Journal 5

I want my paper to say exactly what I my intentions are for it to say. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I want every idea, every concept, every phrase to be completely clear and unambiguous. I want the reader to understand my paper fully, without any confusion.

Journal 5

My paper's mission is to show the relationship between visuals and text used in billboards, television commercials, the internet, and maybe a few others. I will try to use pictures to bolster my efforts in showing this relationship. I will also try to stand by the MLA standards.

Perhaps my mission statement will change as my paper progresses. As of now, the paper is complete crap and the mission statement follows suit.

music and art

In my paper I would like to show how closely music and art can be related. In my case, I want to show how The Beatles expressed themselves through their album art as well as their music. In my paper, i will show how the use of color and detail can work together to set a mood. I will state the fact that the use of blur and fine detail can show how slowly or quickly time has passed. Also, I will show how easily mood can be shown through visual texts, such as album art. I will strive to show how the overall mood that the Beatles felt thoughout the 3 stages of their career related to their album art.

Journal 5

In my paper, I would really like to create an example of how one company can produce and control so many different types of advertising. I want to show the differences between the different types of their campaign to promote their product. I want the picture to show what I am trying to portray as an example to my essay. There are many pictures that i can put in but I will try to choose the best one. I would like my essay to be interesting for people to read and not feel like it is dragging on and on. I have to look up MLA but I am defineitly going to follow that too. I know my essay will continue to get better the more I work on it.

journal 5

I would like for my paper to explain how some pictures may look as if it mean one thing but have a totally different. I want to examine the true story of the life of a professional athlete. I want to show the reader how a visual interaction can make things have different meanings. I want to include many examples why people look at a pictures and give it so many definitions. I want to include pictures and use them as examples. I will follow the MLA format and guidelines. I will try my best to keep the read interested in reading more about my topic.

Journal 5

In my paper I want to show how visual images help enhance things such as magazines, newspapers, and books. Also, how the color and type of picture can make a difference. Another thing I want to talk about is how authors use different kind of pictures to appeal to certain age groups, and how the kind of pictures are appropriate for the articles. I will use an image in my paper to display how the color of a picture can set the tone for an article. I will use several examples to prove how pictures are used and help appeal to people, and why they wouldn't be interesting without pictures.

Emotional Visuals

Although my ideas on my paper are still all over the place and not very organized, I plan on writing about the connection between visuals and they're connection to history. What I want to do is show how visuals create emotions and a personal connection while the text is there to provide facts and whatnot. They are both dependent on each other to create a understandable account of what had happened so that audiences can relate to their nations history. I really think it is an important element because history is necessary for each person to truly understand. My main example is how pictures from past devastating events allow people to really put themselves in that situation and feel what the people in the event may feel. Also, i use textbooks as an example and how more recent events usually have more photos because it makes it easier for the reader to connect rather than using paragraphs of words to try to convey the emotion of the event.

journal 5

My goal in this paper is to show how visuals are a crucial component in magazines, newspapers, comics, etc. I’m writing how different attributes such as color or tone can change the message of a picture. I want to show how visual/text interaction can be used in advertising and how affective a picture in general can be to viewers. I also want to show that text can create visuals, for instance in books, and can how detail can make that mental image. I want to give examples for both magazines and books. I want to write how visuals make a difference in relation to text, and vice versa.

Journal 5

Mission statement-I want my paper to show and inform readers why i believe Lil Wayne is a cultural icon. I am writng about his song lyrics and how they pertain to him as a person and then him as a icon in the public's view. Also, I am wrting about how he uses his body as a canvas to portray his feelings and emotions. He is covered with tattoos on his body, many about his past and people he cares alot about. Also, how he reaches teens and other listeners that follow your dreams no matter what someone tells you, and if someone wants to change who you are or what you do, you do not have to listen to them rather do your thing if it is working for you. I also wrote on how he uses drugs, and says it should be legalized for certain drug use, because it is sometimes beneficial to those who uses it for the purposes they use it for.

