The Final Post

Looking back on this semester, I feel that my writing skills have definitely improved. If anything, I now know the proper way to cite practically anything. :-) Besides which, I've learned how to write a lit review (I never even knew those existed before this class) and how to create a good thesis. I've always had problems with theses- generally I don't formulate one until after I've written a few pages of my paper. But, this semester, I've been trying to formulate a specific argument from the very start of my paper.

Besides improving my thesis writing skills, I also learned the proper placement of a concession paper, and how to introduce a quote. An interesting thing Ihad never known before this class, is that topic paragraphs should be roughly the same length in order to show the reader that all topics are of equal importance. I think this point helped to improve the structure of my papers.

Lastly, I really enjoyed some of the readings for this class. My favorite reading, by far, was on Sylvia Plath. I really connected to her writing and her story. I was not a fan of the second essay. I had a lot of trouble writing it because I could not connect to the topic. I actually enjoyed researching and writing my final paper. I have a genuine interest in the Fitzgeralds, and found researching their life fascinating.

The Symposium...

I thought our symposium went really well last Saturday. I was a little nervous when I heard that the technology wasn't working, because I had n0t brought a written outline of what I wanted to say. However, I know so much about my topic that I was able to talk about it easily for a few minutes. Kind of on a side note: for some reason I was really nervous to present, even though I knew pretty much everyone in the room. I thought the e-poster presentations in class were a lot easier. I was a lot more confident in what I was saying, and I didn't have an outline for that presentation either. Anyway, more about the symposium presentation...hm what to say? My picture was really nerdy, and I kind of cringed when it came up. :-)

I thought the power powerpoint as a whole went well. However, I felt that the audience was not as engaged in it as they could have been. Christin mentioned in class that she thought that a question answer period after each presenation would have given the audience a chance to respond more. I definitely agree. A question answer period would have given us a chance to expand on our topic more, and have more time to devote to our topic. this may have taken up more time, I think it would have made our presentation more successful in the long run.

Oh, Stephanie Klein...

I have to say that I am not a fan of this book so far. I am especially not a fan of Klein's writing style- it seems like she tries too hard to be witty, and I find myself rolling my eyes...at a book. I especially loved the part in chapter two when she oh so wittily uses the phrase "Something old, something new, something borrowed something blue," while describing attending her cousin's wedding "stag." I also do not appreciate her odd love for her dog, and her need to announce it to the the world for three pages at a time. Or the description of the bikini wax. I mean, really.

One of my biggest annoyances is how she judges men by how much money they spend on her because she is "worth" it. She seems to equate the amount of money a man spend on her with the man's character. This disturbed me...if this is straight up what Klein is like, than she is shallow and dumb.

I also do not care about her divorce. A lot of people get divorced, and you aren't saying anything particularly new or enlightening about the matter. Get over it.

I feel like maybe I am being a little overly critical. I have to say, I don't find the book boring to read. Even if she seems to be trying to hard, Klein can definitely entertain you.