tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54929983162613750002024-03-05T00:26:15.327-08:00Roosevelt University Writing Center BlogA community of peers.Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-63000794168620408282015-10-08T11:28:00.000-07:002015-10-08T11:29:08.749-07:00A Cataclysmic Revelation! (We're moving to Tumblr)No, you eyes do not deceive you, dear readers. We are forsaking these lands in favor of Roosevelt-greener pastures. Now, for a hopefully-not-limited time, insightful and interesting blog posts will Tumbl this way and that as we try to not only revolutionize the format and content of the Roosevelt Writing Center Blog, but also to improve our frequency and quality of posts. To that end, it's off to Tumblr!<br />
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http://rooseveltwritingcenter.tumblr.com/<br />
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Don't forget, though, the Halloween Flash Fiction writing contest has <i>not</i> changed, and submissions are still due by October 28 at 4 PM. We will be partying, no doubt drinking from Tumblrs, on the following day (October 29, for the calendrically uninterested).<br />
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Thank you all for your dedicated, Google-based readership! It's been a great sojourn here, but it's time to change things up a bit!<br />
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--Peter and the Blogcrafters<br />
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STAFF TUTORS<br />
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<img src="http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/keep-calm-were-leaving--3.png" height="400" width="342" />Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-60734774844278263222015-10-06T07:17:00.000-07:002015-10-06T07:17:26.826-07:00"Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery"<br />
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Do you ever find yourself losing your own voice and unintentionally imitating your favorite or omnipresent authors? Did you ever have to read a little too much Immanuel Kant and end up writing with a tone mirroring a bad eighteenth century translation? There is a famous quote, which you’ve probably heard, coined by English writer and cleric, Charles Caleb Colton: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Oscar Wilde, ever the witty wordsmith, suggested the addendum: “...that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” And it’s true; consciously or not, we try to be as good as our role models, or those to whom we are most exposed. It’s almost a survival instinct--copy the best, and you will not only curry favor, but also be have aspirations of being just as good.<br />
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I don’t know whose style mine resembles. At times I can be long-winded and pedantic, resembling J.R.R. Tolkien’s unattractive pedagogical tone of The Hobbit. Then I try to be wittier and more forward thinking, a la Margaret Atwood or Kurt Vonnegut. And yet none of these styles really suit me, in the sense that I feel I am trying to imitate “greatness.” At my worst failures, I feel most the constant drive to imitate, and to live through the success of other authors. As a shameless lover of pop culture, I constantly lament the fact that I feel the need to buy a bunch of books and special edition DVDs (not to mention the secret LEGO collection); I don’t want to be a dependent on someone else’s mythos; I want to be the “creator.” Writing, whether creative or academic, is always a risky endeavor. It’s easy to think that I will never be as successful as J.K. Rowling or...James Patterson. And it’s true, of course I won’t be. Yet, as tacky as it may be, we have to work hard to “be ourselves.”<br />
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What does this have to do with the Writing Center? Well, there’s nothing wrong with first imitating our favorites. As I said above, it seems to be a natural instinct. But when you bring a work of writing to the Center, whatever the genre, it’s always more interesting if the world has never seen it before. No one in the world is exactly the same, and each set of life experiences allows us to view the world (first through the eyes, then through the written word). I’m not talking about plagiarism, here; this is much more subtle and pervasive, not to mention frustrating. All writers should certainly acknowledge debt to other writers, even if in the case of an in-joke or dedication. At the same time, a good exercise might be to be aware of the debt which they acknowledge. Janet Burroway calls it “stealing like an artist.” But even the most skilled stealth has its basis in real skill. Simply parroting the life’s work of an intrepid author will hardly give you their renown, especially if you don’t bring your own truth to it. Everyone has a unique truth, as I stated above, but few (myself included) ever seem to capitalize on it by writing. It might be time for us to change that!<br />
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--Peter the Blogcrafter<br />
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Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-10651892283347949782015-09-29T07:24:00.000-07:002015-09-29T07:24:08.473-07:00Staving Off Laziness In Academic Writing: A Four-Part Rehab ProgramPure, plain, and inexcusable laziness is undoubtedly among the greatest challenges that I face as an academic writer. I love writing witty little poems, or profound commentary, but when it comes to writing an academic paper with research and sources and deliberation, I find an unnecessary burden. Unnecessary, because my primary obstacle is laziness. This laziness is closely linked with the intimidation that I feel when reading over an essay prompt for the first time. Of course, my perennial procrastination compounds this effect of feeling that I am not able to devote enough time and effort to an academic paper, and the rest, as they say, is history. As much as the Writing Center would like to encourage people to bring in any writing, be it fiction, nonfiction, or a scribbled itinerary for some obscure purpose, chances are that most students will be visiting for help on academic papers. This is the stuff that many don’t want to do, which of course means that it’s the stuff that makes you seem famous and intelligent. At any rate, what follows is a list of combating laziness and apathy when it comes to personal writing. Here are my personal tips, and believe me, I’m going to need to use them, myself; I have a thesis due at the end of the semester, and it’s kind of a big deal.<br />
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1. Start writing. There’s a very good essay by Anne Lamott called “Shitty First Drafts,” which expounds upon the cathartic experience of writing, well, shitty first drafts. Say that: A.) you have a thesis, or B.) you are writing an exploratory essay and don’t need a thesis yet, or C.) you have no idea what the hell you’re writing, Just get words onto paper. It doesn’t matter how bad they are, which is a good thing, because they will be bad. Mine are bad. Everyone’s are bad. But "It’s the job that's never started as takes longest to finish, as my gaffer used to say,” said Sam Gamgee. To paraphrase another geeky pop culture character, "Do. There is no do not."<br />
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2. Once more unto the databases, dear friends! Look for sources. Complete an extensive search of surrounding systems. Do not give up until you have found enough scholarly and popular information to fill a few tomes. You don’t have to use it all, nor read it all in full, but if you can avoid piling research near a project’s deadline, you will be doing yourself a favor. This might seem obvious: don’t procrastinate, but instead it is about having the willpower to start writing, to start searching, etc.<br />
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3. Once more unto the beach, dear friends! Relax, everyone! Another way of saying this, other than paraphrasing Henry V for the second time in a row would be that old expression, “Work hard, play hard.” Not necessarily a chronological next step after research, devoting time to leisure is a necessary respite from the difficulties of the project. The only problem is that relaxation can be addictive, and you need to make sure that you return to the task at hand. Which brings me to my next point…<br />
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4. Putting it all together Synthesis, which is my unofficial term for the coherent compilation and combination of research and one’s own opinion, is possibly the most difficult part of writing an essay. It’s not as though this is the absolute last stage of journey; writing is, of course, always an ongoing process. At the same time, this is the time when laziness is the most devious in its effort to infiltrate one’s consciousness. The best way to stave it off, for me, is to take pride in my work and find personal meaning and worth in each assignment. Once you actually have a connection to your writing, you will find that it isn’t just you giving up a weekend to write about something. Instead you are going to be enjoying what you are doing and making your time, and your writing, far more meaningful.<br />
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--Peter the Blogcrafter<br />
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<br />Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-79940250202938708612015-09-28T11:28:00.000-07:002015-09-28T11:28:07.239-07:00Writing Contest!<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="background: white; color: red; font-family: Jokerman; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Narkisim; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And the sound was coming from the basement.”</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-weight: normal;">Yes! It’s
that time again! Welcome back to Roosevelt University’s Writing Center’s
semiannual writing contest. The season: Halloweeeeeen [read in spooky
voice]! The theme: we decided (well, actually, Hillary decided,
brilliantly, and then we all voted on it) that you can pick the the theme.