Journal 5

In his book Writing Tools, Roy Peter Clark writes: "Writing down your mission turns your vague hopes into language. By writing about your writing, you learn what you need to learn" (196). For this journal, create a mission statement for your own current writing project, Paper Two. Cover both the content and the form of your paper, sketch out for yourself what you want to say and how you want to say it. Even though you've already got a draft out, use this mission statement to make sure you're doing what you want to, and refer to it as you continue writing (you may want to revise your mission statement as you go as well).

Here's an example:
- I want to examine the relationship between the cover photo on this month's Cosmo and the headlines that appear on the cover.
- I want to show the reader how the meaning of the cover is fundamentally changed by the visual/text interaction.
- I want to question the difference between the headlines and the implications of the photo- there seems to be a conflicting message. Are women being objectified or empowered?
- I want to make sure to include several examples from the magazine.
- I want to offer an insightful analysis that goes beyond observation.
- I will include an image of the cover.
- I will follow MLA guidelines.

journal 4

i have a millon dollars in my bank account

pokefan 4 life

i listen to emo rap....

Would I jump?

No! I'm afraid of heights! Get me Down!

Journal 4

JOURNAL 4

Sometimes I seriously consider Canada as an option...

Jernal 4

Journal 4

Journal 4 Morgans

Journal 4

journal 4

Journal-4 brandon

SPEED.........................................................................................................................KILLS

journal 4

use to hate it now i win it..................................

McDonald 4

Journal 4

STOP CHILD ABUSE

Journal 4

When will it end?

Journal 4

Create your own PostSecret card. Don't worry about sharing your deepest, darkest secrets- you can make something up, or share something silly. You don't have to create a digital masterpiece, or even put your text on top of the graphics. You can just post a visual, and type the accompanying text underneath. Have fun with this, but please try to keep in mind all that we've talked about this week. To get you started, here's mine:

journal-3 Brandon

The first thing that comes to mind after reading Moore's article is different and than crazy. But than again it as a bit of humor in it. she has an unique with her writing I think because I never seen writing like this before. Also her reading had seriousness. I enjoyed reading the article and how creative gets with her writing. The eassy i remember doing are the five paragraph eassy, which were all about planning and getting you to think. I would rather write Moore's way.

Journal 3

This reading was one like I've never read before. The writing is definately serious, but the writer adds in alot of dark humor. Things alot of people wouldn't think is funny, but it's still visible. She's being serious, but she's also trying to be funny. She portrays the insane writer cliche well in this story. The narrarator always talks about blowing people up, and thats kind of wierd. Her thoughts are literally all over the place, I don't even know where some of them came from. For instance, the part about "Seventh Heaven". That was completely random. I would be lost without plot. I don't think I could write without one. The whole concept of five paragraph essays doesn't even cross my mind. Her writing definately fit the stereotype of a mad writer, in my opinion. There are alot of stereotypes in todays world. People tend to place me as a meathead and rude. This definately isn't true, but that just goes to show how stereotypes can be extremely of basis sometimes.

Journal 3

I think that Moore's article is mostly serious, but throws in a bit of humor to make the reader more comfortable. The idea of an insane writer is cliche, but i don't think this article portrayed that as well as some others have. It seems more like Moore has an active imagination and an attention to detail. She feels that some things are important in her story that the reader may find to be pointless, but they probably have some meaning to her. A sense of plot means that the character is developing and going somewhere in the story. Moore's characters seem to blow up before they can be developed. I think that the five-paragraph writing style is overrated. Even though every writing teacher tried to make us use this format, artistic visions dont always come out into five neat little paragraphs. It stifles the creativity and the individuality of the writer. The most memorable essays to me have been things that have content that makes you think, makes you informed, makes you wonder. The concept of the five paragraph essay doesnt even register as anything important when i read essays.

Journal 3

Wow. I would say it is rather humorous, and Moore is really trying to get us to enter her crazy mind. I think her main goal here is the sarcasm of playing along with certain stereotypes of writers in general and how it really is kind of boring to deal with the common questions.

