccametomindjustinanefforttogetitdone.Ihavebeenmuch morecalculatedincollege,andIbelievethatithashelpedmewritebetteressays.Whilethesewere the
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EducationalHistoryandBackgroundIwasborninAlbuquerque,NewMexico.Ilearnedeverything Ineededtoknowthere.Everythingthathastodowithlifethatis.IstartedmyeducationthereandI willcontinueitwhereeverIgo.Myeducationalbackgroundwasjustasnormalandfunlikeany otherkids.ButIwastheuniquechildthatmademyeducationdifferentandmoreenjoyable.My learningprocesshasfiveprocesses:elementary,middle,highschool,college,andthefuture Elementaryschoolstartedoutasaborebutmovedontoeventuallybeingfunandenjoyable.Igrew toloveschoolandlearningduringmyfourthandfifthgradeyearsatZiaelementaryschool.My teachertaughtmethevalueofhistoryandAmericanHistoryshowmorecontent Theteacherstaughtmewell,whilemypeerstaughtmemoreaboutlife.Imademybestfriendsin middleschoolandweareafamilynow.IcherishedthetimeIspentinmiddleschool.Iwasatop studentwhowasdoingwell,hadmanyfriends,andwasmakinganameformyselfinsportsand extracurricularactivities.ThenonceagaingraduationrolledaroundandIhadtoleaveallofthe goodthingsbehindButIwasreadytoembarkonaneducationthatwasmoregearedtowardsmy future.Highschoolwasaneasytransaction.IfeltlikeIhadtheeducationandmaturitylevelofa youngadult.IknewIcouldhandlealloftheworkandstressthatwasgoingtobedealtoutinmy classes.InoticedthathighschoolwasalotlikemiddleschoolandthatIcouldhandletheschedule.I didnotreallyhaveanyclosepersonalrelationshipswithanyofmyteacherslikeIhadhadinthe pastatmyotherschoolsIonlyreallylikedtwoofmyteachersoutofthefouryearsIwasatschool Bothofthemweremymathteachersformyjuniorandsenioryear.ThelasttwoyearsofmathI learnedsomuchthatnowIenjoydoingmathbecauseIactuallyunderstandit.Theonlyother teacherthatmadeanimpressiononmewasmyjunioryearEnglishteacherShewastheonly EnglishteacherIhadthatactuallytaughtmehowtowriteandreadgreatbooks.Shetookthetime outtoworkwithmeindividually.ShegavemethetoolsIneededtowritepapers.High
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MyPersonalGoalsasaStudent
Anobviousgoalasaworkingadultreturningtoschoolis,ofcourse,toearnadegree.Myoverall goalisnodifferentthananyotherstudent,however,IalsohaveseveralpersonalgoalsIhopeto achievewhileattendingtheUniversitySomeofthesegoalsaretoacquirenewskillsandenhance mycurrentbusinessabilities,toapplywhatIlearnintheclassroomtoforwardmycareer,andto feelpersonalsatisfactionoffinishingsomethingIstarted.Alreadyhavingexperienceinthebusiness worldhasproventomethatitisessentialtohaveskillstomaintainandimprovedailyfunctions ThreeskillsI'dpersonallyliketoimproveonaremyorganizational,timemanagement,and presentationshowmorecontent
Byjustgoingthroughthemotionsofcomingtoworkeveryday,onlygettingdonewhathastobe done,andgoinghomeattheendoftheday,onemightrealizethataneverydayroutinecanquickly turnintoamundaneprofessionallifeAtthesametime,ifapersondoesallofthesethings,but showsabitofinitiativetogainmoreknowledgeofthejob,theymayseeanopportunitytoslightly moveupinthecompany.Thelatterismysituation.Myexperienceandknowledgeofmy departmentanditssystemshaveaffordedmetheopportunitytomoveupwithinthedepartmentover thepastfiveyears,butI'mbeginningtoseealimitofhowfarthoseskillsalonewillallowmeto climbBeinganexpertinmyfieldofpharmaceuticalbenefitsdoesn'ttranslateintomanaging personneljustasknowinghowtocompleteataskdoesn'tmeanI'mabletogiveaclearpresentation onhowitshouldbedone.Sure,I'vebeenrewardedfortheworkI'vedoneandknowledgeI've obtained,butatsomepoint,myemployerwilleventuallyseethatmoreisneededtocontinueto promotemetohigher,moremanagementfocusedpositions.Mygoalistocompletethesecourses andobtainmydegreetoprovethat,ifthesituationarises,Icanbetherightpersonforthejob.A morepersonalgoalofmineistofinishwhatI'vestarted.Afterhighschool,
