---My writing philosophy is to always write about my own beliefs and opinions. Everyone has to make their own choices and be their own person so why shouldn't your writing be your own thoughts as well. I listen and read about what other people think or say about a specific topic but write about how it makes me feel. When I get the chance to write about how I feel about a topic it makes it a lot easier and more enjoyable to write. I believe a lot of people can find themselves in writing; it gives you a better understanding of who you are. I have learned more about writing in one quarter then I have all my years at high school. I have learned that it is much better to have good content then length. I have also learned how important it is to have quotes to support your facts, and to include both “I say” and “they say” in any writing assignment. Looking back from the beginning of the quarter to now I can point out the things I struggled with and how to fix them. I can also find my strengths in writing; both things that can help me become a better writer.
---Writing my first essay as a college student I was still very comfortable with the five-paragraph technique. When I started writing this first essay I was using my original writing process. As I got more detailed with my paper, I found myself all wrapped up in quotes and templates, I lost site of how I felt about the topic. In doing this it ended me up with a paper that wasn’t truly how I felt. Learning this different writing technique was a difficult process, but I know it was worth it and I can use this technique on future writing assignments.
---If I could go back and fix a mistake I made in this writing process, I would definitely take more time on choosing my thesis. I felt so rushed to choose a topic I ended up with a thesis that held back a lot of information I found interesting. When I started writing I never realized I could have changed my thesis, looking back on it now I think if I would have known I would have done just that. I understand now that my thesis was more of an opinion than an actually statement.
---What I learned from this writing process is that when you’re writing about history you need a lot of resources. Many different historians have different perspectives on historical events and it is important to be open-minded and take in all of the different point of views. Then, it is just as important to be able to put down your own words on paper with your own opinion and views of the topic or event. A good way to do this is to state a quote and then explain how you feel about it. I did this is my first essay after stating a quote from Bacon’s wife I stated, “In this letter Bacon's wife demonstrates how the Indians were misbehaving and their government didn't take control of the situation and give the Indians any consequences”. I feel like this was a really good way of incorporating the “I say” and the “they say” into my paper.
---For the second essay I wasn’t quit as nervous and I felt more confident. The only thing that got to my nerves was the time limit on this paper. The first essay we had a little over three weeks and this time we only had about week. I think I could have made a better outline for this essay because when I started writing my rough draft I had a big unorganized mess. Unlike my first essay where I had a very detailed outline that I barely had to add anything to make my rough draft. This being my second essay I would have really liked to go forward with my writing skills rather then backward.
---I did do a lot of things better this time around though, I went to the library the day we got the assignment so I could prepare myself better. I found a lot more research for this essay then the first one, and the more informed I am about a topic the easier it is to write about. I also added a little twist of my own in my paper by writing it like a diary entry. When I started my paper I expressed, “When I was a little girl my parents use to tell me how lucky I was to live here in Boston and still have British protection. As the years go on my eyes have been opened and the truth has been unfolded”. I feel like my last essay didn't meet many of Ben's requirements, so I tried really hard to have good historical facts this time and still incorporate Craig's requirements too. I regret scheduling my meeting with Craig on Thursday; I think it would have been more beneficial for me if I would have made it a day or two earlier so I could have had more time to work on his specific comments. Meeting with Ben on top of meeting with Craig was a good idea on my part, his comments were very helpful too.
---All of these things illustrate my strengths and my weaknesses as a writer. My first essay I struggled with choosing a thesis that would best express how I felt about Bacon’s Rebellion. Without a solid thesis there isn’t a way to have a high-quality paper. When I rewrote this paper I tried focusing more on the economic issues rather then my opinion of who was a better person between Bacon and Berkeley. Doing this really made my paper flow one hundred times better. For my second essay I struggled with my outline. I will never forget this mistake, because it made it so much harder for me to start my first draft. After that essay I will always work really hard on having a detailed outline. With everything I learned I know I can become a better writer if I just practice these skills. This has been a very intense quarter and I don’t regret one second of it. Everything I did will help me get that much closer to the writer I want to become.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Portfolio: Essay #1
----Bacon's Rebellion was believed to be the first stirring emotional response to later cause the Revolution of America. The rebellion began as a dispute among English settlers in Virginia over American Indian policy. It was also over power conflicts between a concerned colonists Nathaniel Bacon and the governor of Virginia William Berkeley. “Governor Berkeley strove to treat American Indians equitably and to distinguish carefully between American Indian allies and foes”. Despite, Berkeley’s words many colonists were still not interested in associating with the Indians, and actually wanted the exact opposite. Virginia in the 1670’s was dealing with a lot of economic troubles. The colony was suffering from extremely low tobacco prices, restricted trade, stressed relationships with local Indians, possession of land and a Governor who didn’t always make the best decisions for the people he had power over.
----Governor Berkeley was a smart and successful man but also very sneaky in his own way. At the time tobacco prices were at their all time low. Virginia’s economy relied greatly on tobacco, so this caused a financial crisis. Berkeley did nothing to help his colony during their financial crisis, but he did manage to help himself and some of his friends. Unlike the rest of the colony, the Governor's Council was not liable for taxes. Berkeley even managed to benefit himself from trade with the Indians. A law was passed to make certain that no one was to do any kind of trading goods with any of the Indians. But secretly, the governor made special licenses for only a selective few to be allowed to trade with the Indians as long as he gets a part of the profit. Bacon issued his Declaration of the People on July 30, 1676 which stated that “Berkeley was corrupt, played favorites and protected the Indians for his own selfish purposes"(Pike). Berkeley cared more about money and materiel processions than he did the people he ruled in Virginia.