I am naturally a pretty goofy person and I enjoy making people laugh. Most people would probably say that I am immature and maybe a little childish, but to argue that I can say that well maybe life is too serious in general and someone has to make it interesting. Sometimes I feel that my life also has no plot, there is no great conflict or a rise and fall of a hero, there is no real point or lesson that can be taken from my life. I do think however, and just like Moore’s passages, that this isn’t really a bad thing at all. Ultimately my life is a story and there are parts that will make you laugh and parts that will make you cry, however I think that most would say, “Ok what was the point to this?” my reply would be “Yea but I made you laugh”. For that x amount of time I stole that person’s emotion and controlled it the way I wanted to and the entertainment of the story is the most important part.

Speaking towards the whole five-paragraph essay is a touchy subject for me. My whole life has been based on the quality of a five-paragraph essay. A very awkward and strict way to present thoughts and really took all the personality out of everything I wrote so naturally I was terrible at it. I have read a lot of essays and the only ones I like are a lot like the ones we have been reading. Kooky and humorous little personal essays that make me say, ”Oh hey, that’s exactly how I feel” They are often quite lax and follow no real written template like the five paragraph set up. 

Journal 3

I’ve always felt that the best type of reading is one that embodies a balance of humor and seriousness. For me the two work hand in hand to deliver a writing style that not only makes me laugh, but gives insight to the message the author is trying to convey.
Moore’s article “How to Become a Writer” makes you laugh as you read about Francie’s attempt at becoming a writer. Although some might view Moore as an “insane writer” I beg to differ. I don’t find her style to be insane in anyway. The flow of her writing is much like a stream of consciousness, and she seems to write every thought that comes to mind even if that means a short brief statement. It allows me to look into her mine and get a grasp of where she is coming from. I personally like the style Moore uses.
I don’t feel that there is anything wrong with writing in a five paragraph format; however I do feel it is a little drawn out. We have all been told to simple format of a five paragraph paper, and I choose not to use it. I write what I feel needs to be written, and I think following a format buts a limit on the ability of a person to write will all the creative juices they have. Write as the thoughts come, not as the format goes.

Crazy?

I find Moore's article to be humorous at best. She writes about the most random things often times making the characters blow up because of some magically appearing weapon or random piece of ordnance. I especially liked the part when Francie's characters are injured by a landmine in their house. Impossible? Yes. Funny? I think so. Yes, that's morbid, but sometimes wild things like that strike the funny bone in some people. The idea of "insane writers" can be cliche, but sometimes it can be true. I'm sure some authors are quite deranged while others are completely level headed. I think there are a lot of writers out there that write about insanely off the wall subjects, yet live totally normal lives with well nourished relationships and a sane demeaner. I don't think her second person story is a misconception of writers. To me, I think it could possibly be a mind dump of what happened to her throughout her life. It could have nothing to do with other writers at all. I have no idea if people have stereotypes of me, but I know people have stereotypes for those who serve or have served in the military. Often times people think we're incapable of handling intelligent conversations or even anything past a gradeschool education. I'm guessing people think we're all Infantry: trained to pull triggers and nothing more. A plot is just a plan or storyline. Without a plot, readers are left to wonder what this partifular part has to do with that particular part, and so on. They're good for keeping things in check and on subject; characters, environments, etc... I think five paragraph essays are more for research papers and the like. For a personnal narrative or fiction story, they are problemmatic. I don't want to be limited on such things, especially if I'm really interested in what I'm writing about.