All you have to do is incorporate the blood-red, bolded sentence above as
the closing of your story. It can be fiction, poetry, or even--but
hopefully not--a true story! The rules are yours, as long as you pay heed
to the ominous portent stated above. Last spring we had a rather meager
number of submissions. This is supposed to be fun, people! Write
for a chance to win an amazing gift card, and if you don’t win, you will
probably have just as much fun becoming a better and more creative writer (and
eating pizza at our party). In addition, for the first and last time
ever, there will be free <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> Pez dispensers
for the first eight entrants. Would you rather have Gimli than Gollum?
Then enter soon, but take heed that haste does not inhibit your
storytelling craft. This is it, people! I, for one, am psyched!
I might even have to enter, myself!</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bloodchillingly
yours,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Peter</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-73110227295635518552015-09-17T10:37:00.001-07:002015-09-21T10:11:13.987-07:00Bad thoughts<h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">There’s not a wrong thought in
the Writing Center. You may disagree. You may only want people to
see things your way. Let’s be honest; we all want that. But the
fact is that not everyone is going to agree all the time, even at a “social
justice institution.” A feminist, an anarchist, and libertarian walk into
a bar. They wonder why they start fighting. “We all want equality,”
says the feminist. “Equality as law is reprehensible, and I won’t have
it,” says the anarchist. “You can both have whatever you want,” says the
libertarian, “but as for me, I’m going to have another drink.” We’ve all
heard this one before (or not), and we know it won’t end well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In our lack of agreement, we
begin to realize that the other side helps us either to see more clearly the
flaws in our convictions, or else to strengthen our initial beliefs. Not
many people are afraid of sharing ideas (at least I hope not), but I think some
people are afraid of being </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">“corrected” </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">by the powers that be. Honestly, though, we’re not powers,
we’re students. Hopefully we’re diligent and thoughtful students, but we
don’t have the right or intent to down-vote your opinions. From a purely
selfish standpoint, we want to be inspired, provoked, and intellectually
challenged. Rather more altruistically, we want you to be able to express
what you’re believing in the <i>STRONGEST WAY POSSIBLE</i>.
There’s nothing worse than a good idea imprecisely expressed, or we’ll be
like:</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="280px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Td9dajaqo1AqaYOZOOQZ4147q_6IhJqxhrPdPgi2Pyz55Zs2yCEdyaGreotHyHqFZYIDzQsh4F8Pb5Mhv96c03bqMndqlItUkg9-knJse6V2EKH7jqpc7OdegSzmwGJM4sc-UJQ" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="280px;" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Remember: Keeping an audience is just as important as gaining one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-39971920444962670832015-09-10T10:23:00.001-07:002015-09-29T07:27:26.691-07:00Welcome back!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome back for a new semester! It’s been a fairly quiet year on the blog the Roosevelt University Writing Center, but we’ll try to keep the posts coming frequently and insightfully from here on out. The Writing Center opened for student tutoring on Tuesday, September 8, but you knew that from the notice on our door. Time for something more interesting! You may have heard several times about why you should visit the Writing Center, but do you really believe it? If you do, likely you have been here at least once, whether for extra credit for English 102, or for fine-tuning a speech to present at a symposium. Or perhaps there was that impending final research paper gnawing at your peace of mind, or maybe you just wanted advice on a short story you’ve been writing for potential future use. Whatever your purpose, we’re here to help. Okay, that wasn’t so interesting, either. It’s true, important, and holds the potential to great future fun and success, but nobody likes a pedagogue, which is not our intent in tutoring sessions or on the blog. Nope. You know what will be </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">really</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> interesting? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">writing.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cd51e017-b845-6c45-063b-c61590dcbc26" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s write--(sorry, couldn’t resist)--your paper will be better if you come here. This is a big claim to make, so let us append some fine print, which would be advantageous to read:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even if you have the best paper in the world, which is subjectively quite possible, it will </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">still</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> be better for visiting the Writing Center. We can’t guarantee you an A, it’s true. We also are not infallible; we are not Gods, and we do our best not to pass judgment on papers.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="425px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/xMFGKBj87KF3gpV7KKgozwT_IC42cF8vF3ImdAes91WJQLlM42yQW7_kZnQhfiEvgvApPRZ1THBtHkb-IsoWiM8znSvOKky4easBUaPVa6c36dNRxX-mD6kSMb6ivMpVyLVFr1g" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="425px;" /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">can </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">promise you is a dialogue. You may totally disagree with us, and that’s fine. But hopefully we won’t give you any outright statement of opinionated rubbish with which to disagree! Regardless, this dialogue is like any other conversation; you will learn many things, whether because of a tutor’s advice or in spite of it. In other words, you may gain keen, self-discovered inspiration based on a tutor’s comments--and wouldn’t that be just lovely? On the other hand, our criticism (the nice kind) might lead to a strengthening conviction that you were right all along. And that, my friends, is what the Writing Center is (somewhat) all about.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TO BE CONTINUED...</span></div>
Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-72002794783072246912015-09-08T05:07:00.001-07:002015-09-08T05:09:34.070-07:00Back in business (in two hours!)"Welcome, welcome, to another year at Hogwarts!" Oh, wait, wrong reality.<br />
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Well, folks, the Roosevelt University Writing Center Blog is active once again, and nary* a moment too soon, for we open at 9 AM today, Tuesday, September 8, 2015! So bring your friends, bring your writing, and bring your eagerness to think creatively, as a great, new semester of writing commences!<br />
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Note that our hours have changed since last semester; they are now:<br />
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Monday: 9 AM-2 PM<br />
Tuesday: 9 AM-2 PM<br />
Wednesday: 11 AM-4 PM<br />
Thursday: 11 AM-4 PM<br />
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See you soon!<br />
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*We can't really recommend that you use the word "nary" in your essays. It does have a nice, informal ring to it, though...<br />
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--The Writing Center TutorsRoosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-46397644588178066742015-03-06T11:20:00.002-08:002015-03-06T11:21:18.155-08:00What's Your Spirit Animal?As the name of the post suggests, the Writing Center Staff Tutors asked a really hard-hitting and serious question regarding the kind of animal each tutor identified with based on the animal's characteristics and their own in terms of similarities. It was a very fun and thoughtful way to pass the time when it gets <strike>lonely</strike> quiet around here!<br />
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If I can recall, it all started between Lead Tutor Jenni writing each of Staff Tutor Hillary's top 5 characteristics on the chalkboard. Hillary described herself as... It then boiled down to an elephant and horse to which Hillary decided horse because... horses are cool, I guess.<br />
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Soon, each available Staff Tutor joined in afterwards. Some of the ones I remembered was: Greg was a two-toed sloth (even though most of us thought he'd be a Labrador by just how cheerful he is), Talea was between an ostrich, because her sense of humor and silliness is a lot like how an ostrich looks, and a giraffe. I was a "rabbit riding a parakeet" only because we couldn't decide if I were a rabbit or a parakeet.<br />
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The only parameters were it had to be an animal in our world so sadly, unicorns weren't allowed. But if you wanted to be one so bad, you could always choose a narwhal, the unicorn of the sea.Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-26864093099629402162015-02-05T11:32:00.000-08:002015-02-05T11:33:53.447-08:00 ;)In a time where our lives have become inherently intertwined with technology, have our romantic relationships altered as well? Will we get engaged via text? Fall in love with the voice in our phone? Marry our tablet? The story is up to you!<br />
Announcing our Spring Flash Fiction Contest: A Digital Age Love Story<br />
750 words or less, the rest is up to you!<br />
Due by noon on February 23rd by email (writingcenter@roosevelt.edu) or in person at AUD 442.<br />
The winner will be announced on February 26th at our Flash Fiction Party in the Writing Center. The winner's story will be published on our blog and the writer will receive a gift certificate as their prize.<br />
<br />Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-63121311500245961392014-12-02T11:20:00.001-08:002014-12-02T11:21:54.946-08:00Our Favorite Revision Strategies <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With deadlines fast approaching and drafts piling up, we thought it may be nice to share a few of our favorite revision strategies to help you out in the home stretch to the end of the semester.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lead tutor Jenni suggests a strategy of to determine the clarity of your topic to your audience.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Here is a revision strategy which has helped me clean up and refocus many papers. After completing a first draft, print out two copies of your paper. Take one copy, and in the margins identify the topic of each paragraph. Limit yourself to no more than three words. Ask yourself what each paragraph is really about, and jot it down. When you get to the end of your paper, go ahead and put those pages away and forget about them for the time being. Retrieve that second copy of your paper; the copy you have not jotted notes on. Hand it to a peer. Without mentioning how you’ve already done this yourself on another copy, ask your peer to read and then write in the margin next to each paragraph what they think is the topic of that paragraph. After your peer has finished, bring your copy with your notes back out. Compare papers and notes. Have a conversation about what you each came up with and why. Do you and your peer agree on what each paragraph is really about? If not, think and talk about how this miscommunication could have happened. What specifically on the page is sending mixed signals?”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Staff tutor Hillary describes a simple fix for voice and sentence clarity.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“One of the easiest and most effective ways to revise your paper is to read it aloud. Read the paper out loud, and pay attention to spots you stumble on. I find that these trouble areas usually just need a quick flip or maybe a different word choice to make them flow better. If possible, have a friend read along silently--You’d be surprised how often you will actually auto-correct your own typed words when you are speaking them. Often you will say something clearer than you typed it, and BAM!, your brain did the revision for you. This is a tool we often use in the Writing Center, and it can really help smooth out the voice in your writing without much effort.”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lead Tutor, Dan, has a bit of a different spin on reading your paper aloud, which he calls the “Richard Nixon.”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Once I've written my paper, I like to read my paper aloud using a character voice, my favorite being Richard Nixon. Because I am focusing so much on the character voice, I remove myself from my own speech patterns and can find any trouble spots in the paper”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We hope these few suggestions help in your revision process!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please note the the Writing Center is OPEN Monday and Tuesday 9-5 and Wednesday 9-Noon during Finals week! Visit <a href="http://roosevelt.edu/WritingCenter" target="_blank">our webpage</a> to make an appointment!</span></div>
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Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-61239160320470425072014-11-14T16:55:00.002-08:002014-11-14T16:55:59.048-08:002014 Halloween Flash Fiction Contest Runner Up Entry<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
Hope you enjoyed the <a href="http://ruwriting.blogspot.com/2014/11/2014-halloween-flash-fiction-contest.html">winning submission by Peter Saunders</a>.</div>
