Final Video

Week 6 Grammar Post: Conjunctions

During my last trip to the Writing Center I discovered I have problem with conjunctions. I decided to look up some rules for conjunctions in the "Nitty-gritty Grammar" book. Authors Edith H. Fine and Judith P. Josephson give this information it on conjunctions.

Conjunctions connect groups of words or parts of a sentence.

Common Conjunctions are:

and, but, since, though, as, if, so, unless, because, or, than, while

Examples:

Bessie and Daisy mooed happily.
Since it's St. Patrick's Day, I'm wearing green underwear.
You're a better swimmer than I [Implied: than I am.]
Julie couldn't reach Randy because he'd gone surfing.

But is it okay to start a sentence with a conjunction? It's fine--just don't do it too often. And avoid it in formal writing.

some conjunctions work in pairs:

both/and, neither/nor Whether/or not, either/or, not only/but also

Neither Romeo nor Juliet knew the whole truth.
She not only runs Latina but also writes articles for it.

America the Beautiful: What We're Fighting For By: Dinesh D'Souza

I really enjoyed reading this article. The way Dinesh D’souza wrote this article made me proud to be an American. I feel he brings out a lot of good points relating to the diversity of the American way of life. I feel he brings out a good reason for the strong opposition the fundamentalist Islamic people have for the United States. I never realized the Islamic fundamentalists felt threatened by the free democratic lifestyle of the United States.
I enjoyed the way Dinesh talks about virtues. I agree with him and his view on choosing to live a life of virtue verses being forced to live a life of virtue. People by nature don’t like being forced to live a lifestyle they don’t agree with. It is no wonder the Islamic fundamentalists feel threatened by the lifestyle of the United States.
I don’t necessarily agree with policies that try and force the American way of life on others. While I think it is the greatest lifestyle even with its faults, I don’t think it is a one size fits all type of thing. When the United States is threatened by extremists because they don’t like the fact their people are moving here to live a life of their choosing, then it is a time for action.
I don’t know that the United States has ever tried to push their beliefs outright on any nation. I know people make this claim when the subject of the current war in Iraq is mentioned. As far as I have seen, the United States freed the people of Iraq from a man who gloried only in himself and wouldn’t think twice about killing thousands of people just because he didn’t like something about them. The Iraqi people have been allowed to set up their own government, establish their own laws, and elect their own leaders. Yes there are those who strongly disagree with this, but based on the information in this essay, it is because they are losing the power they once held over the people.
One statement in this essay really holds true for me “When Americans rally behind a good cause, as in World War II, they are invincible.” The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are a gleaming example of this. This event is one of the strongest examples of American pride. The incident caused concern and fear for many, but it also solidified the country behind a cause. People from all walks of life, from different social classes, and different religious backgrounds joined together to fight a common foe—terrorism. This has been the case from the birth of this country, and I think it will be the case for centuries to come. We may all have our different political, social, religious, and social views, but all in all, I think we all share a common threat—we are Americans, we love our freedoms, and we will fight to the death to preserve them.

Week 5 Grammar Post

After these last few essays, I have learned I still have many issues with the use of commas. I found these simple instructions at the following web site:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm

1. Use a comma to separate the elements in a series (three or more things), including the last two. "He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base." You may have learned that the comma before the "and" is unnecessary, which is fine if you're in control of things. However, there are situations in which, if you don't use this comma (especially when the list is complex or lengthy), these last two items in the list will try to glom together (like macaroni and cheese). Using a comma between all the items in a series, including the last two, avoid this problem. This last comma—the one between the word "and" and the preceding word—is often called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. In newspaper writing, incidentally, you will seldom find a serial comma, but that is not necessarily a sign that it should be omitted in academic prose.

2. Use a comma + a little conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two , as in "He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base."

Contending that the coordinating conjunction is adequate separation, some writers will leave out the comma in a sentence with short, balanced independent clauses (such as we see in the example just given). If there is ever any doubt, however, use the comma, as it is always correct in this situation.

One of the most frequent errors in comma usage is the placement of a comma after a coordinating conjunction. We cannot say that the comma will always come before the conjunction and never after, but it would be a rare event, indeed, that we need to follow a coordinating conjunction with a comma. When speaking, we do sometimes pause after the little conjunction, but there is seldom a good reason to put a comma there.