journal 3

I found the tone to be very humurous and light-hearted. However, it did have a few instances that suggested an underlying or parallel tone that was quite serious. I don't find the term "insane writer" altogether "cliche" because historically, many great writers did have mental ailments. The only question being wether being such a skilled artist had in turn caused them to become "insane" or if being "insane" is what made them such a great writer in the first place.
"Highly opinionated" and "insane" have a fine line between them in my opinion, so considering that a lot of writers have very unique opinions, it's easy to see why people categorize them as crazy people, writers have to take this critisism because they are "going against the grain" with their writings and are easily misinterpreted by the mainstream brain-washed population. The stereotypes that i handed out in high-school included "clueless" and "over-simplified" characters of people that i considered to have missed out on the big picture and had essentially taken their constraints of the definition of self right off the television set. I think that plot is certainly needed in arguementative essays and reviews or any other informative paper or essay. Plot is the sense of direction or purpose for an essay and helps the reader and the writer to stay on topic much easier. This is why i think plot is not always needed in creative writing. When the intentions of a paper are undefined or when the paper has no purpose it has no need for a plot, the plot or purpose of the story is solely created by the reader and is different to every individual. An example being the film Napolean Dynamite, in which napolean is "out to prove he has nothing to prove" the movie has basically no plot to it at all yet was still a popular flick because it could mean anything to viewers. So in writing I think a paper without a plot can still be interesting or entertaining,but it can have no pre-set purpose or cause. So in other words, if you have anything specific to say or prove you definately need a plot. I think the five-paragraph style that i am all to familiar with does restrict creative thinking, how much can you really say with that perimeter on elaboration? Not much, i think that style tends to instruct writers to make bland conclusions and avoid more complex ones. It is a great style for simple topics and short writing prompts but leaves too much unwritten in most cases. It also creates verbose essays when a writer has perhaps only one strong arguement and really only needs three paragraphs to show his or her point of view. I am familiar with this style of writing but I never really took a liking to it.

Journal 3

In my opinion, Moore’s essay is definitely humorous, with a serious undertone. She uses funny anecdotes to describe her take on the stereotypical writer and the process of becoming a writer. I don’t think her article is a common misconception of writers, but a narrative that takes some assumed things about writers and magnifies them. I feel like every writer, in one way or another, could relate to the feelings and experiences of Francie. A plot is what everything in the story contributes to, a focus, and a direction. I think a plot could be useful for getting a particular point across, but not a necessity for story to be considered ‘good.’ For some things, not everything, a five-paragraph essay is problematic. It restricts the writer from being creative and maybe completely expressing himself. I’m not really used to using a five-paragraph format, I’ve usually been told to use a format I felt for the assignment.

Journal 3

I found the selected reading to be very lighthearted and humorous. The essay kept me engaged throughout and interested in which vivid imagery i would be exposed to next. The "crazy writer" is a very cliche idea and i think that the author does a good job of poking fun at the misconception. I did find myself scanning the essay looking for something that I had possibly missed. This was because of the lack of organization of the essay. It was simply one very vivid image after another. This leads to the author's point about a lack of plot. I truly think that some plot is absolutely necessary in any good writing. It keeps the reader engaged and focused on the writing. It also helps the author persuade or convince the reader of something. I do believe that for college students, the 5 paragraph essay is dead. It is simply to rigid and constricting to allow for a creatively worded essay.

Journal 3

Moore’s attitude in the article “How to become a Writer” in my opinion is very humorous. Everything she says has some sort of sarcastic remark to it and she most likely means everything she says. The idea of an insane writer is not a cliché because as you can tell in this article Moore is defiantly an insane writer. But when writers really do express their feeling and it comes out like that it is actually really fun to read. Her article shows really only her writing process and should not be assumed for all writers. Some common stereotypes that people assume about me is that because I am blonde, they think im airheaded and stupid. This might be true sometimes when I have “blonde moment” but I am in fact not stupid. People like Jessica Simpson have ruined the image for all blondes and should not be taken. Plots in a story are very important to keep the reader interested and to have them be entertained. If the story skips around the reader will become very confused and most likely not read the story. I like writing 5 paragraph essays because I feel like it is structured and easier to flow. Also I feel like I can come to the point of the paper easier when using 5 paragraphs.

Journal Three

Lorrie Moore is a crazy writer. However, I find that to be a good thing. What she is talking about is a pretty serious matter. However, she cushions the serious tone of her paper with jokes and comedic twist. It makes the essay a lot easier to read and doesn’t make it feel like she giving you some lecture on her evolution of a writer and the critique she has gotten. Her story does sort of fit the clichés of writers. I think that people assume that writers are always crazy and this was demonstrated when people would ask her if she was crazy. People stereotype me in many ways but probably the way I feel most stereotyped is as a New Yorker. Just because I am from New York doesn’t mean that I have a big attitude or just generally mean. I think a plot is very important. It helps keep the paper organized and the reader engaged. If there is no plot than it would be hard for a reader to follow along and essentially gain interest in the essay. I think that five-paragraph essays can be problematic when it comes to creativity. It doesn’t really allow you to just write as you feel but instead to write in a routine. It helps young kids understand writing technique but for someone who is older it is important to step outside your box. This is way my favorite essays that I have written are when the teacher allows us to write for however long in however setting. It really allows one to increase creativity.

