In his piece of writing, “The Circuit” writer Francisco Jimenez was successful with his reflective story about how living as a migrant worker, working in the vineyards, and not being able to attend school all the time when he was young affected the way he spoke. He was very descriptive and detailed when it came to reflecting to a specific time in his life that impacted him greatly and it was very eye luring for his readers. Since he experienced the difficulties of transitioning languages from Spanish to English and mentions it throughout his story, he is able to appeal to children of migrant workers through emotions. I would say that one of his purposes is to inform people of the disadvantage that children that come from migrant parent workers have when it comes to adjusting to a different language, that is not their native spoken language.
Paragraphs 1-3- Jimenez introduces to his readers a reflective story. He reflects back to a specific time in his life, which in this case it was the end of the strawberry season. He states that his family was from Mexico enabling us to see that he comes from a Mexican family who migrated to the United States.
Paragraphs 4-6- He gives us a sense of sadness, and he allows the reader to assume that moving from one place to another was something he did constantly. It was something that he dreaded and hated.
Paragraph 7-11- Jimenez goes into detail about his father’s “Carcanchita” or ’38 old black Plymouth and his mother’s pot. Even though the two objects are old and worn out they are portrayed as something important to each one of his parents. Each of his parents are proud of having acquired such nice and sturdy objects, that come along as well when they’re moving from one place to another.
Paragraph 12-17- Jimenez and his family arrived in Fresno, where they quickly got a job picking crops from a vineyard for the whole season. Their new home was not in the best conditions, but as long as it was shelter for his family, it was good enough for them especially if they had nowhere else to settle down for the whole season.
Paragraph 18-23- He describes his first day of work in the new vineyard as very exhausting and thirst quenching under the hot sun. He also lets his readers know that him and his brother are not enrolled in school because they help their parents out by working in the fields alongside their father. They have a fear of being caught by an authority and have them question them because they are not currently enrolled in school.
Paragraph 24-26- Once the grape season was over, Jimenez was finally able to start the sixth grade. He was relieved since he no longer would be going to work in the vineyard.
Paragraph 27-35- Since Jimenez worked in the vineyards with his father and older brother, he was not exposed to the English language for months therefore he struggled to speak it when he enrolled for the sixth grade. He struggled with the pronunciation of new words, but with the help of Mr. Lema he was able to overcome his struggles.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Topical Invention: Bullying.
--How does the dictionary define bullying?
-Bully- a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.
-Bullying- to act the bully toward; to treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner.
--What would prevent bullying from happening?
-Better school systems can definitely prevent bullying from occurring in schools.
-Laws enforced to help protect children from being bullied.
-Understanding what bullying is and the harm it causes can help a person such as a school staff member or a parent to help prevent it.
--What is the consequence of bullying?
-The consequences of bullying are many especially since there’s more than one person involved such as the bully, the victim, and also the witnesses or the people that are aware of the situation.
-Bullies are punished and held accountable for their bad conduct depending on how serious the bullying was.
-The consequence for a witness would be frustration and guilt for not being able to help the victim or to prevent the bullying from occurring.
-Victims are the ones with the worst consequence since they’re the ones that are being oppressed by someone with higher power than them. They will definitely suffer from fear of being looked upon, low self-esteem, depression, and many more things dealing with emotions. Many victims even get to the point where they can no longer take the bullying and end up taking their lives.
--Do I want to do any research on bullying?
-I definitely want to do my research on this topic, because I feel that lately many teenagers are becoming victims of bullying and many of them are committing suicide due to this reason. This topic makes me wonder whether school systems are concerned about their children's safety and if they’re doing anything to prevent bullying from happening in schools.
-Bully- a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.
-Bullying- to act the bully toward; to treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner.
--What would prevent bullying from happening?
-Better school systems can definitely prevent bullying from occurring in schools.
-Laws enforced to help protect children from being bullied.
-Understanding what bullying is and the harm it causes can help a person such as a school staff member or a parent to help prevent it.
--What is the consequence of bullying?
-The consequences of bullying are many especially since there’s more than one person involved such as the bully, the victim, and also the witnesses or the people that are aware of the situation.
-Bullies are punished and held accountable for their bad conduct depending on how serious the bullying was.
-The consequence for a witness would be frustration and guilt for not being able to help the victim or to prevent the bullying from occurring.
