Paul Chang

UWRT 1101-090
Daybook Entries

Amy Tang
I was enlightened by Amy Tangs story of saving a fish from
drowning. This is because Ive always heard of this saying jokingly and in
a humorous manner. In relation to this, she discussed how the buddhists
would say such a disagreeing phrase to put food on the table. I think it
exhibits the different perspectives there are in viewing one situation. It also
reminds me of how double standards work in society, where one
perspective may be seen in a negative manner while in another light it is
positive. It is brought to my attention by Amy Tang that perspectives, and in
the buddhists case a simple rewording of a phrase, can completely alter
the phrase and its meaning.

Reflection: This daybook entry involved the comprehension of a TED talk

which in this case was Amy Tangs. I liked that she introduced a
background story of a phrase that correlates to buddhists and their morals.
I learned how it really just depends on how you look at something or a
situation may completely change the outcome of something.

Book of Eli Response

I personally enjoyed the movie a lot more after being informed about
the easter eggs skillfully placed within the movie. Ive viewed the movie

once before, but I was completely unaware of anything special besides a

Christian man spreading the word of God. Little did I realize that the movie
was not entirely based upon the Christian religion, but that all the religions
were recognized in the film. Had I not been introduced to all the little
hidden things that improved the movie significantly for me, Book of Eli
would have been a dull movie as I had previously thought.

I was most intrigued by the fact that Eli is possibly blind. It is very
plausible assumption if you review the movie for the signs that almost
confirms this theory. Since Eli is blind in the bible, the accuracy of the
movie in relation to the Bible makes me suspect that he is blind as was the
Bible character. I think the twists in the movie gives the film more
significance and depth and thus adding to the overall enjoyment of the film.

I am glad you shared the movie in a different manner with all the
symbols pointed out. Otherwise, I would have no idea of the little things that
were included subliminally in the movie. When these things are overlooked,
it may drastically influence the overall appearance and influence of
anything.

Reflection: I chose this entry because it I have actually learned that the
movie is not entirely Christian-based and that there are many hidden things
within the movie that I have overlooked. The movie actually makes me
think upon the importance of literacy and religion and its influence on
society. However exaggerated in a post-apocalyptic setting, the film still
shows the influence of these major aspects on our lives.

Chapter 15 Exercise

I believe that music aids with your composing process because it

allows the mind to flow freely and focus on the writing. I dont think
invention is directly correlated to the type of music I am listening to
because it only I believe it only aids instead of altering the thought creative
process. I do think that it is very conducive to writing because writing, like
any other art, requires a free-flowing creative process that music is
synonymous to. This is why I listen to music when creative processes are
involved but that is a personally opinion because it varies from person to
person.

Reflection: My fathers side of the family is born naturally talented with

musical abilities. I like to think I have musical talent as it has been passed
from generation to generation within the family. This relates to the exercise
because being naturally related to music, my creative process is heavily
influenced by it. Writing for example, is aided by the use of music because
it allows me to express my thoughts more freely.

Chapter 1 Exercises

This chapter reminds me of how perspective changes everything

because of different viewpoints and influences for one memory. For
example, one of my very close friends I met in the third grade and is now in
most all the same courses at UNCC have very different memories of the
same event. The remember him as the new kid that walked into my third

grade class that I barely recognized. However, he clearly remember that I

said invited him to sit with me. We usually think back every once in a while
when people ask how we know each other. The perspectives that we
disregard to acknowledge plays a vital role in everything but to this day we
reflect on very different memories of an event that our decade-long
friendship was built upon.

Reflection: I think I sometimes forget how this decade-long friendship came

to be and when this chapter expanded upon the different viewpoints of
situations, it reminds me of how it came to be. This chapter stood out to me
because I think it is very important to understand why this scenario
influenced our friendship so heavily and the way we reflect back on it with
completely different memories of that day.
This Isnt What We Did in High School

The influences of my writing are myself and the audience because it

is important to write based on your personal influence yet be ready to cater
your thoughts clearly to the audience. I agree with the fact that when writing
you are not alone because language is a way of communication and by
communicating you are expressing ideas and thoughts for other people.
There is always an influence that keeps you occupied instead of alone
when writing which keeps your thoughts engaged to the understanding of
the audience. I remember certain comments teachers and professors made
on my writing and see it as a beneficial factor to my overall development of
my writing potential. Criticisms are worth so much more than compliments

so it is always important for me to acknowledge, remember, and apply this

knowledge to future works.
I personally dont see myself as a participationist unless I feel the
need or will to engage, otherwise I remain out of businesses that are not
beneficial to me. However, I understand that by leaving my comfort zone is
crucial to my personal development. At moments of confusion, I usually try
to understand the situation and find a solution to it. If that fails to produce a
solution, I will seek help from others.
Contributions of thoughtful writings is the best way to convey true
feelings upon subjects. I will give opinions and personal thoughts about
multiple subjects and discussions. Participation and engagement of myself
within new writing courses is a important key in my success as a writer and
critical thinker.