Journal 3

I think that the article is more humorous than serious, but there is some seriousness also. I think that she uses humor to deal with the situations she's faced with. Every story she wrote and showed to others was labeled as without having a plot, but I think that that's what made her technique unique, and most people thought her stories were bad. I personally think that a plot is needed in most cases to help you stay focused on your topic. In my opinion a five paragraph essay is problematic. I am used to writing five paragraph essays because that is how I was taught to write all throughout school. Now I'm starting to stray away from that, but I feel that writing five paragraphs was easy because it was so easy to plan, and then from there you just write. I really enjoyed reading this story because she's not like every other writer, she feels that writing with no plot works best for her. This story lets me know that it's okay to be different and not be like everyone else and it's good to be unique.

Journal 3

Lorrie Moore’s article has a serious tone with flashes of humor here and there to lighten it up every once and a while. The idea of an “insane writer” is a cliché because a person doesn’t have to be crazy or home all the time to be a writer, they can lead normal lives like the rest of us. I guess as a surfer people would stereotype me as a person who would probably smoke pot all day and do nothing with my life other than hang out at the beach. Every group has at least one stereotype against them. For example, I am Cuban and whenever I tell someone that, they want me to quote Scarface like that is how I talk. As far as plot goes, when I write I find it important because if not I would get lost and way too off topic, but I feel some of the best writing occurs when no plot is involved. A plot is basically the storyline which a writer follows and develops along the course of the writing. I am used to writing papers in the five-paragraph format and find it better to write that way because you have a very organized paper with an introduction, three main points, and a conclusion. If I am reading something informative then I would prefer a five-paragraph essay because I know where to look for the information and how the essay would be organized. When reading for enjoyment, a five-paragraph essay would not be my first choice that’s for sure.

Journal 3

Moore's article has a more serious tone to it although humor is used in points to clarify how tough it was when she started writing. Lorrie uses to humor to lighten up situations that were very tough and sad in Francie's life. Writing was her life, although everyone around her thought she should try something else. They said she had no plot, which is basically the backbone of your writing, and since they didn't see an evident plot they took it as bad writing technique and criticized her. Her story is a common cliche' of writers. People take writers as loners who sit in their rooms all day and do nothing but write about strange occurrences and weird stories. I have been stereotyped as the typical jock who is dumber then everyone and has no concept of reality, but this is untrue. I am used to the five paragraph essay. I think it is more strenuous and can lead to a worse paper if you use this format, because as a paper increases, paragraphs weaken and loose main points. This is why when i write i try to stick to a three paragraph style. I think this story is very inspiring to people who have been told they are terrible writers, because if you stick it out you can be successful.

JOURNAL 3

I think Moore's article is serious, but tries to make it funny. When she uses examples like shoving the forks in the fork drawer and start dating someone who is funny, she doesn't mean to actually do those things but do put yourself in other "shoes." She wants to show her point through these some what humorous examples while still proving the message of having a persona, when the author writes. Moore repeatively says there is "no sense of plot." I disagree with the statement. When reading, I think it is easier if the author has a plot and a foundation for the writing. It helps to direct the rest of the story line and stay on the same track. I've always used a plot, so I guess that's all I've learned when writing. I'm used to having a plot and having a five-paragraph format. I like having that because it gives a structure to go off of. However, a five paragraph essay with an introduction and outro could limit the detail and specifics of the subject someone is writing about. In general I like writing essays on personal experiences and stories. I find it easier to write on something personal compared to a prompt you have to analyze and interpret.