-Victims are the ones with the worst consequence since they’re the ones that are being oppressed by someone with higher power than them. They will definitely suffer from fear of being looked upon, low self-esteem, depression, and many more things dealing with emotions. Many victims even get to the point where they can no longer take the bullying and end up taking their lives.
--Do I want to do any research on bullying?
-I definitely want to do my research on this topic, because I feel that lately many teenagers are becoming victims of bullying and many of them are committing suicide due to this reason. This topic makes me wonder whether school systems are concerned about their children's safety and if they’re doing anything to prevent bullying from happening in schools.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Scenes of Writing and Ruth Conniff's Reading Response.
Andrea Orozco
Anicca Cox
English 100A
February 25, 2010
Ruth Conniff brings out a huge awareness to her audience especially for those who are appealed by this issue such as women athletes. She states that Title IX is blamed for the reason as to why minor sports are being cut such as wrestling, gymnastics, and other teams. She then turns her attention to Football and their excessive spending and points out that that is the real reason as to why these minor sports are being cut. Women athletes have come a long way in gaining the same equal rights that men have never had to worry of gaining in the sports industry.
From what I read from “The Scenes of Writing” I noticed that I was able to identify the people in the scene and their objective from this political issue in Connff’s piece of writing. For instance, on one side of the issue their objective was to keep and defend Title IX from those who opposed this law. While on the other hand, the other side was convinced that Title IX was to blame for cutting minor sports and this is the reason as to why they were against it. When we identify the people involved in this argument we clearly see that the people who support Title IX are Ruth Conniff herself, Women’s Sports Foundation, women athletes, and also parents. Individuals that are against Title IX would be The National Wrestling Coaches Association, aggrieved jocks, and I guess we can also include ex President Bush in there for forming a commission in order to re-examine this law. Each of these individuals had something in common which was to achieve their goal of either defending or eliminating Title IX.
Conniff clearly wants to persuade her reader to see that Title IX can be kept without harming any minor sports. Title IX has come to show the big difference it has made, which was having help eliminate gender discrimination in sports for women athletes.
Anicca Cox
English 100A
February 25, 2010
Ruth Conniff brings out a huge awareness to her audience especially for those who are appealed by this issue such as women athletes. She states that Title IX is blamed for the reason as to why minor sports are being cut such as wrestling, gymnastics, and other teams. She then turns her attention to Football and their excessive spending and points out that that is the real reason as to why these minor sports are being cut. Women athletes have come a long way in gaining the same equal rights that men have never had to worry of gaining in the sports industry.
From what I read from “The Scenes of Writing” I noticed that I was able to identify the people in the scene and their objective from this political issue in Connff’s piece of writing. For instance, on one side of the issue their objective was to keep and defend Title IX from those who opposed this law. While on the other hand, the other side was convinced that Title IX was to blame for cutting minor sports and this is the reason as to why they were against it. When we identify the people involved in this argument we clearly see that the people who support Title IX are Ruth Conniff herself, Women’s Sports Foundation, women athletes, and also parents. Individuals that are against Title IX would be The National Wrestling Coaches Association, aggrieved jocks, and I guess we can also include ex President Bush in there for forming a commission in order to re-examine this law. Each of these individuals had something in common which was to achieve their goal of either defending or eliminating Title IX.
Conniff clearly wants to persuade her reader to see that Title IX can be kept without harming any minor sports. Title IX has come to show the big difference it has made, which was having help eliminate gender discrimination in sports for women athletes.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Education Is The Key To Having A Successful Life.
Andrea Orozco
Credo Assignment
Anicca Cox
English 100A
January 31, 2010
Education is the key to having a successful life. I have lived by this credo for as long as I can remember due to the fact that my father has constantly repeated it on and on for the past years. He basically drilled it into my head which is why it eventually just stuck to me. My father is one of the persons I admire the most and have the highest respect for. This credo that he carries and constantly shares with his children, brings out a motivation in me to try harder and to become someone in life. This credo that he has embedded in me, in my soul, has made it possible for me to be where I am today and has also inspired me to accomplish the future goals that I have set for myself. For the past years I have applied this credo to my studies, which happen to be my first priority in life at the moment. Although at times I may not be aware of it, but I live by this credo every day of my life. For instance, simply by attending classes, finishing homework, not giving up, and always trying my best in school shows the outcome of this credo that I live by. If a lot more people were to live by this credo, things would be completely different. There would definitely be a lot more competition and a lot more success in today’s modern world. The credo, “education is the key to having a successful life” I highly encourage people to follow it and to become inspired by it.