----The relationships between the Virginia colonists and the Indians were never very stable. Many colonists were granted land that Virginia did not own. Some of the land they were granting was already in the procession of Indians. So you can imagine how the resentment building up inside the colonists and the Indians. Because of the governments poor management the Indians and the colonists started despising one another. After conflict starting occurring the colonist’s starting complaining about the Indians poor behavior. Governor Berkeley didn't believe his colony’s accusations. A letter from Elizabeth Bacon to her sister "The Indians killing the people daily, the governor not taking notice of it for to hinder them, but let them daily do all the mischief they can" (document #9). In this letter Bacon's wife demonstrates how the Indians were misbehaving and their government didn't take control of the situation and give the Indians any consequences. The way the Virginia government was being run at this time caused a lot of unnecessary hardships for the English colonists.
----As a result of many Indian hostile breakouts Governor Berkeley came up with a plan of action. He thought it would be a good idea to build forts along the frontier boarder. This was not a very thought out plan considering attacking tribes could go right between the forts. Although Governor Berkeley may have made it seem like he cared and was trying to protect his people. The colonists were not fooled by his actions, because they soon found out that the government was taxing them for the forts that gave them no fortification or security. It was all just another way for Berkeley to get more money out of his people.
----After all of Governor Berkeley’s conniving tricks, the colonist needed someone to help stand up for their colony. They found that support in Nathanial Bacon who did not believe in how Berkeley was running Virginia. Bacon was the last hope for the colonists in Virginia, and he was more then willing to lead them in a fight against Berkeley and the Indians. Bacon and his followers believed that the government favored the Indians needs over their own people’s which was the start of the rebellion. Bacon wanted to get his people together to attack nearby Indians. When Governor Berkeley refused Bacon the permit to do so, he made threat to attack without his permission. Berkeley failed to defend and protect his people from native attacks. Nathanial Bacon was everything and more then the colonists were looking for. He stood up to the governor and led a revolt against the Indians.
----By focusing on Bacon and his followers attacks on Indians without a permit it over looks the deeper problem that the leaders during that time were not doing the things they were suppose to. Though I see other ways that Bacon could have reacted, he couldn't stand by and not stick up for himself and the other colonists. The government cared more about land, money, and power then the lives of the people they ruled. They took advantage of their fellow followers as well as Indians who they had no right to control. The government not taking care of the issues the colonists were dealing with caused the colonists to rebel. When they rebelled they took out their frustrations on the Indians. That caused a lot of agony and suffering to the Indians who had nothing to do with the English problems. They caused all these unnecessary perplexities and disputes only so they could better themselves. I believe if the government during the 1670’s would have been more concerned about their people the whole rebellion might have been avoided.
Citations:
---Pike, John. "Bacon's Rebellion." 04-27-2005 paragraph 14. 14 Oct 2008 .
---US Military History Companion, "Bacon's Rebellion." paragraph 4. 21 Oct 2008 .
---Zinn, Howard. "Columbus to the Spanish-American War." A Young People's History of the United States 1
----Governor Berkeley was a smart and successful man but also very sneaky in his own way. At the time tobacco prices were at their all time low. Virginia’s economy relied greatly on tobacco, so this caused a financial crisis. Berkeley did nothing to help his colony during their financial crisis, but he did manage to help himself and some of his friends. Unlike the rest of the colony, the Governor's Council was not liable for taxes. Berkeley even managed to benefit himself from trade with the Indians. A law was passed to make certain that no one was to do any kind of trading goods with any of the Indians. But secretly, the governor made special licenses for only a selective few to be allowed to trade with the Indians as long as he gets a part of the profit. Bacon issued his Declaration of the People on July 30, 1676 which stated that “Berkeley was corrupt, played favorites and protected the Indians for his own selfish purposes"(Pike). Berkeley cared more about money and materiel processions than he did the people he ruled in Virginia.
----The relationships between the Virginia colonists and the Indians were never very stable. Many colonists were granted land that Virginia did not own. Some of the land they were granting was already in the procession of Indians. So you can imagine how the resentment building up inside the colonists and the Indians. Because of the governments poor management the Indians and the colonists started despising one another. After conflict starting occurring the colonist’s starting complaining about the Indians poor behavior. Governor Berkeley didn't believe his colony’s accusations. A letter from Elizabeth Bacon to her sister "The Indians killing the people daily, the governor not taking notice of it for to hinder them, but let them daily do all the mischief they can" (document #9). In this letter Bacon's wife demonstrates how the Indians were misbehaving and their government didn't take control of the situation and give the Indians any consequences. The way the Virginia government was being run at this time caused a lot of unnecessary hardships for the English colonists.
----As a result of many Indian hostile breakouts Governor Berkeley came up with a plan of action. He thought it would be a good idea to build forts along the frontier boarder. This was not a very thought out plan considering attacking tribes could go right between the forts. Although Governor Berkeley may have made it seem like he cared and was trying to protect his people. The colonists were not fooled by his actions, because they soon found out that the government was taxing them for the forts that gave them no fortification or security. It was all just another way for Berkeley to get more money out of his people.
----After all of Governor Berkeley’s conniving tricks, the colonist needed someone to help stand up for their colony. They found that support in Nathanial Bacon who did not believe in how Berkeley was running Virginia. Bacon was the last hope for the colonists in Virginia, and he was more then willing to lead them in a fight against Berkeley and the Indians. Bacon and his followers believed that the government favored the Indians needs over their own people’s which was the start of the rebellion. Bacon wanted to get his people together to attack nearby Indians. When Governor Berkeley refused Bacon the permit to do so, he made threat to attack without his permission. Berkeley failed to defend and protect his people from native attacks. Nathanial Bacon was everything and more then the colonists were looking for. He stood up to the governor and led a revolt against the Indians.
