Well, ladies and gentlemen, it has been a long quarter. I enjoyed the first half of AP Comp, but I can't say that I really enjoyed the second half. (No offense, Kunkle). I just felt like the stuff we did in the first half was much more interesting, there was a greater variety of reading materials and everything we read was (in general) way more entertaining. I actually didn't mind Gatsby, but I definitely hated PITD. It was incredibly dull, and not a fun read. Nothing in comparison to TTTC.
I do think I have learned a lot about different rhetorical strategies and such, but whether or not I will actually use them (or know how to use them) is a whole different story. On the whole, I'm not sure how much my writing improved. I know it improved from first quarter, but I don't know that I would say that it improved over this past quarter. I felt like all the stuff I wrote was complete crap-- I really had no idea what to write for most of the assignments...thus, my writing was not very good.
Anyway, fair well fellow AP Compquistadors! Only about two and a half months until graduation! WOO!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
"Politics" by Peter Saul
At the Apple Pie Exhibit at MMOCA, one of the paintings that caught my eye was "Politics" by Peter Saul. The painting is of former President Ronald Reagan. He's holding the globe in his hands, but it is all squished and deformed. There is also a saw going through his head, as well as a missile coming through the other side of his head. All over on his body are little tags saying different things. Some of them say "power" "money" "Cuba" "hot line" and "art."
What I think the painting was trying to illustrate was the turmoil and the problems that were occurring during the time of Reagan's presidency. I'm not entirely sure whether or not this was supposed to be a dig at Reagan as a president or not, it easily could have been I suppose. The way he was holding the deformed, squished "world" in his hands said to me that that was what the world had become during his presidency: deformed. Also, the missile going through his head was probably due to the tensions surrounding nuclear weapons at the time as well.
Relating this to Morrison and Playing In The Dark, it is rather ironic that the person that has the most power and essentially "holds the world in his hands" in our country was white. If you look at that painting through the eyes of a black person, what would you think? Would you be bitter or would you not really care, because that's the way it's been all along? It's an interesting question to ponder. In addition, Morrison talked in the last chapter about how Africanists were part of the reason that white people got so much power, which would also make sense with this painting.
What I think the painting was trying to illustrate was the turmoil and the problems that were occurring during the time of Reagan's presidency. I'm not entirely sure whether or not this was supposed to be a dig at Reagan as a president or not, it easily could have been I suppose. The way he was holding the deformed, squished "world" in his hands said to me that that was what the world had become during his presidency: deformed. Also, the missile going through his head was probably due to the tensions surrounding nuclear weapons at the time as well.
Relating this to Morrison and Playing In The Dark, it is rather ironic that the person that has the most power and essentially "holds the world in his hands" in our country was white. If you look at that painting through the eyes of a black person, what would you think? Would you be bitter or would you not really care, because that's the way it's been all along? It's an interesting question to ponder. In addition, Morrison talked in the last chapter about how Africanists were part of the reason that white people got so much power, which would also make sense with this painting.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Space Exploration
So, a timed writing on space exploration, that was definitely a new topic. I thought it was kind of interesting compared to everything else we've had to write about for those so far. Anyway, here are my thoughts on space exploration.
The main concern with space exploration is obviously funding. With our country in the worst economic recession for decades, can we really afford to take our precious dollars and spend them on space exploration? I don't think so. Yes, maybe someday space exploration will lead us to some sort of discovery, but from what we've seen so far, it doesn't look like that will happen anytime soon. Everything about space is so unknown, when will it ever pay off?
Another thing that this got me thinking about was whether or not space exploration is worthwhile. One of the sources mentioned that astronauts could come back from space carrying new diseases that we've never been introduced to thus far. What could this do to our country? In the midst of our economic crisis we would have to face a medical crisis as well? That doesn't sound like a very good option to me...
I don't know where I'm going with this. I guess overall I just think that there are so many other things we should be spending our money on, especially because of the recession, and it doesn't seem worth it to spend $17 billion (according to the timed writing documents) on space exploration.
The main concern with space exploration is obviously funding. With our country in the worst economic recession for decades, can we really afford to take our precious dollars and spend them on space exploration? I don't think so. Yes, maybe someday space exploration will lead us to some sort of discovery, but from what we've seen so far, it doesn't look like that will happen anytime soon. Everything about space is so unknown, when will it ever pay off?
