Free Writing

I want to write on a topic that is at least somewhat controversial in an effort to maintain the audience’s interest.  At this point, I have no idea what I could write about.  I think that it would be much easier to write on a phrase or issue as opposed to a single word.  A few topics that I am now thinking include the definition of the word “indie”.  Of late, the word has become more of a description of a person’s appearance and attitude.  Few people understand that the word originally was intended to describe different, almost taboo art forms, including movies and music.  Many “indie” people now aren’t really all that independent.  They just believe that by dressing a certain way, they are unique and cool.  Another avenue I could approach is definition of American. To the outside world, Americans are typically rude, over weight idiots.  Most other countries assume that we sit around and eat McDonalds all day.  I’d like to redefine the term American as other societies few in an attempt to shed light on what it truly means to be an American. Possible subtopics for this essay could include noteworthy American people that have contributed to the world, events that have distinguished our people, and the pros of American society. I also could write about the definition of a man and a woman.  Over the last century, the idea of a man and a woman have changed drastically, and not for the better.  I think it would be very interesting to define both a man and a woman in their original light, and compare it to the modern day definition.

Reading Response #1

To me, reading like a writer is extremely crucial in understanding not only what a piece is about, but the significance of the article or essay through the writers eyes.  By analyzing the purpose, rhetoric, and thesis of a piece of literature, the reader can better understand exactly what the writer was trying to convey, the points he or she was trying to make about an issue, and understand why using specific words in certain situations added to the meaning of the paper. 

In my research for our current essay, I have used many of the techniques mentioned in the text in an effort to better understand what exactly I was reading.  The technique I have used most is annotating, which includes highlighting key elements, rephrasing sentences or points in a more clear and understandable way, and writing down questions and thoughts that I have along the way.  I also like to use rhetorical analysis.  As I mentioned earlier, analyzing the techniques used by the author will provide a more clear understanding of exactly what the article is about.  By breaking down a thesis, I know exactly what to expect in the upcoming article.  By noting the diction used and the amount of description provided, I can decide very quickly if the article I am reading is on the intellectual level that I am, or if it was intended to be read by people better versed in the subject.

I have always understood critical reading to be a method of reading between the lines in an effort to understand more than just what is on the surface.  What I learned from the reading over the weekend is the incorporation of personal experience and knowledge.  This allows for a reader to make connections with their own lives, which massively increases the reader’s ability to understand the material and retain the key elements and the purpose of the article.