----By focusing on Bacon and his followers attacks on Indians without a permit it over looks the deeper problem that the leaders during that time were not doing the things they were suppose to. Though I see other ways that Bacon could have reacted, he couldn't stand by and not stick up for himself and the other colonists. The government cared more about land, money, and power then the lives of the people they ruled. They took advantage of their fellow followers as well as Indians who they had no right to control. The government not taking care of the issues the colonists were dealing with caused the colonists to rebel. When they rebelled they took out their frustrations on the Indians. That caused a lot of agony and suffering to the Indians who had nothing to do with the English problems. They caused all these unnecessary perplexities and disputes only so they could better themselves. I believe if the government during the 1670’s would have been more concerned about their people the whole rebellion might have been avoided.
Citations:
---Pike, John. "Bacon's Rebellion." 04-27-2005 paragraph 14. 14 Oct 2008 .
---US Military History Companion, "Bacon's Rebellion." paragraph 4. 21 Oct 2008 .
---Zinn, Howard. "Columbus to the Spanish-American War." A Young People's History of the United States 1
Portfolio: Essay #2
Dear Diary,
----When I was a little girl my parents use to tell me how lucky I was to live here in Boston and still have British protection. As the years go on my eyes have been opened and the truth has been unfolded. Growing up with a father in government I have always been well knowledged on the things that go on politically. As I get older I begin to form my own opinion and values. When America was first colonized Britain didn’t plan out thorough how we were going to be governed. Britain’s plan was to have colonists live in America many miles across the water but still be governed by Britain. Shortly afterwards Britain begun passing laws that helped themselves, without taking our best interest into consideration. After the Stamp Act was passed many colonists began thinking in a new direction, independence from Britain. Unfortunately, many of the colonies were split over the issue of Independence. Some people chose to stay loyal to the British no matter what happened. Others who decided to no longer keep letting Britain take advantage of us while they profit off of our economic struggles. I will do nothing but stand up for what I believe in and do anything to protect my liberty and fight for independence. I will no longer try to ignore the fact that Britain is not my home country anymore for they don’t care about my wellbeing. They proved this multiply times once when they intruded in our homes, the Tea Tax, and again with the Boston Massacre.
----Before even talk of war Britain sent their troops to Massachusetts trying to get control of the patriots in Boston. “In the fall of 1768, three thousand uniformed troops arrived to occupy Boston, The soldiers drilled conspicuously on the Common, played loud music on the Sabbath, and in general grated on the nerves of Bostonians” (Roark p27). This disturbance upset a lot of people living here and went on to an even bigger event. The Boston Massacre, which was where once again the people of Boston were protesting against Britain. My father told me they were only throwing snowballs at British soldiers, when the soldiers in return killed five Boston colonists. This was a devastating time for all of us in Boston. I think it was a time when a lot of the people who were still supporting Britain finally turned their backs, and became united with the American colonies.
----Winning the French and Indian war cost Britain a lot of money. Britain needed desperate help and the solution was to pass acts to tax the colonies in America. The colonists did not want to pay taxes because they were not represented by Parliament and had no say in the making of laws. "The colonies refused to pay the levies required by the Townsend Acts claiming they had no obligation to pay taxes imposed by a Parliament in which they had no representation".(EyeWitness to History). When they decided to make us pay taxes on tea, it caused a big disruption. Everyone thought it was just plain ridiculous. As a result some people refused to buy tea, while others started smuggling it to avoid paying the taxes. The British government believed that since we were still considered British then we should help get them out of debt too.
----When the Tea Act was passed, they neglected to consider how it effected the common people. My family, friends, and neighbors on the other hand were not fooled by Britain’s newest law put onto them, and were not going to easily accept it. Shortly after the Act was put into place another significant event occurred that people will remember for years. The Boston Tea party, a group of dearest friends here in Boston snuck onto a ship and dumped a significant amount of tea into the harbor to prove their point of how ridiculous the new tea tax was. This made us feel like we had won, but only made the British resent all the people of Boston and pass laws to punish the colony. “In response to the destruction of the tea, the British Government adopted four Acts… the Coercive or Intolerable Acts, [which] closed the port of Boston, redesigned the government of Massachusetts Bay to increase British Authority, provided for moving trials of British officials to another colony or to England when local opinion was inflamed, and permitted the housing of British troops in unused buildings” (Greene). Two of these acts effected us directly here in Boston. One closed the port of Boston to all colonists until the damages from the Boston Tea Party were paid for. Another act gave the British Governor complete control of the town meetings, and taking control out of the hands of the colonialists.
----The colonies in America relied greatly on the trade between them and Great Britain. Well I know for sure everyone here in Massachusetts did. So for Massachusetts to agree upon not sending or importing anything from Britain was a huge step towards our revolution. The people in Boston came to an agreement, "That we will not…import into the province any tea, paper, glass, or painters' colors, until the Acts imposing duties on these articles have been repealed" (Boston Non-Importation Agreement). I am so glad we finally came to an agreement I think it was a semi-successful method in the hopes that we would cause financial hardships to businesses in England. Unfortunately, this was not the last we would hear of Britain, this just encouraged them to keep taxing us which was exactly what we were trying to avoid. I had a feeling war was going to be the next solution. Although war wasn’t what I had initially wanted it was the next thing to come.
