Morgan Jones – Portfolio

Something that I have learn for this time spent focusing on reading and writing is that there is a lot of information about writing. I have notice it is very hard to write about writing, compared to writing about something that I normally would write about. I think of myself as a pretty good writer and reader, but since taking this course I have found that there are a lot of little details that goes into writing.

Prompt:

Draft and publish a blog post in response to any question of your choice on pages 104-105.

Question #4 Pg. 104 – Writing about Writing

Cisnero’s and her father have two different view on what being successful is. Her father believes that a woman should be a wife and nothing else. Cisnero’s believes that she does not have to be someone’s wife. They differ in opinion because her fathers thinks she should go to college to find a husband and she was to be successful by being a talented writer.

Since I am in am a third of the way through this semester, I have noticed that I am doing things that are successful and some that are not working for myself. Something that has made me successful is planning my week in advance. I look ahead to see what upcoming assignments I have and try to organize when I am going to don things. I am to the point that I am really organized with each class. Something that I need to keep building on is being motivated to do an assignment. I need to try to start with incentives.

Question 1 – Writing about Writing – Who seemed to be Malcolm X’s intended audience? How do you know?

After reading Malcolm’s story about Learning to Read, I found that his intended audience was everyone who would listen. Malcolm was trying to reach out to other African Americans who was going through the something he was. Malcolm was reaching out with his global message, to spread his message to educate African American and also educate whites.

Something that I took away from reading Cisneros essay is that she reflected on her experience that she had with her father. Cisneros always wanted her fathers approval, but she thought her father saw her as someone future wife. Not being approved by her father she was able to start her literacy track.

Prompt:

Draft and publish a blog post on your WordPress.com site using question 6 on page 243 in Writing about Writing

A time that I remember that I have encountered alien literacy, like Pasqualin growing up, is my first job. When starting my first job, there was many different word/languages to use around costumers and co-workers. I conquered my new alien literacy is by learning from others around me. Taking note of how my co-workers are speaking to a customer, like being polite or proper etiquette. If I had not had the help from co-workers I would not have conquer an alien literacy, but from a co-worker as literacy sponsors helped ease my way into learning a new literacy.

White walls in his bed which led to the box of books that were packed away.

He opened the box of books and read all of the books inside that made a big impact on his life.

He talked about how he read Harry Potter in first grade how it opened the door, expanding his literacy.

J.k Rowling, Amanda (his sister) and his mother were his biggest literally sponsors.

He related to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy saying he felt like the two old men on the bench. After being through a hard time that novel helped him realize everything will be okay.

Learning to Serve connected him to his work. He learned all the protocols working in the food industry. He realized that serving is not easy.

While working at a pet store he picked up on certain words which helped him advance his literacy.

He was part of the debate team in high school.

Every time he came to a new position in is life his literary sponsors were building on top of each other. Creating the person he is today.

Something that I liked from reading Pasqualin’s story in the book, Writing About Writing, is it was really easy to relate to. I was able to compare his literacy stories to my own literacies stories. Pasqualin main point he is trying to make is, don’t panic. Throughout what Pasqualin is telling us, he is always telling himself, “don’t panic,” when he is going through something in his life. Also how Pasqualin came to his point of literacy in his life at certain points. Reading about Pasqualin experience will guide myself through MA2 and give myself ideas of someone my literacy stories.

Prompt:

Question 5 on page 99 of Writing About Writing

               Raymond Branch and Dora Lopez were born in the same year yet had two different story that lead them to the same Midwest university. Branch was raised with two parents that were able to provide a step up from where Lopez was given. Branch was handed a computer at a young age, while Lopez was teaching herself how to read and write in Spanish by buying books from where her mother worked. Since Lopez was unable to have access to technology or connection through her parents, she had to work harder for her to be able to have successful future. Raymond Branch was given sponsors through his parents, especially his father since he was working for a university. The difference between Lopez and Branch is that Dora grew up with book to learn from, while Branch had access to computers. I do agree, but also disagree with Brandt’s claim that race and class can have an impact on literacy sponsors. I think that the opportunities were different for both Branch and Lopez. I think, yes, Branch did have a higher step that Lopez because of how successful his parents were. Also, Lopez was able to work her way up by being bilingual. So yes and no on Brand t’s claim, it depends on how an individual takes his or her literacy path.

Prompt:

Question 1 on page 100 of Writing About Writing

My literacy history is closer to Branches story more because I was brought up using the technology side of literacy. I was able to have sponsors through my school, parents and mostly by my teachers/tutors. The literacies they taught me were mostly the academic side. I do believe that the access I had was very adequate and help me throughout my literacy path and still has till this day.