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Thefirstandhardestpartofwritinganessayisfiguringouthowtostart.Aprofessormaygivea topictobewrittenabout,butinsomecasesthatmaynothappen.Thefirststepistopickatopic.The topicwillserveasyourthesis.Youwanttopickatopicthatyouarerelativelyknowledgeableabout soyouarenotcompletelyinthedark.Bypickingatopicthatyouknowevenalittleabout,willtake awaytheanxietyofnotknowingwheretostartorwhattowriteaboutIfyouchosetochallenge yourselfandwriteapaperaboutsomethingyouarenoviceabout,thenyouwanttopickatopicthat isbroadenoughtofindenoughinformationabout.Forexample,ifyouwanttowriteapaperabout cars,donotmakecarswhatyourpaperisabout,becausealthoughitisabroadtopicitisalso somewhatnarrow.Trytobroadenyourtopicbuychangingitto,"howcarshavechangedourlives." Changingyourtopictoamoreargumentativethesisgivesyouapinpointareatowriteaboutand leavesthedooropentogiveyoumoretowriteabout.Thesecondstep,andwhatIbelievetobethe mostimportantstepislocatingsourcestosupportyourthesis.Aresearchessaywithoutsources becomesanopinionessay,andthatiswhatyouasthewriterwanttostayawayfromSourcesmake youressaymorecreditable.Ifyouressayisabout"howtechnologyhasbenefitedstudentsand teachersintheclassrooms,"thenyoushouldfindsourcesthatareabouthowtechnologyisusedin
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Overthepastfewmonths,Ihavelearnedseveraldifferentwritingtechniques.Whileallofthe differenttypesofpapersweredifficulttowrite,Ibelievethatmywritingskillshaveimproved.In fact,Ididnotunderstandalloftheassignments,butIdidtrytodomybestonallofthemWhileI shouldhaveusedmoretransitionalwordsinbetweensentencesandparagraphs,IfeelthatIlearned agreatdeal.ItistruethatIhavenothadverymuchwritingexperienceandthewritingprocessis difficultformeSometimes,Idoadmit,ittakesdaystocompleteoneassignment,butitwillbe worthitwhenIamaproficientwriter.
Forexample,theresearchpaperwasoneofthemostdifficultassignmentsthatIhaveeverwritten.I didshowmorecontent
Ididnotintroducethepersoneffectively.Forexample,whenquotingsomeone,oneshouldwrite somethingsuch:asBalkopointsoutthat,heisupsetwithinsurancecompanies(Balko)This exampleisinmyownwordsandisanexampleofaparaphrase.Iquotedpeopleandthenwouldnot writewhatIthoughtaboutthequoteafterwards.Whendoingthisinanessay,theteacherhasno wayofknowingwhatthestudentistryingtoconveyAproperquoteshouldstartwithan introduction.Aftertheintroduction,youhavetosaywhatthepersonhassaid,followedbywhatyou thinkaboutwhattheysaidAfterdoingthis,astudentshouldcitetheauthorbyusingparenthesesI didnotknowthatawriterwassupposedtodothis.Myfirstpaperwasveryinadequate. Additionally,IalsocitedsourcesandthenforgotwhereIgottheinformation.However,theuseof citinginformationandresearchwasalsooneofmydebilitatingpointsNevertheless,Ibelieveafter thereminders,corrections,andproofreadingthatneededpointingouttome,helpedmeimprovein thisarea.
