My experience while researching

Today was the first day I started my research for paper 4.  While I was searching on the UVSC library website, I found that It wasn’t all that easy.  I guess I got lucky the first time we had to find a scholarly article and write about it.  This time when I typed my keywords several times it came back saying something about no items found.  This was very discouraging for a while.

I found a few articles, but they were only 1-2 page articles.  I want to find articles that are longer so I can get more information.  I don’t only want to get these articles for this assignment, I want to have them so I can expand my knowledge in the career I have choose.  I am hoping that when I go to the library at school that they may be able to help me with some of the question and concerns that I have. 

While I was searching for the articles I was trying to remember the things that we were taught in the library instruction room.  I think by using some of the things I learned It made some things a lot easier.  It took me quite a while to get the first article, and this time it pulled up several times. 

I think each time I look for the articles it gets easier for me to find what I am looking for quicker.  I really like how it helps you with other keywords that can help you while searching.  This really helps me so I don’t just focus only on one topic.  I want to get as much information as I can so then I can find some of the similarities and then narrow down my options for my question.  It wasn’t so bad today I think it will be better tomorrow.

Add a comment October 26, 2006

Reading With the Grain and Against the Grain

We were asked to read chapter six in Allyn & Bacon, when I was reading this chapter it helped to prepare my summary and strong response for our third paper.  A few things really stood out to me, On page 125-126 it was about reading with and against the grain.  I found that when I am reading and article or essay I read with the grain.  I wanted to challenge myself to try and read against the grain more.  When we wrote our journal for week 7 I read against the grain.  I felt that the had helped me have a stronger response to what I was reading.  This will help me when I write my response to paper three.

I wrote paper on Earl Shorris essay on How the use of a Liberal Education can change people in Poverty.  I noticed that I read with the grain, so it was easy for me to write the summary.  When I started to write my response I found that it was difficult for me to have the kind of strong response that the paper required.

I was getting frustrated because I knew I need more but I wasn’t sure on where to start.  Then I remembered that in chapter six they talked about reading with and against the grain.  I decided that to make my response better and longer I would read the essay one more time while reading against the grain.

I think reading with and gainst the grain will make it easier for me to determine what to write in certain parts of a paper.  It can also help me be a better reader.  I don’t read very much anymore because I don’t have very much time with being busy with school.  When I find the time to read more I think these tips will help me understand what the writer is saying.

Also in chapter six they had a few pages that had questions that would help you to analyzing and critiquing.  This is very helpful to think of way to comment to what the writer is saying.  In chapter six it had many great things that has helped me in writing paper three.  I feel that each time the papers are a little easier for me to write. 

Add a comment October 20, 2006

What’s the dam problem

In “The Damnnation of a Canyon” Author Edward Abbey writes about touring Glen Canyon on the Colorado River when he was younger, and watching it grow from “a free river” to “a powerplant reservoir.”

Abbey, a self-admitted conservationist talks about how beautiful Glen Canyon was when it was ”a free flowing river.”  He argues that before the dam was constructed, Glen Canyon had more to offer the tourist then Lake Powell does today.  Edward Abbey, goes on to say when the dam was built it completely wiped out “Indian ruins, historical sites, wildlife and wilderness adventure.” 

Abbey, concludes by saying we find a different means for power generation and drain Lake Powell back to its original state, and give mother nature the opportunity cleans her canyon. 

After reading “The Damnnation of a Canyon” by Edward Abbey, I feel like he is a crazy tree hugger who need to look at Lake Powell for all the good that it has brought.  I feel like his essay was a one sides rant that I will pay no attention to.  Perhaps if he was more open minded I would have respected his views more than I do.  That type of writing was probably for a very select audience.

Add a comment October 6, 2006