Free Response

I am going to compose a poem on CREATIVITY...

CREATIVITY

This is a poem, I'm writing right now.

How creative can I be?

A visual image will start this off, a red round object is coming toward ME!

This big round object it bounces quite high,

it also is quite squishy.

And if you can't take MY word for it, just go and ask the fishy!

What fishy is this, you well might ask,

well let me tell you, dear.

This fishy is not ordinary instead he grows red hair.

Upon his noble head it grows,

and grows, and grows some more.

And if we didn't cut it, it would grow right out the door!

Now if you walk right through this door and stop and wait a while,

You might just see a special thing, my smiley crocodile.

He moves his hips so wiggily,

It makes me want to laugh!

And once I've laughed my head off, I move on to my Giraffe!

An Original Poem by Brooke Thomas and Theresa Gervais

Writing Practice

I am going to rewrite one of my paragraphs from my Opinion editorial...

The last topic of discussion happens to be that of conduct. In this section of the Honor Code it is simply stated that as students of Brigham Young University we represent not only the school but The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Our conduct should be such that we live our religion and are a light and a beacon to those around us. We are to conduct ourselves consistently with the principles and values of the Church in areas such as the Word of Wisdom, which states specifically the absence of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in our lives, as well as any other harmful substances. Our conduct should be guarded as well. We are not to be involved with pornographic items, or gambling. We are to refrain from obscene or disorderly conduct, as well as avoiding materials, expressions, or statements that would cause offense. These are all things that are specifically outlined in the everyday living of our lives as Saints, and should be nothing that takes getting used to.

A final topic to be looked at is the subject of conduct. The Honor Code simply states that as a student of Brigham Young University we should live our lives keeping in mind that we not only represent the University, but The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well. Our conduct should be consistent with the principles and values of our Church since we clearly have the Word of Wisdom outlined, such as the absence of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and other harmful substances in our lives. We also clearly have outlined for us the avoidance of materials, expressions, or even statements that will cause offense. Our conduct is to be guarded, avoiding pornographic items, or the habit forming activities such as gambling. These are areas that are specifically addressed in the everyday living of our lives as Saints, and should be nothing that takes getting used to.

I shortened my wordy sentences and was more concise with my ideas...
I changed some of the word choice so that it was more professional and correlated more with the overall message of the paragraph.
I switched the order of a few of the sentences so that the overall flow of ideas worked out to be clear
I changed my approach of the subject as well with a new topic sentence so that it was a little more straight forward and attention grabbing.

Free Response

For my free response today I'm going to talk about how I dislike how stupid BYUSA is taking over SHA (student honor association). Well I volunteer at SHA where they come up with fun ways such as Posters, firesides, movies, songs, skits, ect to remind people of the honor code that they signed when coming here to Brigham Young University. I am on the poster committee and we have made a whole bunch of different posters, I've made one myself on academic honesty! The new student orientation that takes place for incoming freshman always has a dinner with a show of skits and funny songs about parts of the honor code that we should all be aware of. BYUSA is power hungry and are taking over everything they possibly can here at BYU and they are taking over this little service organization SHA so that it will become something that's less open and has to be applied to. I have made a vast number of friends while I have volunteered here and this is something that I'm going to miss immensely in the coming years here at this HUGE University. SHA provided a way for me to have a smaller environment that I felt a part of and comfortable in, and that I could easily interact with others and be able to make more friends through the already existing friendships.

Analysis

I chose this picture by Norman Rockwell to analyze because I LOVE Norman Rockwells work and also because I think this particular picture displays something that all of us have been through.

In this picture there are two different groups, one group has just moved in, and the other is a group of curious neighbors. In this group it is showing the awkward standoff that exists when you first move in and don't know what to say or what to do to strike up a conversation. Almost everyone has been through this and had to either be the welcoming party or the new neighbors. This seems like a nice neighborhood since the grass is so nicely cut and the houses in the background look really clean and nice. Norman Rockwell also brought in the concept of color the black children standing across from the white children. The color issue was still going on at this time and still a bit in our time. But this shows that we all have the same experiences no matter what our color. The moving van is simple and shows that our station doesn't matter and that we all are individuals. I liked the whole idea of the stare down because that's how children get to know eachother is observe and watch.

