Patrick+Kelly

 Patrick Michael Kelly Hi! my name is Patrick Kelly, and I'm a student at the College of Southern Maryland. I like writing, so during my spring semester english 1010 class I have enjoyed learning how to become a stronger writer. As a class, we have learned how to improve our writing skills using juicy quote sandwiches, identifying comma splices, and much more. The most challenging aspect of the class for me was learning how to properly use in-text citations in my research paper. All in all I have gained a plethora of knowledge from this class, and truly enjoyed the other students company.    Poem - I chose this poem, because it was the first poem I wrote in this class. It was a simple assignment but I put alot of effort into this poem.  Patrick Michael Kelly Patrick Confident, upright, humble, composed Surrounded by those who make him who he is Who is known for standing by his beliefs Who loves America and those who still support her Who feels a stressful drive to succeed Who needs to be alone and his family and friends with when he is not Who fears his own generation and those to come Who gives too much thought and time to others Who would like to see “the good ole days” Resident of a confused world that he yearns to change Kelly   Journal entry - This journal was the easiest for me to relate to, and I think the majority of the class would agree.  “Defining Moments” Gerrad’s defining moment was one many of us can relate to. The day leading up to his moment started off with a large sense of excitement that every young boy can relate to. Throughout the story we hear of his friend, Kenny Weinguard, and the amazing birthday parties thrown by his mother. As the moment approaches the author foreshadows using his own nerves and little events that detour the story, such as rain and old creepy sounding doors. The chaotic approach to the circus featuring his hero sets the mood for an unexpected disappointment that bozo the clown is a phony character. If I had to pinpoint the exact moment where the young boys and Mark realize that Bozo is a made-up person I would say it was when the announcer informed the crowd of the stars illness and that he would not be performing or even showing his face. This moment slowly built up from the dogs only being prerecorded be seen by the audience when he could not even see the small television they were shown on from his seat. The final disappointment appeared when Mark realized the entire show was set up as his friend was arranged to go on stage because of his birthday. I can think of two very defining moments in my life that relate to Mark’s story. The first, came with the truth of santa, A man loved by all young children celebrating the Christmas holiday. My twin brother and I figured it out on our own. I know the feeling Mark felt. That feeling of known in your heart what was happening, but at the same time wishing you had not found out the truth at all. You instantly fell grown-up. The second moment was only a couple of years ago when I was in Navy ROTC and had to decide if I wanted to continue on the military path even though I was not enjoying it as I had hoped. This moment was well thought out, as it would affect the rest of my adult life. It helped define who I am. With my decision to get out of the program and pursue a more traditional education I proved to myself that I had to do what I wanted to do without thinking of benefits, pay or job security.

 Second journal entry - This journal was one of the more recent entries, so it was fun to write about how I organize my papers. I was able to include what I have learned from this semester in this journal.  Styles of Prewriting and Organization Through out the years, l have had many opportunities to practice different types of prewriting. My favorite thing to do when starting a paper is to free-write. This is when I simply jot down all the thoughts, opinions, and ideas I have in my head in relation to the topic. Next, I decide what thoughts, opinions, and ideas to keep for my paper, and then cross out the undesirable. This is an easy way for me because I can quickly lay out all everything in my head on paper. Without the free-write prior o my writing, I always have trouble remembering everything I want to write about. I am afraid to leave the free-write out because I know I will forget to include something. The next step I take is brainstorming. Brainstorming goes hand in hand with a free-write. Brainstorming, for me, is as easy as putting my free-write in some kind of organization or layout in which I will write my paper. For example, often I will put major topics as column headers to represent paragraphs. Next, I will write my thoughts, ideas, and opinions under each heading to include in said paragraphs. Brainstorming is the most important factor in my organization during a pre-write.

  <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">Final journal entry - Everyone enjoyed this journal, because the majority of the class discussed facebook. This journal was comical for me because it made me realize that I am a little addicted to facebook! <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"> My Favorite Addiction <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"> Marie Winn picked a perfect title for her essay, “Cookies or Heroin?”. Winn explained how insincerely people tend to use the word “addicted”. However, it is obvious that people use this word to get a point across of how much they may use or enjoy something. People tend to live in pattern when addicted to something. Addiction is a word used correctly to describe drug habits or alcoholism. Winn said in her fourth paragraph “Many people over estimate their control” referring to their so called “addiction”. This is especially true in describing my addiction. Im “addicted” to checking my facebook account online. I constantly find myself checking for any notification, messages, comments or chats. Everyone is online all the time in today’s world. It is hard not too check on your facebook when it is on your phone, laptop and home computer. I realized that I spend too much time on my facebook, and as Winn said, I over estimated my control. Once realizing my addiction I deleted my account telling my self ‘I don’t need facebook and it is a waste of time anyway’. Well I did not think about it for about two days. Then it hit me. I woke up one morning wanting to check my account. Within a month I had reactivated my account. I honestly believe I do not even like facebook, but I am stuck in a pattern. The habbit of checking my account is hard to break than the mindset of just not having a facebook. I think that is the problem most people have whether they are trying to quick smoking cigarettes or cut back on watching the television.