Researchinthelibrarylabswereveryhelpfulandinformativeinspottingwebsitesthatwerebiased anddidnothavecreditableinformation.Manypeoplemakewebsitesthatarenotcredibleanditis alwaysgoodtoselectscholarlysourceswhenwritingresearchpapersforschoolWhenone researchesasubject,youshouldalwayskeepgoodrecords.Iamadisorganizedperson,andlose
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MyThoughtsonWriting
TheonlythingIcareabout;theonlythingIhopetogetfromthiscourse,issomeimprovementin myabilitytowritewhatIthink––explainideasandfeelingstootherpeople.Idon'tgiveadamn aboutanythingelse,andsofarIhaven'tbeendisappointedAtthebeginningofthecourseIwas informedthatweweregoingtobediscussingexposition,whichisn'tsomuchakindofwritingasa purposeorattitudebehindit.Thispurposeistoexplore,unfold,ordevelopanideaorissue.Andthe senseI'vegottenfromourdiscussionisthattheattitudeisoneofintellectualhonesty,ofdedication tolearningsomethingandreportingwhat'sthere,insteadofprotectingpreconceivednotionsor projectingagendasshowmorecontent
Afriendofminehasalreadygraduatedfromauniversity,andsherecentlywentthroughawhole crateofpapersshewroteintheprocess.Shetoldmeshecouldn'trememberwhatmanyofthem wereabout;couldn'tevenrememberwritingmostofthemWe'vetalkedabout"themewriting"as somethingwrittenforandfromaclosedenvironment:amini–universeapartfromeverydaylife, withitsownabbreviatedrules,inwhichoversimplificationisacceptable.WhenIconsiderthesheer tonnageofthestuffthat'swritteneverymidquarterandfinalsweekaroundhere,itsureseemsthat mostofitisintendedto,deservesto,anddoesheadrightforthewastebasketimmediatelywhenit's ofnofurtheruseinthatuniverse:afterit'srecordedinthegradebook"Commitment"isaterm appliedtosolidexposition,andthemewritingfrequentlylacksit.
Doesanyoneliketodothis––doesitprovideawarm,human,joyousfeelingofhavingmade contactandsayingsomethingImportant?Ordowejustgetcomfortabledoingit?Likebeingan accountant:istherearealsenseofjoytobefoundinaddingupcolumnsoffigures?Theremaybe somepeoplewhowouldtellme"sure,it'sfun,"butIthinkactuallythey'rejustfeelingsafeinasort ofhalf–sleepstatewhichisn'texactlyhappyandmayinfactbemiserable,butatleastisstable. Theremaybeadifferentkindofwarmth,reservedfor"ajobwelldone,"and"Imightgeta promotion,"andmostespecially:"Ifeelgood
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MyWritingExperiencesMyexperiencesinwritinghavebeenminimal.Ihaveonlylearnedthe basicsofwriting,likeputtingtogethersentences,formingparagraphswithsentences,andthingslike that.SinceIhavebeentakingcollegeEnglish,Icantellmywritinghasimprovedalot.Inthefuture, Ihopetobeabletoimprovetremendouslyatwritingessays,paragraphs,researchpapers, documents,andstoriessothatIhaveverylittletonoerrorswithdraftingandfinalproductsI predictIwillbeawellroundedwriterwhenIgraduatefromcollege.Writinginthepaststartedin kindergarten.MyteachertaughtmehowtowritemynameoverandoveruntilIcouldwriteitwith noerrorsAllthroughelementarymyteacherstaughtmeshowmorecontent
