Blog 5: Future Students

Dear future English 110 students,
As you may know, english 110 is a required class that will expand your ability to analyze and review academic material. What you may not know, is that this class will actually help you succede is all of your future classes. For example, before this class, my analytical skills had not exactly been put to the test and I did not have a lot of practice with integrating sources into a paper; however, after this class I had a wealth of knowledge on writing analytically that is useful in many classes. I use these skills when writing lab memos and even in engineering classes. It is suprising to see how the information from this class plays into everyday life and much more than just a research paper. Although I had not had much experience with writing for an audience, this class gave me a great oppertunity to share my writing with others and participating in peer review was suprisingly helpful because it game me a chance to see what other people were writing, as well as their imput on my writing.

I have learned that it works well to stay on top of papers and blogs. Never let yourself get behind because it is hard to catch up. I have also learned that the teachers are here to help and that there are many resources to help you if you are stuck on something. To be successful, make sure and incorporate all of the information covered in the Writing Analytically book and use it to your advantage. I enjoyed using the Writing Analytically book because the readings were easy to understand and gave various examples that I often incorporated straight into my writing.

It may seem like a lot of work, but it really pays off in the end. I began to doubt myself and my writing when we started to write the Commonplace essay because it seemed like my topic was not interesting or compelling to other college students; however, thinking about the fact that other students would be reading and peer editing my paper gave me the drive to make it a good paper.

All in all, this class gives you some of the necessary skills you need for the rest of your college career. Don't underestimate the difference that this class can make and strive to do well on every assignment, but also enjoy the time in this class that you have writing about a topic of your choice.

Hell vs. Heaven

Recently, my friends and I started to argue and discuss about the exact meaning of purgatory. We could not agree on the purpose of purgatory and what really happens when and if someone goes there. There was also much discussion about hell and if it exists. In my opinion, purgatory is a waiting place where people go after they die; however, they do not suffer and go through pain while they are there. In the other person's opinion, purgatory is somewhere where people suffer and god punishes them. The tone of the argument was not harsh but it was a seriously argument. We were not able to discuss in a productive manner because each side would not respectfully listen to the other. As the discussion progressed, our arguments became more civil and we were able to listen to each other because we stated to organize our arguments and make more valid points. I tried to see their points, but at the same time, my beliefs have been engraved in me my entire life and it is not easy to change views off of one argument. The primary points of the other side were that in the bible there are verses that state the point that they were trying to make, however, my argument had the same evidence and I had been taught my argument's beliefs since childhood in school. I wanted the other person to leave with a new outlook on hell and purgatory and understand that this is not a place where people go to be punished. God would not make a place where people are punished and treated badly. I wanted them to understand this but they could not accept my argument. They left me with the impression that God would create a bad place, but I did not agree with them on this. I did not respect the position at all after this because I felt like the evidence for this argument was not valid and did not make sense. They did not explain where they got the information for this argument and it did not seem like they had any authority or credibility to be talking about their position. It did not have a lot to do with the way they produced their argument, mainly just because the evidence did not seem valid. The content of the argument was not concretely based, more based on theories and ideas. This is what made the argument seem weak and did not change my mind or influence my opinion at all.