<span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">Formal essay - I picked this essay because it was the most interesting one for me to write. I was interested in my response and like rebutting Robert Samuelson's "Technology in Reverse" <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Technology’s momentum <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 26px;">Robert J. Samuelson’s “Technology in Reverse” discusses the poor advancements in technologies; what he calls retarded technology. Ultimately, Samuelson effectively reveals how quickly technology is changing, as well as how quickly one can become what I call, technology retarded. As a young man growing up in the nineties, I feel very comfortable with technology and the day to day advancements in our lifestyle. Technology is helping our country move forward in ways Samuelson has clearly overlooked. At times, I too can understand how technology can be a bit tricky to understand in such a fast changing industry. It seems as soon as you learn one aspect, it changes to a more advanced duplicate. However, with the changes come a better functioning tomorrow. After all, was the race to the moon really to venture where no man has gone before, or to prove our country’s advancements over the world. Samuelson’s essay about how technology is in reverse, is simply wrong; technology is moving forward and helping more than ever. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> Samuelson starts off explaining how electronic book computers are inconvenient. He claims electronic books will smash if dropped. I have had a smart phone for two years that I use to read full books. After many accidental drops on all terrains, it has yet to show any major signs of wear. Furthermore, the newest version of my phone has a new touchscreen made of a gorilla glass that is unable to scratch and very tough to break. More times than often, my college books are dog-eared, torn, and written all over by the end of a three month semester. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> Samuelson mentions that the vast majority of people now own cellular phones. After the initial cost of the phone, the price to download a full book is usually the same price of a actual book, and often less. Smart phones can all download full books and hold hundreds on books in memory. The author says books are more mobile than a device that contains a thousands of pages of text on one screen, not to mention I can easily put a phone in my pocket. Samuelson says taking a book to a beach is easier than taking a book displaying device. Lets hope you brought a book you wont get board of, because with a book your looking at a trip home or to a library. With a smartphone, you can search through you own personal library or download any book in minutes. And come on, what is more mobile than a phone in your pocket? <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> Samuelson discusses how libraries now can be virtually put on a single computer. Even after he acknowledges the fact that the books can all be accessed and shared on multiple computers linked to one main computer, Samuelson says there is a problem. He says the price would be far to high to operate, yet how many libraries have you been to where a lack of computer availability is a issue? Additionally, just as most people own a cellular phone, the majority of Americans own at least one computer. This makes physical libraries completely unnecessary, and a thing of the past. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> When someone purchases an expensive device such as a laptop, they are paying for the connivence more than anything else. For example, math students do not absolutely need a calculator, but they go out and buy one for the connivence. Samuelson even writes about his wife creating an invitation card on her personal computer. She said “I know I could have gone out and bought Hallmark cards, but I’m so proud of myself. Im thrilled.” Obviously computers are fun to use and more than likely to be faster than running to the store for invitation cards, and, yes, books. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> Samuelson goes on to report a survey that reveals how much cell phones have helped marriages and “family values.” He sarcastically explains how “family values” would triumph from cell phone use. He failed to examine families who live apart from each other which leaves cell phone communication their only option to catch up. What about our military members oversees? Im sure they would rather have a pricey, computer book-reading device in their pocket than 5 of their favorite books in a bag. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> Finally, the author comments on Apple Computer’s Newton. The Newton is a personal digital assistant, basically an electronic rolodex or address book. Samuelson claims the Newton is a waste of money and that an actually rolodex will work better. I disagree with this logic because, again, all your contacts are in your pocket along with their emails, phone numbers, addresses and so much more. All the information can additionally be stored, shared, and backed up on multiple computers and other hand held devices. Not only could you never lose you information with a Newton, but you would also stop everyone from laughing in your face when you pull out your rolodex to take down their information. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> This article is a few years old, but today it is possible to have an address book, calculator, and thousands of books in your pocket with a simple, easy to use device. Complaints about technology is nothing more than audile stress from misunderstood technology. Samuelson seems to be stubbornly trapped in a world full of inconveniences. In conclusion, advancements in technology are improving and helping everyone around the world, especially if people are willing to change.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"> <span style="font: 18.0px Times New Roman; line-height: 26.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"> Research Paper Abstract As an American that frequently travels, I have been very concerned with our airport's security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). My paper uncovered th e many flaws in the TSA. The TSA's purpose is to serve and protect our security in airports, and on airplanes. The employees of TSA are overpaid, undertrained, and unmotivated. Their efforts over the years have been unsuccessful most of the time. Luckily, we as Americans, have a options to fix this problem, and better our security. My paper highlighted two main ideas of how to fix the security in airports; military installments inside of airports, and privately contracted and hired security form each individual airline. Any traveler will agree the current security has not been working, and is a downward spiral. It is time for a well thought out plan to save our security.

<span style="display: block; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Helvetica; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"> Final Reflection

<span style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px;"> English 1010 was a great class. I have leaned alot about writing, and what works for me in my writings. Mrs. Lowry is now one of my all time favorite teachers, and along with the students in this class she has made this semester go by very quickly and smoothly. I put alot of effort into this class, and in return receive alot of great advice and information. <span style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px;"> My last semester at the College of Southern Maryland, I did not make the grades I had hoped for, because of my lack of effort. This semester I did very well and I believe this class was exactly what I needed to get me back on track. Im genuinely looking forward to my next english class. This class has definitely helped me grow as a student. <span style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px;"> Before this class I was not very strong with editing papers. I had poor grammar and never heard of a juicy quote sandwich haha. I have master the comma splice, and I now do care about the oxford comma! I have never had a class with so many handout, and at first I did not like it because it was a challenge to keep all the papers organized. Looking back, the handouts forced me to stay on track with my organizational skills. I also referenced all the information on the handouts; I wish all teachers provided so my information! <span style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px;"> Journal entries seemed to control my life this semester. The entries were never too time consuming but were a constant assignment. I grew from this because they really forced you to participate for two reasons, you can not “BS” your way through a journal, and unless you wanted a dropping grade, you had to do everyone. Im glad the journal entries were a large part of the class. <span style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px;"> In conclusion, ENG 1010 was honestly a great class. We had great students, fun discussions and assignments, and a wonderful a true teacher. (What other teacher offers great teaching AND homemade treats!?) The class was not too challenging, because we had so much help, time, and information. I can sleep easy now knowing that if I want to write a great paper this summer, I can.