Another thing that this got me thinking about was whether or not space exploration is worthwhile. One of the sources mentioned that astronauts could come back from space carrying new diseases that we've never been introduced to thus far. What could this do to our country? In the midst of our economic crisis we would have to face a medical crisis as well? That doesn't sound like a very good option to me...
I don't know where I'm going with this. I guess overall I just think that there are so many other things we should be spending our money on, especially because of the recession, and it doesn't seem worth it to spend $17 billion (according to the timed writing documents) on space exploration.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Declaration of Independence
Seeing as how my Declaration of Independence was so inspirational and somewhat fantastic, I felt the need to post it. I thought it might provide some lonely souls with a few chuckles, and possibly bring light to the world. Again, please don't judge.
AP Composition, February 11, 2010
THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE FROM ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPOSITION AND OTHER ENGLISH COURSES (AND JEFFREY KUNKLE)
When in the course of classroom events, it becomes necessary for one class to dissolve the academic bands which have connected them to Advanced Placement Composition, the inhabitants of said course must declare the causes which led them to desire independence.
We hold these truths to be self evident, that all students were not graded equal, that they are not endowed by their professor with certain unalienable rights, are fairness and the pursuit of A’s. That, in order to achieve these rights, the students must impeach said professor and expel themselves from said Advanced Placement course. It is their right and duty to throw off said dictator from power, to improve the lives of those unfortunate souls who shall be faced with said course later. To prove the misdemeanors of said Advanced Placement course, let these facts be submitted to an eager world.
For forcing subjects to engrave countless timed writings into his or her own flesh.
For reciting a myriad of monotonous poems about ludicrous topics such as “gay wallpaper.”
For quartering large numbers of armed teachers among us.
For refusing to fetch the young Gus Kunkle to provide amusement for the pupils.
For bequeathing hours of tedious readings and essays upon the students.
For compelling the students to ponder over the dreadful inscriptions of one Mary Wollstonecraft during the summer hours which were said to belong to the students, not to the professor of the English language.
For ceasing communication and interaction with all other citizens of the world outside of the Advanced Placement Composition courses.
For uttering long, eerie messages on the computer system and requiring the students to listen to said messages in the privacy and safe haven of their own homes.
For refusing to let others speak in the opinions of his nature and the nature in which the Advanced Placement Composition classes are run and administered.
For ensuring that the students never had any free time outside of school; by inflicting upon them the pain of countless hours of repetitive readings, essays, and projects
For causing innocent students to have the desire never to return to a classroom again, even after finally having passed said Advanced Placement course.
For inflicting upon the pupils the torture of completing frequent multiple choice exams, in the hopes that said pupils might pass the Advanced Placement Composition and English exam.
We, therefore, the students of the Advanced Placement Composition class, in GENERAL CLASSROOM assembled, appealing to the supreme Principal of the school for the rectitude of our intentions, DO, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these classes, solemnly PUBLISH and DECLARE, That these united classes are, and of Right, ought to be free and independent pupils; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the Advanced Placement Composition course and Professor, and that all political connection between them and the Advanced Placement Composition course, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that, as FREE and INDEPENDENT PUPILS, they have full Power to dismiss homework, demolish essays, omit multiple choice exams, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT PUPILS may of right do. AND for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
I sincerely hope that this declaration has brought a little light to your cloudy world.
AP Composition, February 11, 2010
THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE FROM ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPOSITION AND OTHER ENGLISH COURSES (AND JEFFREY KUNKLE)
When in the course of classroom events, it becomes necessary for one class to dissolve the academic bands which have connected them to Advanced Placement Composition, the inhabitants of said course must declare the causes which led them to desire independence.
We hold these truths to be self evident, that all students were not graded equal, that they are not endowed by their professor with certain unalienable rights, are fairness and the pursuit of A’s. That, in order to achieve these rights, the students must impeach said professor and expel themselves from said Advanced Placement course. It is their right and duty to throw off said dictator from power, to improve the lives of those unfortunate souls who shall be faced with said course later. To prove the misdemeanors of said Advanced Placement course, let these facts be submitted to an eager world.