3. Use a comma to set off introductory elements, as in "Running toward third base, he suddenly realized how stupid he looked."

It is permissible to omit the comma after a brief introductory element if the omission does not result in confusion or hesitancy in reading. If there is ever any doubt, use the comma, as it is always correct. If you would like some additional guidelines on using a comma after introductory elements.

4.Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements, as in "The Founders Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, is falling down." By "parenthetical element," we mean a part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the essential meaning of that sentence. The parenthetical element is sometimes called "added information." This is the most difficult rule in punctuation because it is sometimes unclear what is "added" or "parenthetical" and what is essential to the meaning of a sentence.

Appositives are almost always treated as parenthetical elements.

Calhoun's ambition, to become a goalie in professional soccer, is within his reach.

Eleanor, his wife of thirty years, suddenly decided to open her own business.

Sometimes the appositive and the word it identifies are so closely related that the comma can be omitted, as in "His wife Eleanor suddenly decided to open her own business." We could argue that the name "Eleanor" is not essential to the meaning of the sentence (assuming he has only one wife), and that would suggest that we can put commas both before and after the name (and that would, indeed, be correct). But "his wife" and "Eleanor" are so close that we can regard the entire phrase as one unit and leave out the commas. With the phrase turned around, however, we have a more definite parenthetical element and the commas are necessary: "Eleanor, his wife, suddenly decided to open her own business." Consider, also, the difference between "College President Ira Rubenzahl voted to rescind the withdrawal policy" (in which we need the name "Ira Rubenzahl" or the sentence doesn't make sense) and "Ira Rubenzahl, the college president, voted to rescind the withdrawal policy" (in which the sentence makes sense without his title, the appositive, and we treat the appositive as a parenthetical element, with a pair of commas).

When a parenthetical element — an interjection, adverbial modifier, or even an adverbial clause — follows a coordinating conjunction used to connect two independent clauses, we do not put a comma in front of the parenthetical element.

The Red Sox were leading the league at the end of May, but of course, they always do well in the spring. [no comma after "but"]

The Yankees didn't do so well in the early going, but frankly, everyone expects them to win the season. [no comma after "but"]

The Tigers spent much of the season at the bottom of the league, and even though they picked up several promising rookies, they expect to be there again next year. [no comma after "and"]

(This last piece of advice relies on the authority of William Strunk's Elements of Style. Examples our own.)

When both a city's name and that city's state or country's name are mentioned together, the state or country's name is treated as a parenthetical element.

We visited Hartford, Connecticut, last summer.

Paris, France, is sometimes called "The City of Lights."

When the state becomes a possessive form, this rule is no longer followed:

Hartford, Connecticut's investment in the insurance industry is well known.

Also, when the state or country's name becomes part of a compound structure, the second comma is dropped:

Heublein, a Hartford, Connecticut-based company, is moving to another state.

An absolute phrase is always treated as a parenthetical element, as is an interjection. An addressed person's name is also always parenthetical. Be sure, however, that the name is that of someone actually being spoken to. A separate section on Vocatives, the various forms that a parenthetical element related to an addressed person's name can take, is also available.

Their years of training now forgotten, the soldiers broke ranks.

Yes, it is always a matter, of course, of preparation and attitude.

I'm telling you, Juanita, I couldn't be more surprised. (I told Juanita I couldn't be more surprised. [no commas]).

5. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives. You could think of this as "That tall, distinguished, good looking fellow" rule (as opposed to "the little old lady"). If you can put an and or a but between the adjectives, a comma will probably belong there. For instance, you could say, "He is a tall and distinguished fellow" or "I live in a very old and run-down house." So you would write, "He is a tall, distinguished man" and "I live in a very old, run-down house." But you would probably not say, "She is a little and old lady," or "I live in a little and purple house," so commas would not appear between little and old or between little and purple.

6. Use a comma to set off quoted elements. Because we don't use quoted material all the time, even when writing, this is probably the most difficult rule to remember in comma usage. It is a good idea to find a page from an article that uses several quotations, photocopy that page, and keep it in front of you as a model when you're writing. Generally, use a comma to separate quoted material from the rest of the sentence that explains or introduces the quotation:

Summing up this argument, Peter Coveney writes, "The purpose and strength of the romantic image of the child had been above all to establish a relation between childhood and adult consciousness."

