Jessica
Nichole Fuller-Murphy's WRA135 Webfolio
FULLER-MURPHY,
Jessica
WRA135:5-F05
Last Updated: 12.02.05
EARLY ESSAYS
Introduction
In February of 1987, Jessica Nichole Fuller-Murphy
was born. Now she enrolled in her first year of college at
Michigan State University. Find out her
experiences, including computers, service work, and media preference.
The Life of
Jessica Fuller-Murphy
Rubric
Strengths and weaknesses
After thoroughly
going through the rubric set out
for this class, I have developed an understanding as to how my writing
assignments will be evaluated. I have clear strengths according
to the rubric, as well as things I will need to work on in order to get
the best assessment possible.
Rubric
strengths and weaknesses
Nacirema
Essay
Between
Canada and Mexico lies a group of natives with unique and undescribed
behaviors. The
Nacirema, as they are called, are constantly being
observed to determine the reasoning behind their behaviors, such as one
known to the natives as Hakooh.
First
Draft
Second
Draft
Third
Draft
Forth
Draft
Final
Draft
Pop
Quiz 9.20.05
On 9.20.05, a pop quiz was given.
The items on the quiz included the achievement
requirements as well as
Jimmy Carter's, "Crisis of
Confidence: Energy and National Goals."
Answers
Library Tour
Sentence
Combining Exercise #1
In this
exercise,
we are asked to combine similar sentences into one
sentence without losing the meaning. Our first exercise asks us
to write about pinball machines and the second asks us to write about a
street musician. This assignment will help us to get our point
across in fewer words.
Sentence
Combing Exercise #2
Gathered from work done at a Purdue University Writing Lab, this
sentence combining exercise is meant to show us how to combine choppy
sentences into one full sentence without losing the meaning. In
this
assignment,
we were required to do the odd numbered sentences with the exception of
#1, which Professor Dowell did for us.
EXAM
ESSAYS
Midterm
Exam #1
On 10.06.05, we completed our first midterm exam. The
first exam had two components, the 20 question objective portion and
the "essay"
portion. The objective questions were based on assigned readings
as well matters discussed in class. Our "essay" portion required
us to make sure our WRA135 webfolios and our SLWP webfolios
were perfected, having no dead links and making sure everything was
written in our own words.
Midterm Exam #2
On 11.14.05, we completed our second midterm exam. As the
previous midterm, the objective portion consisted of 20
questions. The
essay
portion asked us to review our notes from previous readings and
discussions and watch 1 of 5 movies from the list given. After
viewing the film, we are asked to write a synthesis essay displaying
our knowledge of the films depiction of the "classic" American
hero. I choose to view Fred Zinnerman's 1952 film,
High Noon, and after taking
notes, composed a
synthesis essay
revolving around Will Kane, the movie's main character.
A final exam will held Tuesday, December 13 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00
p.m. in Bessey Hall. Our final will cover a great deal of Bill
Maher's,
When you ride ALONE you
ride with bin Laden, presentation material, and Ye Olde
rubric. As part of the
written
portion, we were given two options to choose from. One
included a rant on a bumper sticker and the other was a message to
critics. I choose to write
a message to
critics of
Bowling for Columbine, a movie
by
Michael Moore.
ABSTRACTS OF SELECTED CLASS READINGS
Horace
Miner's "Body Ritual among the Nacirema"
In “Body Ritual
among the Nacirema,” Professor Horace Miner
explores the customs and mentality of an undescribed tribe ranging from
Canada to Mexico. This North American group is characterized by
a highly developed market economy which has evolved in a rich natural
habitat. As Professor Miner began to
examine
the Nacirema, his findings were unusual and exotic in nature. Based on magical beliefs, the Nacirema strive
on the daily rituals performed by the whole community.
With the mentality the human body is
ugly, every ritual performed is a desperate attempt to change or
mutilate the body
to perfection. While men cutting their
faces, to women baking their heads in ovens four times in a lunar month
may
seem strange, as the reading continues, we come to realize Miner,
is in
fact, referencing to the American Culture in the 1950’s.
This essay examines the 1950’s portal of the
American Dream through Professor Miner’s strong language and twisted
descriptions.
Jimmy
Carter's Speech, "Crisis of Confidence: Energy and National Goals"
In the 1979 speech
titled, “Crisis
of Confidence: Energy and
National Goals,” President Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) emphasizes on
the
importance of confidence within the nation. In this
famous speech, also known as “The Malaise Speech,” President Carter
associates the loss of
American
confidence with turmoil's that occurred before his place in office. Those tragic events including the
assassinations
of Robert and John Kennedy, the Watergate scandal, and the Vietnam War
are among
the few mentioned in the speech. In this
speech, Carter gives America
the ultimatum: follow the continuing path of self-interest and watch
American
democracy self destroy itself, or follow a path of American values and
common
goals. This desperate cry for
togetherness offended many Americans at the time as they did not wish
to give
up things, such as car pooling instead of individual driving for the
sake of
oil prices. Through his words, Jimmy
Carter hoped to unite under common goals and good values, and restore
the once
strong American confidence.