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We also want to congratulate our (very close) runner-up, Jason Witherow! Enjoy!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maniac Inferno</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My husband’s fire crew responded to an explosion at the gas station. The smoke was so dense it blots out the sun. The fire has been burning for hours; I hope Frank is ok. I pace the kitchen hoping nothing has gone wrong. I hear the front door slam shut. I walk over to see Frank in his fire gear holding an axe and covered with blood. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sweetie, what hap-“</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No time, grab my gun.” Frank says</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Confused, I tilt my head, and stare at him. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now” Frank says.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I rush to the bedroom and grab Frank’s pistol from the safe, and give it to him. He nods, and hands me his axe, covered in chunks of red flesh. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Frank, tell me what is going on?” I ask.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A group of people went crazy and blew the gas station up. They waited for us to come and started attacking anyone who was there,” Frank says.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Terrorists attacked us?” I ask.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not terrorists. They were something different. They were crazy, cackling, their eyes black. One of them smeared their blood on a cops face, and then he was cackling too. The cop pulled out his gun and started shooting into the crowd.” Frank says as he barricades the front door. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What,” I ask, sure this is a joke.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They went crazy. They are savages; I don’t know how to tell you. Don’t open the door for anyone, if they come in, kill them.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re saying that people are becoming black eyed homicidal maniacs when some crazy person smears blood in their face, Frank?” I ask.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes Honey, they got Steve too. He came at me.” Frank says, his hands shaking. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Frank, I need you to sit down” I say, while I reach for the phone to call 911.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I dial EMS and I get a busy signal. I hang up and start to worry. I hear a knocking sound at the front door. Frank runs to the barricade and we hear talking.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Frankie Boy, we saw what you did to Steve. We came to see how you were holding up” the voice from behind the door says chuckling.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Frank quietly walks towards me and puts one finger in front of his mouth. I tighten my grip on the axe. The man on the other side starts whacking the front door, and it breaks in two; I see the man and scream. His face has a bloody hand print, and a wide smile that makes his pitch black eyes seem demonic. He hops over the barricading table and points to Frank. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’ve been a bad bo-“</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Frank shoots him in the chest. The man falls to the floor giggling, trying to catch his breath. Two other men come in through the window. Frank shoots them both. One in the head, and the other in the arm. The wounded man tackles Frank and grabs his throat. I run over and plunge the axe into the top of the maniac’s skull. He goes limp on top of Frank. He pushes the body over, and wipes blood off his face. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you ok sweetie?” I ask him</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-13b5eb4a-ab27-06b7-7dd9-d6efc6dca5ce"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His hand moves away from his face and I see a wide smile, and black eyes look back at me. “Yes sweetheart, I’m fine.” He answers, staring at his gun, cackling.</span></div>
Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-69932012874437008362014-11-06T11:58:00.001-08:002014-11-09T11:29:47.261-08:002014 Halloween Flash Fiction Contest Winner: How to Survive an Apocalypse<span id="docs-internal-guid-bfdb17fa-86a9-5ad5-2afb-026e4e79aaa0"></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-bfdb17fa-86a9-5ad5-2afb-026e4e79aaa0"><span id="docs-internal-guid-bfdb17fa-86ac-5f35-4bca-ae3c07bddd35"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOW TO SURVIVE AN APOCALYPSE</span><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="line-height: 11.5px; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Peter Saunders</span></span></div>
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<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A parade of Four Horsemen? a slicing scythe?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is this how we are to meet our dooms?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Devil himself come to claim his tithe?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Clouds of chemicals shaped like mushrooms?</span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-bfdb17fa-86aa-49ae-4017-cba3796fa189" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is this how we are to meet our dooms?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The test of the Antichrist, or a common blight?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Clouds of chemicals shaped like mushrooms?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A conclave of witches on Walpurgis Night?</span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The test of the Antichrist, or a common blight?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone suffering would die to find out</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A conclave of witches on Walpurgis Night?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Superstition blooms from seeds sown by doubt</span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone suffering would die to find out</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exactly why we endure this trial</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Superstition blooms from seeds sown by doubt</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope springs eternal from those in denial</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exactly why we endure this trial</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">None can tell with a definite answer</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope springs eternal from those in denial</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We must make the best of this ravaging cancer</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">None can tell with a definite answer</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we are learning by suffering so</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We must make the best of this ravaging cancer</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That drives us to madness, confusion, and woe</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we are learning by suffering so</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Infected with plague that kills in the gloom</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That drives us to madness, confusion, and woe</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We know not, nor even dare to presume</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Infected with plague that kills in the gloom</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we sit in our waiting rooms unto the gloam</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We know not, nor even dare to presume</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where our late family and friends go to roam</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we sit in our waiting rooms unto the gloam</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now I ask you: do you still persevere?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where our late family and friends go to roam</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You, too, may yet follow, for our ends are near</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now I ask you: do you still persevere?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do spectres of dead ones haunt your waking dreams?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You too, may yet follow, for our ends are near</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Already, I see you unravel at the seams</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do spectres of dead ones haunt your waking dreams?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Greed turns neighbors into mortal foes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Already, I see you unravel at the seams</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Reaper rejoices, here and there he goes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Greed turns neighbors into mortal foes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As buildings collapse, as hate is rebuilt</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Reaper rejoices, here and there he goes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wilting our will and compounding our guilt</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As buildings collapse, as hate is rebuilt</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We run from the world but cannot escape</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wilting our will and compounding our guilt</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is the ruin of our future that begins to take shape</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We run from our world but cannot escape</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But worse than pandemic or mortal decay</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is the ruin of our future that begins to take shape</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rotting by night, reeking by day</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But worse than pandemic or mortal decay</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is the shameless greed that drives our deeds</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rotting by night, reeking by day</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We reap what was sown by those seductive seeds</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is the shameless greed that drives our deeds</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peculiar to shortcomings of the human race?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We reap what was sown by those seductive seeds</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do we truly deserve such a low, vulgar place?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peculiar to shortcomings of the human race?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is this what it’s come to at last?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do we truly deserve such a low, vulgar place?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Must we die in a penitent blast?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is this what it’s come to at last?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alas, we find that we don’t mind</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Must we die in a penitent blast?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our fates have long since been thus resigned</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alas, we find that we don’t mind</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As prejudice fuels war like books on a fire</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our fates have long since been thus resigned</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dripping with oil, we recline on the pyre</span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As prejudice fuels war like books in a fire</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the splinter of winter deeper delves</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dripping with oil, we recline on the pyre</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DID WE BRING THIS UPON OURSELVES?</span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the splinter of winter deeper delves</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As you read these words with your dying breath</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DID WE BRING THIS UPON OURSELVES?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This question compels you in the shadow of Death</span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As you read these words with your dying breath</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope you find these useful tips</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This question compels you in the shadow of Death:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOW DO YOU SURVIVE AN APOCALYPSE?</span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope you find these useful tips</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When provisions of food and water are scant</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOW DO YOU SURVIVE AN APOCALYPSE?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The answer is tragically simply: you can't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-bfdb17fa-86ab-b98c-2bc9-2de870c91e00"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 1</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> N.b. Results </span></span><span style="font-size: 13px; text-decoration: line-through; vertical-align: baseline;">may</span><span style="font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"> will vary drastically.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">Congratulations, Peter! Check back next week for the runner up!</span></span></div>