Reflection: Writing is something that I see as an important skill to

communicate my thoughts. However, this skill has been overlooked and I
did not delve deep enough to understand what writing is and what its all
about. Through the use of critical thinking I begin to understand the
importance of writing and the need to develop the skill.

Oral History Interview

I learned that oral history gives light to a broad history topic in which
oral communication is required to obtain the information. The difference of
oral history compared to other forms of research is that it oral history
indulges the reader and the researcher from a new and different
perspective with completely original and first-hand information. Oral history

creates diversity because it requires multiple sources to obtain all the

information out in the world. By having more sources, it helps recreate a
more accurate depiction and allows for better quality information. The most
important part of oral history is to have good consultation and make sure
the multiple sources in which you are referencing in reliable and legitimate.

Reflection: I have never heard of oral history but I do understand the

concept and process behind oral history. I was not educated about oral
history to where I knew there was a type of research based upon it. I think
oral history is extremely important especially when passing down
information from one person to another. The only problem with oral history
is its legitimacy because as information is passed down orally, it can be
distorted and altered. Ive had experience with oral history from the older
generations passing down stories through the lineage and I can see the
importance of oral history and its use for saving history itself.
The Definition of Rigorous
My interpretation of the word rigorous was: A condition that makes
life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable; especially; extremity of cold.

I think that this definition most accurately reflects a writing course

because the writing assignments that the course requires seems to make
life of the students difficult. However negative, the difficulty of these
rigorous writing courses requires the use of critical thinking and creativity
to produce a written assignment that may be difficult and challenging. At
the inception, it may become uncomfortable to partake in a writing course

because of our completely different perspectives on various subjects and

the judgement of writing topics. The set rules such as grammar, for
example, make writing courses rigorous because they are unchangeable,
stiff, and rigid so there is no way around these rules.

Reflection: Upon enduring the course, I had a preconceived notion that the
college writing course would be similar to that of high school. Although
similar in certain aspects, the major difference of the writing course was
that it was rigorous. My interpretation accurately describes what is
expected in the course. It requires critical thinking and a will to learn and
develop your own writing skills. The course is uncomfortable at first due to
the different mindset but as soon as you understand the concept of the
course and indulge in the rigorous topics, it will overall make you a better
writer.

Chapter 20 Exercises

I have not performed any primary research prior to my attendance in

this writing course. My education up to this point have not required primary
research and so I have no had to perform any nor have I been interested,
educated, or used primary research for my personal use. I believe and
agree that researched must be worked through multiple drafts, otherwise
the accuracy of the research may be skewed by errors such as writing
mistakes or communication errors through the writing. He can use his own
notes as the subject of investigation by referring back to his writing for
reference and to base further research off of the pre-existing research
information. Others may use his investigation to the base their own

research off of it while researching the same subject as part of their

investigation. To begin any investigations and research personally, I would
first begin by performing an online search of the topic to develop
background information about the subject of research. However, depending
on the subject I may first want to ask around and perform some primary
subject if the information upon the subject is rare, limited, or does not exist.
Research requires careful planning and a strategy must be conceived so
that the researcher has a process of obtaining information.

Reflection: I am an amateur at research and never had to perform any

primary research until taking this writing course. Having to work on an oral
history project, it really helped me develop research skills which will be
beneficial later on in college and my career. Any research or information
that I usually required could be found on the Internet. Now that Im
researching a topic that needs me to dig through databases and hard
copies of documents, it really helps me understand the primary and
secondary phases of research.

Slam Poetry Responses

In particular, I enjoyed the slam poem What Teachers Make
because the teacher or performer and the clever title initially led me to
insinuate that the slam poem would be about his earnings. The twist in the
poem made it humorous and his presentation and delivery of his poem
made the slam significantly better and enjoyable. Focusing on body
language, the gestures he made helped engage the audience within the
content he was trying to convey. It allowed the audience to predict and

expect what he will say next. It is a fantastic strategy in which he leads the
audience through these twists and turns to address his own prospect of
his teaching experience through a comedic slam poem.

Reflection: Slam poetry is a hit or miss with me and rarely do I watch them.
I do not like watching slam poetry as a personal opinion but if the poem is
insightful and entertaining I will think otherwise. In the slam poem, I liked
the humor and entertainment that it provided and most importantly he got
his point across in an effective way.

Literacy is Not Just Words Anymore

My most recent picture before entering the class that was influential
was a picture Timothy Sykes had posted in which he flaunts his
possessions in a beautiful location. The argument he was making with this
visual depiction was that if you work hard enough and dedicate the proper
amount of time to his teachings, you can achieve the same success he
has. He is also emphasizing the strategy of shorting stocks that he applies
which has been a time-proven winning and efficient trading method that
has exponentially increased his net worth. I read the image the same as
what he was trying to convey that working hard and learning the cost of
opportunities will lead you to success and have the right strategy in
getting there.
Reflection: I do believe that a picture is worth a thousand words because
it can be interpreted in so many different ways. A simple picture can be just
as and if not more compelling and emotional than that of words. It can

explain the message more clearly and concisely without words and with
just a glance. It can be a simple picture yet it allows for the viewer to use
his or her own critical thinking to understand what the picture is conveying.