IneedtolearntoquitthinkingasmuchonwhatIwanttowriteaboutandhowtowriteaboutatopic andjuststartingjottingstuffdowninoutlineformasitcomestomind.Run–onsandfragmentsI needtobeabletospotandfixrightawayorIreallyneedtonothaveanyinmypapersatall.My goalsaretowritepapersandnothavetoreassuremyselfthatmaybeIneedtodomoreresearchor havemoredataorevenhavetorethinkmywholetopicoverIwouldlovetohavetheknowledgeto beatutorsomedayandteachotherpeoplehowtoproperlywritepapers,paragraphs,essays,and maybeevenbooks.Tohaveexcellentskillsinwritingwilldefinitelybeagreatadvantageinmy nursingprofession.Innursing,Iwillhavetodolotsofchartingonmypatients.Iwillhavetodo healthpresentationsonvarioussubjectssuchasexercising,howoursocietyeats,andsexeducation ifIwanttobeacourseinstructorResearchinginformationonallofthosetopicsIwillhavetomake sureIdoanexcellentjobonandcollectaccurateinformationandstatisticssothatIcancompareto othersources.DictatingtothedoctormeansthatIwillneedtowriteproperlysothatheunderstands whatIamsayingOthernurseswillhavetobeabletounderstandwhatIamtalkingaboutbymy writingskillswhendoingshiftchanges.Iwillhavetobeveryprecisesothatothernurseswillnot
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Whenpresentedwiththequestion,"whoareyouasawriter?",Iwasspeechlessatfirst.Butafter thinkingaboutit,IrealizedwhoIamasawriterhasbeeninfluencedbysomanydifferentsponsors throughoutmylifeandtherewasnotashort,concreteanswer.Brandtmentionsthat"literacyis sponsoredbypeople,institutions,andcircumstancesthatbothmakeitpossibleforapersonto becomeliterateandshapethewaythepersonactuallyacquiresliteracy"(Brandt43)Myattitude towardswritinghasbeeninfluencedbyteachers,bothnegativelyandpositively,bymymother,and byacademicassignmentsovertheyears.Myanswertothequestioncanonlybeansweredbya narrativeofmywritinglifeIhaveconvincedmyselfthatIamaterriblewriter,andwhenpresented withawritingassignment,Igetanxiousinstantly.Iseewritingasaburdenandahugeobstaclethat getsplacedinmylife.Academicwritingisnotfun,butsomethingIvalueduetothefactthatweare agradedrivensociety.Whenwriting,Iwritetotheguidelinesinordertoreceivepointsforthe requestedcriteria.Thereasonbeing,IgaveuponexpressingmyownideasbecauseIhadbeenshut downbysomanyteachersthroughoutmyeducationItriedtowritedownwhatcametomymind andputmyowntwistonthings,butthatwasnotthe"right"waytowritepapers.Inordertomake bothmyteachersandmygradeshappy,Iwrotewhattheywantedtohear,andeventhenIwasnotto thelevelthey
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Ibelievethatlifeisalearningexperienceandbeingabletorecognizeourownstrengthsand weaknessescanhelpusbecomebetterindividualsinanythingwechoosetodo,whetheritispositive abilitiesandskillsthatcanhelpachieveourgoalsornegativepersonalareasthatneedimprovement. Knowingyourselfandwhatyoucando,canhelpyourecognizeandovercomeyourweaknesses. OneofmygreateststrengthsatworkthatIhaverecognizedwouldhavetobemyabilitytobea well–organizedindividual.ItendtowritewhatIhavetododownonpaperandprioritizewhatis moreimportanttoleastimportant.Indoingthis,ithelpsmeorganizeandaccomplishmyworkand meetdeadlinesthatareimportantApersonalstrengthshowmorecontent Iamcertainthatbecauseofmystrengths,IamgoodatwhatIdohowever;Idohaveweaknesses thatIhavetoovercomeandimprove.Mypersonalweaknessatworkislackofleadership.Currently IaminapositioninwhichIdonotpossessthetitleofmanagement.Asaresult,Ibasicallyfeelthat Idonothavetoshowleadershiportakeinitiativetotakeontheresponsibilitiesofamanagerwhen