Journal 3

In my opinion, the tone of the story was more serious than humorous. Lorrie remarked on her struggles as she found her way into the writing scene and at times the passage was sad. It seemed as though writing had consumed her whole life, but no one could accept her stories because they supposedly were without a plot. A plot is necessary in my opinion because it helps me stay more organized when I write. Without one I would just wander aimlessly, searching for ideas that will take even more time to get down on paper. In the passage, she became an obsessive writer in my mind and it sounded as if she began to lose sleep and friends/boyfriends over her work. Not having a plot or the basic 5 paragraph essay format worked for her, but not for me. Having 5 paragraphs in my essays in high school made it easier for me to write because I have been writing like that my whole life. The essays I enjoy reading however, are not usually in the basic 5 paragraph format and are more like the one Lorrie has written. I enjoyed her story and the steps she took to become a writer were inspiring to me.

Journal 3

Read and respond to Lorrie Moore’s “How to Become a Writer.” Is Moore’s article humorous or serious? Is the idea of an “insane writer” a cliché? Is her article a common misconception of writers? What are some common stereotypes you have or that people have about you? Moore continually repeats that her character has “no sense of plot.” What is a plot and do you need it? Also, is a five-paragraph essay problematic? Are you used to writing papers in a five-paragraph format? Think of essays that you like and why you find them memorable and not.

Journal 2

Mike's essay is brilliant. He captures the truth in an extremely clever way by pointing out the different effects MTV has been having on it's viewers. I believe that everyone had their own little MTV phase, where they actually took what was on the show seriously. I am an MTV victim myself, in middle school I used to take the information passed by these garbage shows literally. This is really embarrassing, but its the truth and I have experienced it first hand. Now that I have grown more mature since that age, I now realize what an idiot I was and how dumb most of the shows are. The Real World is the first show that comes to mind when I think about MTV and I am embarassed for every person to ever have been on the show. How can my fellow Americans act like this and be this ignorant? Most of the commentary and activities that go on this show disgust me. Mike makes a valid point when he claims that MTV tries to persuade teenagers what they believe about what is "hip" or not. If it's not the music, then its the clothes or the terminology.

Journal 2

In Music Television Mike, he states very intriguing ideas that are all of somewhat true. I grew up on MTV and still am addicted to it. The shows that he mentions are all of the dating related and annoying scrpited shows. MTV is also known for the reality shows such as True Life and The Hills. The Hills is definatly my favorite show at the moment on MTV. It shows the lives of rich kids that had to move out to the real world and actually work. I love listening to all their drama and bickering between eachother. It makes me feel like in my life, I have no drama which is not true. Those members of the MTV generation will always have all these shows in common. We go to school and talk about what happened on TV last night and even have "The Hills" parties to watch the show together. MTV Mike makes all the right points about MTV that the whole generation knows.

Journal 2

Mike's writing style definately reflects his MTV influences. He uses language that really helps him connect with the audience (other students). By talking in the way you would expect someone in his generation to, it makes Mike's writing much more effective to the topic. He vividly describes each show, and lets you know he has an intimate understanding of all characters involved. I do, however, think that he overexagerated some of his analysis. I grew up in a house without cable TV, so my understanding of MTV is limited, but from what i've heard, most of it is trash TV. To be able to try and say you learned all sorts of life lessons from these programs just seems absurd. Its like saying "I learned from Jerry Springer that you shouldnt sleep with all the girls in the trailer park, or else you'll get AIDS". Its mostly common sense stuff, not an experience that you learn and grow by. To find any way to look at Bevis and Butthead as role models.... no matter how he tries to justify it, i dont see that as realistic. In conclusion, I admire Mike's writing ability, but i disagree with his opinions. Though i can appreciate Mike's decision to look at something for more than what it is on the surface, thats also the part of the essay where he lost me.