If an attribution of a quoted element comes in the middle of the quotation, two commas will be required. But be careful not to create a comma splice in so doing.

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many things."

"I should like to buy an egg, please," she said timidly. "How do you sell them?"

Be careful not to use commas to set off quoted elements introduced by the word that or quoted elements that are embedded in a larger structure:

Peter Coveney writes that "[t]he purpose and strength of . . ."

We often say "Sorry" when we don't really mean it.

And, instead of a comma, use a colon to set off explanatory or introductory language from a quoted element that is either very formal or long (especially if it's longer than one sentence):

Peter Coveney had this to say about the nineteenth-century's use of children
in fiction: "The purpose and strength of . . . . "

7. Use commas to set off phrases that express contrast.

Some say the world will end in ice, not fire.

It was her money, not her charm or personality, that first attracted him.

The puppies were cute, but very messy.

(Some writers will leave out the comma that sets off a contrasting phrase beginning with but.)

8. Use a comma to avoid confusion. This is often a matter of consistently applying rule #3.

For most the year is already finished.

For most, the year is already finished.

Outside the lawn was cluttered with hundreds of broken branches.

Outside, the lawn was cluttered with hundreds of broken branches.

9. Grammar English's Famous Rule of Punctuation: Never use only one comma between a subject and its verb. "Believing completely and positively in oneself is essential for success." [Although readers might pause after the word "oneself," there is no reason to put a comma there.]

10. Typographical Reasons: Between a city and a state [Hartford, Connecticut], a date and the year [June 15, 1997], a name and a title when the title comes after the name [Bob Downey, Professor of English], in long numbers [5,456,783 and $14,682], etc. Although you will often see a comma between a name and suffix — Bob Downey, Jr., Richard Harrison, III — this comma is no longer regarded as necessary by most copy editors, and some individuals — such as Martin Luther King Jr. — never used a comma there at all.

Note that we use a comma or a set of commas to make the year parenthetical when the date of the month is included:

July 4, 1776, is regarded as the birth date of American liberty.

Without the date itself, however, the comma disappears:

July 1776 was one of the most eventful months in our history.

In international or military format, no commas are used:

The Declaration of Independence was signed on 4 July 1776.

11. As you can see, there are many reasons for using commas, and we haven't listed them all. Yet the biggest problem that most students have with commas is their overuse. Some essays look as though the student loaded a shotgun with commas and blasted away. Remember, too, that a pause in reading is not always a reliable reason to use a comma. Try not to use a comma unless you can apply a specific rule from this page to do so.

Concentrating on the proper use of commas is not mere form for form's sake. Indeed, it causes writers to review their understanding of structure and to consider carefully how their sentences are crafted.

I'm Black You're White, Who's Innocent? By: Shelby Steele

I can’t say I was a very big fan of the essay I’m Black You’re White, Who is Innocent? The author, Shelby Steele, brings out some good points regarding the fact most people don’t like to discuss racial issues openly among a racially mixed group.

He makes a good statement when he says “I think the real trouble between the races in America is that the races are not just races but competing power groups.” In my personal experience, when I ever I have to deal with somebody of another race, I have to be very careful on what I say and do. I the person I’m dealing with doesn’t like the things I say to them, or if I do something they don’t agree with, I can always count on them “playing the racist card”.

The biggest thing I got out of this essay was all races are trying engaged in a balancing act. None of the races want to be viewed as the weaker race, but on the other hand they all want to receive special treatment because they feel they have been mistreated. It reminds me of a small child who tries to use “guilt trip” tactics to get something. They act like they have been neglected so they can achieve more respect and recognition.

This way of thinking has been going on for thousands of years. It is something that seems to be part of the human emotional make up. I don’t think there is anything that can be done to stop this problem completely. No matter what happens, somebody is going to feel they are being mistreated.

Week 4 Grammar Post

Sometimes I wonder is it “to” or “too”?  At least I don’t struggle with the proper time to use “two”.  Here is some information I have found in the “English Grammar for Dummies” book.

“To” may be part of an infinitive (to speak, to dream) or it may show movement towards someone or something (to the store, to me).

“Two” is the number 2.

“Too” means also (Are you going too?) or more than enough (too expensive, too wide)

Example:  If you two want to skip school and go to the ball game, today’s a good day because the teacher will be too busy to check.