inreality,IamnotOneofmyweaknessesathomeistimemanagementThisisaweaknessthatI havehadtostrugglewithsincemydaughterwasborn.Itishardformetotrytojugglebeingafull timesingleparent,workingafulltimejobandattendingschoolfulltime.Ialwaysfeelthatthereis neverenoughtimetoaccomplishmytaskswhetheritishouseholdchores,workrelatedor assignmentsforschool.MostimportantlyIhavetomakesurethatIamreadilyavailableformy childatalltimesInaLearningteam,presentationskillsareveryimportantIwouldhavetosaythat PresentationSkillswouldbeoneofmypersonalweaknessesintheLearningteam.Itisdifficultfor meattimestostandupinfrontofaroomfullofpeopleandpresentaprojectorconductsomesort ofmeetingInordertodoso,youhavetohaveconfidencethatwhatyou?retalkingaboutisaccurate andthemotivationtoactuallygetupdoit.Mybiggestfearofapresentationwouldbetrippingand fallingonmyfaceor
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TamneichaMcdavid
Prof.Beck
ENC1101
July30,2009
ExampleEssay
MyCoreValues
AsIhavegrownasanadultandmovedfurthertowardssuccessinmylife,Ihavealwaysmaintained aguidedstructuretoachievegoalsandtasksthatchallengemeIcallthesemy"CoreValues"This isastrictregimenorabeliefsystemthatIhaveinstilledintomyeverydaypracticetocompleteany taskthatpresentsitself.Althoughnotperfected,Ihavefoundthismethodtobequitesuccessful.My workethic,responsibility,andmydrivetofurthermyeducationandknowledgehaveneverfailed me.Lifecanseemtoughanddemandingonaveryconsistentbasis,butIbelievethatIhave cultivatedaplantoaccommodateandwithstandanytrial
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TobuildresponsibilityasachildIvolunteeredtotakecareofmyfamilydog.Eventhoughshewas thefamily'spetItookituponmyselftomakesureshewasproperlyfed,watered,andwalked.My motherwasveryproudofmynewdevelopmentasanadolescent.Shebecameveryencouragingand wouldcomeupwithotherspecialchoresaroundthehousethatIcouldbereliedupontohandleTo somechildrenthiswouldseemlikeapunishment,butbothofmyparentsweresosupportiveand persuasivethatIlookedforwardtohavingthegainedaccountability.Myfatherinstitutedhonesty andrespectasmonumentsforresponsibilityIofcoursestruggledattimeswithtakingcareofmy dog,andhandlingsomeofmyotherchores.Butmyfatheralwayswantedmetonotonlybehonest withmyparents,butalsowithmyself.Hestatedthataliewouldnotbenefitanybodyanditwas disrespectfultotellalie.Hewouldtellmethataliarwasthesameasacheater,andnobodyliked either.IfIknewhowtorespectothersandbehonest,thanmyresponsibilitywouldonlyincrease.I askedwhyIwouldwantaddedresponsibilityandmyfathertoldmetwothingsthatchangedmy perspectivecompletely.First,itwasthatresponsiblepeoplealwaystendedtobemoresuccessful. SinceIhadalwaysdreamedofgrowinguptoberichandfamous,IguessIcouldaccepttheadded responsibilityThesecondthinghetoldmewasthatonedayIcouldpossibly
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IcanrememberseeingthatIhadtotakeanEnglishclassmyfirstsemesterofcollege.Iwasalready overwhelmedwithstartingcollege,andhavingtowritecollegeessaysmademegetevenmore nervous.IsatdownwithmymomanddecidedtolookattheEnglishclassesavailable,andIfinally decidedthatIhadtotakeaneveningclasstomakeitworkinmyschedule.ThefirstdayofEnglish cameandnowlookingbackitwasnotasbadasIthoughtItmademeabetterwriterandbewhereI amtoday.ItmayhavetakenmesometimetogetwhereIamtoday,butatleastIamontheright track.EnglishCompositionhelpedmerealizethatIammyownauthorandhavestrengthsthatIdid notrealizeIhadWhenIfirststartedcollegeIdidnotknowwhattoexpectwithanEnglishclassI likedwritingabouttopicsthatinterestedme,buthighschooldidnotallowmetodothat.Itook AmericanHistoryandwewouldhavetowriteshowmorecontent