Free Response

I am going to write a poem like usual because this is the only time I get to freely "express" myself.

STEPHANIE

Stephanie is my bestest friend

we've known eachother a while.

She has long hair that is a funky color,

but of-course I still like her.

She laughs a lot and says witty things,

I'm happy when she's around.

And I know we will always be friends,

from now till the end of time!

By Theresa Gervais

Analysis

I am going to analyze my Religion teachers teaching. When the students come to class Brother Merrill is already prepared and ready to dive into the discussion which makes all of the students excited and ready to just search the scriptures. He has the class come prepared by having read the chapters being discussed which gets every student no matter age or gender on the same page and ready to contribute. This also encourages students to read the scriptures as well since they would want to know what is going on in the discussion. Brother Merrill gets quotes and cross references other scriptures which help each student be able to relate the principles discussed in more ways than just one, and also see how the principle has been addressed other times and places, making the students knowledge firm and extensive. Brother Merrill gives facts and interesting "food for thought" as he navigates through the scriptures, this shows the students that there is more than what they just read on the surface of the book. There are many other principles and examples that can be drawn if only sought. He shows this by example which in turn models it for the students. Brother Merrill makes eye contact continually and asks questions which keep the students involved and on top of the material, they know that he is interacting with them on a very real level that they can approach. If Brother Merrill is unsure of an answer he simply states it and gives the student all the information that he has on the question and lets them make their own decision on the matter as well as find and dig deeper to find what they want to know.

Writing Practice

I am going to do "Once there was a snowman" in different styles. REGULAR Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman, once there was a snowman...tall, tall, tall...In the sun he melted, melted, melted. In the sun he melted, small, small, small.

FLOWERY
One warm day there was a crystal white snowman, yes a snow white man who had been built magnificently tall, so tall, oh tall. And then when the sun was beating down upon the poor white man he melted, melted, that poor white man he melted...small, oh small, so small.

ABSTRACT
The big burning ball rises once more in the fashion that is designed, but today looks down upon a pillar of white, strong, sturdy, tall, tall, so tall. Its heat directly penetrates the pillars inner makeup and the white liquefies small, small, so small.

DEPRESSED
Another day drags on opening every ones eyes with its penetrating gaze and a snow white man on his own stands tall, tall, tall. The merciless red ball burns endlessly crushing everything in its path the snow white man he stands no chance, but vanishes...small, small, small.

POSITIVE
This really beautiful day came and the sun shone warm and bright! This old dirty snowman that stood so tall, tall, tall...FINALLY has started to turn to a beautiful glistening puddle to water all the blooming flowers, he melts, small, small, small!

EVERYDAY TALK-girl generalization
LIKE, once there was this snowman, outside and LIKE it was SOOO tall, oh my heck it was tall, fricken tall. And then LIKE the sun came out and LIKE it started to melt, and it LIKE got small, really small, fricken small!

Free Response

I love having this time to write fun poems about whatever mood I'm in at the moment! Today my poem is entitled SPRING!

SPRING

Flowers Bloom in Summers June

and fade away in Winter.

But soon resume their colors soon

after winters thawing.

I wrote this poem back in Junior High!

This is my brothers favorite poem...see if you can guess the animal!

Beware of me my colors say

for I release a deadly spray!

My colors state quite simply and clear,

that unwanted guests had better

BEWARE!

Analysis

I am going to be analyzing the "Top Gun" music video of Kenny Loggins "The danger zone" that we viewed in class yesterday. In the movie Kenny Loggins was in a bedroom thus portraying that "danger" could lurk anywhere. He also shows the "love scene" that shows that love is as dangerous a place to be as anywhere else. He had the rugged look going on with the scruffy beard and the messed hair, dark casual clothes and a sweaty look to him. This helped to get across the point of living life on the edge and taking chances, thus living in "the danger zone". Love was paralleled with the fighting pilots taking chances, you either have to go for the "gusto" or go home! With love you can not give part way and expect to get far, you have to give it your all or not try at all. You always want to be the "top gun" which would explain the name of the movie and trying to get the prettiest girl and "conquer" that is what the music video seemed to portray as well. He used the look of "danger" being "cool" because these were attractive people doing attractive tempting things and seeming to have a good time with little to no negative consequences this would appeal to the youth that are in their rebellious and hormone ridden part of their lives.