Credo Assignment
Anicca Cox
English 100A
January 31, 2010
Education is the key to having a successful life. I have lived by this credo for as long as I can remember due to the fact that my father has constantly repeated it on and on for the past years. He basically drilled it into my head which is why it eventually just stuck to me. My father is one of the persons I admire the most and have the highest respect for. This credo that he carries and constantly shares with his children, brings out a motivation in me to try harder and to become someone in life. This credo that he has embedded in me, in my soul, has made it possible for me to be where I am today and has also inspired me to accomplish the future goals that I have set for myself. For the past years I have applied this credo to my studies, which happen to be my first priority in life at the moment. Although at times I may not be aware of it, but I live by this credo every day of my life. For instance, simply by attending classes, finishing homework, not giving up, and always trying my best in school shows the outcome of this credo that I live by. If a lot more people were to live by this credo, things would be completely different. There would definitely be a lot more competition and a lot more success in today’s modern world. The credo, “education is the key to having a successful life” I highly encourage people to follow it and to become inspired by it.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Mother Tongue by Amy Tan.
Andrea Orozco
Anicca Cox
English 100A
January 31, 2010
I find it quite amazing how language has the power to shape up the person you might become someday in the future. In the memoir, “Mother Tongue” Amy Tan shares with us that her mother’s “broken” English impacted Tan’s life greatly. I believe that this might be one of the reasons why Tan believes in the power of Language.
I thought her memoir was actually very touching, especially if the reader like myself is able to somewhat relate to her past experiences. Like Tan, I myself a few times have had to disguise my voice and pretend to be my mother. In my case, having parents who are immigrants and speak no English can be a bit difficult especially when it comes to translating. Transitioning from one language to the other can also be difficult, so difficult that at times I find myself speaking Spanglish.
Many people don’t take the time to realize how empowering language can be and how important it is as well. In my opinion, Tan’s purpose was to show the importance of tongues and the positive impact it can have on a person like herself.
When comparing Tan’s memoir to Sante’s memoir you can see the similarities that each writer has in their piece of writing. For example, as the reader you notice that each writer is very appreciative of their tongues. I can also point out the fact that each writer notices the transition in languages as they speak and the way it differentiates depending on who they are speaking with.
Anicca Cox
English 100A
January 31, 2010
I find it quite amazing how language has the power to shape up the person you might become someday in the future. In the memoir, “Mother Tongue” Amy Tan shares with us that her mother’s “broken” English impacted Tan’s life greatly. I believe that this might be one of the reasons why Tan believes in the power of Language.
I thought her memoir was actually very touching, especially if the reader like myself is able to somewhat relate to her past experiences. Like Tan, I myself a few times have had to disguise my voice and pretend to be my mother. In my case, having parents who are immigrants and speak no English can be a bit difficult especially when it comes to translating. Transitioning from one language to the other can also be difficult, so difficult that at times I find myself speaking Spanglish.
Many people don’t take the time to realize how empowering language can be and how important it is as well. In my opinion, Tan’s purpose was to show the importance of tongues and the positive impact it can have on a person like herself.
When comparing Tan’s memoir to Sante’s memoir you can see the similarities that each writer has in their piece of writing. For example, as the reader you notice that each writer is very appreciative of their tongues. I can also point out the fact that each writer notices the transition in languages as they speak and the way it differentiates depending on who they are speaking with.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Living In Tongues by Luc Sante
Living In Tongues by Luc Sante Andrea Orozco
Anicca Cox
English 100A
January 21, 2010
After reading Sante’s memoir, a person can instantly connect with what he is talking about especially if they speak in more than one tongue. For instance, I myself speak in two tongues and sometimes have trouble juggling back and forth two languages. This tends to happen to me a lot especially when I’m translating for my parents. The primary language here in the United States is English, which can be a challenge for people who migrate over here because they must enable themselves to learn and to speak it in order to better their lives.
