readings for intellectuals

This week we discussed the article “Dumpster Diving” in a different way than we had previously discussed articles. We discussed this using small groups writing responses to a number of questions. As we answered the first few questions, this task was relatively easy. All we had to do was write our thoughts and responses to the question. Then, we were challenged to not repeat any of the ideas that were written down from previous groups. This proved to be a very difficult task, as we were required to think of new, original responses that might not have been obvious when first reading the question. This hunt for new, original thought was mentally a struggle, and as we continued to read responses, I realized the similarities between ideas. Many of the questions had responses that were based off the same idea and convey similar messages. This made me think of the ideas my peers have. Even with the diversity in a school such as Troy High, the social influences cause many ideas to remain ve...

This week in class we discussed the story “Are Women Really More Talkative Than Men”. Our discussion led to the question of if the stereotype was disproved in research, would it actually affect the public’s view of the stereotype. I think that no matter what the research lead to, the stereotype would hold. The ideas that grip a society, like stereotypes, are very hard to change. When research like Mehl’s prove this stereotype wrong, it may be a success for the scientific community, but the minimal amount of the general public that will learn about this research does not break the stereotype. This emphasizes the power stereotypes hold over our society. The power of an idea that takes hold in a society is quite substantial. When these stereotypes are wrong, as most of them are, it can have negative effects on the community. Racial stereotypes, for example, are almost always incorrect and many lead to aggressive encounters with horrible results. Many results of these stereotypes have ...

This week in class, we got back our first in class essay. These essays had been scored on the AP grading scale from one to nine, with a five being a fail on the AP test and a six being a pass on the AP test. As I got my essay back and looked at what I wrote, I began to think of in class essays differently. Whereas before I thought more of in class essays as only an answer to the prompt, I now think of it as a reflection of my own ideas and thoughts. As we read the sample essay that scored a nine, I realized the author was answering the prompt mainly with his or her thoughts and not evidence or quotes from the text. This reminded me of the true reason we write essays, to convey your OWN thoughts in a new, original way. This author conveyed their thoughts on the prompt, and in doing so they answered the prompt as well as providing deep insight on the topic. This taught me to use MY original though more when writing an in class essay. As I looked back on my essay, I had quotes in every ...