----Diary, I have no one else to turn to during this time of economic struggle, fight for independence and war. Because of the British I have no family or friends to lean on or receive comfort and support from anymore. I want this war to be done and over with, so we can get on with our lives. I pray to God every night that our colonies uniting together was for the best, and we will win this war, and win our independence. I can say with confidence that I am a patriot who will fight to my death to win over our independence from Britain. I know from the bottom of my heart that the only way the great people residing in these colonies will ever better themselves is to separate themselves from Britain. It still seems frightening when I think about this independent nation, and what will become of us. Then I remind myself that if we can follow this through to the end then we can finally have a country where the freedom rights we deserve.
Until next time,
Alycia Ann
Citations:
---Kindig, Thomas. "Boston Non-Importation Agreement." August 1, 1768 17 Nov 2008 .
---"The Boston Tea Party, 1773," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2002).
Greene, Jack P.. "A companion to the American Revolution." 19 Nov 2008 .
---Roark, James L., Michael P. Johnson, Patricia Cline Cohen, Sarah Stage, and Alan Lawson. The American Promise. 4th. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009.
---liu, Joan. "SMALLPOX DURING THE AMERIAN REVOLUTION." Biological warfare during the American Revolution 19 Nov 2008 .
---Becker, Ann M.. "Society for Military History ." The Journal of Military History 68april 2004 19 Nov 2008 .
----When I was a little girl my parents use to tell me how lucky I was to live here in Boston and still have British protection. As the years go on my eyes have been opened and the truth has been unfolded. Growing up with a father in government I have always been well knowledged on the things that go on politically. As I get older I begin to form my own opinion and values. When America was first colonized Britain didn’t plan out thorough how we were going to be governed. Britain’s plan was to have colonists live in America many miles across the water but still be governed by Britain. Shortly afterwards Britain begun passing laws that helped themselves, without taking our best interest into consideration. After the Stamp Act was passed many colonists began thinking in a new direction, independence from Britain. Unfortunately, many of the colonies were split over the issue of Independence. Some people chose to stay loyal to the British no matter what happened. Others who decided to no longer keep letting Britain take advantage of us while they profit off of our economic struggles. I will do nothing but stand up for what I believe in and do anything to protect my liberty and fight for independence. I will no longer try to ignore the fact that Britain is not my home country anymore for they don’t care about my wellbeing. They proved this multiply times once when they intruded in our homes, the Tea Tax, and again with the Boston Massacre.
----Before even talk of war Britain sent their troops to Massachusetts trying to get control of the patriots in Boston. “In the fall of 1768, three thousand uniformed troops arrived to occupy Boston, The soldiers drilled conspicuously on the Common, played loud music on the Sabbath, and in general grated on the nerves of Bostonians” (Roark p27). This disturbance upset a lot of people living here and went on to an even bigger event. The Boston Massacre, which was where once again the people of Boston were protesting against Britain. My father told me they were only throwing snowballs at British soldiers, when the soldiers in return killed five Boston colonists. This was a devastating time for all of us in Boston. I think it was a time when a lot of the people who were still supporting Britain finally turned their backs, and became united with the American colonies.
----Winning the French and Indian war cost Britain a lot of money. Britain needed desperate help and the solution was to pass acts to tax the colonies in America. The colonists did not want to pay taxes because they were not represented by Parliament and had no say in the making of laws. "The colonies refused to pay the levies required by the Townsend Acts claiming they had no obligation to pay taxes imposed by a Parliament in which they had no representation".(EyeWitness to History). When they decided to make us pay taxes on tea, it caused a big disruption. Everyone thought it was just plain ridiculous. As a result some people refused to buy tea, while others started smuggling it to avoid paying the taxes. The British government believed that since we were still considered British then we should help get them out of debt too.
----When the Tea Act was passed, they neglected to consider how it effected the common people. My family, friends, and neighbors on the other hand were not fooled by Britain’s newest law put onto them, and were not going to easily accept it. Shortly after the Act was put into place another significant event occurred that people will remember for years. The Boston Tea party, a group of dearest friends here in Boston snuck onto a ship and dumped a significant amount of tea into the harbor to prove their point of how ridiculous the new tea tax was. This made us feel like we had won, but only made the British resent all the people of Boston and pass laws to punish the colony. “In response to the destruction of the tea, the British Government adopted four Acts… the Coercive or Intolerable Acts, [which] closed the port of Boston, redesigned the government of Massachusetts Bay to increase British Authority, provided for moving trials of British officials to another colony or to England when local opinion was inflamed, and permitted the housing of British troops in unused buildings” (Greene). Two of these acts effected us directly here in Boston. One closed the port of Boston to all colonists until the damages from the Boston Tea Party were paid for. Another act gave the British Governor complete control of the town meetings, and taking control out of the hands of the colonialists.
----The colonies in America relied greatly on the trade between them and Great Britain. Well I know for sure everyone here in Massachusetts did. So for Massachusetts to agree upon not sending or importing anything from Britain was a huge step towards our revolution. The people in Boston came to an agreement, "That we will not…import into the province any tea, paper, glass, or painters' colors, until the Acts imposing duties on these articles have been repealed" (Boston Non-Importation Agreement). I am so glad we finally came to an agreement I think it was a semi-successful method in the hopes that we would cause financial hardships to businesses in England. Unfortunately, this was not the last we would hear of Britain, this just encouraged them to keep taxing us which was exactly what we were trying to avoid. I had a feeling war was going to be the next solution. Although war wasn’t what I had initially wanted it was the next thing to come.