Journal 2

I am really glad that I was assigned to read this essay and respond. "MTV Mike" really made me think about the effects that MTV has on me. I can say that MTV is the channel that i watch most frequently and there are shows that I am obsessed with and can't go a week without missing it. For example, The Hills is my secret obsession. Every Monday night i watch The Hills and it is the most superficial show ever. Who honestly cares about all the drama in LC's life. The show is totally fake but I still want to have a life like hers. I think it is safe to say that most girls in the MTV generation think this way. We all see how sucky LC's life is but we all are on the edge of our seats to see who is going to screw her over next. I like how BLUNT "MTV Mike" is in his essay. He makes references to serious problems like alcoholism so nonchalantly, that it makes me feel like he might personally have connections to these issues. I also really like the similes that he uses very frequently throughout his selection. I would never be able to come up with the ones that he uses in his selection. I am not witty at all and almost all of them made me chuckle. I think that "MTV Mike" is able to use similes like these because he is talking to an age group that should be able to understand what he is talking about. The MTV generation should be mostly kids in high school and if they can't get what he is saying, they are fricking stupid. It is clear that he wanted to prove a point that MTV is a channel based solely on showing kids how they should NOT act. Now that i am sitting here thinking about it, I am surprised at how brainwashed i am from watching that kind of crap.

Journal 2

Mike presents his views of MTV in a way that allows every person who has watched MTV to make a connection with what he is saying. He takes a look at the shows the network supports, and how they have played a role in his life. Mike uses the dating shows “Next” and “Parental Control” to express how to look at the shows and learn now to treat people. He makes reference to the Golden Rule, which I am sure all of us learned at an early age, to give deeper expression of what the dating shows have taught him. Along with references to the dating shows he expresses his views of “Beavis and Butthead”, and how even a show like had a helping hand in shaping the person he became. It is through his simple tone of voice that one is able to fully connect with his views. However, The one thing that really upsets me about Mike’s article is that he talks about these shows, which have nothing to do with music, and doesn’t state how the network that is called MUSIC television and has greatly swayed away from the music… but that’s just something the aggravates me I guess.

Journal 2

While reading through “MTV Mike” I kept catching myself nodding my head, and thinking, “yes, yes, that’s so true.” Even if his sophisticated and deep yet casual and personable writing style wasn’t so convincing and easy to agree with, Mike has intelligently and successfully forced me to see MTV from a perspective very rarely looked at. For Mike, MTV has inspired his desire to question and challenge ‘what’s acceptable’ and also had played a part in forming who he is today.  “MTV Mike” takes a show that Mike is almost ashamed to have watched as a child, Beavis and Butthead, and explains how that influence from Butthead’s individuality had made an impact of who he is today, (in a good way!).  Reversely, the ‘cruelty and superficiality’ of shows like ‘Next’ and ‘Parental Control’ have taught him how not to act.  After reading “MTV Mike”, I feel like I can completely relate to Mike and I’m sure that 99% of the people around me can say the same thing.

Hello. My name is Brittany, and I am part of the MTV generation.

Journal 2

MTV Mike wrote a great essay about television shows. He talks about how shows have a tremendous impact on children and how they act. I feel that what Mike stated is very true because the media does influence people to act a certain way. He uses a language that the MTV can understand and relate to. His description of the MTV shows display the effects they have on him. Mike’s characteristics are how one should not act, and he discusses how the media tries to instill a certain aspect in him. He talks about how people of his generation tries to follow all of the latest trends. I really liked this essay, and I agree with Mike’s opinion of people and the impact television has on them.

Journal 2

MTV Mike is a great story. Mike depicts exactly how teens in today’s world strive to be what they see on the television. I am dumbfounded however that he was able to gain life lessons out of simply watching a television show. Either he is truly a couch potato or he has no parents to show him guidance at home. I for one can speak on behalf of many teenagers who are not addicted to MTV. With this in mind, his essay is still profoundly written. Beavis and Buttead taught Mike to be an individual, and not to care what anyone else thought of him. This is one of the best traits for someone to posses. MTV also taught him how to treat people with courtesy, since on MTV’s dating game reality shows the contestants were treated with complete and utter disrespect. I describe Mike’s writing style as informative and explanatory. He tells his readers how he has come to his conclusions on life, and how his character is shaped around the world he has seen on TV since he was a child. He is also very descriptive. He goes into detail about every aspect of MTV, and how each show on there has impacted not only his life but the lives of all MTV’s viewers. He uses very grammatical language, and very cut throat. He gets to the point, but also alliterates on his descriptions to keep his reader hooked.