Ilearnedmanytechniquesfrommyprofessor.Hehelpedmerealizethatitisokaytohaveyourown opinionaslongasyoubackitup.HeshowedmethatIamanauthorwhenIdidnotthinkIwas.He alsotoldustoreadouressaysoutloudwhenweproofread,andIalwaysdidthistechniquebefore submittingallmyessays.IcanrememberhavingtowritemyfirstessayandIwasscared,becauseI feltlikeIhadtogetagoodgrade.IstartedthinkingaboutwhattoolsIcouldusetohelpme,andI decidedtogotoTheLearningCentertohelpwithmyessay.WhenIwenttheretheywouldmake editstomyessayandthenexplainwhatIshouldchange.ThetutornoticedIusedmultiplechoppy sentencesandcommasinspotsthereshouldnotbeSometimesIwouldevengotwicetomakesureI didnotmissanyminormistakes.GoingtherehelpedmefeelmoreconfidentasawriterandI learnedfrommymistakes.Ihadmanyhelpfultechniquesfrommultiplepeoplethatshapedmeinto thewriterIam
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AfterthissemesterofEnglish102,atBristolCommunityCollegeIfeelthatIhavegainedtheskill toarticulatewhatIwanttoconveytothereaderinmanyways.Idon'tjustlookatgrammaticalerror, butinsteadIlookforwaystomakemysentencesmoreeffectiveandconcise.Nevertheless,Ihope thatthisstrategywillcontinuetohelpmeimprovemywritingevenfurtheroninthefuture.My strongpointsasareaderhavealsodefinitelyimprovedafterreadingthepoemsandstorieswe experiencedthissemester.Writinghasbeenanimportantformofexpressionforme.Ifindmyselfto beverysoftspokenandspeakingverballyisusuallydifficultformebecauseIcan'talwaysseemto findtherightwordstosayIfeelthatIammoreexpressiveandhavemorecontroloverwhatIwant tosay.Whilethissemesterprogressedtowarditsend,Ihavelearnednewwritingskillsand graduallylearnedhowtoengagewithaudiences.Thisskillwasveryusefulinmeetingmycourse goalsinEnglish102.IbelievethatIhavegrownatorganizationandcarefulstreammythoughtsas well.BeforeIwouldjustbeginwritingmypaperswithoutanyplansororganization,alongwithno definiteideaofwhereIwouldbegoingwiththeassignments,butthroughoutthiscourseI'velearned thatyoushouldbaseyourpaperaroundyourthesisstatement.AnotherskillItookfromthisclass wastovaluemyclassmate'sresponses,fromtheirreactionsmadememuchmoreawarethatmy mainideas
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Ihavelearnedmanythingsthroughoutthecourseoftheterm,includingsuchthingsas:howtowrite anessayandhowtoimproveonessaysthatIhavealreadywritten,howtolocateandcomposite betterresearchthroughtheuseofnumerousresourcesfoundatthecampuslibrary,theinternet,and the"CommonSense"textbook,howtociteresearch,examples,andquotationsproperlywithinthe contentsofmyresearchpaperaswellasdocumentitaccuratelyaccordingtoMLAstandards. Throughtheexplorationofthe"SubjectsandStrategies"textbook,Ihavelearnedninedifferent methodsusedwhenwritinganeffectiveessayandhowthedifferentwritingstylesaffecttheoverall themeandtoneoftheessaywhenusedproperly.Thispast...showmorecontent...