----Diary, I have no one else to turn to during this time of economic struggle, fight for independence and war. Because of the British I have no family or friends to lean on or receive comfort and support from anymore. I want this war to be done and over with, so we can get on with our lives. I pray to God every night that our colonies uniting together was for the best, and we will win this war, and win our independence. I can say with confidence that I am a patriot who will fight to my death to win over our independence from Britain. I know from the bottom of my heart that the only way the great people residing in these colonies will ever better themselves is to separate themselves from Britain. It still seems frightening when I think about this independent nation, and what will become of us. Then I remind myself that if we can follow this through to the end then we can finally have a country where the freedom rights we deserve.
Until next time,
Alycia Ann
Citations:
---Kindig, Thomas. "Boston Non-Importation Agreement." August 1, 1768 17 Nov 2008 .
---"The Boston Tea Party, 1773," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2002).
Greene, Jack P.. "A companion to the American Revolution." 19 Nov 2008 .
---Roark, James L., Michael P. Johnson, Patricia Cline Cohen, Sarah Stage, and Alan Lawson. The American Promise. 4th. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009.
---liu, Joan. "SMALLPOX DURING THE AMERIAN REVOLUTION." Biological warfare during the American Revolution 19 Nov 2008 .
---Becker, Ann M.. "Society for Military History ." The Journal of Military History 68april 2004 19 Nov 2008 .
Portfolio: Final Exam Frame #2
Frame II
----It has been believed that the writing process can be greatly improved if students have a group of peers to share their ideas. Elbow says, “If you are stuck writing or trying to figure something out, there is nothing better than finding one person, or more, to talk to. If they don’t agree or have trouble understanding, so much the better as long as their minds are not closed” (49). I believe Optimism choose this quote to say that a lot of people can stare at a piece of paper for hours before they write down one word. If they were to interact with other people on the topic and start talking about it gives them a wider perspective on the topic. When people have a well understanding of a topic it is much easier to write about. When you have to explain something to a person it can also help you get a deeper connection with the subject. As well as when two people have different views on a topic it makes the conversation full of meaning. All of these things can help you get more comfortable with a topic and get you starting on writing it.
----This view of writing is actually new to me; I am one of those people who can sit in front of that blank piece of paper for hours. When I have a writing assignment I usually do research to help get me started. Honestly, I don’t usually sit down with other students and talk about a topic before I start writing about it. This writing technique doesn’t match my usually writing process of figuring out what to write on my own. I usually enclosure myself in a quite room alone and sit there until I think of ides to write. Although after reading about Optimism’s writing technique it sounds very useful. I think if I would have got together more this quarter it could have really benefited myself. Like Optimism says your writing process can be greatly improved if you can learn to use this technique.
----Looking back to this last quarter I believe in some ways I did use this technique. When we were in History and Writing having an in class discussion about Bacon’s Rebellion there were something’s I didn’t quite still understand. Then when people would start talking about it and debating over it I got a lot better understanding. Another experience that relates to this view of writing is when I try to get help from my boyfriend with schoolwork. A lot of things he has no idea what I’m taking about, so when I start explaining something to him I start understanding it that much better. Sometimes I even answer my own question just from trying to explain it to him.
----Optimism dramatizes in his passage what is involved in the writing process in order to describe his view of writing. He strongly believes that the best way to get started on any kind of writing is to talk with peers. When you are stuck writing nothing is better then having a strong discussion with another person. I agree with Optimism on his view of writing and have always been one to believe that two heads are better then one. The writing process can come along a lot better if you are explaining a topic to someone else to. If you are having an open heavy debate your chance of getting ideas for your writing are that much higher. I think this method of writing is very helpful and I plan on trying to incorporate it into my own writing process.
----It has been believed that the writing process can be greatly improved if students have a group of peers to share their ideas. Elbow says, “If you are stuck writing or trying to figure something out, there is nothing better than finding one person, or more, to talk to. If they don’t agree or have trouble understanding, so much the better as long as their minds are not closed” (49). I believe Optimism choose this quote to say that a lot of people can stare at a piece of paper for hours before they write down one word. If they were to interact with other people on the topic and start talking about it gives them a wider perspective on the topic. When people have a well understanding of a topic it is much easier to write about. When you have to explain something to a person it can also help you get a deeper connection with the subject. As well as when two people have different views on a topic it makes the conversation full of meaning. All of these things can help you get more comfortable with a topic and get you starting on writing it.
----This view of writing is actually new to me; I am one of those people who can sit in front of that blank piece of paper for hours. When I have a writing assignment I usually do research to help get me started. Honestly, I don’t usually sit down with other students and talk about a topic before I start writing about it. This writing technique doesn’t match my usually writing process of figuring out what to write on my own. I usually enclosure myself in a quite room alone and sit there until I think of ides to write. Although after reading about Optimism’s writing technique it sounds very useful. I think if I would have got together more this quarter it could have really benefited myself. Like Optimism says your writing process can be greatly improved if you can learn to use this technique.
----Looking back to this last quarter I believe in some ways I did use this technique. When we were in History and Writing having an in class discussion about Bacon’s Rebellion there were something’s I didn’t quite still understand. Then when people would start talking about it and debating over it I got a lot better understanding. Another experience that relates to this view of writing is when I try to get help from my boyfriend with schoolwork. A lot of things he has no idea what I’m taking about, so when I start explaining something to him I start understanding it that much better. Sometimes I even answer my own question just from trying to explain it to him.