Writing Practice

Here is a nice box of cookies! Tempting since they are riddled with chocolate chunks and delicious fresh ingredients. Now I know what you are thinking..."What?! Another waste of calories!" But with our new low fat ingredients and good source of calcium you can not go wrong! This is a great way to have great flavor, and reward yourself without giving the calories that you do not need. All the ingredients in our product are fresh and are harvested right here in the country. We do not add the extra preservatives that add on those extra pound and inches. The low fat milk and butter come together and become a creamy specially made blend only made by our company that can not be made anywhere else. With the creamy flavor and real swiss chocolate chunks you can not go wrong. Come by our store and we will make you a believer. Not only will you receive a complimentary free sample, but if you come by today and mention this add we will give you a whole dozen FREE that is right FREE with your purchase of a dozen Chocolate Chunk De-LIGHTS. You will love how they satisfy those cravings while giving your body the calcium it needs. Now you can enjoy your treats knowing that you are healthy!

Free Response

I'm going to write a poem about FOOD! Since it is my favorite item in the WORLD!

MY THEORY

A chocolate donut goes well with milk,

and chocolate cookies too!

Just fill me up with fudge and such,

I'll never complain to you.

For meal times, snack times, and sit down and eat times,

bring so much joy to me.

And nothing else could be so sweet,

Not even a pant size of 3!

So keep this in mind as you sit to dine,

and listen close to me.

Lifes to short to sit and wait...

just EAT that darn cookie!

By Theresa Gervais

Analysis paper-Norman Rockwell Painting

In this picture the artist Norman Rockwell depicts a young girl who doesn't even look thirteen. She is gazing at a picture of a model who is posing in a seductive way in the magazine. There is makeup beside her, and hair brushes, combs and everything that a girl can really do to make herself appealing. This shows the stark realization that the media is gearing its degrading images of behaviors and looks to younger audiences. Once the media can hook the youth into their trap, the trap of imperfection, that you are not up to par with everyone else, and that you as yourself are not enough. You are never pretty enough, or skinny enough, or the right hair color or face shape. Once the media can get you to believe this then you are willing to do anything or buy anything that would somehow change you in ways that don't need to be changed. By showing that this young girl who is beautiful and innocent is being told continually by models and the media and that she is imperfect and not good enough to be with anyone or to be loved, tells how the youth feel today and what they are being bombarded with.

Free Response

I have decided that I am going to make SURE I have a computer accessable to do my blogs or that I don't leave campus no matter WHAT till they are done. This is something that is difficult since I don't have a computer with internet at home and I am leaving campus after 7pm anyways and I just want to get home. BUT NOT ANYMORE! This blog is devoted to how I'm going to accomplish my blog writting to be 100% from now on! I am going to do my blogs before hand like all of them on Tuesday if I get time to go to the lab, OR I will get at least two done on Thursday since I'll have written my blog due by Tuesday! This is a simple yet effective plan I've decided!
Okay now I'll just make up a witty poem about...COLORS!

COLORS

With all the colors in the world how is one to pick,

A color that stands out to them moreso than all the rest?

Red is for sweet cruchiness that comes from many fruits.

Orange for the pumpkin carved and placed on the front porch.

Yellow is the sunshine that's so warm upon my face,

While Green is the cool grass beneath and shade up in the trees.

Blue would be the sky above with all its many moods.

While Purple is the orchids dress that one day comes to life.

I'd rather have the RAINBOW, complete with all its hues,

For altogether they look great in our splendid world.