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</span>Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-8295403127519944702014-10-27T09:46:00.003-07:002014-10-27T09:48:33.072-07:00All New Online Tutoring Experience!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwm4kkap-9j7X0lbdhBewSKFKZcO0JP7qdTfgblKLKpUOTh4NB_aeIVF2iBtZEUSyuQjUgw_NcMEJ3W72pbzA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
Look out, Roosevelt Students! The Writing Center is taking its unique peer tutoring experience into the boundless space of the Interwebs!<br />
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Now, you can "come in" to the Writing Center from the Schaumburg Campus Library, or even the comfort of your own home. (Please, though, no PJs in the video chat. We like to keep things professional.)<br />
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This video will give you instructions for logging on and sharing your work with our tutors through the magic of Google hangouts. You can still make an appointment by calling our front desk at (312)341-2206, via email at writingcenter@roosevelt.edu, or online at www.roosevelt.edu/writingcenter. Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-60392360007121615802014-10-21T11:01:00.003-07:002014-10-21T11:01:26.575-07:00Outlining: A Necessary Evil<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So you have your assignment sheet. You sit down in front of your laptop with a cup of coffee and a bag of cheetos (the lunch of champions) and begin to write. Suddenly you realize it’s three hours later, your caffeine buzz has passed, your cheetos are gone, and all you have on the page are a few scrawled, disjointed sentences. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The two most common problems I see walk into the writing center are lack of organization and simply not knowing where to start! Both of these problems can almost always be solved by outlining.</span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know...ewww, right?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Most of us think of outlines as that stupid step we had to complete in third grade when we were all a bit too distracted to stay on topic. (Shiny?!) Outlining has been pushed aside as unnecessary and tedious, but I have come to realize in working with my students and peers that it is often THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP of the compositional process.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Think of it this way (which your elementary teacher may have once mentioned to you, as well):</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything needs a base on which to build. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A house needs a foundation, otherwise it will be unstable. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A bridge needs keystone or it will collapse. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A grilled cheese needs bread, otherwise you’ll burn your tongue licking melted cheese out of a hot pan. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AND an essay needs a frame on which to be built, which is an outline!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> An outline provides organization and structure to your thoughts, and can often helped the “blocked” writer get their ideas out of their head and onto the paper. So how do you begin? Outlining is kind of a personal process, but there are a few options we can explore to help you get started.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In some cases, you may already have a thesis, or the idea you are trying to argue or prove. Start with that thought and begin compiling points to support it. These ideas will most likely be general items which continue your investigation of the main topic. The most important thing at this point is to list different ideas you would like to explore about your main idea. For example:</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main Idea: Pasta is the best food.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Support point 1: Pasta is popular.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Support Point 2: Pasta is a staple in many cultures. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Support Point 3: Pasta is nutritional.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Do not worry if these points are “in order.” As you begin to find support, you can find a way to naturally progress through your ideas and organize them in the most logical order. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you have no idea what your main idea/thesis will be, or if your paper is more exploratory than argumentative, just start writing down some ideas. If you have read some sources start there and write about parts that struck you, ideas you found interesting, or places you had questions about. Often just getting your ideas out on the page will help you see a common theme that will become the overarching topic of your paper. One of our tutors suggests writing important passages or points on note cards and separating them by theme into piles. If you have all your notes on one page, go through and highlight similar ideas in different colors. Don’t be afraid to try different methods of organization--there are many paths to an outline. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you cannot wait to start writing, just </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">start</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> writing. Once you have these rough draft paragraphs out, take a moment and read through them. Try to determine your main idea, and then arrange the paragraphs so that they logically flow from one idea to another, essentially creating an outline with your paragraphs. (Don’t worry about the flow too much at this point. You can always refine, add details and transitions later in the drafting process).</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Once you have the framework of the paper you can begin finding support for each point you have made. Find sources or even specific quotes that back up the topic of that paragraph and the main idea of the paper as a whole. To expand upon our original outline:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main Idea: Pasta is the best food.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Support point 1: Pasta is popular.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Oxfam reported statistics listing pasta as the favorite food across several different countries.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Sedghi, Amy. (22 July 2011). </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What’s your Favorite Food?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Guardian,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><</span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/jun/22/global-top-foods-list-by-country" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/jun/22/global-top-foods-list-by-country</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">>.)</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Support Point 2: Pasta is a staple in many cultures. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Italian culture, Asian culture, even Western Culture (German Spaetzle)...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Support Point 3: Pasta is nutritional.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Low Fat</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Carbs are part of a balanced diet according to FDA food pyramid</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Certain brands of pasta adding nutrients and fiber to recipe</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">**Notice that each bullet point listed supports the paragraph topic, and also helps to prove my main argument.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Now you can work to expand and refine your organized ideas into a fully formed essay! </span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Hopefully the task of writing your paper (or at least organizing your paper) seems a little less daunting now. Remember: Writing is a process, and organization is key to constructing a strong paper. No matter which method you choose to use, or if you find another way that works better for you, outlining, in all its forms, sets you up for success. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Hillary E. </span>Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-30293039266200718772014-10-08T17:22:00.002-07:002014-10-08T17:22:27.431-07:00Four Word Misuses That Are Ruining Your Essays<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.295; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whether it’s due to an impending deadline or a simple misunderstanding, students, and writers at large, are guilty of misusing words in their papers. Revealing that you don’t understand a word can significantly cut down on your reliability and credibility. While we can’t cover every word you’ll ever write, here are the Writing Center’s five most commonly misused words that you won’t have to worry about anymore.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <b> Affect/Effect</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Distinguishing between these two words has been a plague to students since their first five-paragraph essay. This mistake can result from a simple misspelling or a misunderstanding. Here’s a simple breakdown of the difference between affect and effect.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Affect</b>: This is a verb and represents an action.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Correct Use: Earthquake victims are affected by the lack of aid.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Effect</b>: This is a noun and represent the result of an action .</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Correct Use: The effect of the hurricane was mass destruction.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Perturb/Disturb</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is very little difference between these two words. They are basically synonyms except for the difference in where the feeling originates.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Perturb</b>: An internal disquiet that <u style="font-weight: normal;">comes from within</u> a person (i.e. the person’s own thoughts and perceptions) without any external cause.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Correct Use: Jenni was pondering the idea of cold-blooded murder which perturbed her.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="text-decoration: none;">Disturb</b>: An internal disquiet inside a person that is <u>a reaction to an external source.</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Correct Use: Jenni watched a horror movie last night and she was deeply disturbed.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Provocative/Evocative</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This word relationship is exactly like that of perturbed and disturbed. The difference is in the origin.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Provocative</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: This is something that creates</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>physical, external reaction</u> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(facial expression, speech, or action).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Correct Use: The provocative theatre performance caused many in the audience to cry and applaud.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Evocative</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: This is something that cause</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">s</span><u><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">emotions or images within</span></u><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a person</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Correct Use: The evocative writing in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grapes of Wrath</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> illustrates the lost hope of the American dream.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Amount/ Number</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This distinction is also very slim and, in all honesty, is probably an error that is not taken too seriously. However, you can use this trick if you don’t want to take the chance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="text-decoration: none;">Amount</b>: This word is used for quantities that are<u> measured as a whole</u>, as one group.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Correct Use: The amount of plagiary in Elliot’s paper was inexcusable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Note: Elliot committed multiple acts of plagiarism. However, all those acts are grouped together in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">one large act</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of plagiary in this paper</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Number</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: This word is used for items that can be counted</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>individually</u></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">even though they are in a group.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Correct Use: The number of people in the elevator increased during the lunch hour.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Note: Each person in the elevator is representative an individual. These people are not being morphed into one huge person in the elevator, therefore, they retain their individuality with the use of the word “number,” which implies that you can count the individual bodies.