----Optimism dramatizes in his passage what is involved in the writing process in order to describe his view of writing. He strongly believes that the best way to get started on any kind of writing is to talk with peers. When you are stuck writing nothing is better then having a strong discussion with another person. I agree with Optimism on his view of writing and have always been one to believe that two heads are better then one. The writing process can come along a lot better if you are explaining a topic to someone else to. If you are having an open heavy debate your chance of getting ideas for your writing are that much higher. I think this method of writing is very helpful and I plan on trying to incorporate it into my own writing process.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Rough Draft Reflection
---My writing philosophy is to write about your own beliefs and opinions. You have to make your own choices and be your own person so why shouldn't your writing be your own thoughts as well. You can listen or read about what someone else thinks or says about a specific topic but you should always write about how you feel about it. When I get the chance to write about how I feel about a topic it makes it a lot easier and more enjoyable to write. I believe a lot of people can find themselves in writing, it gives you a better understanding of who you are.
---Writing my first essay as a college student I was still very comfortable with the five-paragraph technique. When I started writing this first essay I was using my original writing process. As I got more detailed with my paper, I found myself all wrapped up in quotes and templates, I lost site of how I felt about the topic. In doing this it ended me up with a paper that wasn’t truly how I felt. Learning this different writing technique was a difficult process, but I know it was worth it and I can use this technique on future writing assignments.
If I could go back and fix a mistake I made in this writing process, I would definitely take more time on choosing my thesis. I felt so rushed to choose a topic I ended up with a thesis that held back a lot of information I found interesting. When I started writing I never realized I could have changed my thesis, looking back on it now I think if I would have known I would have done just that. I understand now that my thesis was more of an opinion than an actually statement.
---What I learned from this writing process is that when you’re writing about history you need a lot of resources. Many different historians have different perspectives on historical events and it is important to be open-minded and take in all of the different point of views. Then, it is just as important to be able to put down your own words on paper with your own opinion and views of the topic or event.
For the second essay I wasn’t quit as nervous and I felt more confident. The only thing that got to my nerves was the time limit on this paper. The first essay we had _weeks and this time we only had _weeks. I think I could have made a better outline for this essay because when I started writing my rough draft I had a big unorganized mess. Unlike my first essay where I had a very detailed outline that I barely had to add anything to make my rough draft. This being my second essay I would have really liked to go forward with my writing skills rather then backward. I found a lot more research for this essay then the last one. I feel like my last essay didn't meet many of Ben's requirements, so I tried really hard to have good historical facts this time and still incorporate Craig's requirements too. I regret scheduling my meeting with Craig on Thursday, I think it would have been more beneficial for me if I would have made it a day or two earlier so I could have had more time to work on his specific comments. Meeting with Ben on top of meeting with Craig was a good idea on my part, his comments were very helpful too.
---Writing my first essay as a college student I was still very comfortable with the five-paragraph technique. When I started writing this first essay I was using my original writing process. As I got more detailed with my paper, I found myself all wrapped up in quotes and templates, I lost site of how I felt about the topic. In doing this it ended me up with a paper that wasn’t truly how I felt. Learning this different writing technique was a difficult process, but I know it was worth it and I can use this technique on future writing assignments.
If I could go back and fix a mistake I made in this writing process, I would definitely take more time on choosing my thesis. I felt so rushed to choose a topic I ended up with a thesis that held back a lot of information I found interesting. When I started writing I never realized I could have changed my thesis, looking back on it now I think if I would have known I would have done just that. I understand now that my thesis was more of an opinion than an actually statement.
---What I learned from this writing process is that when you’re writing about history you need a lot of resources. Many different historians have different perspectives on historical events and it is important to be open-minded and take in all of the different point of views. Then, it is just as important to be able to put down your own words on paper with your own opinion and views of the topic or event.
For the second essay I wasn’t quit as nervous and I felt more confident. The only thing that got to my nerves was the time limit on this paper. The first essay we had _weeks and this time we only had _weeks. I think I could have made a better outline for this essay because when I started writing my rough draft I had a big unorganized mess. Unlike my first essay where I had a very detailed outline that I barely had to add anything to make my rough draft. This being my second essay I would have really liked to go forward with my writing skills rather then backward. I found a lot more research for this essay then the last one. I feel like my last essay didn't meet many of Ben's requirements, so I tried really hard to have good historical facts this time and still incorporate Craig's requirements too. I regret scheduling my meeting with Craig on Thursday, I think it would have been more beneficial for me if I would have made it a day or two earlier so I could have had more time to work on his specific comments. Meeting with Ben on top of meeting with Craig was a good idea on my part, his comments were very helpful too.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Essay #2 Reflection
I think I could have made a better outline for this essay because when I started writing my rough draft I had a big unorganized mess. I found a lot more research for this essay then the last one. I feel like my last essay didn't meet many of Ben's requirements, so I tried really hard to have good historical facts this time and still incorporate Craig's requirements too. I regret scheduling my meeting with Craig on Thursday, I think it would have been more beneficial for me if I would have made it a day or two earlier so I could have had more time to work on his specific comments. Meeting with Ben on top of meeting with Craig was a good idea on my part, his comments were very helpful too.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Final Draft - - Patriot of Massachusetts
Dear Diary,
---When I was a little girl my parents use to tell me how lucky I was to live here in Boston and still have British protection. As the years go on my eyes have been opened and the truth has been unfolded. As the American colonies begin to grow in size, the people are growing in confidence. When England colonized America they had no plan on how we were going to be governed, nor did they have any concerns. They had a plan for an independent nation but didn’t prepare for what would happen after all the people colonized the land. Britain was passing laws that helped themselves, without taking our best interest into consideration. After the Stamp Act was passed many colonists began thinking in a new direction, independence from Britain. Unfortunately, many of the colonies were split over the issue of Independence. Some people chose to stay loyal to the British no matter what happens. Others who will no longer keep letting Britain take advantage of us while they profit off of our economic struggles. I will do nothing but stand up for what I believe in and do anything to protect my liberty and fight for independence. I will no longer try to ignore the fact that Britain is not my home country anymore for they don’t care about my wellbeing. They proved this multiply times once when they intruded in our homes, the Tea Tax, and again with the Boston Massacre.