The two basketballs that hit Ludwig in the head yesterday were too soft to do much damage, but Ludwig is suing anyway.

Two things you should always remember before you decide to break a grammar rule: it is never too late to learn proper English and you are never too old to get in trouble with your teacher.

Woods, Geraldine. English Grammar for Dummies. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2001. Print.

 

Killer Culture By: David Kupelian

This article had an unusual religious overtone.  This is the first article I have read outside of a religious setting that related the message to religious teachings.  I enjoyed reading this article, I think it addressed several important issues regarding the welfare of our children, and the welfare of the United States.

It wasn’t surprising to read about the desire of the major corporations to make money, no matter the real cost.  After all, money has long been the driving force of this country.  I was surprised to see the extent the corporations would go to in order to try and get an edge in the market.  I had to wonder if those at the top have children or a family, or if money is their only concern.  While reading about their business practices and their obvious disregard for the welfare of the teenage population, I couldn’t help but view them as the epitome of Ebenezer Scrooge.

I was shocked to read about some of the desires, and practices people would acquire just based on peer pressure, and the messages sent out by the popular media.  Practices that most people would regard as insane are now becoming sought after and accepted based on the ideas and feelings of somebody else.

The author does a great job at describing some of these outrageous practices, and the reasons people give for indulging in them.  With this new information, I still have a difficult time seeing how hanging from the ceiling with meat hooks inserted into various parts of my body, or splitting my tongue to look like a lizard or snake, would give me better control over my body, or bring me to a new level of spiritual consciousness.

Truly the one that baffled me the most was the desire of people to contract AIDS.  I know I can’t buy into the idea that it is a “turn on” to become infected with HIV.  One of the people stated it had “a strong erotic appeal”.  I think this goes beyond anything the media has done, honestly I think the must be a result of some form of brain damage.

I did enjoy the message of hope he gave at the end of the article.  There are a lot of bad influences in the world today, I don’t think there is any disputing that.  I am a firm believer in the importance of the family in a young person’s life.  .  I think the overall message the author wanted to give, relates to the importance of the family in a young person’s life.  I feel if a young person growing up has a strong positive family influence in their life, they will grow up and become a good member of society.

Two Ways a Woman can get Hurt: Advertising and Violence By: Jean Kilbourne

“Two Ways a Woman can get Hurt: Advertising and Violence”, is an interesting article.  While interesting, I think it was a little drawn out.  I think I read the same thing over and over again.  With each new example given, the same points were made.  I agree with the author, Jean Kilbourne and their point of view on the negative impact certain types of advertising have on both women and adolescent females.

The media plays a large part in everybody’s life.  We are exposed to a wide variety of advertisements every day.  Unfortunately, people act based on their thoughts and emotions.  If an idea or desire can be placed in someone’s mind, then an action along those thoughts or ideas is close to follow. 

Most of these advertisements involve women in to some degree.  It is no secret in the world of advertising that sex sells.  It is no wonder why women are usually displayed in as little clothing as possible, and in a variety of suggestive poses.  You can’t walk passed the magazine displays at the local grocery store with out seeing something on covers of the magazines related to sex, or the exploitation of women. 

Nearly every photograph on the front covers, contain an image of a physically fit man, woman, or both.  It almost a guarantee there will be an article relating to weight loss, or a way to obtain the perfect body.  It is no wonder we live in society were women feel inferior if they don’t look like the women posed on the front pages of all the popular magazines.

Many of the examples given in the article and those seen today, do portray women as being submissive.  It is easy to see why so many fall victim to violent acts.  I have seen on numerous occasions the affects of alcohol in a relationship.  Alcohol has been a factor in nearly every domestic violence incident I have been called on to deal with.  A combination of alcohol, a society portraying women as the weaker sex, and a man willing to exploit his supposed advantage usually leads to catastrophe.

In an advertisement, everything is running off of a script of one form or another.  When these images appropriate or not are viewed repeatedly, it is natural to assume those who view them will want to turn them into reality.  It is no wonder so many crimes are committed.  If an in depth study were done on sexual crimes, I bet it would show that something in the media of the day sparked the idea in the perpetrator’s mind.