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Talea Hughes</span></span>Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-64872939542753896782014-09-23T12:49:00.000-07:002014-09-23T13:06:14.379-07:00RU Writing Center Special Edition: MYTH-BUSTERS, Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome to the (first!) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Myth-Busters</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> edition of the RUWriting Blog where we will take on common ideas and misconceptions about the Writing Center and either </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CONFIRM </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BUST</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> them!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our first myth:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The writing center is only for students who don’t know how to write. If I’m a good writer, I won’t get anything out of a session”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finding: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BUSTED</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Explanation: The writing center is for everyone! The staff here works hard to cater to the needs of each specific student, so whether you feel like you can’t string a sentence together or like prose falls from your pen with the ease of a dolphin swimming, we can help you to become the best writer you can be. Whatever stage you are in (brainstorming, outline, first or final draft) we do our best to help you work towards consistency and a high level of quality in your writing. We can help with any concern you may have from outlines to quote sandwiches (It’s tastier than you think!) Coming in to the writing Center doesn’t mean you do not know how to write. Coming here means you are striving to be a better writer. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Myth #2:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Using the writing center is cheating, because the tutors will write the paper for you.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finding: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BUSTED</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Explanation: The tutors here will not write the paper for you. (Sorry to those of you who just got really excited). We are trained to help you find your voice in your writing. While teachers may scribble over your paper in red ink, we do our best to focus on larger issues we believe will help the student in the long run. We prefer to sit and talk to you about your writing, the topic of your assignment and about the ideas you are trying to articulate in your paper. You’ll probably hear the phrase, “WRITE THAT DOWN!” more than one time in a session, and that is because we want you to compose clearly in YOUR OWN VOICE, not ours. We find that letting students take ownership of their writing, even as simple as writing down corrections or additions, allows them a better understanding for future pieces than merely “correcting” a paper for them. All of the writing is yours, we just try to bring it out of you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Myth #3:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We cannot guarantee you an A on your paper”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finding: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Oswald; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CONFIRMED</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Explanation: We never guarantee a grade for a paper we have worked on, because, quite honestly, that’s not our goal. We want to help you become the writer YOU want to be. Your goal may be to become an “A” writer or it may just be to understand how to write an outline. Regardless, these things take time, and a lot of it depends on the student. As we stated before, we cater our sessions to the writer and try to focus on what we see as a few overarching topics we can work on for that piece. If the student continues to come in, for that piece or another, we can continue to refine the work as the student progresses. Writing, like most things, is a skill that relies on progress. If you want to put the work in, most likely, you will reach your goal, and we will very happily help you each step of the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Hillary E. </span>Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-79382282429342885132014-09-09T12:03:00.000-07:002014-09-23T13:05:52.882-07:00Welcome!<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Welcome new students of Roosevelt University and welcome back to those </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">returning! It is a new school year full of challenges and promise. I hope </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">that all of you have enjoyed your summers and are invigorated to start </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">afresh this semester. I know I am, and I thought I’d share a bit of my </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">story here. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am a native Chicagoan, but have spent the last eight years studying, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">working and performing in New York. To say that I planned for my life to </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">lead me back here would be a lie, but sometimes…most of the time…plans </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">don’t always work out the way we envisioned them. I went to New York </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">excited to leave my suburban past behind to take on the Big Apple with all </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">my heart, and I fully expected my career to take off so I could spend the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">rest of my life happily flitting about Manhattan getting paid to do what I </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">love. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">So, yeah…that didn’t happen. And now that I look back on it, I wonder how I </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">even expected that it would. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of that did happen, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">and those years were some the most transformative of my life so far. But, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">as is often the case, I came to find one day that I had led myself to a </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">dead end. I was singing well, but not where I wanted to. I was performing, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">but not getting paid, and while the people I knew were lovely, they did not </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">have the connections I needed to get me a step further than I had already </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">gotten. Oh, and I was working over 40 hours a week, singing in the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">evenings, and I was living way beyond my means. Something needed to change. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">And I chose to initiate that change. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Chicago was a place to rebuild-- my childhood home, my native city, with my </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">family and friends to support me while I regrouped. (Not to mention that </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">it is much cheaper than NYC!) So here I am, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">adjusting from being a 9-to-5 employee and an aspiring opera singer to </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">being a student again. It is not easy—there have </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">been many tears, and many times when I just wish I was back living on my </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">own and working, but I know that to attain my dream, to live the life I </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">want to live, I need to be here. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Roosevelt has opened its arms to me and has certainly made the transition </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">easier. The people and the general vibe of the place is warm and friendly. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I couldn’t have asked for a more inviting school to come into, and it is my </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">hope that you feel the same. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I know each of you has his/her own story. We have all come here for different </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">reasons and are at different points in our academic careers and our life </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">at large, but we are all part of the Roosevelt community. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">In that spirit, I want to invite every single student, faculty member, or </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">alum who reads this to the Writing Center. I’ve only been here a few </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">days, but this is a micro-community within Roosevelt that embodies the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">warmth and kindness of the school around us. We are here to help </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">you—whether you need help refining your thesis, getting your ideas onto </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">paper, or coming up with ideas, period. WE ARE HERE. This is a place for </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">anyone who needs ANY sort of help on their writing. It is not a place to </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">be judged, but a place of collaboration so that you can articulate your ideas </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">to the best of your ability. I stress that whatever you are writing, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">academic or not, is fine to bring in. We all are adjusting, moving though, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">or soldiering on through this portion of our lives. Why not use the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">resources available to you to make your journey a little easier? So, stop </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">by sometime, and we can help you make this time at Roosevelt as fulfilling </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">as possible!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">All the best,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hillary E</span></div>
<br />Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-84697384729416633652014-02-06T11:37:00.001-08:002014-02-06T11:37:25.901-08:00Gothic Romance Flash Fiction Contest Deadline Tomorrow, Feb. 7th!<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">Hey everyone, how are the gothic romance stories coming? Just a reminder that the deadline is tomorrow, Feb. 7th! Yikes, better get writing. If you want any help please stop by the Writing Center @ AUD 442.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">GOTHIC ROMANCE*</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">FLASH-FICTION COMPETITION</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">‘Tis the season for cheesy love stories. If you're as tired of reading them as we</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">are, write your own gothic love story.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">Deadline: Friday, February 7, 2014</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">Requirement: No more than 750 words</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">How to Submit: Bring a copy of your story to AUD 442 or Email it as a “doc” file to</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">Writingcenter@roosevelt.edu</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">The winning entry will be announced at the Writing Cen</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">ter's Valentine's Party on<br />Thursday, February 13th in room 442 at 5:00. The winning story will be published on the<br />Writing Center blog and the winner will also receive a gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.<br />*A gothic romance usually involves the supernatural, is heavily tinged with horror, and deals with real<br />human angst and emotion. Examples of gothic romances include Dracula, The Phantom of the Opera,<br />“A Rose for Emily,” Psycho, and The Castle of Otranto.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-1551898869819466492013-10-30T12:52:00.003-07:002013-10-30T12:52:47.061-07:00Flash-Fiction Contest WinnersThe Writing Center's Flash-Fiction Contest was quite a success! We are pleased to announce the first place winner James Yates for his piece, "The Gentlemen." Ryan Johnson's piece, "Incredulous," placed second. Yates and Johnson read their winning works at the Writing Center's annual Halloween party. You can read their stellar and spooky submissions below. <br />
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“<span style="font-style: normal;">The
Gentleman”</span></div>
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<i> </i><span style="font-style: normal;">Call
me old-fashioned, that's fine. I grew up in a time when women were
treated with respect. Today, they are self-sufficient, and I'm not
saying it's a bad thing. Just don't blame me for being set in my
ways. You of all people should know me, Edmund.</span></div>
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How did this happen, you ask? I was walking to the cafe down the
block. Every Tuesday evening, I put on my good suit and my wingtips
and go get enjoy some cups of coffee and a danish. It's soothing. The
waitstaff is lovely. They compliment my ties and treat me with
dignity, not like some befuddled old fool.
