Final Post

I am really going to miss this class. Originally I thought that this class was going to be a large pain. I never enjoyed writing papers and since the title of the class is English Composition, I figured I would be writing a lot. Instead, I learned many amazing things. I learned about society, women interactions, and social stigmas. I truly enjoyed this class. Hopefully, I will be able to take another class with Lydia. It will be even more fun than the first!

Young and Sexy?

                                    Ah, I blame the fashion world.

People don't realize something is wrong until it hits them in the face.

Some Food For Thought

Through trials and tribulations this soul partially dead

A mother without empathy a father all but dead

What has the world come to but total dread?

The need for touch. The need for empathy.

The empty pit that will never fill.

How can this soul survive if no hope is to be had?

How will a soul survive without feed?

What will happen to this soul?

Lost in a battlefield, which way to go?

Do I fight with the high or do I fight with the low?

Shall I sacrifice myself so that others may survive?

Should I sacrifice others so that I may survive?

Which path should I follow if none are marked?

Which path will lead to victory?

Which path will lead to death?

Which path is best?

Which path will make me happy?

Is there such a path?

Yet again

Yet again I wonder why I force myself to read such a redundant book. Then, I remember that Lydia has made it a requirement. I do not know if I will be able to force myself to continue. Chapter five of Donald Murray's The Craft of Revision, was ever-so-slightly more intriguing than the previous disasters we were forced to read. I found the examples he wrote to be slightly more within the context of his meaning. Also, I did appreciate the fact that the rather lengthy example of Myles J. Turner did relate to the overall chapter. Similarly he demonstrated the different genres using this example quite effectively. However, what was his purpose of adding the case history of Maureen Healy? I do not think that I will ever be able to comprehend this man's mind, let alone his writing. Murray made the unfortunate mistake of focusing on a student's writing to the point of boredom. I literally had to take multiple naps just to force myself through the dreaded text. If he continues to add mass amounts of rubbish, I do not believe that I will be able to continue forward.

First of Many to Appear

Per Lydia's requirements, I have been assessing Donald Murray's The Craft of Revision. I must say that it is not a pleasure read. Many times I will find myself wondering why I even bother to read such a book, then I look at the syllabus and my question is answered. Although Murray illuminates the world of writing, he fails to follow his own advice time and time again. In chapter four, Murray attempts to devote his attention to focus as his chapter subject. However, he persistently digresses from his main point by demonstrating multitudes of examples for one idea that is not revealed until the end. This practice often leaves me to ask one question, "What is this man trying to say?" I find myself asking this question to be a complete irony, since he continues to preach the idea of simplicity, conciseness, and cohesiveness. I also find it interesting that he seems to be quite hypocritical of his main points. He will often use too many examples, lengthy sentences, and weak personal evidence to prove his theses. Unfortunately, I am required to continue reading this book and thus have come to a conclusion. Murray has some wonderful advice, yet he needs to revise his own book again.