Once Sante began American schooling his parents attempted to preserve his European heritage by tutoring him in French grammar and vocabulary. Sante’s parents have a great appreciation and devotion to their heritage, which is why I can see their desperate need to preserve it. Constructing a version of Belgium for Sante was a way of preserving his heritage, but by doing so they came across some struggles. For instance, the environment was way different from that of their homeland; they also couldn’t get a hold of some foods they desired.
In his memoir, he tells us how he speaks three tongues which are English, French, and Walloon. The Walloon dialect continues to affect him emotionally because it possibly shows Sante how people who have ancestors who spoke Walloon are slowly losing their roots and not putting much importance to the situation. The language Walloon was mostly spoken by his grandparent’s generation, so having to hear people speak in Walloon must bring a sense of satisfaction to his life. Especially if now a day, that language is considered to be rude for modern day people.
Letter of Introduction.
Andrea Orozco Letter Of Introduction
Anicca Cox
English 100A
January 23, 2010
I’m pretty positive that every now and then everyone looks back at their high school memories and remembers all the clicks that were made up of different types of kids. For instance, there was the jock with sweat drops running down his forehead from practicing in the field every afternoon, the cheerleader who bounced up and down cheering on the football team at every one of their games, the skater who would get sent to the dean’s office for skating through the school’s hallways at high speed, the class clown who was unable to sit still and have the whole class shouting in laughter, the nerd who would hide his face behind a book in the library at lunch time, and of course the shy person who would prefer to listen and observe rather than having to talk in front of the class. This list is definitely ongoing, with many more types of people to describe like myself. I myself was the shy person and possibly still continue to be. I would say that I’m not your typical California 18 year old girl who enjoys partying every Saturday night; I’d say I’m more on the quiet side.
I was born and raised in South California, in the city of Coachella which has drastically grown over the past years. I was named after my great-grandmother Andrea, who happened to pass away not too long ago. I come from two hard working parents, who have worked their lives away in harsh labor just so that my siblings and I can have an education. I was granted with a family who happens to adore animals which is why my family consist of many pets. For instance I have three dogs with amazing personalities, a cat who is always being sneaky around the house, four birds who chirp their day away, a guinea pig who is a nonstop eater, a hamster who loves to sleep throughout the day and run in her wheel at night, and last but not least a handful of large goldfish.
School has always been my first priority and continues to be till this day. Since I’m very attached to my family, I still find it quite hard to believe that I’m currently attending Humboldt State University, which happens to be so far away from home. Like myself, I’m sure that the rest of my family didn’t expect me to go study so far away from home. Well thankfully I’m surviving in this whole new environment in which I’ve learned to adapt. I’m thankful for this college experience because I’ve become much more responsible paying bills and all, I’ve matured and I take things seriously now, and also my cooking skills went from zero to average. Aside from those changes, I have also noticed that not only have I grown as a person but also as a writer.
Before English 100A, I was placed in English 40 which happens to be a remedial class. The thought of having a remedial class was somewhat of a disappointment to me because back in high school I would score A’s on my essays. I basically considered myself a good writer. It was just last semester when I realized that I was lacking many writing skills just like my other fellow classmates. I’m grateful for having been placed in English 40 because I’ve seen major improvement in my writing and I’ve also grown to like it.
There’s no doubt in my mind that in order to write a successful paper, the essay must contain a clear thesis. Without a clear thesis, the paper will most probably go down the drain. When first writing a paper, I always tend to go blank and that’s when brainstorming comes in. Using this brainstorming method allows me to gather ideas and thus enables me to create a clear thesis as well. Another method that I use is glossing, which helps organize my essay and also allows me to see if each paragraph contains one separate idea. Having the first draft done definitely does not mean I’m finished. On the contrary, there’s a lot more revising to be done. The more you revise an essay, the better it will become and having a professional revise it as well, makes it much more reassuring for me.
I’m quite aware that I continue to lack some writing skills, but I’m hoping to improve them in this course. I know that this class might be a challenge, but overcoming these types of challenges is what makes a person improve. In this case, I’m looking forward to becoming a better writer by the end of the semester.
After taking the learning styles quiz, I found out that I scored highest in the read/write section. I’ve taken this quiz before and it seemed pretty valid to me then, so in other words I do agree with it. Knowing what type of leaner I am, does help me out in a way because, I have an idea of the methods that I should perform in order for my writing to improve.
Sincerely,
Andrea Orozco
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