--- Before even talk of war Britain the British sent their troops to Massachusetts trying to take charge and control of the patriots in Boston. The troops came here looking to put down revolutionary tendencies. They went through people’s homes without consent, raided through everything, and took anything valuable they could. “In the fall of 1768, three thousand uniformed troops arrived to occupy Boston, The soldiers drilled conspicuously on the Common, played loud music on the Sabbath, and in general grated on the nerves of Bostonians” (Roarh p27). They took away my dignity, while intruding on my privacy. I had never felt as betrayed as I did when my own old country battered me and my people. This disturbance didn’t even stop there it went on to an even bigger event. The Boston Massacre, which was where once again the people of Boston were protesting against Britain. They were only throwing snowballs at British soldiers, when the soldiers in return killed five Boston colonists. This was a devastating time for all of us in Boston. I think it was a time when a lot of the people who were still supporting Britain finally turned their backs, and became united with the American colonies.
---When Britain passed the Tea Act, they neglected to take how it affected the common people into consideration. My family, friends, and neighbors on the other hand were not fooled by Britain’s newest law put onto them, and were not going to easily except it. Shortly after the Act was put into place another significant event occurred that people will remember for year. The Boston Tea party, a group of dearest friends here in Boston snuck onto a ship and dumped a significant amount of tea into the harbor to prove their point that they were not going to be used. This made us feel like we had one, but only made the British resent all the people of Boston and pass laws to punish the colony. “In response to the destruction of the tea, the British Government adopted four Acts… the Coercive or Intolerable Acts, [which] closed the port of Boston, redesigned the government of Massachusetts Bay to increase British Authority, provided for moving trials of British officials to another colony or to England when local opinion was inflamed, and permitted the housing of British troops in unused buildings” (Greene). Two of these acts affected us directly here in Boston. One closed the port of Boston to all colonists until the damages from the Boston Tea Party were paid for. Another act gave the British Governor complete control of the town meetings, and taking control out of the hands of the colonialists.
--- Winning the French and Indian war cost the British a lot of money, as a result of the war our colonies had to pay for it. The British passed acts to tax us to pay for the war; these acts taxed glass, lead, paint, tea, and paper which made a lot of colonists very upset. The colonists did not want to pay taxes because they were not represented by Parliament and had no say so in the making of laws. "The colonies refused to pay the levies required by the Townsend Acts claiming they had no obligation to pay taxes imposed by a Parliament in which they had no representation".(EyeWitness to History). When they decided to make us pay taxes on tea, it caused a big disruption. Everyone thought it was just plain ridiculous. As a result some people refused to buy tea, while others started smuggling it to avoid paying the taxes. Although Britain was taxing their other colonies they were particularly interested in the American colonies because of our great success in becoming an independent nation.
---The colonies in America relied greatly on the trade between them and Great Britain. Well I know for sure everyone here in Massachusetts did. So for Massachusetts to agree upon not sending or importing anything from Britain was a huge step towards our revolution. The people in Boston came to an agreement, "That we will not, from and after January 1, 1769, import into the province any tea, paper, glass, or painters' colors, until the Acts imposing duties on these articles have been repealed" (Boston Non-Importation Agreement). I am so glad we finally came to an agreement I think it was a semi-successful method in the hopes that we would cause financial hardships to businesses in England. Unfortunately, this was not the last we would hear of Britain, this just encouraged them to keep taxing us which was exactly what we were trying to avoid. I had a feeling war was going to be the next solution. Although war wasn’t what I had initially wanted it was the next thing to come.
---Diary, I have no one else to turn to during this time of economic struggle, fight for independence and war. Because of the British I have no family or friends to lean on or receive comfort and support from anymore. I want this war to be done and over with, so we can get on with our lives. I pray to God every night that our colonies uniting together was for the best, and we will win this war, and win our independence. I can say with confidence that I am a patriot who will fight to my death to win over our independence from Britain. I know from the bottom of my heart that the only way the great people residing in these colonies will ever better themselves is to separate themselves from Britain. It has been a very intense and long experience watching all of these significant events occur. But, it has also been an incredibly immense learning experience for me. I have very much enjoyed watching Massachusetts come together with the only colonies to fight for something we all believe so strongly about. My only last wish is for us to achieve our goal and to obtain control of our Independence. I look forward to seeing what is in store for the future of our colonies.
Until next time,
Alycia Ann
Citations:
---Kindig, Thomas. "Boston Non-Importation Agreement." August 1, 1768 17 Nov 2008 .
---"The Boston Tea Party, 1773," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2002).
Greene, Jack P.. "A companion to the American Revolution." 19 Nov 2008 .
---Roark, James L., Michael P. Johnson, Patricia Cline Cohen, Sarah Stage, and Alan Lawson. The American Promise. 4th. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009.
---liu, Joan. "SMALLPOX DURING THE AMERIAN REVOLUTION." Biological warfare during the American Revolution 19 Nov 2008 .
---Becker, Ann M.. "Society for Military History ." The Journal of Military History 68april 2004 19 Nov 2008 .