Charles Derber's "The Good man Fills His
Own Stomach"
The excerpt of
Charles Derber’s, Money, Murder, and the
American Dream, “The
Good Man Fills His Own Stomach,” is a frightening portrayal of the
American
Dream. Derber examines the brutality chasing the dream has
set on
today's society. Convincing evidence is presented illustrating
the lack
of morality in relation to the American Dream. The
distorted reality
Derber addresses is the lengths a person will go in order to fill this
dream,
even if it means killing a pregnant women. Derber also poses
the
idea of narcissism being adapted to the American Dream.
With this, “I want, I need, I get,” attitude
embedded in American Culture, Derber makes convincing arguments
this mentality
has been adopted as part of the dream.
Katherine
S. Newman's, "American Nightmares"
In the essay, “American
Nightmares,”
Anthropologist Katherine Newman addresses the ongoing subject of
downward
mobility in American Society. Newman examines one family's trip
on the
downward spiral. As the family felt isolated and victimized, the
harsh
reality is they were among many Americans in the 1980's.
Newman
displays the effects this process takes on the social, emotional, and
mental
aspects of the body. Often, society
singles
out the victim without taking into consideration the powerlessness
downward mobility
plays. While many Americans share the
same guilt and shame, it is evident this downgrading slip has not
yet been
accepted by American culture. This essay
explores the unspoken issue of downward mobility and how it affects
many middle-class
families.
P.J.
O'Rourke's "Slamming and Jamming"
"Slamming and
Jamming," an essay by P.J.
O'Rouke's, portrays a vivid picture of the slums of New York.
O'Rourke accounts his journey
with a group of trained fighters known as, the Guardian Angels.
The
Guardian Angels was founded by Curtis Silwa in hopes to rid the streets
of
drugs and crime, and ultimately make the neighborhood a safer
place. On a
particular evening, O'Rourke followed along with the group on a
raid. It becomes evident to O'Rourke the people have more
trust in the Angels rather then governmental policy itself. This
essay details the raid and gives evidence to the
success of
the Guardian Angels.
John
Grisham's "Somewhere for Everyone."
"Is this the Third
World, I asked myself? Or is this America?" This is the question John
Grisham poses in his article, "Somewhere for
Everyone." While gathering material for a novel, Grisham
grows to understand and eventually sympathize with the homeless.
Grisham details America's desperate attempt to hide the homeless, by
criminalizing them for example. What America doesn't realize is
pushing them out of the streets is causing a larger problem, defacing
reality. By the title, "Somewhere for Everyone," John Grisham
explains everyone deserves a place in this world.
Jo
Goodwin Parker's "What is Poverty?"
Parker's, "What is
Poverty?" is
a breathtaking piece leading the reader on a journey through the
realism of poverty. Parker details a first person account of what
it is like to live in a life of poverty. Her powerful words
relive her experience as food and electricity could even be provided
for her children. However sad her story is, Parker does not ask
for sympathy. She simply asks America to take note and action in
steps to relieve poverty from American society.
Studs
Terkle's interview, "Mike LeFevre: Who Built the Pyramids?"
In Terkle's
interview with Mike LeFevre, the American Dream is the underlying
issue firing LeFevre's temper. LeFevre is a blue collar worker
with a frustration in the way the American Dream has been
distorted. It used to be respectable being a laborer, as you
could look back on your work and say, "I built that." Ironically,
while LeFevre makes harsh comments about his white collar boss, he
wishes his children become one of those "effete snobs." LeFevre's
strong words show a hard working man with dreams of giving his children
what he never had.
Peter
Marin's "Helping and Hating the Homeless."
In
Marin's piece,
"Helping
and Hating the Homeless," the American fear of the unfamiliar is
portrayed. Marin divides the homeless into two groups, ones that
have forced it upon themselves vs. the ones who chose to live their
live that way. Marin's solution for the government and the rest
of American society is not to shun the homeless but help them find a
meal once in a while. What many American's don't realize is
many homeless used to be working middle class. American's and the
government need to realize hating the homeless won't make them go
away, as Marin explains.
Jonathan
Alter's "Bridging the Digital Divide."
In Alter's piece,
"Bridging the
Digital Divide," the divide between rich and poor is
portrayed.