For forcing subjects to engrave countless timed writings into his or her own flesh.
For reciting a myriad of monotonous poems about ludicrous topics such as “gay wallpaper.”
For quartering large numbers of armed teachers among us.
For refusing to fetch the young Gus Kunkle to provide amusement for the pupils.
For bequeathing hours of tedious readings and essays upon the students.
For compelling the students to ponder over the dreadful inscriptions of one Mary Wollstonecraft during the summer hours which were said to belong to the students, not to the professor of the English language.
For ceasing communication and interaction with all other citizens of the world outside of the Advanced Placement Composition courses.
For uttering long, eerie messages on the computer system and requiring the students to listen to said messages in the privacy and safe haven of their own homes.
For refusing to let others speak in the opinions of his nature and the nature in which the Advanced Placement Composition classes are run and administered.
For ensuring that the students never had any free time outside of school; by inflicting upon them the pain of countless hours of repetitive readings, essays, and projects
For causing innocent students to have the desire never to return to a classroom again, even after finally having passed said Advanced Placement course.
For inflicting upon the pupils the torture of completing frequent multiple choice exams, in the hopes that said pupils might pass the Advanced Placement Composition and English exam.
We, therefore, the students of the Advanced Placement Composition class, in GENERAL CLASSROOM assembled, appealing to the supreme Principal of the school for the rectitude of our intentions, DO, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these classes, solemnly PUBLISH and DECLARE, That these united classes are, and of Right, ought to be free and independent pupils; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the Advanced Placement Composition course and Professor, and that all political connection between them and the Advanced Placement Composition course, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that, as FREE and INDEPENDENT PUPILS, they have full Power to dismiss homework, demolish essays, omit multiple choice exams, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT PUPILS may of right do. AND for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
I sincerely hope that this declaration has brought a little light to your cloudy world.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Research Papers
So for the past week or so, I've spent quite a good amount of time pondering the research papers we have been assigned for AP Composition. Last week I was basically trying to think of something, anything to write about. What is my original argument? Is any argument original, really? Think about it, I'm sure there's someone somewhere in the world that has had the same thought as you about a certain topic. They may not have written a paper about it, but chances are that somebody had the same idea.
Anyway, after much painful mulling over several different avenues down which I could take this project, I finally decided a couple days ago what I would write about. Basically my argument is that throughout time in America, laws have been enforced based on gender, social class, and race rather than being enforced uniformly. The more I started thinking about it, the more interesting the topic became to me. And even more so once I started researching it. I found a court case called Muller v. Oregon that took place in 1908, and this particular court case legalized sexual discrimination in the work place. How can that possibly be legalized-- it's discrimination? The fact that discrimination could be legalized is ridiculous! I mean, I do realize that a good amount of discrimination occurs every day, and a lot of the time the people doing the discriminating are let off the hook like nothing ever happened. So I guess some people would argue that by not making discrimination illegal you are essentially saying that it is legal. But, I'm not quite sure that's the case either. It's a rather difficult situation to ponder.
So how exactly do you go about making discrimination illegal? Yes, it is illegal for store owners to stop African Americans from entering their stores like they used to in the 60s, and it is illegal for companies not to hire someone based on his or her race, but how do you patrol it? An African American person can apply for a job and not get the job, but is that to say that he or she didn't get the job solely because of the fact that they're black? Maybe there was a white person who was more qualified and had more experience? On the other hand, maybe the black person didn't get the job because they were black. But how does the black person prove that the company didn't hire them because of that? The company will always have millions of excuses to fall back on.
So I went off on a rather long tangent there, but my point of this was to state that although the research paper is a lot of work, I think it is kind of an interesting assignment. It's something I've never had to do before-- creating my own original argument, and I think that I might actually learn something from this paper.
Anyway, after much painful mulling over several different avenues down which I could take this project, I finally decided a couple days ago what I would write about. Basically my argument is that throughout time in America, laws have been enforced based on gender, social class, and race rather than being enforced uniformly. The more I started thinking about it, the more interesting the topic became to me. And even more so once I started researching it. I found a court case called Muller v. Oregon that took place in 1908, and this particular court case legalized sexual discrimination in the work place. How can that possibly be legalized-- it's discrimination? The fact that discrimination could be legalized is ridiculous! I mean, I do realize that a good amount of discrimination occurs every day, and a lot of the time the people doing the discriminating are let off the hook like nothing ever happened. So I guess some people would argue that by not making discrimination illegal you are essentially saying that it is legal. But, I'm not quite sure that's the case either. It's a rather difficult situation to ponder.
