Literary Heights

              In Mona Marimow Maisami’s essay “Born in Amrika” (2003), Maisami explores the identity issues that an American-born Iranian can face and that how one is perceived by more pure Iranians can muddle one’s perception of themselves.  Her explorations are supported solely by personal experience and examples; pathos and ethos are used to provide the reader context and support the reader in understanding the struggle that exists with the writer.  Maisami’s purpose is to show the reader the internal struggles that occur with American-born immigrants, and in a larger context, the struggles that occur when anyone is confronted with personal behaviors that differ from prescribed cultural traditions in order to bring awareness to the issue.  Intended audiences for Maisami’s essay include American-born immigrants, recent immigrants, individuals who deviate from traditional cultural roles, and English majors.      ...

                                  "VWs Bad for the Planet?": RRR for Skovran       In Jacob Skovran’s essay, "How Serious Was the Volkswagen Scandal" (2017), he argues that engineers' misuse of diesel fuel, specifically in the Volkswagen scandal, "deceives customers, poses health risks to innocent people, and demonstrates a 'profit over people' mentality" (Skovran 206). Skovran supports his claim chronologically using facts, statistics, and logic. His purpose is to inform readers of "the reasons and impacts of the Volkswagen scandal and how it affects our environment for everyone" in order to emphasize the need for more regulations on the making of diesel vehicles (Skovran 203). The author's intended audiences are English students, car manufacturers, and environmental agencies.         I can define such claims regarding diesel fuel. One evening as I approached t...

In James Baldwin’s essay “If Black English Isn’t Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?” (1979), Baldwin asserts that "black English" is a language and that its circumstances are the reasons people deny it; language classifies people based on their social background. He supports his claim with examples of how language evolves, and how it is a vital key to identity; he also uses logos, pathos and linguistic diversity to appeal to his readers and encourage them to support his point of view. Baldwin’s purpose is to inform readers of the issue at hand in order to augment the reality of how black English is not only a language but how it unveils things about the society of America. Baldwin's intended audiences are readers of The New York Times, language analyst, and English majors.  I agree with Baldwin, language identifies who you are, and it connects you to a community of people who are of similarity. While reading Baldwin’s essay, I reflected on the way I sometimes commu...

      In Wendy Kaminer's essay "The War on High Schools," (1999), Kaminer claims that public schools were once less strict to students challenging the norm; however, public schools are now stripping students of their first amendment rights and treating students as if they are "criminal suspects"(Kaminer 1999). She supports her claim with court cases, statistics, and examples. Kaminer's purpose is to inform readers of the issue at hand in order to encourage improvement in the treatment of students in public school systems. Her intended audiences for this writing are readers of "The American Prospect," school administrators, and judges who handle civil cases involving public schools.       As I read Kaminer's essay, I thought about the way things are set up in my high school. I thought about how every day I step foot into school, I walk through a metal detector, or an officer is there to search my bag. I thought about how I can quickly get sus...

My reflective essay revealed my disdain for the English 1101 course, and also showed my age. The course was not only a necessity, but it opened my eyes increasing my level of writing and other methods and skills that are essential for college level writing. Although I took English 1101 years ago, as a result of the knowledge obtained, I now am more confident in my writing re-purposing these tools in my everyday life. Napoleon Walker   My reflective essay explained everything that I learned in English 1101. It showed how I continue to use the knowledge I gained from taking the course in other classes. Before taking the course, I was a great high school level writer. After taking the course, I am writing more on a college level. The resources I use most are peer review, prewriting by responding to questions, and the note-taking strategy. English 1101 improved my writing and I am looking forward to learning more helpful resources in English 1102. Nianicole Wedlowe  ...