</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I walked down by the alley and heard some yelling. This young punk,
tattoos and a Mohawk, the whole ensemble, was bellowing at this young
lady. It's not my business to pry into other people's activities, but
he grabbed her neck violently. It was just for a second, but I
couldn't help myself. You've seen me change. I've seen you change.
It's not always possible to keep it in check.</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"> My
wings expanded. I flew down the alley and landed behind this
hooligan. My mind went blank. My left hand shook and the claw came
out. I plunged it into the small of his back. It must have been
deeper than I anticipated, because this beautiful young woman got
blood and pieces of stomach all over her white blouse. It was as if
that, that </span><i>delinquent</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
wanted to go out with a final insult. He let out a soft wheeze. The
woman sobbed. I usually don't show this side, but I impaled my fangs
into his neck and shook my jaw. I try to be mild-mannered, you know
that. I just can't abide by young folks with no decency. I sucked the
blood from his body with one deep inhale. If I can withdraw just a
few pints of evil from this city, my awful legacy will not be in
vain. You know how it goes, Edmund.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I retracted my teeth and shoved his body to the ground. I wiped my
mouth and tipped my cap to the belle, who crouched against the wall,
shaking. I took a step in her direction. She looked up at me, her
mouth open, with no sounds escaping from her lungs.
</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It's okay, my love.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a
handkerchief. I gently wiped blood from her cheeks. She never say
anything. She must have been overwhelmed with gratitude. I flapped my
wings and coasted up the side of the building and out into the night.
</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Edmund, I didn't judge when you spit and blinded that gunman with
venom. I lost myself in the screaming mass of people when you flew
away. I know we have to hide these mutations. We do our best to
remain quiet old men. But as this city collapses into itself, we have
no choice but to use these defects as we see fit. I simply had to
defend that woman. If chivalry dies, then so will I.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
James Yates</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
"Incredulous"<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Dada?” Her
dark brown eyes peered up, enveloped by gnarled sleep hair. The
innocent face begged the question.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yeah babe,” he
replied without looking, busy folding laundry.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Milk dripped like
snow flakes falling from the spoon, “I don’t wanna go to school
today.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He stopped,
immediately concerned, “Sarah, what’s the matter?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Her pouty lip
curled, she choked back tears, “I don’t feel good, I couldn’t
sleep.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Honey, I know
that things have been hard with the quick changes. You have to learn
to sleep at Dada’s and Moma’s.” He went back to folding the
laundry. He silently cursed his ex for letting Sarah mix and match
socks for <i>style</i>. He couldn’t find a pair. It was just
perfect that he send her to school looking like a ragamuffin, he
already felt like he was doing a lousy job as a newly single father.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Emphatically, she
shook her head, “Naw-uh. It’s not that. It’s…”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What honey?
Tell me, because you have to get ready for school.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You won’t
believe me,” she said and crossed her skinny arms. “Moma didn’t
believe me either.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He took this as an
opportunity. He would listen and be the savior. “Tell me and I
promise I will listen.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She was hesitant.
She looked around and whispered, “There is a monster in my closet.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He was taking a
drink of coffee and almost spewed it across the room, but he bit his
tongue. The acrid coffee taste met the metallic taste of blood.
“Babe, there are no such things as monsters. We can play pretend
and we can watch movies, but remember they are just people. Like
when Dada is on stage, playing another person.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I know, but
Dada…”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I’m just Dada,
not Butt Dada.” She smiled. He continued, “Finish up or you are
going to be late. I’ll put a flash light by your bed tonight and
then you can see for yourself that there are no such things as
monsters.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
* *</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
-</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next morning,
Sarah dragged her blanket behind her as she walked into the kitchen
rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “Couldn’t sleep huh kiddo?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No. Dada, I saw
it. The monster. He was trying to get into the dresser.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Okay. I tell
you what, if the monster comes again, we are going to catch it.” He
said it with such surety that he almost convinced himself.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Her face lit up,
“Really Dada, you believe me?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He didn’t want to
encourage such fantasies, but he wanted her to feel safe at his new
house. “No one messes with my girl.” He ran over and scooped her
up. “I’m the only monster in this house…the tickle monster.”
She squealed as he mussed her hair, tickled and kissed her neck.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
* *</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
-</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That night, he put
her to bed as normal. He set up a small animal trap, from Home
Depot, right outside of the cracked closet door. “Twenty bucks for
her piece of mind is nothing,” he said to himself as he crawled
into bed. The scrapping metal clap sound jolted him up-right. He
jumped out of bed and ran to her room and flicked the light on.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
With a childish
smudge look, she said, “See Dada, told you.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A ten-inch moldy
green ball of snot was perched on two stick legs. Toothpick arms
grabbed the cage, it looked up, “What are you looking at ugly?”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Did you just
talk?”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yeah, I talk
ugly. Howsabout lettin’ me outta here?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Incredulous, he
shook his head and thought about pinching himself to be certain he
was not still asleep, “What are you doing in my daughters closet?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“My job. I got
kids too,” the gruff voice replied.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Your…”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Job. I steal
socks and take bites outta shirts and undies.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What? Why?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That’s what we
eat in the Dreamland.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That’s really
weird.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The monster crossed
his arms, “Oh yeah and what do you eat judgey?”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Perplexed, he
replied, “Ahh, vegetables, fruit, meat from animals…normal
stuff.” </div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh yeah, gross
muddy animals in their own waste. Food from the ground, disguising.
At least our stuff gets clean in the washing machine.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The debate ensued.
There was going to be no convincing either party. Dad figured out
where all the missing socks went. He agreed to let the monster go,
with bags of fresh socks from the store, if it never came back.
