Kayla's Blog

UWRT-1101This is Kayla! This blog is all about freshman writing.  

[kmarsh42]

Blogger Challenge

Writing blogs for school has been different from what I expected. I thought it would be a lot more complicated trying to use blogging language and techniques, but turns out I like blogging for class. Analyzing texts in blogger form has been different from what I'm used to, but I have liked it. It's creative and is more efficient than using pen and paper. I felt like it was easier to blog than it would have been to write formally on pen and paper. I think my posts have all surprised me because the texts were hard to analyze but I did it.

[kmarsh42]

Civic Text: I am doing the creating a civic text option. This is another civic text that is related to my topic.

[kmarsh42]

This is an example of what I believe is a civic literacy flyer.

[kmarsh42]

Writing as a Public Power

I found it interesting to read about what civic literacies are. I never realized that writings such as flyers on campus could be considered civic literacies. I guess I never knew what a civic literacies was until reading this text. I also didn't realize how important it is that we learn civic literacies in school. I guess it makes sense though sinceThe this kind of literacy is used for promoting change and change can be very important. I guess knowing how to conduct a civic literacy would lead to better promotion and possibly a better outcome. Now I've realized how important civic literacies really are.

[kmarsh42]

Swales

This text was in little interest for me which I believe has made it more difficult to understand. I know that the text is about discourse communities and their six characteristics however, I don't see the point of the arrival. Maybe I didn't understand or read something wrong but I was not able to get much out of the text. I did like the way it was introduced though. I like how they gave a heads up about the complexity.

[kmarsh42]

"Writing Across the University"

I think anyone who has made the transition from high school to college can relate with this text. In high school every paper was the same like said in the text. Every paper had 5 paragraphs and could not have but, and, or because as the first word in the sentence. When you get to college it is is different. I haven't had one paper that required only 5 paragraphs. And in college no paper is ever the same. I wish there would be one type of formatting and citing. Having to constantly remember what formate to use is annoying to me. I wish all writing was the same.

[kmarsh42]

Radical Revision

[kmarsh42]

"Shitty First Drafts"

Knowing that you are not the only one who has a horrible experience every time you write something is a huge relief. I have never been a writer. I can never get a paper going. If there is one thing I procrastinate on it is papers... I wait until the last second to do my papers just because of the start. Once I get a paper started it gets better, but the beginning, just like Lamott says, is the "shitty" part. Honestly the first draft of my narrative is hardly a draft. I mostly just have a bunch of random thoughts on a piece of paper, but I guess that's what the start is. Knowing that professionals who love to write have a hard time writing makes me feel better about my writing abilities.

[kmarsh42]

Malcolm X

The reading was about how Malcolm X learned to read. I thought the most interesting part was how he did it, although where he did it was also interesting. Malcolm was in prison when he took it upon himself to learn, to become intelligent. He copied the dictionary into his tablet and then read it aloud to himself. The fact that he never had an education beyond the 8th grade is amazing. Malcolm X knew more words than i will ever know and I am in college. Malcolm X is a true literacy man. He changed his life through literacy showing that everything is possible for anyone no matter their skin color or education. This is a very inspiring reading. 

[kmarsh42]

Sponsors of Literacy

A few things stood out to me while reading Brandt's views on literacy. Background Matters: Brandt talks about how one's background shapes one's literacy. I believe that the socioeconomic level you are born and raised in highly affect your knowledge of literacy. If you are raised in a family of lower status, there may be a lack of resources. Dora was in this situation because she had to drive 70 miles just to get a Spanish newspaper. If one is of high socioeconomic class then there is more access to resources and those resources are usually better than those of low status. Raymond was able to get everything he needed to expand his knowledge. Technology Change Brandt states that technology change, along with other aspects, can affect the development of literacy. I agree with this because in modern day, literacy is affected by phones. I believe texting is one of the most used forms of communication and with text language people feel as if there is no need to know how to spell or use correct grammar because in text, correct spelling is not expected.

Literacy has many influences

[kmarsh42]

Literacy in Three Metaphors

As I read Literacy in Three Metaphors, I realized that literacy is concept that today's education lacks a great deal. I believe that all concepts of literacy are important and should be taught in every way. Unfortunately others do not think the way I do. Society and it's educators are trying to find a shortcut. I believe the concept of "functional literacy" is the minimum. Just enough about literacy is taught so that society can function. It is just enough for people to get through the day and to get a job. They teach you enough to pass through life. I think that every concept should be taught so those in society can excel. They can make something more with their life and instead of a job they can get the job. The job being a dream job or a high paying job. Societies are different everywhere, but they all have a huge mutual importance. Literacy.