Wow, I really said that?

That's the question I'm asking myself. I just reread what I posted in my very first entry on here from a few months ago, and what the hell? Wow, that was one deep thought I wrote. I was asked to say who I am as a writer, and I wrote something which I even have trouble analyzing completely. But I can understand my own self. Heheh, its odd trying to look at myself, yet look at the name of my blog for crying out loud.

As a writer, I now can change a few things about what I think. I can still get the job done which I'm supposed to do, and still have difficulty getting there, but I think I possibly have less trouble now. I still think some of the same thoughts, but I can indeed analyze better now, and definitely cite crap better too.

One thing I have learned about myself is if I try and write one paper that is long, and I lose track of my points, I do tend to start ranting about stuff, and even I will admit that. When I go back to revising now (which that skill is loads better), I look at my ranting and stuff that goes off subject, all I can do is laugh at it, because some of the junk I say is actually pretty amusing to me. I read over my wording and I think to myself, "Wow, I really said that?" This method of revising works well for me, and definitely constructs how the hell I am as a writer, which I proudly say that I am a personal writer. I put so much damn emotion and personality into my words that Writers' Block is always a problem with me.

Well, I don't know when the next time I'm going to update this blog, but I'll try to keep posting stuff. Thanks for following this blog, and I enjoy comments. Keep tabs on this thing, I'd like to come back and keep listing my own personal thoughts on whatever comes to mind.

Later guys,

Jake

S.L.O. Part 2

Okay, so this is the next part of that set of 3 entries on my abilities. I'll go after Critical Thinking first. Now, I think that even before this class I was already good at this, but I'll honestly say I think my skills have improved a handful at this. This relates to how I am as a writer by saying that I can read through a paper, then can go over and analyze just how exactly the points are important. That's all I can really say about it, I guess.

As for Writing an Academic Paper, I really don't know what to say. One thing for sure hasn't changed: I still hate writing papers. But, I can say that I'm better at writing them however, which is something all writers need, which is the ability to write papers that are good. As a writer, I personally don't like to compose these pieces of text, but I will if I have to. That's how I've been in the past, and I still am to this day. Yet, I still think about this, but I can't think of anything intelligent to say here. Damn it...

Um, I don't think my use of citing has changed at all. All of my big papers which I've written this quarter have all had to cite stuff. But I think that I've learned another way of citing things at least, and that's that odd APA format, because originally I only knew of MLA format. That's a start for college at least.

My theses tend to be more organized now, and that must be a good thing somewhat. I can't explain why though.. But also, one more thing, I also declare that I am better at revising and editing these papers for school, so I think that this class overall is something I needed to take, especially for my first quarter in college, so that way I'm ready to write more papers as I progress through college.

Last part of the SLO stuff coming up, keep reading these. Whoever is actually interested in them.

SLO Part #1: Reading & Research

Um, okay, this is an interesting prompt for these last few entries. So, I'm going to state the question again: We are supposed to reflect on the learning targets that were set at the beginning of the quarter and then also think about how I am as a writer? Okay then, I think I can do this. Here we go then:

First off, we had a target of learning on reading. Wow, what a surprise there (sarcastic). I honestly would be shocked if a writing class did not involve reading in some way shape or form, and I know I'm right on this. But I can say seriously that I can do close reading. Naturally I am a good reader. Not only can I read fast, which I've been able to for years, but I can also identify the key points that I see in the writings. I know I need to know these things because it shows that my strength as a writer is much stronger than ever.

As for research, that's a no brainer to me. Research makes me think back to junior year English class, since we had that damn JRP, or Junior Research Paper. Anybody remember that fucking paper? That thing sucked big time, and I am honest when I say it sucked. It had so much freaking research for it, and it was a very important high school paper too. But I know already from in the past that researching stuff is easy for me. As a writer, its important to know how to research topics because it gives you more evidence to work on your examples for your arguments with.

I'll work on the next SLO entry later.

R.E. - V.I.S.I.O.N.

I really don't know how to react to that video we just saw guys. All I keep hearing going through my head is "Performance, feedback, revision." Its just repeating in my head. I think I know what revision is, but I'm no dictionary. Everyone knows that.
Honestly, in my own words, revision is basically reviewing and editing a paper you have already done to make it look even better than the original. Hell, that could be just the freaking definition for editing, but I really could care less about what the exact definition of revision is. This post is about what I think it is, and I'm sticking by that.
You see, that's one of the things I like about having this freedom to blog our own way, it makes doing these entries that much easier. But let me get to the point before I start ranting off like usual. Revision is a big part of the writing process. Its how you get a paper to being at a stage of not only a good paper, but a great paper. Damn, it could be even better than great, if you are able to do that. I know that the essay I plan on revising, which is my second essay, needs a shitload of editing to be done, but I know that this particular essay in question is the one that NEEDS to be my final. I break revision down personally to being simpler to understand to me, and that is re-vision, and that's how I see what it means to me. Eh, I'll rant later about it, I want more time to think about how to make it look easier to understand for those who don't get what I mean.

I hate writers' block...

I do, so much. Oh my god, it was so difficult to write out that essay, but in the end, I managed to get the damn thing done. However, I can say that I'm not too confident in it, because I feel like it could use some more work, but if what I hear is true, then I'll be able to have that chance to improve that second essay again, and I might have the opportunity to make it a great paper for that final essay assignment, but idk, I guess its all up to chance. But right now I'm waiting on the readers' reviews to come back with some feedback on that paper I wrote, and I expect there will be quite a few points, because I think there might be some places where there needs to be change. But, in other news, that presentation that I'm doing with a group is basically done now, and thanks to Jamie, the powerpoint looks great. Hopefully tomorow it makes an impact at the Student Showcase.

*sigh* What am I even doing now?

Oh my god, I seriously don't know what I'm even doing anymore. I mean, I feel like I'm behind on everything, and I feel like its fucking up my writing stuff. I missed that online session too because I didn't even know it was going on, but oh well, that's life for me. I feel so stressed out now. But, here's what I can say though about that essay draft... My state of it is kinda messy right now, so if you agreed to look at the essay, give me some more time please. I'm sorry its taking so long for me, but It's been a rough last few days for me, and you probably already know why. But I can say this: my essay is slowly coming together. Hopefully by the end of today there will be another entry on here, and those pages should be sent out. Jamie, Megan, I'm sending you two the pages, and I appreciate the slack you two are cutting me because of the stress I'm dealing with. I'll send you two the pages. Thanks for all the support I'm receiving from everybody, your help is what has kept me going lately. -Jake

2 Sources so far, but what about the 3rd?

Ugh, I can't think of a freaking third source, and it's driving me crazy! I have to have 3 separate sources for this new essay, and I can't think of a third source, and it has to be one of my own choice.

So far, I plan to use a small amount of the Blogging book, and I plan to use a decent amount of that article that Kathleen West wrote on her research on her students in her English Class. I think that I can compare to the idea that the blogs of the students show a great deal of their identity in their blogs. But, I still can't think of where I can find another place to get information off of, and its pissing me off. I don't know what to do, and I have an annotated bibliography that is due in the morning with ALL 3 SOURCES ON IT! I have the first 2 done, but I still can't find another. I'm suffering from writer's block, and im overwhelmed. I'm screwed...