Bad Apple

I have been in several groups with bad apples, usually the types that just sit around and do nothing while the rest of the group shoulders the workload. I have found that the best way to deal with this situation is to continue working with the rest of the group and try to include the "bad apple" in discussion by asking them for their opinion on the groups ideas and in some ways forcing them to be involved. There isn't really a way to force the bad apple to take part in the work if they refuse to participate, but keeping them involved in discussion helps to alleviate the hostility from other members of the group. Other bad apples that I have encountered during group work include the ery annoying "bossy" bad apple. This person refuses to listen to the other group member's ideas and thinks that their opinions are superior and that the rest of the group should do exactly what they say. This can be dealt with by kindly discussing with the "bad apple" that other people in the group also have valid ideas and that the combination of all ideas will make for the best final project.

Group Work

I have a very dominant personality, and I have found that when working with others in a group this can be both a good and a bad thing. I tend to take charge and be a little bossy. I know this and I try to let others express their ideas and opinions, but I usually end up getting stuck with all of the work because I am also a perfectionist and I don't feel like things are done correctly until I do them myself. Therefore, I usually find group work frustrating due to the time and effort I put into the projects and the feeling of being a "supervisor".

Imitation of Annie Dillard an Fecundity

My feet are were getting to warm. Standing so close to the fire that softly licked my skin, but at the same time threatening to scald it. It was a perfect scene. Family members gathered around the fire, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs, laughing and talking, but I couldn't take my eyes out of the flames. Magnificent and glorious, the fire bursts into the air, an intruder, warming everything in it's path. Something that is miraculously good and bad at the same time. Of course fire can be bad, it ruins homes and destroys lives, but it can also be good, allowing for regrowth and regeneration in lands long barren by death. Can man say as much for themselves? Depends on how you look at it, but is what man creates ever truly natural? Fire is nature's cleaning crew, sweeping in and marveling, bringing family's together with it's warmth and tearing them apart with it's consequences. The ultimate two-face.

Personal Mission Statement

I am committed to living a purposeful life. I intend to care for all of Earth's creatures, wild and domestic, ensuring they have a chance at the life they are given. I intend to be peaceful and maintain relationships that will help me to grow and develop personally. I intend to love those who will love me in return and always do my best to stand up and fight for what I believe in. I intend to work towards a more sustainable earth, and make the environment a place where all creatures can exist harmoniously together. Most importantly maintaining wildlife and wilderness conservation, for what is wild is what is truly free. Lastly, I intend to explore everything life has to offer and get the most out of my time on earth.

Reading Like a Writer Response to Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front, and The Making of a Marginal Farm by Wendell Berry

Q# 1 :What are the major themes in this piece? Are there any minor themes as well?

The major theme encountered in Berry's work is the claim that the earth is inhabited by many kinds of people. those who choose to restore it and those who choose to expend it. He establishes himself as a conservationist in his farming and his appreciation for the smaller details in life. Minor themes include his love of farming and how it introduced him to a life of preservation, and that we as humans should not take for granted what we have and we should instead work together in an attempt to salvage our earth.

Reading Like a Writer Response to Having Faith by Sandra Steingraber

Q#2 : What specific details stay in your mind? Why? How do these small details lead to larger ideas?

Steingraber establishes her agenda early in this piece. She exposes the truth of bioaccumulation and the unfortunate end recipients of this chemical buildup, children. Specific details she uses to support her claim include examples of technology development and how these developments often lead to disaster, years later. She also includes details of her environment, proving that the scary truth of hidden chemicals are not visible on the surface until it is to late. These small details lead to larger ideas as she wraps up the piece with a stirring notion. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and everything we put into our earth eventually comes back to destroy our future.

Personal Response to Sociology and Social Change

The excerpt from Sociology and Social Change proved to be a powerful piece. The small changes made by a single person may lead to larger transmissions in the world. The world is an unfair environment of poverty, inequality, and hate, but a few small acts may lead to a huge change in environment. This piece inspires action in the reader and challenges the common belief that what one does in private does not have an effect on others as a whole. This statement is simply untrue. In an ideal world, the challenges of today would never exist, but this world is a figment of the imagination. One can change the world by making small adjustments to daily life, and by simply getting involved which is a powerful motivation. Using pathos to appeal to the reader's sense of duty this piece effectively confronts the reader and encourages action to make the world a better place for one and for all.

Analysis of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

Substance:

The author uses statistics and scientific facts as evidence to illustrate the outstanding decline of Eagles and other birds of prey during certain time frames. The selection of these facts to support her purpose of bringing to light the horrible effects of DDT allow the readers to relate to what she is saying. She appeals to the emotional side of the reader when she discusses the town in the beginning of the piece and talks about children dying and none of the life returning. This pulls at the heartstrings of many American's and may have caused them to take action against DDT. She also appeals to the logical side of the reader by supporting her claim that DDT is the cause of the loss of life and great decline in predatory bird populations by using concrete evidence such as what percentage of Eagles were actually able to reproduce in a given year( In 1957 there was only one young eagle for every 32 adults). This combination of appeals pulls the reader in with interest and then solidifies their thoughts so that they too see what has happened and are willing to take action against this silent killer. Carson also highlights scientific experiments that have been performed to establish what is harming the birds. This furthers the conviction of DDT and provides even more concrete evidence for Carson to support her claim.

Reading Like a Writer Response to A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf

Q#3: Does any particular image run throughout the essay? Why does the author choose it?

The image of "the creator" runs constantly throughout this piece as Muir establishes his opinion of man's apparent take over. He uses this image and other examples of satanic creatures juxtaposed together to prove that all creatures were not created for the benefit of man. He uses specific examples to support this claim and sticks to his claim throughout the entire essay. Leaving the reader with a feeling of questioning and appreciation for nature in its purest form.

Reading Like a Writer Response to Polemic: Industrial Tourism and National Parks

Q#4: Find specific examples of abstract and concrete language. What are the effects?

Abstract language is used in this piece to convey the writer's opinion on the National Parks and why he thinks the roads are ruining the beauty. This is effective because the reader can relate to the writer's emotional appeal and those who are familiar with national parks are influenced to take action against road building.

Concrete language is used to in this piece to explain exactly WHAT is happening to the National Parks, and the writer gives examples of the before and after effects of the roads. This is effective coming from this writer in particular because he works in the National Parks and he has experienced the changes and the particular effects they have brought about.

Reading Like a Writer Response to A First American Views His Land by N. Scott Momaday

Q#7 : How does the writer structure the essay and to what effect?

The writer structures the essay by beginning with Native American hunting styles of other times. He then goes on to describe how views of the land have changed throughout history and ends with a powerful suggestion to the reader relating to conservation of the earth. He structures the essay this way in order to lay out a story for the reader to understand how we as humans have impacted our earth and to influence us to think more like the Native Americans and think of ourselves as part of the land instead of just "users" of the land.