Journal 2

MTV Mike...his essay as a whole is just sad. Granted, he wrote excellently; I'll come back to the later. But honestly, I think this guy took MTV totally out of perspective and let it influence his life way too much. To me, he needed to stop being so impressionable, because I can say that I never picked up any of my personality from MTV, or any other show for that matter. Or maybe I'm just different. Or maybe my parents monitored what I watched closer. Whatever the reason, Mike definitely needed to think more for himself. I definitely do not consider myself in this generation of kids influenced by MTV.

As for Mike's writing style, it was excellent. His grammar and word choice were two things that really stood out to me. I believe this paper was written to be read more by the students than the faculty/ adults. His writing style reflects that of a teenager and is really easy to connect to for me. His essay as a whole was a funny, easy read that was easily understood. No big, confusing words. Just pure though and passion about his topic. There was no fluff in sight. So his overall message was off basis in my opinion, but at least it was easy to understand.

The writing style that is used by Mike is informal. It seems that his writing is more toward the youth reader than of an adult. Also the way he writes relates more toward the youth. Therefor its makeing an connection with the youth reader helping them to understand. The sort of language used in Mikes writing is not of high quality its more slang than anything. ThisI say reflects the matter by making youth readers want to read and getting them to have more and more interest in his reading.

Journal 2

The character traits that MTV has inspired in Mike seem to be how one should not act. He does not watch Beavis and Butt-head and make that his own life. Instead, he informs us that the show is educational in the sense that we should take whatever they do, and then do the opposite and then we'll be fine. I think he is trying to tell us that if we treated MTV as the "Don'ts" half of the "Do's and Don'ts of a successful person, then we can all be winners in this world. Obviously when it comes to dating, you are not going to go with the Next strategy. No one is going to send their date packing because the next one is in a car around the block and has the potential of being hotter. Also, I don't try to make a date enjoyable because I get a dollar for every minute the girl is enjoying herself.

Mike's writing style is very unique because it is not how anyone is taught to write. My english teachers always told me, "You can only write incorrectly is you're a famous author." because somehow that is acceptable. He uses a more intellectual tone than you may expect in an article about pretty stupid things. Almost as if he was writing about these influences of MTV for a magazine article; on the cover "How is MTV affecting kids today?" His language is intelligent, yet he still relates to the common person and teenager.

MTV Mike

I find Mike’s writing style to be suprisingly refreshing. Mike writes a meaningful introspective essay that never loses its sense of lightheartedness. He does this by using humorous metaphors and almost childish humor to lighten up his writing. Mike writes critically about the effect of the media on children without becoming out of touch with today’s world. Mike writes about his own inability to free himself of the long reach of MTV. Mike reminds us that while we may find MTV as a big joke, we were all highly affected by MTV in our preteen years. As preteens, we were not always able to distinguish the difference between fantasy and reality. I believe that Mike is right when he talks about how MTV pushes us towards the golden rule as we age. It did not take me long to realize that I did not want every party I attended to end in a drunken fight, which is usually what happened at the end of “The Real World”. Mike’s true weakness may be that his writing may not translate well to readers who did not live in the “MTV Generation”.

MTV Mike

Mike says that MTV has shaped his character and I could not agree more. Although MTV never states in bold-faced terms “you should respect and be nice to one another” they do have their own way of teaching us that by advertising what the other side is like. Almost like an Anti-role-model. Although the luxury of shows like MTV cribs is very appealing, the attitudes and stupidity of the majority of the other shows is definitely not. While I may laugh at them, I would be mortified if people were laughing at me for the same reason. I think what Mike is saying is that MTV gives teenagers a place to look for ideas on how to shape themselves. He just uses nicer words and a more intellectual “cooler” way to say it. In my own opinion, I think that MTV Mike’s writing style is , to say the least, very unique. While he uses an intelligent and almost formal way of writing, they way we are taught in school, he uses lingo and clichés that are not learned nor encouraged in schools. He really seemed to mix the two very well. When Mike is writing it is almost like he is talking to you but in a way that would suggest he had actually listened to his teacher in English.