Free Response-THE DATE

Here is my first college date. A guy in my Social Dance class that I had only danced once with came a half hour late to class and asked me to dance. After we had danced for like 45 seconds he asked me where he knew me from? LAME...I told him that I didn't think I had ever seen him before this class, but he again said, "Help me out here, you look SO familiar, I KNOW I know you from somewhere.” After class he said, "oh...maybe I don't know you, maybe it’s just because I want to get to know you!" Then he asked me out and you can't say no to the first date so I ended up meeting him in the HFAC for Oklahoma where he wore sunglasses that he lowered to "look me over" when I walked in. He had gotten me a rose with a tag reading, "Thanks for being here" written on it and then he proceeded to tell me that he was a "hopeless romantic" which he repeated four more times throughout the night. He told me that he was an MFHD major (Marriage Family and Human Development) and had aced all his marriage classes like marriage prep and such (he's 23). Then he told me how he was Vice President of the Mid-Evil club here on campus and was also the #1 sword fighter. His favorite part about the club was he got to wear a velvet black ruffled shirt because wearing it anywhere else might “make people think he was gay”. He wore his sun-glasses the whole play and afterwards said that he was "chivalric" and walked my friend and I to her car. Actually, instead of walking he waltzed the whole way BY HIMSELF with an imaginary person? At the car I said, “thank you” and went to get in and he held out his hand and I thought I was supposed to give him "5" but he grabbed my hand and KISSED it! I was SO grossed out that I simply removed my hand, turned and hopped in the car. And that was my date.

Writing Practice

Since we have been talking about Word Choice and what it brings to mind I thought I'd do a brainstorm like the one in class...

BLACK

Things that creep normally come out in the black of night. Witches wear black and so do evil demons. Black makes you look thinner and is more "sexy". Black sucks in all colors. Black is greedy. It is selfish. It takes and doesn't give. It's always there in the corners or closets, waiting to take completely over. It is a decayed tooth, or a charred finger. It is Long flowing hair which sways with the girl. It is a tangled mess of web from a widow. It is a largely dominant color. It is the thick vapors that covered the earth at Christs death, and it is the shirt I am wearing now.

• darkness
• evil
• lurking
• thick
• gothic
• sinister
• hidden
• hide and go seek
• Murder in the dark
• secret combinations
• long flowing hair
• Negro
• deep
• stallion
• awe inspiring
• overpowering
• depressing
• slimming
• my backpack
• my shirt
• my old dog
• the ink on paper
• a hole that sucks everything in
• Destruction

Free Response-A Poem

This is a poem my friend and I wrote after reading The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams. We were told there are deeper meanings to all things...can you guess this one?

As ones loyal friend

carefully

rises to the challange of the

Red Adversary

The cool breeze ruffles

the task is

finished

SUCCESS!

Rhetoric Analysis

Filtering the News
One of the incredible feats of media journalists is denying that there is media bias by equating it with conspiracy theories. When people share the same bias, they don't need a conspiracy. The harm comes from the fact that most of the public gets to see only that part of reality which has been filtered through the same preconceptions shared by 90 percent of those in the media.

In this character the author, Thomas Sowell, uses ethos of being a person who writes media and then stating what he knows about media, it has bias. He brings up the logic that when people share bias it's not a conspiracy that that's what they are printing or writing about, it just is a bias on their part that can't be overlooked by the public! He also brings up that logically the media that we see has been filtered since there is only a few things that writers can cover, but he makes it clear that we don't have to just accept what is said, we can research for ourselves. Through Sowell's word choice we get a sense of Pathos since there isn't anyone who doesn't fear conspiracy theories and such things. This draws fear out and then when that idea is brought to life he then gives the facts on it...what it's really like. It's just a bias he says and isn't anything planned, but for some to deny that such a bias exists are insane! By knowing that there is ethos, pathos and logos in this article, that we have a clip of, it helps his argument to appeal to all senses and to be strong. Having a well rounded argument that covers all it's bases helps to be both convincing and solid.

Free Response-The Lecture

I am going to write a poem devoted wholly to my Calligraphy teacher...

THE LECTURE

A flourish here, could be told,

in five less sentences than you've spoken.

The capitals are things we've learned,

we've moved on since kindergarten.

A simple answer will sufice,

for none will use this living.

And lecturing till we're all dead

will get you no good rating.

The point of this short, sweet poem is really quite straight forward.

Don't lecture just to here your voice for all will soon be bored.

Writing Practice-MY STYLE

Since we've been talking about style I thought that I could apply this knowledge and write some paragraph or something in "Theresa-style!"

