TO: Amy Chastain
FROM: Brittany McCarthy
SUBJECT: Writer's Notes
DATE: 7 May 2010
To be completely honest, this has been the most productive English class I have ever taken. I've learned more this semester than I did the entire time I was in high school. Before, I didn't truly understand MLA style at all. Now, I get excited when it comes to writing papers for other classes. I also analyze basically everything I read and everything I see on television. It almost drives me crazy because it has become such a habit.
My favorite part of English 108 was the class discussions. Although sometimes I was quiet, I was always listening. I liked our discussions because of all of the topics that were brought up. Our class had people from all different backgrounds so it allowed for very different opinions. With so many opinions and ideas, it made writing CRJs, coming up with ideas for papers, and blogging so much easier. While writing my papers, I could think back to our class discussions if I was having trouble finding significant things to write about.
My least favorite part of English 108 was doing peer review. I didn't ind reviewing the papers of my peers. I sometimes felt that they weren't putting as much effort into my paper as I was putting into theirs. I know it is almost impossible to have a full class of students that want to help one-another. I didn't mind this so much because of your comments on my paper though. They helped a ton!
I liked blogging because it was a simple way to get points. I also liked that the blog post assignments consisted of our opinions. It is much easier for me to write when I am stating my opinions. The only downfall with blogging is that some students to respond to others. Even though I knew that I was getting my points for responding to their posts, I would like to know what they think about mine.
I'm pretty indifferent about the critical response journals. I didn't like them but I didn't have them. The did help me with arguments for my papers though. The only critical response journal that I had trouble with was the last one. This was because I had trouble writing so much over such a small article.
Overall, I loved English 108. I learned more than the typical writing skills. I now know what feminism is and I feel up to date on things that are going on all around the world. You wouldn't think that English could revolve around such interesting things.
TO: Amy Chastain
FROM: Brittany McCarthy
SUBJECT: Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers written by Alyssa Quart
DATE: 7 May 2010
Branded was my person favorite this semester. It has so many topics within it that allows any reader to connect. Alissa Quart gives examples of how each and every individual can be branded. After reading Branded, I am constantly thinking about how marketers are trying to con me into buying their products.
A subject that I could closely identify with in Branded was young women wearing name brand clothes. I was always pressured to “look the part” while in middle school and high school. Quart brings up interesting points that should be brought up with young women. If this book is read by college students, maybe they will think about how they are influencing their children when they have them.
Branded also made me realize that there is absolutely nothing that can define you but what is inside. Quart makes it very clear that brand-named clothes, shoes, jewelry, and cars are only covering up the true person you are. Why should we want to cover up the person we truly are? We shouldn't. This book explains that so well.
I believe that Branded is the perfect book for an English 108 class. It was the most simple to read, but gave are class so much to talk about. Branded is the perfect book for setting the standards of the class.
TO: Amy Chastain
FROM: Brittany McCarthy
SUBJECT: Hip-Hop Revolution: The Culture and Politics of Rap written by Jeffrey O.G. Ogbar
DATE: 7 May 2010
Hip-Hop Revolution was my least favorite book. Not only was it more difficult to read, but I couldn't really connect with anything in it. I am not a huge fan of hip-hop or rap music, but it did make me think about the music I do listen to.
Authenticity is one of the subjects that did interest me. It made me wonder why artists sing/rap about the things that they do. Eminem is one of the rappers that Hip-Hop Revolutions made me want to closely exam. Just because he is Caucasian, people tend to say he's not authentic. After reading Hip-Hop Revolutions, I have realized that authenticity truly is important. I now think about every song I listen to whether it's hip-hop or not and wonder if the singer had honestly gone through what they're singing about.
Although I disliked Hip-Hop Revolution , I would recommend it for a future English 108 class. I'm sure that there are students that loved Hip-Hop Revolutions that hated Branded. It is only fair to have a variety of topics within the books we read. Hip-Hop Revolution didn't turn out too horribly. A challenge in reading is always good.
TO: Amy Chastain
FROM: Brittany McCarthy
SUBJECT: Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture written by Ariel Levy
DATE: 7 May 2010
Female Chauvinist Pigs was very interesting. I enjoyed it because Ariel levy discussed things that are not really brought up in the midwest. We don't see much prostitution or trans-gendered people around here. It allowed me to understand different lifestyles from different parts of the world. Of course, it's hard to understand reasoning for certain things, but it gave me a more clear view of what goes on around the world.
Again, this book brought up too many topics to list. A topic that interested me was America's devotion to the porn industry. I am much more aware of things being related to sex. It is sickening that we cannot even watch television without seeing an advertisement that somehow refers to sex. We constantly see commercials for dating websites, Girls Gone Wild products, and Viagra. Levy made it very clear about how “rauch culture” is becoming normal for America. It is unbelievable.
I closely examined Olympic Athletes posing for For Him Magazine and Playboy. I was amazed that they believed posing naked was a “trade up.” This was one of the many things that made me wonder what the world is coming to.
I would definitely recommend this book for a future English 108 class. I mean, it talks about sex. Our class proved that a book with all of the topics that this book had can keep a class engaged in discussions.