ThisallowedmetowritemoreextensivelyonthetopicIhadchosenwhichinturnhelpedexpand thesizeofmyresearchpaper.IreceivedaBonmyfinaldraft;thefirstpassinggradeIhaveever receivedonaresearchpaperIamverysatisfiedwithmygradeWhenitcametotheessayswriting becamealittletrickierbecauseIhadtounderstandwhatitwasIneededtowriteaboutandthestyle inwhichIneedtowriteitin.TherearenineessaywritingmethodswhichIlearnedwhileattending thiscourse:exemplification,compare/contrast,causeandeffect,proposal,narration,process, division/classification,definition,andargument.TheonlyproblemsIencounteredwhentryingto writetheessaysthatwereassignedtomebytheinstructorwasfindingsuitablesubjectmatterto writeabout.OnceIfoundmytopicsformyessay,everythingelsebecameeasier.Iwouldfirst producearoughdraftandthenthestudents,theinstructor,andmyselfwouldgoovertheminclass anddecidedifwhatIwaswritingwasinitsbestformMostofmyroughdraftsneeded improvement,butifitdidn'titwouldn'tbearoughdraft,soitwasunderstood.Myfinaldraftswere verysatisfyingformeaswellasthegradesIreceivedonthem.FormyexemplificationessayI chosetowriteaboutthereasonswhycondoms
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ItistheendofthishighschoolyearandIamgladtosaythatIaccomplishedmanythings.Theidea ofdoingablogwasaverysuccessfulone,giventhatIwasabletowriteaboutwhatilikeand improvemywritingskills.Therefore,IbelievethatthroughoutthisyearIwasabletogrowasa writer,expressmyselfbetter,andexpandmyknowledge.InadditiontomyEnglishclass,Iwasalso abletoimprovemyskillsinotherssubjectssuchashistoryandtheology,inwhichIhadtowritea fewparagraphs,butmostlyIhadtoreadalotwhichdefinitelyexpandedmyknowledgeand improvedmyvocabulary.Thatsaid,sinceIwasrequiredtowriteaboutdifferentsubjects,Ialsohad toimproveresearchskillsandmycreativitywhenwritingaboutpersonalopinionsOverall,being abletowritenotonlyEnglishrelatedpapersmademeabroadmythoughtsandenhancemywriting skills.Inthesameway,myEnglishpapersandblogentriesalsohelpedmetobecomeabetter writer.Iwasveryfoundofmyblogposts,notonlybecauseitwasareflectiononmylifebutalso becauseoftheeffortthatIputinit.Iprocrastinatedwaylessthislastquarterbymaking...showmore content
IamsurethatIhaveimprovedalotmywritingandreadingskills.However,Istillhavetoexceed onhowtoorganizemythoughtsandmakingbetterwordchoice.Withthatinmind,I'llalwaysbe lookingfornewways,suchasreading,thatwillmakemeabetterwriter.However,I'mgladtosay thatfromthebeginningoftheyearuntilnowIoutdidmyselfwithsignificantprogress.Allthatsaid, IhavethegoaltokeeponwritingduringthesummersothatIcanpracticetheskillsthatIlearned Thus,thisyearwasveryimportantinmakingmeamoreinsightfulperson,andabetterwriter.For thatreason,IhopetokeepmyselfmotivatedsothatIcanlearnmoreandmoreandcontinueto expressmyselfthroughmy
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MyCommunicationSkillsImprovingmycommunicationskillshasbeenaworkinprogressstarting backintheearlyyearsofmylife.Ihavealwaysbeenmyownworsecritic.Usuallybeatingmyself downthroughinterpersonalcommunication.NowasanadultIhavemadegreatimprovementsbut stillhavetroubledealingwithperceptionandself–image.Notbeingraisedinanenvironmentof positivereinforcementandpoorcommunicationintheworkplaceIhavemadeitapointtochange thattraitinmyownfamilyandprofessionalenvironment....showmorecontent...
Mygoalsforimprovingself–imagearefirsttomakethestepstobethepersonIwanttobe.Whether itisthroughexerciseoreducationmyselftobuildupmyintellectualstrengthMakingaself–image inventory,notingthosethingsthatIlikeaboutmyself.ThemakealistofthenegativetraitsthatI wanttoimprove.Changingmyfocusfromnegativetopositiveshouldhelpmeavoidbeing depressed.ThebestthingIcandoIrecognizemyshortcomingsbutdon'tdwellonthem.Akey characteristicindireneedofimprovementwouldbemyperception.Iwasraisedinanenvironment wherestereotypesandfirstimpressionswerethenormExpectingcertainactionsfrompeoplebased onwhatI'veheardorseeninthepast,notbeingempatheticinmyviews.IncircumstanceslikeUOP, ifastudentdoesnotinteractorparticipateatthesamelevelasmyself,theywouldbeinterpretedas beingaprocrastinator.Icertainlyhaveissueswithtrust,usuallytakingacautiousapproachtothe teamatmosphereinfearofnotmeetingthecoursesexpectations.InthelastfewclassesIhave postedquestionsandaskedforfeedbackonpeoplesexpectationsinhopesthatIcanbemore
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