So how exactly do you go about making discrimination illegal? Yes, it is illegal for store owners to stop African Americans from entering their stores like they used to in the 60s, and it is illegal for companies not to hire someone based on his or her race, but how do you patrol it? An African American person can apply for a job and not get the job, but is that to say that he or she didn't get the job solely because of the fact that they're black? Maybe there was a white person who was more qualified and had more experience? On the other hand, maybe the black person didn't get the job because they were black. But how does the black person prove that the company didn't hire them because of that? The company will always have millions of excuses to fall back on.
So I went off on a rather long tangent there, but my point of this was to state that although the research paper is a lot of work, I think it is kind of an interesting assignment. It's something I've never had to do before-- creating my own original argument, and I think that I might actually learn something from this paper.
I hear the Track Team Singing
Alright, well seeing as how track season started yesterday, I decided to write my poem as a little tribute to the track team. It is INCREDIBLY lame, I do realize this. Thus, I ask that you do not judge me on my poem writing skills, because I HAVE NONE.
I hear the track team singing, the raspy voices I hear;
Those of the sprinters-- each one singing his, as it should be, fast and choppy
The hurdler singing his as he leaps through the air
Those of the marathoners-- each one singing his, as it should be, slow and graceful
The miler singing his as he rounds another bend
Those of the jumpers-- each one singing his, as it should be, high and long
The high jumper singing his as he flops on the mat
Those of the throwers-- each one singing his, as it should be, strong and powerful
The shot putter singing his as he spins in the circle
During the crisp afternoons and chilly nights,
I hear the track team singing.
Again, please don't judge me on my lack of poem writintg ability.
I hear the track team singing, the raspy voices I hear;
Those of the sprinters-- each one singing his, as it should be, fast and choppy
The hurdler singing his as he leaps through the air
Those of the marathoners-- each one singing his, as it should be, slow and graceful
The miler singing his as he rounds another bend
Those of the jumpers-- each one singing his, as it should be, high and long
The high jumper singing his as he flops on the mat
Those of the throwers-- each one singing his, as it should be, strong and powerful
The shot putter singing his as he spins in the circle
During the crisp afternoons and chilly nights,
I hear the track team singing.
Again, please don't judge me on my lack of poem writintg ability.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Self-Reliance
"Life only avails, not the having lived."
This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance definitely caused me to think. The line itself is short, and that might be part of the reason why I think it's such a good line. Only seven words, and yet it can cause so much controversy as to what it means.
Basically what I think Emerson is trying to say here is that the fact that a person lived isn't really what's important. Yes, you lived your life. However, so did billions of other people in the world. The question is, what did you do with it? To avail means to profit or to get an advantage from, so take that into consideration, and does it really change the meaning? I think when you add that in, maybe it's saying that you only get an advantage from life and from doing something, not from just living. Or put another way, the world will only profit from your life if you make something of it, the world isn't going to profit just because of the fact that you were born and died. Life only profits, not the having lived. On the other hand, is he saying that it isn't really a person in general that profits, but life itself? I'm not sure.
Maybe I'm way off here, but that was just what came to mind when I read it.
This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance definitely caused me to think. The line itself is short, and that might be part of the reason why I think it's such a good line. Only seven words, and yet it can cause so much controversy as to what it means.
Basically what I think Emerson is trying to say here is that the fact that a person lived isn't really what's important. Yes, you lived your life. However, so did billions of other people in the world. The question is, what did you do with it? To avail means to profit or to get an advantage from, so take that into consideration, and does it really change the meaning? I think when you add that in, maybe it's saying that you only get an advantage from life and from doing something, not from just living. Or put another way, the world will only profit from your life if you make something of it, the world isn't going to profit just because of the fact that you were born and died. Life only profits, not the having lived. On the other hand, is he saying that it isn't really a person in general that profits, but life itself? I'm not sure.
Maybe I'm way off here, but that was just what came to mind when I read it.
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