Though Sarah was hoping for it as a pet. The agreement was made and
“hands shook”. Dad always listened to Sarah after that, no
matter how preposterous.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ryan Johnson</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-81480797634305015732013-10-03T13:25:00.001-07:002013-10-03T13:25:15.785-07:00What Life is Like Without Reading Fiction As a biology major, I don't get to read much of anything that doesn't involve science. All the material I read involves scientific fact and science articles and proven hypotheses of science experiments. (I also get to see a ton of equations - I am required to take math up to Calculus II). I can honestly say that it leaves me with a very suppressed feeling; I feel as though I never have time to read or write anything that I <b>want</b> to read. I actually <i>miss</i> writing structured papers with a thesis and body paragraphs, as sad as it sounds. Don't get me wrong, I love what I am doing - organic chemistry is particularly interesting to me - but I feel deprived of creativity without reading.<br />
The last book I read was called <i>Power Failure</i> by Mimi Swartz. It was about the collapse of Enron and all the shady things that the company did. I know that sounds like a total drag but seriously, it's crazy to read about such appalling and true events, and how people could have been so heartless. I would definitely recommend it to people who are looking for a little boost in their economic education.<br />
Though I like educational books, I love a good classic novel. There is so much you can learn from the characters and they have such good stories; some authors have the ability to pull you in and make the main character's struggles<i> your</i> struggles. <i>Jane Eyre</i> and <i>Wuthering Heights </i>are my favorites by far and large; the Bront<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">ë</span> sisters wrote with such eloquence and imagination. I honestly wish we still spoke the way they did back then; I feel like people in general expressed so much more with their words then than we do now.<br />
The main point of all this is that I signed myself up for a class. It's a free class, and there is no consequence if I do not follow through with completing the material. I don't get credit, but I do get a certificate of completion if I do it all. It is a class where we read sci-fi and fantasy novels and write short essays on them. I feel as though if I have an incentive to read, I will definitely make the time for it. I looked at the syllabus and we will be reading <i>Children's and Household Tales</i> by the Grimm Brothers, <i>Frankenstein </i>by Mary Shelley, and <i>Dracula </i>by Bram Stoker. Sadly, I am ridiculously overjoyed at the prospect of reading these novels and having the chance to write about them. It is something I truly miss! Also, the course I am taking is through coursera.org. They have tons of free classes, no catch - you should check it out if you want to branch outside of (or expand your knowledge inside of) your major.<br />
<br />
-BriRoosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-21011255965684544502013-02-14T10:31:00.005-08:002013-02-14T10:31:42.364-08:00What is the most difficult part of writing?<strong><em>What is the most difficult part of writing?</em></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
Without a doubt, getting started is the most difficult thing about writing. Note-taking and outlining are definitely important to the writing process, but sitting down and writing that all important first draft is where the real heavy lifting comes in. Often times, I find that what keeps me from getting started is the anxiety that I don’t know what I’m going to say or even how I feel about the topic, but then I remind myself that it’s <em>because</em> I’m uncertain about a topic that I want to write about it.<br />
<br />
In most Composition and English classes, teachers often focus on what final drafts should look like without taking the time to talk about the process of getting to those final drafts. No one gets it right the first time. No one. Not your fellow students, not your teachers, not even the writers we’ve all had to read in high school and college survey classes. However, if you don’t at least try for a decent first draft, then there can’t be a brilliant final draft.<br />
<br />
First drafts may be laborious, but it’s where the most exploration and insight comes from. It’s your chance to take risks, make mistakes, and make discoveries. First drafts give you a more vivid sense of how you’ll need to organize your essay and the scope of your argument (Is my thesis too broad? Not broad enough?) than an outline; a new argument might open up to you or you might find a gap in your argument that requires more you to do more research or think about your topic different. By the end of it, you’ll be more sure of your thesis or you might throw away the old one and have a new, better, stronger thesis!<br />
<br />
The reason we write isn’t just to bring insight to our readers, but also to make our own discoveries and answer our own questions. First drafts are where those discoveries and answers begin. So, while getting started is the most difficult part of the writing process for me, it’s also the most rewarding.<br />
<br />
--Rich<br />
<br />
Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-45512074932541553152012-10-11T11:28:00.001-07:002012-10-11T11:32:30.566-07:00Writing Center in the Parent Newsletter! <br />
<i>This interview will appear in the next Roosevelt Parent Newsletter!</i><br />
<br />
The Writing Center provides one-on-one peer tutoring to all writers in the university community. The following is a discussion between two tutors at the Roosevelt Writing Center. Eleanor Peck is a senior who has worked in the center for two years and is majoring in Political Science. Mooni Abdus-Salam is also in her fourth year and this her first semester working at the writing center. She is an English major and Hispanic Studies minor.<br />
<br />
Eleanor: Hello Parents! I love working at the writing center because it is great to help students learn how to revise their papers and find their voice within their writing. What’s your favorite part of working here Mooni?<br />
<br />
Mooni: My favorite part is finding out what classes are about through the things that students write. Last week a student came in who was getting her Master’s in Public Administration and she had to write an annotated bibliography which was the precursor to a huge paper she had to write. It was interesting to learn what the teacher expected in graduate level courses and how to cite in a different format. I like working here because I learn as I tutor.<br />
<br />
Eleanor: I agree. I love reading papers from classes I never would have taken, but still find interesting. What I also enjoy about working here is the writing community. I have started to enjoy writing more from working here, because I am surrounded by people who love to write.<br />
<br />
Mooni: Me too! However, I do wish one thing was different. I wish more students realized the writing center isn't just for people who are struggling, but it is for anyone.<br />
<br />
Eleanor: Exactly. Students don’t realize that we tutors get help with our writing all the time. I have learned to accept that revising is part of the writing process.<br />
<br />
Mooni: I also think it is great that we outreach at the writing center. We have two Outreach Programs this year. Tutors and students in certain classes are helping students outside of Roosevelt at both Morrill Elementary School and Jumpstart in the Juvenile Probation Center.<br />
<br />
Eleanor: Awesome. I hope this conversation has helped parents learn more about the writing center. We are here to help five days a week during the school year, and we also have online tutoring that is available in the evenings and on the weekends.Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-67515658608262646942012-09-28T13:36:00.001-07:002012-09-28T13:36:29.980-07:00A Writer's Journey from Detroit to ChicagoMoving from Detroit to Chicago for graduate school has been an experience colored with surprise, familiarity, trepidation and joy. I've been here studying journalism for a little over a month now and I've already seen enough to write a book (on the CTA alone). What has been consistent throughout this month is this unwavering sense of the unseen arranging things on my behalf. Faith has become real to me in new ways. I consider it an Urban Divinity that has transitioned with me from Detroit to Chicago.<br />
I absolutely hated my last job I was working in Michigan and vowed to not apply for or consider any position that I didn't think I'd enjoy or be proud of. Obviously, that limited my application process drastically. The idea of income constantly tried to override that vow, and it loomed in the background of every decision I made. But I chose not to worry about money and to trust things would work out. I chose to have faith.<br />
So now I'm a tutor in RU's Writing Center, a work study job custom-made for Rachel. I love writing and I love helping people, so what better way to spend 12 hours a week than helping people write? This came after I was told I didn't even qualify for federal work study, which I was certain I did. All it took was a visit to Financial Aid and a stern request to have them reevaluate my package. A financial aid advisor realized on the spot the error they made and corrected it. I applied to the work study positions that seemed to suit me and here I am—loving every 50 minute session of peer tutoring.<br />
Besides class work, I spend a good portion of my time volunteering at CPS in the office of Family and Community Engagement. My father mentioned to me before I left Detroit, "Remember, Rachel, volunteering will open doors for the job you want." Again, not an idea supportive of sustainable income. A girl has rent to pay! But what I've learned already by stepping out on this limb has been indispensible. The experience here at CPS is a chance to hone my communications skills, get media-savvy and exercise competence. I have a chance to produce measurable results, learn more about Chicago and help communities improve their local schools. I think a part-time job at Starbucks (or any other company that popularly employees students) would be a loss compared to this. Call me crazy.<br />