This gap is
evident in the number of people who have computers vs. the number of
people who are without. Alter backs up his theory with
statistically information to prove if this "divide" doesn't
shrink, we could be headed to a remake of the Great Depression.
With the rich becoming richer, and the poor becoming poorer, America
needs to reach an equilibrium which Alter believes will result in
greater economic justice for the nation.
Paul
Recer's "Use of Guns Likened to Disease"
In Recer's essay,
"Use of Guns
Likened to Disease," Recer examines the "fad" of gun usage.
Used as a status symbol, many young American's use guns as a tool to
climb the social ladder. This portrayal of guns being the cool
thing, like all fad's, will eventually die out. Recer explores
the statistical side of homicide's due to guns, and also poses the
question; Is the amount of money it cost to house a prisoner worth it
compared to just letting one homicide slide?
Jay Shaft's "US
Homelessness and
Poverty Rates Skyrocket"
In Shaft's
essay,
the grim statistics of poverty are detailed. As America is the
richest nation in the world, one might wonder why so many of its people
live on or below the poverty line. Shaft answers this question in
brutal reality; America's priorities are obviously not in the
"humanity" aid. The Presidency would much rather spend the money,
4 billion dollars a month to be exact, to rebuild a country across
sea, our own people at home are continuously slipping.
Shaft's piece is a desperate cry for awareness for the government to
prioritize the survival needs of over 3.5 million people.
Kate
Santich's "Life's a bummer,
but whatever"
Kate Santich
explores the cynical mind frame America has adapted today in her essay,
"Life's a bummer, but whatever." Santich makes convincing
points that we have earned the title of cynics. Distrust in the
government dates back to the assassination of JFK and has been downhill
every since. One might question whether America has come to grips
with reality, seeing the world for what it is, or just simply doesn't
care. It is not the baby boomers, American's who have seen
rewards slip beneath them, but the generations to follow expect
nothing more than the lies of American government. These
generations form the conclusion, "Life sucks, then you die." With this
negativity, one wonders what it will take to pull America up from its
downward morality.
Anna Quindlen "Life of the Closed
Mind"
Anna Quindlen reveals downfall in American society in her piece,
"Life of the
Closed Mind." Since the September 11 attacks, Quindlen notes
American's have become more like terrorist. Our mentality
has turned to polarization, a world of right or wrong and good or
evil. America is turning their heads to new ideas because they
fear uncomfortable situations. Quindlen also notes the paranoia of
American's. American's can no long make common human errors but
rather there is an underlying sinister force. This paranoia has
shoved America into a nation of conspiracy theorists. Quindlen is
simply asking American's to keep an open mind to new ideas and be
willing to accept these ideas into their beliefs.
Robert
Reich's "An American Morality
Tale"
Reich's essay,
"An American
Morality Tale," examines the life of the "classic" American
hero. The American hero journey's from virtually nothing
and through hard work earns his respect. He is giving to the poor
and does not involve himself in chaos. The hero will stick up
against tyranny for the greater good of the community. This
character is played throughout many American classics.
The story of these heroes
embodies our core cultural parables. The Mob at the Gates
examples a journey through the cruelty of corruption and overcoming the
tyranny to preserve our freedom.
The Triumphant Individual is the
story of the underdog, who works hard and takes risks to earn respect
and integrity. The
Benevolent Community shows the coming together of neighbors and friends
to help one another. The community gains pride and patriotism
while acting compassionate toward those in need. The final parable, The Rot
at the Top, is arguably the most courageous of the four. The rot
is characterized as tyrannous leaders full of corruption and wrong
doing. The underdog, with his strong moral beliefs, looks to
defeat the rot with help from the benevolent community. These
parables all show sacrifices for the common good. The American
Dream is a common goal throughout the journey of the "classic" American
hero.
PRESENTATION
MATERIALS ON CHAPTER TWO OF CIVIL LIBERTIES:
OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS.
My group, proudly named the
S.A.C.S., consists of
Nathan Browning,
Albert Hur,
Alex Heimann,
and
Chris Kellogg.
Over the semester, we have been
preparing for our 30-45 minute presentation covering current issues
influenced by the separation of church and state. Our
presentation requires us to make a
handout to
give to the class, a four
to five question
quiz,
and a group paper. We also were to write
an
individual
and
group
paper in response to our topic. Our presentation
was given on 11.17.05 followed by our coda given on 11.22.05. Our
group's web page can be found here:
WRITING
RHETORIC AND AMERICAN CULTURE
SERVICE-LEARNING WEBFOLIO
This Fall's
Service-Learning organization is YouVote, a student-based organization
devoted to the registration and education of voting. We are
assigned writing projects which will be posed on the YouVote website and my SLWP
webfolio. The assignments
require me to educate the East Lansing community about up coming
elections and the importance or voting.