Floppy Disk Fallacies

~300 word response~

Floppy Disk Fallacies is a true argument in many ways. The first time I read it, I was convinced that computers are bad to have for younger students because they could affect their social & emotional values and their creativity. That was very strange for me because I believe technology is everywhere and that we can depend on it unless a world wide computer virus strikes. Now that I have thought about it for many days after reading this essay, I have come to my senses. I again think that technology shouldn’t be avoided, but other forms of education like reading, writing, math and other basic skills should be very stressed upon in school.

This essay relates to me because it was written about a year after I was born. It is a little off though because they didn’t have PowerPoint presentations back when I was in elementary school. They just taught us accordingly to what they did long ago. The school Elizabeth’s daughter was in probably should have gotten a better teacher if they were teaching with just PowerPoints!!

Anyways, the intro was good in this argument because it got strait to the point and she gave a good personal example of why there shouldn’t be so much technology in school. In the body paragraphs she explained how too much technology could effect an education negatively, and she even threw in how it is good in some cases. For instance, “Like all other electronic viewing systems (television and video games), computers leave little or no room for imagination. Of course, the virtual reality computers create is often full of fantastic images.” This would be an example of how students would not develop their creative thinking. I would have included how the students might not learn the difference from reality and the fantasy worlds. They may not learn cause and effect as adequately which may cause them to get in trouble when they are older. The ending of the essay pretty much summed up everything and it even had a call to action for the audience.

Writing Strategies
1.) why is or isn't Bohnhorst's introduction effective? (what particular sentences or phrases invite you into her thinking? Which do not?)

Bohnhorst's introduction is effective but it could be more interesting. Elizabeth simply gives a personal story in her life where her child tells her that she watched another boring PowerPoint at school. For example, in the first paragraph,"'Another boring PowerPoint,' responds Jennifer when I ask about her day at school. I might not find these words so discouraging coming from a company executive after a long meeting or even a college student leaving an informative lecture. But these words of an eleven-year-old elementary school student leave me feeling slightly uneasy." This pretty much introduces the theme and it somewhat catches the readers attention. It could had been a more detailed interest catcher.

Exploring Ideas
1.) Consider the claims

"Computers can undoubtedly contribute wonders to the field of education."--this quote from the essay seems to contradict Elizabeth's point in the essay--that technology should be something that students depend upon. Or, it says that computers do contribute wonders but we shouldn't depend upon them. Computers have done so much for the world to advance to what we know it as today.
"In fact, computer education is a must if children intend to thrive in modern society."--I feel that you do not necessarily need computer education because you could be a mechanic or you could work at a store. You dont have to have a computer education but it is a good idea to have one so you can get a good job in modern society. So, you don't have to have a computer education to thrive in modern society. You may soon or later though.
I could write a book on these two claims if I had the time.

In Search of… Something - 300 Word response

In Search of… Something is mainly about how consumerism is invading education and what people think of education in America. I thought it was an interesting because he gave a further understanding of what education is really for. For example, in the sixth and seventh paragraph he tells a story of his life and he tells the outcome, “I wanted an education to get something, not to discover something.” I also liked how he showed how the sales man with an expensive suite is more likely to attract the audience’s attention than a bum on the street doing the same commercial. Actually the audience would listen if they put the bum in fancy attire according to paragraph one, “Put that bum in a Mercedes-Benz and a double-breasted suit and society is all ears.”

He gives the information needed to inform the audience of the situation and he gives many examples that everyone can relate to. Like he makes a simile by saying, “Education is sold like a prescription drug. The symptom is: unhappiness in current lifestyle. The cure: high doses of a college education. The concept of obtaining a degree is the new and improved security blanket.” That relates to most everyone because almost everyone has bought a prescription drug, like antibiotics. He then goes off telling his story about how he learned what is really important in getting an education, which I liked. He uses a story that is very understandable and most audiences can comprehend. He also uses the comparison, “Education is not a genie that grants all wishes, dreams, and desires.” This helps re-catch the reader’s attention so they pay attention to the context of the next paragraph; which is very useful in a paper that needs to have the audience’s full attention. I picked this essay because it relates to my theme and it is very comprehendible to most audiences. Last of all, its missing a call to action.

In Praise of the Humble Comma

Writing Strategies:
Lyer invites the reader to his text in many ways. He adds a question in the intro which causes the reader to focus more on what he is saying. In addition, he uses punctuation, which makes the reader pause frequently; causing him or her to absorb the information in the correct manner. While talking about punctuation, extensively regarding commas, he uses his own punctuation to help the reader develop more of an idea of how punctuation is so important. He also relates punctuation to common objects and feelings in everyday situations.

Exploring Ideas:
Lyer is attempting to show how it’s achievable to broaden or alter one’s outlook on a specific matter by relating punctuation to everyday situations. For example: In the first paragraph, "The gods, they say, give breath, and they take it away. But the same could be said--could it not?--of the humble comma." In his writing he shows that the comma, and other punctuation, is what gives the voice to writing. Before I read In Praise of the Humble Comma, I thought of punctuation of something that just had to be in writing. After, I realized that it is the most important part of writing.

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