Anyhow, I encounter at just the right time exactly what I don't always know I need or want, and not to my own credit. I am a young lady in a big city figuring it out alone, but not alone. <br />
Urban Divinity :)<br />
<br />
Rachel <br />
<br />
Roosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-79713904599802600482012-09-27T13:19:00.002-07:002012-09-27T13:26:07.993-07:00Writer's Block?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINOkZWkGQOOxQatSuNHbBNCA-1bezh9OKpcLSFOEfqiM-0VyXtLyF1IooY7UsQ3mswDEYZ5opzVuZ1Sy6KF8GeAisdjUiH_2EFZofRYpSnHx1kdPV_Sw_dzRC93r3kNIbrdje4K8D/s1600/writer's+block+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINOkZWkGQOOxQatSuNHbBNCA-1bezh9OKpcLSFOEfqiM-0VyXtLyF1IooY7UsQ3mswDEYZ5opzVuZ1Sy6KF8GeAisdjUiH_2EFZofRYpSnHx1kdPV_Sw_dzRC93r3kNIbrdje4K8D/s320/writer's+block+cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Do you have writer’s block? It's ok. Everyone gets stuck. It’s perfectly normal to feel anxiety, frustration, indifference, irritation, or confusion when writing a paper. So how do we get over these roadblocks of negativity in order to get anything accomplished? What I recommend is taking it slow. Often times we are in such a rush to get a paper finished that we want everything to be perfect immediately. However, it’s easier said than done. <br />
<br />
I used to always get worked up over finishing a paper, but then one day I realized that it wasn’t worth it to stress myself out. Last week while tutoring another student I figured out the simplest solution. Whether you’re writing a narrative paper about your own experiences or an academic paper that requires quotes from at least three sources, you’ll feel much better if you follow this list of simple suggestions:<br />
<br />
<strong>1) Give yourself plenty of time to write your paper.</strong> <br />
Never try and put it together at the last minute. Rushed writing leads to careless mistakes.<br />
<br />
<strong>2) Don’t worry about writing your introduction right then and there.</strong> <br />
Go back and write it after you figure out the rest of the paper.<br />
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<strong>3) Create a list of bullet points that quickly summarize your main ideas beforehand.</strong><br />
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<strong>4) Don’t worry about exactly what you’re trying to say… yet. Just start writing!</strong> <br />
Get it all out there and just go with it. Type out everything you are thinking. Don’t worry about how to organize your thoughts right now.<br />
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<strong>5) Take a break. Maybe you should wait until tomorrow.</strong> <br />
No, don’t feel guilty for watching tv or hanging out on Facebook. You deserve a breather.<br />
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<strong>6) Now that you have fresh eyes for writing, read your paper aloud to yourself.</strong> <br />
Does it sound repetitive? Too detailed? Not detailed enough? Will it make sense to your reader? What needs to be eliminated or added? Where should the next paragraph start?<br />
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<strong>7) After organizing your thoughts, you’re ready to write your introduction and conclusion.</strong><br />
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<strong>8) Take another break. </strong><br />
It’s ok. Walk away.<br />
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<strong>9) Read the finished draft and see if it all makes sense.</strong> <br />
Go back and make final revisions.<br />
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Now you’re done! No pressure and less stress! You took your time, you worked on your paper in small steps, and as a result you’re feeling more confident in your own writing abilities. Try this method and stop by the RU Writing Center to let us know how it worked out for you. <br />
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Fonda Ginsburg<br />
RU Graduate Student and Writing Center TutorRoosevelt University Writing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15096559520775241438noreply@blogger.com86tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492998316261375000.post-71795343521118527612012-02-22T11:01:00.000-08:002012-02-22T11:01:42.770-08:00Writing From Different Backgrounds: Some things to think about!Hello there, Reader,<br />
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If you're a tutor, you have probably had difficult sessions where you might have wished the writer would be more engaged. You may have asked yourself why is it so exhausting and sometimes hopeless in making a good name for writing-- after all, writing is very <i>powerful</i>. However, the real question is: have you thought about how one's background affects how motivated the writer is/will be?<br />
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Knowing how diversified the demographic in colleges tend to be it is not easy to predict the level of writing or the type of experiences the writer has had in the past. So, when you feel frustrated and do not believe that your sessions are going too well, think about what kind of experiences that the student may have faced in high school and where certain issues stem from. <br />
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Let us explore some of the common struggles that may arise in a session:<br />
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- The writer is disengaged/shy and you tend to be talking more than they are<br />
- When you speak, the writer writes down what you say and stops when you stop speaking<br />
- The writer is adamant about their lack of writing ability<br />
- When asking questions or for elaboration on their ideas, the writer may become reluctant<br />
- Caution when the writing piece is more personal<br />
- The most painful: the writer only comes in because they want proof that they came to a session for credit<br />
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Does this sound accurate to some degree?<br />
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Now, try think about what may be going on here. Sometimes, just by reading a writer's paper, you can tell what kind of style the writer sways toward. You can even be able to identify their style by their willingness to participate in the session. For the purposes of this blog, we will focus on writers who might not be a fan of writing.<br />
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<b><u>Not a 'Fan'...yet!</u></b><br />
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Take a step back, and think about all the times a writer has told you that they either dislike writing or that they are terrible at writing. Why do you think anyone might say that? I, myself, come to find that many students who make such claims are missing something important: confidence. But, why is this the case?<br />
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The priorities of typical English curricula that are outlined by schools about writing vary. Not every school has English programs that pour their attention into areas of writing that are much more empowering than, say, grammar and spelling. Most of the work that youth are assigned is meant to "prepare" them for the infamous, and often dreaded, <i>standardized tests</i>. The room for creativity and self-expression then becomes highly restricted resulting in a student, who may have had potential, very bored by the concept of writing. Sometimes, the students' imaginative faculties open up when they pursue individual writing projects of their own creation such as: online sites where they may publish poetry and stories; journals about their life experiences or fiction; short stories and poems for 'Poetry Slams' or 'Spoken Word' events with their friends.<br />
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Very much related to the first issue is when the instructor then highlights grammar and spelling as vital to their grade. Imagine getting a paper back with all sorts of markings and red ink. How would you feel? What would you think? I, for one, always thought that I have done a very poor job, and I have hated writing all through high school. When someone tells you that your writing is terrible and that you are unable to write, that can be problematic. The student is harmed and disempowered. It is made to seem like writing is an ability rather than an art that you develop over time.<br />
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When you really think about what writing means, ironically, these practices are counter-intuitive to the "goals" many schools set for themselves. I think about writing as the embodiment of your thoughts, ideas, feelings, beliefs, and everything that makes you who you are. So, evidently, telling someone that they are unskilled in writing really means, by my logic, that you are fragmenting the identity of a person. Less ironically, these types of attittudes towards writing come from youth who live in predominantly low-income and minority neighborhoods.<br />
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That is not to say that teachers love to tell students that grammar makes the grade rather, it is the educational policies that manipulate the curriculum that teachers have to abide by. It becomes a challenge to work around and be nurturing at the same time. Still, this does not make it right. Educators should not have to face the kind of choices that they are limited to. <br />
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But, what I have come to believe is that this is all for a reason (not a very positive one, at that). When you have the power to disenfranchise whole groups of people from being able to express themselves confidently and articulately, you are erasing identities and limiting their active participation in creating counter-discourses in the issues that concern them most.<br />
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Then, what should be done? There must be a complete revision to English curriculum in schools that are located in low-income and minority neighborhoods. Youth must be encouraged to express themselves and be proud about what they have to say! So, aim to be as thoughtful and positive as you can be and don't feel hopeless about sessions if they're not how you'd like them to be!<br />
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