The author does a good job at bringing to light the difference in public opinion when it comes to the images broadcast to the masses.  The manufacturing and advertising world isn’t about to start loosing money just so they can treat women as equals.  It will take the voice of the consumers to bring a change in advertising.  

Week 3 Grammar Post: Hyphens

It hasn’t been until this class, I realize how little I really know about grammar.  This week I decided to due my grammar post on the use of that little line we call a hyphen, and when it is appropriate to use it.

The following times are appropriate times to use a hyphen:

--With prefixes (such as ex-,  quasi-, self - ) or when the root word is capitalized.

            Ex-jock            self-serve            mid-December

--Some prefixes need a hyphen to show a different meaning

            “Recount”  means “tell a tale.”

            “Re-count” means “count again.”

 --With hyphenated names.

            Bailey-Wolff            Somerset-Wilson

 --With compound numbers from 21 to 99 and with written fractions.

            Thirty-two            five-eights            seven and three-quarters

 --With numbers to show age.

            Three-year-old child            11-to 14-year old swimmers

 --With compound adjectives before a noun.  (Compound adjectives consist of two or more words that work together to describe a noun.  Together, they express a single thought.)  Do not use hyphens when compound modifiers follow the noun.

            Six-foot-two athlete, but The athlete was six foot two.

            G-flat-minor piece, but Play something in G flat minor

            African-American woman, but She was an African American.

 --To show where words divide by syllables at the end of a line.  (Today, with word processors and typesetting, hyphens are used much less frequently to show word division.  Check a dictionary for division by syllables.)

 

Fine, Edith, and Judith Josephson. Nitty-Gritty Grammar. Berkeley CA: Ten Speed Press, 1998. Print.

 

 

Framing Class By: Diana Kendall

You can research the history books, going back to the years before Christ was born.  You don’t have to look far to learn that people have grouped into classes.  This isn’t a new concept in the social structure of society.   After reading this excerpt I don’t think the author, Diana Kendall is trying to state this is something new in society, but she is addressing the way it is marketed to society.

I have to agree that the media plays a large role in the way people view others.  She makes a  good point when she talks about how the upper class or the wealthy are glorified by the media while everybody else is ignored for the most part.  I also agree with the author when she talks about the reasons the media treat the classes in this fashion.

The various corporations and business involved with the media are the same as any other business or corporation.  They are in business to make money, and they will what ever they have to do to get it.  After all people who have to get up every morning and do the 9 to 5 routine, really aren’t interested in watching or reading about somebody else doing the same thing.  These people are much more interested in lives that seem much more glamorous.  They want to see the multi million dollar homes along with the private helicopters, jets, and yachts.  For many this may be an escape from the every day, and gives them some place they can go at least in their mind.  At the very least it can give people a dream to follow even if that is all it ever is.

There are times when the poor, or lower class may be of some use to the media, but as the author says, it is usually when they are the victims of a disaster, or catastrophe.  Once the excitement is over, and the excitement over the incident has died down, it seems these people are once again forgotten about, and the attention is once again turned toward the “rich and famous”. 

In some ways I prefer it to be this way.  I know I’m not considered “upper class” or “high class”, at least as far as the media goes.  I fit more in to the boring “working class” group they really don’t seem to car a whole lot about.  The funny thing is, most of the people working the media, fall into this same category or class.  The nice thing is though, I can live my life the way I want.  I don’t have a camera following me everywhere I go.  I don’t have to worry about every thing I say ending up on some news tabloid, or cable show.  If I want to go out with friends, I don’t have to worry about what will printed on the front pages of the entertainment or social publications.  My life is mine to live, and although it isn’t one of monetary wealth, I am happy with it.

It is sad that there are those who are struggling, and the media does little to help them.  It is true, it seems the only time these people are of much interest is on the reality shows, or the American Idol shows when they are placed in the spot light to see if they will be the next “rags to riches” story.  It is true the media can play a large role in how we are perceived, and treated.  In my opinion though, the bottom line is this.  We are the only ones who truly determine our status in life.  We can choose to accept the labels society gives us, and live our lives in accordance to the standards set by others, or we can take advantage of the power with in each of us to make ourselves better people.  I believe that if a person wants to improve their life style, and achieve a higher standard of living, they have the power to do it.  The journey may be difficult and may even seem impossible, but with determination and an honest will to better ourselves, we can make anything happen.