---When I was a little girl my parents use to tell me how lucky I was to live here in Boston and still have British protection. As the years go on my eyes have been opened and the truth has been unfolded. As the American colonies begin to grow in size, the people are growing in confidence. When England colonized America they had no plan on how we were going to be governed, nor did they have any concerns. They had a plan for an independent nation but didn’t prepare for what would happen after all the people colonized the land. Britain was passing laws that helped themselves, without taking our best interest into consideration. After the Stamp Act was passed many colonists began thinking in a new direction, independence from Britain. Unfortunately, many of the colonies were split over the issue of Independence. Some people chose to stay loyal to the British no matter what happens. Others who will no longer keep letting Britain take advantage of us while they profit off of our economic struggles. I will do nothing but stand up for what I believe in and do anything to protect my liberty and fight for independence. I will no longer try to ignore the fact that Britain is not my home country anymore for they don’t care about my wellbeing. They proved this multiply times once when they intruded in our homes, the Tea Tax, and again with the Boston Massacre.
--- Before even talk of war Britain the British sent their troops to Massachusetts trying to take charge and control of the patriots in Boston. The troops came here looking to put down revolutionary tendencies. They went through people’s homes without consent, raided through everything, and took anything valuable they could. “In the fall of 1768, three thousand uniformed troops arrived to occupy Boston, The soldiers drilled conspicuously on the Common, played loud music on the Sabbath, and in general grated on the nerves of Bostonians” (Roarh p27). They took away my dignity, while intruding on my privacy. I had never felt as betrayed as I did when my own old country battered me and my people. This disturbance didn’t even stop there it went on to an even bigger event. The Boston Massacre, which was where once again the people of Boston were protesting against Britain. They were only throwing snowballs at British soldiers, when the soldiers in return killed five Boston colonists. This was a devastating time for all of us in Boston. I think it was a time when a lot of the people who were still supporting Britain finally turned their backs, and became united with the American colonies.
---When Britain passed the Tea Act, they neglected to take how it affected the common people into consideration. My family, friends, and neighbors on the other hand were not fooled by Britain’s newest law put onto them, and were not going to easily except it. Shortly after the Act was put into place another significant event occurred that people will remember for year. The Boston Tea party, a group of dearest friends here in Boston snuck onto a ship and dumped a significant amount of tea into the harbor to prove their point that they were not going to be used. This made us feel like we had one, but only made the British resent all the people of Boston and pass laws to punish the colony. “In response to the destruction of the tea, the British Government adopted four Acts… the Coercive or Intolerable Acts, [which] closed the port of Boston, redesigned the government of Massachusetts Bay to increase British Authority, provided for moving trials of British officials to another colony or to England when local opinion was inflamed, and permitted the housing of British troops in unused buildings” (Greene). Two of these acts affected us directly here in Boston. One closed the port of Boston to all colonists until the damages from the Boston Tea Party were paid for. Another act gave the British Governor complete control of the town meetings, and taking control out of the hands of the colonialists.
--- Winning the French and Indian war cost the British a lot of money, as a result of the war our colonies had to pay for it. The British passed acts to tax us to pay for the war; these acts taxed glass, lead, paint, tea, and paper which made a lot of colonists very upset. The colonists did not want to pay taxes because they were not represented by Parliament and had no say so in the making of laws. "The colonies refused to pay the levies required by the Townsend Acts claiming they had no obligation to pay taxes imposed by a Parliament in which they had no representation".(EyeWitness to History). When they decided to make us pay taxes on tea, it caused a big disruption. Everyone thought it was just plain ridiculous. As a result some people refused to buy tea, while others started smuggling it to avoid paying the taxes. Although Britain was taxing their other colonies they were particularly interested in the American colonies because of our great success in becoming an independent nation.
---The colonies in America relied greatly on the trade between them and Great Britain. Well I know for sure everyone here in Massachusetts did. So for Massachusetts to agree upon not sending or importing anything from Britain was a huge step towards our revolution. The people in Boston came to an agreement, "That we will not, from and after January 1, 1769, import into the province any tea, paper, glass, or painters' colors, until the Acts imposing duties on these articles have been repealed" (Boston Non-Importation Agreement). I am so glad we finally came to an agreement I think it was a semi-successful method in the hopes that we would cause financial hardships to businesses in England. Unfortunately, this was not the last we would hear of Britain, this just encouraged them to keep taxing us which was exactly what we were trying to avoid. I had a feeling war was going to be the next solution. Although war wasn’t what I had initially wanted it was the next thing to come.
---Diary, I have no one else to turn to during this time of economic struggle, fight for independence and war. Because of the British I have no family or friends to lean on or receive comfort and support from anymore. I want this war to be done and over with, so we can get on with our lives. I pray to God every night that our colonies uniting together was for the best, and we will win this war, and win our independence. I can say with confidence that I am a patriot who will fight to my death to win over our independence from Britain. I know from the bottom of my heart that the only way the great people residing in these colonies will ever better themselves is to separate themselves from Britain. It has been a very intense and long experience watching all of these significant events occur. But, it has also been an incredibly immense learning experience for me. I have very much enjoyed watching Massachusetts come together with the only colonies to fight for something we all believe so strongly about. My only last wish is for us to achieve our goal and to obtain control of our Independence. I look forward to seeing what is in store for the future of our colonies.
Until next time,
Alycia Ann
Citations:
---Kindig, Thomas. "Boston Non-Importation Agreement." August 1, 1768 17 Nov 2008 .
---"The Boston Tea Party, 1773," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2002).
Greene, Jack P.. "A companion to the American Revolution." 19 Nov 2008 .
---Roark, James L., Michael P. Johnson, Patricia Cline Cohen, Sarah Stage, and Alan Lawson. The American Promise. 4th. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009.
---liu, Joan. "SMALLPOX DURING THE AMERIAN REVOLUTION." Biological warfare during the American Revolution 19 Nov 2008 .
---Becker, Ann M.. "Society for Military History ." The Journal of Military History 68april 2004 19 Nov 2008 .
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