k-fischer

[k-fischer]

This is an important topic in society today! The ocean is such an essential part of our world and protecting it should be one of our highest priority.

I think you are arguing that plastic pollution is detrimental to the ocean environment itself and to the sea life that inhabits it. I think it is very clear from your post what your position on the topic is. I would ask one thing: are we (individuals) the issue, or are mass companies the issue? Would you argue that we need to make individual steps towards reducing plastic waste, or should we push for large corporations to do so?

Journal #4

My topic for my argumentative essay is how recycling may or may not help reduce the plastic pollution in the ocean negatively impacting the environment causing climate change and impacting animals and human health. Plastic pollution is created by all the plastic waste that ends up in our oceans where animals get tangled up or eat the plastic in the ocean. Not only does plastic waste in the ocean affect the animals in the ocean but toxins released from the plastic can be inhaled by humans which causes health issues and plastic can be broken down into microplastics which the animals in the ocean can eat leading to humans eating the contaminated seafood. Plastic pollution affects the environment through climate change because toxins are released because of the plastic causing climate change. The reason recycling can help reduce plastic pollution in the ocean is by reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills which leads to the ocean. Some reasons recycling isnt helpful is just because something is recycled doesnt mean it is recycled in the end of the process. Some waste companies dont make money off certain recyclables and plastic products are being made cheaper not being able to be recycled having to throw them away and end up in landfills. Overall plastic pollution negatively impacts our environment and taking care our environment is important to not only the environment but animal and human health as stated previously.

[k-fischer]

Journal #4

My topic of choice is the effects of pornography use in relationships. Pornography is often advertised as a healthy way to explore new fantasies and may even increase intimacy with a partner. It’s undeniably more accessible than ever, and with that, there are more and more things to try and replicate from porn during intercourse. With so many genres available, it seems almost impossible to get bored of it. On the other hand, porn can set an unrealistic expectation during sex. Some people find themselves turning to a screen instead of to their romantic partner, and sexual satisfaction of users can decrease because of that preference. Along with that, the unachievable body types that are shown in the films can cause insecurity and may lead to the further objectification of women. Overall, there seems to be infinite genres of pornography and it makes it extremely easy to find new things to build intimacy. However, there are downsides that might be the demise of a relationship.

[k-fischer]

I couldn’t even begin to describe how livid I would have been if I was in your position. I’m glad that your teacher was accommodating, but I’m sorry that you had to go through that.

Journal #3

A time when I had a disagreement with someone was in my freshman year (2019) when I was 15 years old. This disagreement happened because of a really big school project. Usually, we were always allowed to pick our partners, and my friend Carolina and I would always choose each other. This particular year the school decided to change and have the teacher select partners for everyone. My friend Caroline and I were devastated because we knew that when we worked with each other we would always get one of the highest grades. This was because we both worked efficiently and worked at the same pace. 

I was assigned to be with two boys who barely showed up to class, let alone did not get high grades like me. Nor did they put in the effort to get good grades, I think it was because they just did not care enough about school. That year our project had to be at a specific time in history. I happened to be absent the day we had to choose our topic, I was thinking we could do something about civil rights, or women’s rights. I wanted these particular topics because they are both things I am extremely passionate about. But my two partners chose World War 2, specifically the Holocaust. The next day when I showed up to school and saw that was our topic I was pissed. The Holocaust was not something I was passionate about, and neither were they. They chose this topic because it was more of an easy way out and there was plenty of information without having to do a lot of research. This is unlike how Caroline and I worked, we did everything so precisely and dove deep into the information to make sure all of our facts were accurate. But I held my tongue and continued on. I was raised to be very strong-headed, so I took lead on the project because neither partner seemed like they knew what they were doing, nor did they even act like they wanted to be there. 

This is where the arguments started. I came up with a strategic plan, and different steps to gather information, and come up with the best project possible. Both disagreed and said it was “too much work”. I tried my best to convince them that if we wanted a good grade, we simply had to put in the work. But with both of them being stubborn, and with me being outnumbered I changed the plan. A couple days go by, I come up with a different plan to gather information and for us to work together effectively to accomplish this project. Both boys disagreed with me again, this is where I started to get more frustrated than usual. I told them my thoughts, and how I will simply do this project by myself if they do not corporate. Both boys went behind my back and told the teacher about me like we were in elementary school, forcing me to change the plan once again. Now, I understand you might be asking, “why don’t you come up with a plan altogether?” I tried that. Both boys did not give me opinions and basically told me to do it myself, but with me now doing it a third time, it was final. I started my facts and this plan sternly and I was not changing it again, we were simply wasting precious time not working on the project but arguing. 

As days began to pass and the boys lacked in their ability to keep up with the speed I work at, they began to fall behind on their tasks. I began to come to school as early as I could, sometimes being almost 90 minutes before the bell to get in extra time for this project. Spending lunch periods in the library, and after school in my favorite teacher’s room. My two partners simply couldn’t even put in 75 minutes during class time 2-3 times a week, so It was unrealistic to set a standard for them to engage outside of the classroom. 

When the presentation night came, both boys were late and I had to set up alone. When they finally showed up, one after another I was more than angry, but furious. Not only have I done most of this project by myself, but I have set up alone too. I said my angry piece but we all managed to go through the night pretty successfully. 

