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Showing posts from December, 2019

Review: Commas Rule

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This is my last post of the semester! It is a bittersweet moment. Bitter because I enjoyed this class, especially as a creative outlet, but it is sweet because it signals the end of this semester and the start of winter break. The vocative comma is used when addressing someone or group directly. For example, I would need a comma hug in the sentence: "I can't do the dishes right now, friend, but I can do them tonight." This is one of the commas I struggle with when I write dialogue. I like how this video illustrates how the meaning changes when there is a comma and when a comma is not used. This is the last post I need to do to get a 410 in the class and get an A! YAY! Video Information:  5 Comma Types That Can Make Or Break a Sentence

Famous Last Words: Reflecting on Writing

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I read other people's writing this week and I really liked what I read! It gave me some new ideas. I read Laura Gibb's storybook, and at one point, she addresses the audience in the middle of a story. I would never have thought to include the audience like that, but I really like the idea. I like to write. I've discovered that I like to write fiction, using my personality and imagination to create something wonderful. I wish this class wasn't ending. Sometimes, the assignments were too much during my busy weeks, but I always enjoyed developing an original story. I'm sad I'll lose this outlet for my creativity. This past week, I wrote two new stories for my storybook. I think my leopard story was one of the best pieces of writing I've done. I liked how the leopard's loss of identity matched with the displaced mother's loss of her motherhood. I also worked on including more descriptive words, like "spotted menace." It was a success in

Learning Challenge: Reading out LOUD

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Sometimes when I write, I speak the words I'm typing and it seems to clear my mind. It allows me to focus on just the words, one after another. I also read out loud when I am editing papers. It slows me down, and I catch more mistakes and more opportunities to add something new or better. Since reading out loud slows down the process, my brain is able to work in more ways. I think the only disadvantage is that it does make me more critical and does take longer. If I'm reading something for fun, I don't want to think too much about the words; I just want to enjoy the story and characters. Image information: Megaphone

Growth Mindset: Thoughts from the Padlet

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" When we get negative feedback, let's take it in stride." " R-Rejoice U-Under N-Negativity" These are quotes about how to response to negative feedback. I often struggle with negative feedback. Maybe I'll dismiss it as wrong or dismiss it as unimportant. But I like this response better, and I think it will open new perspectives and ways of editing/creating. I want to train my brain to run with critical feedback, so the work I do in the future is better for it. " I was so focused on not failing that I almost missed the whole point of school. To learn." I really like this quote because I think it is easy to go through the motions in school. In one of my classes, we have two journal entries. The first is to summarize our readings and the second is to interact with the readings somehow. This can be applying the theory to something happening in the world or connect it to past readings. It is easy to just go through the motions in this

Wikipedia Trail: from Hasinai to Lateral Consonants

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I decided to start my Wikipedia trails at Hasinai, because I just retold a story about the origins of the skunk's many features from a Hasinai legend. The Hasinai are a Caddo-speaking Native American tribe that originates from what is now eastern Texas. I wanted to know more about the language so I clicked on Caddo Language next. This page states that there were only 25 speakers in 2009, meaning it is critically endangered! The page goes on to discuss revitalization efforts, which includes the Kiwat Hasinay foundation offering classes, creating dictionaries, phrase books, and are digitally archiving Caddoan oral traditions. The Wikipedia page then goes on to describe the phonology of the language. Apparently, it lacks liquid consonants, which is unusual. I wanted to learn more about what liquid consonants were so I clicked on that next. This page states that liquids are a class of consonants that include lateral approximants and rhotics. I didn't know what a lateral ap

Week 15 Story: How the Skunk Gained its Stripes

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Skunk wandered the forest floor, searching for food to  soften the rumbling of her empty stomach. But she could barely focus on this task because she was afraid - afraid of what lies in the dark patches under bushes, afraid of the noises the forest animals make, and afraid to make a sound. Wanting to be rid of this crippling fear, she journeyed to the top of a snow capped mountain to convene with the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit appeared in the form of a swirling wind, carrying leaves and snow, towering over the shaking body of fearful Skunk. The Great Spirit spoke, "Little one, what brings you to the top of the world?" Skunk felt the caress of the breeze as the words reached her ears. "I am afraid, Great One. I'm afraid of my own footsteps. Will you grant me the might of the big cat that walks the forest?" The Great Spirit thought about the request before replying, "That might belongs to the powerful Lynx, but I can grant you sharper teeth and

Tech Tip: Exploring Flickr

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This is the test photo I uploaded to my new Flickr account. I don't remember taking this photo, but I think it was during my trip to or from California about two years ago. It is a faint double rainbow. The quality isn't very great, but I thought why not have my first picture be somewhat magical? I do have some pictures that I would be comfortable sharing via Flickr. I might add some of the pictures I took in South Africa from Kruger National Park; they are better quality and everyone needs more pictures of beautiful animals! I have used quite a few pictures from Flickr. I am always happy with the quality and appreciate that people share their work, so I can put gorgeous pictures on my blogs! Image information: Small Double Rainbow Link to Flickr page

Reading Notes: The Heptameron, Part B

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The Haunted House : more torches to see the spirit  Monsieur de Grignaux - fell asleep only to be awoken by a sound box and someone calling the name of his diseased grandmama along with a clamor of tumbling tables and stools Brenigne Vexed at not getting a full 8 hrs of sleep Following night: Master Goblin = spirit pretended to sleep and snore caught the hand of the spirit it was the girl that slept in their chamber reason for spooking: she had fallen in love with a domestic and wanted the master and mistress gone so they could play house had them beaten and fired them - got rid of the spirits who had haunted the house for 2 yrs conversation of those on the bridge - comments about the story who had sense, sinning, pleasure The Spanish Widow: set in Saragossa merchant who wanted to honor God after his death sell his fine Spanish horse and bestow this wealth on the poor Mendicants responsibility with the wife after death - decided to change

Reading Notes: Lang I, Part A

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The Master Cat, or Puss in Boots A mill, an ass, and a cat youngest only gets the cat cat speaks just needs a bag and a pair of boots that fit set a trap for rabbits - takes it to the king a trap set to get the fortune of the Marquis of Carabas (master of the cat) washing in river, needs to be saved by King's men, catches the eye of the princess Monsieur Puss threatened the workers of fields to say his master owned them Came to the ogre's estate - shapeshifter? lion and then mouse castle now Marquis of Carabas' married to princess Puss became a great lord How the Dragon was Tricked Jealous brothers younger tied to tree Bc he was crooked but now his back is straight able to outwit everyone - persuade them news reached the king - wanted to see the young man sentenced to death unless he can bring the flying horse kept by the dragon young man went to stable where horse and dragon lived horse neighed and dragon woke - happened 3