"Life is too short, just eat the cookie!" This is a quote by my best friend Stephanie who has made me better in so many ways by pushing me to my limits. To look more closely at the quote, if you think about all the things that we have to worry about why pile one more thing on top of it. If you take one thing at a time after viewing all you have and prioritizing then you are able to come up with the main ingredients. The flour, eggs, and sugar are what are extremely important for your life, the major decisions that need to be made and looked over. Like what your major is going to be, what you're going to do for the rest of your life, and what parts of your character you are going to focus on. The chocolate chips are all those extra things that make us unique and truly who we are. The talents that we develop, the people we associate with and what we choose to focus on and work at. In order to be the ideal chocolate chip cookie we need to first prioritize and then add the "ingredients" in order from there.

Free Response-Moving Forward

I've noticed that when you are constantly looking back at what you could have done better you end up moving backwards in the now. To think about all the things you could have better done to prepare for college or just for life in general is fruitless, rather you should be constantly pushing forward with the here and now! This is where progression comes in I guess. This is where you decide who you really are and just how strong you can truly be. I'm having a hard time keeping up with all my school work and I think once I get past the large lump of work and just break it down I can be better. I think with these free response blogs reflections work, at least I hope they do because that's what this is along with a written out thought on "Theresa's perspective on Life!" Good grief life can be insane but at the same time it's MARVELOUS, so I'm glad I'm able to live mine and have the experiences both bad and good that I have right now! I just recently was able to complete and turn in my application for the BYU Jerusalem Center and I'm glad to have that done with and taken care of but I'm absolutely DIEING waiting to hear back if I'm accepted or not, this could be depressing if I don't make it in but I have to just take one step at a time, focus on school now and move on if I don't make it. There is a plan for me, and I don't always know exactly what it is, I'm definitely learning though!

Free Write Blog

I am going to write a poem about reading assignments...

READING ASSIGNMENTS

1 from Book of Mormon,

2 from English,

3 from MFHD,

Now times that all by the square root of two then you'll be as confused as ME

Crawling like a bookworm with no tomorrow,

trying to soak in what a wet sponge has room for,

Finding definitions of who knows what

and sorting it all away for some test.

Unless it deals with what comes tomorrow,

I won't soak in what needs to be kept,

If all things had use in my everyday vocabulary

then testing would be a breeze!

An Original Poem by Theresa

Writing Practice Blog

With Kraft Macaroni and Cheese not only will your kids LOVE the taste but it is also good for them! Kraft Macaroni and Cheese now comes with more calcium to help those energetic youngin's grow strong, healthy bones which will help them to keep up with the rest of the crowd. And if you add Whole Milk you'll also be giving them the meat they need on their bones since they are constantly on the go. And if that isn't good enough Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is easier than ever with the new microwavable Easy Mac, you simply add the water and noodles, cook for three minutes, add Cheese and serve, the kids will cheer. No more trying to force the food down their throats or worry about it getting all over your floor, kids won't want to waste a bite and are glad to eat with the different shaped pasta that make it both fun and yummy to eat with its Cheesy-liscious flavor. No more messes and hours spent cooking for meals your kids won't eat!You can't go wrong. Pick up your box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and take that first step to an easier and more healthy life.

Free Response Blog

I am going to describe my room for you! I still live at home so all my treasure troves are still intact including pictures from second grade that have been plastered to my wall by my mother! I enjoy colors and sporadic collages as long as there is SOME rhyme or reason to it, keeping this in mind I have piles of clothes and books that stack my dresser that are organized and I know exactly where everything is, this constantly is changing in its appearance as things get tossed, put away or placed somewhere else! I have a BEAUTIFUL jean quilt on my bed that was made for my 18th birthday by my mother of jeans I wore growing up and ones from my siblings as well, it is tied with really fun rainbow colored yarn and is really warm since it has been FREEZING the past few nights! I love to reminisce so I have "junk" drawers as my parents call them that have things from when I was 5 clear up to things that I know am making or collecting, I frequently get them out and remember what they were used for and with whom they were used! I love my family as well so I can frequently be found with my younger siblings singing at the top of my lungs and dancing to a whole variety of songs! Life is to short...just eat the cookie!