The next day in class we had to do partner evaluations so our teacher could know who did what and put most of the work in. I was black and white with my honesty and told the truth. The boys simply did not put in the work to get a desirable grade. After class, I told them what I put on my card, and they both started to get mad at me, saying, “I didn’t want their help,” or that “I was hard to work with,”. But if you are anyone who really knows me I try my best to make sure everyone is accommodated for and happy, and I never want to see people fail, but I have a desire to help people succeed. But I will not help people who do not want to help themselves. 

The end result was, I ended up getting a great grade because my teacher knew the truth about everything I did in the project. My teacher knew the work I put in and knows that I am a very hard-working student, so they did not let my partners bring down my grade. I would definitely say I “won” the argument because I walked away with a great grade and the project went mostly my way. I relied most on ethos, the facts. I had always gotten better grades than them, and they knew that too, so why wouldn’t they listen to some advice I had to say? My partners definitely relied more on pathos, they wanted me to take their feelings into account which I did until I had no more time to waste. I would try and go back in time and persuade my teacher to let me work with Caroline so I could have avoided all that stress. 

[k-fischer]

Journal #3

My boyfriend and I share a very similar taste in music, and recently came to find out that one of our favorite bands happens to be coming to Wilmington this summer. Last year, I had gone to a different concert without him (at the same venue as this one) and afterwards he was always telling me how jealous he was that I went and that he wishes I had gotten an extra ticket for him. When we found out that this other band was going on tour this year, he expressed interest and excitement in going. However, he later told me that he was on the fence and wasn’t sure if he wanted to go. I just didn’t understand why he wasn’t upfront with me, so I got a little upset. None of my other friends listen to this band, so I would have to go by myself if he didn’t end up going with me.

The disagreement was that he was nervous about going, and I didn’t understand his anxiety. He was nervous about the crowds and if an emergency were to happen, it would be difficult for him to get out. Again, I had been to this venue before and he hasn’t, so he didn’t know what the scene would be. We went back and forth for a little while, and I explained to him that this venue wasn’t anything gigantic, and the crowds wouldn’t be impossible to manage. As we talked, I understood where he was coming from and I was able to tell him  what it was actually going to be like, and we were finally able to see eye to eye. I still gave him the final choice as the presale started the next morning and I needed to know how many tickets I had to get.

I tried to persuade him by telling him that I would have to go by myself if he didn’t accompany me, and it wouldn’t be as fun without him (pathos). But, I definitely relied on logos the most, as I was telling him facts that he wasn’t aware of, such as how big the venue was, how many people it could fit, and where we would be sitting.

My persuasion worked because he decided to go. I couldn’t be happier that we worked through this and that he’s coming with me!

[k-fischer]

As a fellow believer, I cannot stress how much I love this and agree with you. So many people have been exposed to such a toxic form of Christianity and it breaks my heart that such spiteful people are the face of our beliefs. We are called to love first, and I believe we are failing as a community if people associate Christianity with hatred. Showing people the love of Jesus is the most fundamental thing we can do as followers.

Journal 2

My philosophy of life is strongly rooted in the story of Jesus Christ. I have grown up as a Christian, and as I get older, my faith only grows stronger. 

As a Christian living up to the perfect life Jesus lived, I find myself holding certain truths and actions with great importance. I live my life as someone who tries to spread the Word to the people around me, and I try my best to live by example. I live my life knowing I have a specific purpose and find comfort in the idea that everything happens for a reason. 

Obviously, I believe everyone should come to know Jesus, and I strive to heal those who have been exposed to fake Christians who condemn people on the streets when they are in no place to judge others. In my life, I hope to share the love of Jesus, his boundless love. I hope I can soften the hearts of those closed off to the idea of Christianity and show them that Christians aren’t just a big group of people telling everyone they’re going to hell for the way they live their life. 

[k-fischer]

Journal #2

To begin, my personal philosophy of life has deep roots in my religious beliefs, as I am a Christian. I believe that we all were hand created and dearly loved by God, and that fact alone leads me and influences how I interact with people. I believe that every life is precious and worthy of love. I understand that not everyone holds the same views as me, so another pillar in my philosophy of life is to be the best representation of a believer as I am able. I respect others with opposing viewpoints, as it does not matter to me, as I am called to love first and above all things.

Another belief that stems from that is that everything happens for a reason. Whenever I face a hardship, or something does not go the way I had intended, I trust that that obstacle is diverting me to another path, a better path. This attitude helps with frustration as well as anxiety. I have immense faith that my life has a plan that was carefully crafted before the beginning of time, by someone with an eternal perspective. Who am I, a finite being, to question that? 

[k-fischer]

Writing is hard by nature. It is especially hard when you don’t enjoy writing.

It can be made much easier if you give yourself a guide. I accomplish that by jotting down every related thing that comes to mind, and organizing my thoughts into coherent sentences, and formulating ideas and structure from there.

It is difficult to find motivation when I don’t want to write. I very rarely find the motivation to write something on my own terms.

Journal #1 Prompt

Students: make sure you've read the assigned Forbes article on "Scannable Content" before creating your first post:

Acknowledge that writing is hard. Write it down. Then write about how you’re going to make writing happen. How will you find the balance in yourself to combine willpower with relaxation, stubbornness with joy? Write about how you’ve struck this balance in the past, with writing, a sport, a musical instrument—anything you’ve successfully learned to do.

References:

Heffron, Jack. The Writer’s Idea Book. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest Books, 2000. Print.

Heffron, Jack. The Writer’s Idea Workshop. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest Books, 2003. Print.

Rekulak, Jason. The Writer’s Block. Philadelphia: Running Press, 2001. Print.