Quiz

Entering the Conversation:

1.     What is “successful writing”?

2.     Describe the difference between primary and secondary sources.

3.     What is a “topic” and give an example of how to narrow one.

Overview of the Academic Essay:

1.     What does a “good” essay show?

2.     How does an idea emerge and what’s crucial to a good one?

3.     Where does the tension of an argument originate?

4.     What is the crucial concept to a counterargument and why is it important to have one?

Structure of an argument:

1.     How is a successful essay structured?

2.     What are the two most common arguments and explain how one is best written.

The parts of an essay:

1.     What are the five operations of an essay?

2.     What does “background” material include and where is it placed in an essay?

3.     When you complicate an essay, what questions do you address?

4.     Where do you address what’s at stake in your argument or thesis?

Signs of trouble:

1.     What is the “walk through” and how can you avoid it?

Steps in Constructing a Thesis:

2.     What do you do when you analyze your primary sources and how do you translate that into a thesis?

3.     Where do you place a thesis?

4.     What is the difference between a thesis and a list?

5.     Give an example of clear and specific thesis versus a thesis that is not clear and specific.

Beginning the essay:

1.     What is included in the ‘context’ of an essay and why is it important?

2.     What are some things to include when orienting the reader?

3.     What is one thing to avoid when writing an introduction and why?

4.     Topic Sentences and Sign Postings (ways to propel an essay forward):

5.     What are the two questions to answer when making a topic statement?

6.     What do sign posts tell the reader?

7.     What is one example of what a topic sentence does?

Concluding the essay:

1.     What is one way to establish a sense of closure and one way not to?

Ted Talk, "Are Games Better Than Real Life?"

I watched this 20 minute video last night and honestly I found it kind of odd.  The video goes on the discuss a video game addict and allows him to tell his experiences through video games.  The video game addict talks about watching the games evolve as he got older and how they would become better and better with designs and graphics.  He discussed how he became consumed in the games and that they began to become his "reality."  That he started to believe that he could actually do or accomplish the things he did in the virtual video game world, such as fly planes and kill others.  The addict also discussed how as he got older it was much more hard for him to distinguish between reality and this virtual world.  I understand that people with addictions to video games may feel this way but I honestly do not see how it can consume you so much to the point where you cannot distinguish between real life and video game land.  As you can tell, I have never been a real big fan of video games.  I have played my fair share but much rather be doing physically active things and being outside.  I will be interested in learning more about this and understanding how video games can become so real for some people.

Melinda Terry

Are Games Better Then Real Life

The 20 minute Ted Talk titled "Are Games Better Then Real Life" was very intriguing.  It tells the story of a video game addict who draws a fine line between what is reality and what is a made up virtual world. As someone who has never had the experience of being addicted to a video game, I found this remarkable and somewhat unbelievable. Though, after seeing this video it seemed more real. The Ted Talk made video addiction seem so real. Though it seems to me that people get more addicted to the effects of the video rather then the actual games. For example, its not that someone is fascinated with racing a virtual car, but maybe they are addicted to the adrenaline and suspense the video game provides. These feelings become more entertaining and satisfying.  Maybe people become addicted to certain aspects and feelings they can't find in their everyday lives, unless they enter their virtual worlds.

Are Games Better than Real Life

In David Perry’s “Are Games Better Than Real Life”, he is able to show how videogames are becoming more and more real. It is up to a point that people started to have almost like a “second life”; but a virtual one. I used to play videogames before, but it wasn’t something that would interfere with my social and academic life. They are a good tool to relax and help you to be less stressed. However, as the video showed some people just lose their minds in it. It just becomes as, or even more important than their actual life; or even better, videogames become their life. This video actually made me think about it. People like these, that are passionate with the virtual world, are the ones responsible for the development of the entertainment world. Of course, if you like something, you are obviously going to try to make it better. But I don’t think it is worth to forget about everything that happens around you and dedicate a 100% of your time to only one thing.

David Perry's: Are Games Better Than Real Life

In David Perry's, "Are Games Better Then Real Life", he discusses how the line between reality and video games has become blurred. From watching this video I was somewhat intrigued at how someone could literally lose themselves inside a video game. I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact the someone would rather sit in front of a TV and not enjoy the life that they have been given. I have played video games in the past and never once did I ever feel like it was becoming that much a part of my life. Its just like someone who watches a TV show and yet we don't ever hear of people pretending that they are on a particular episode. This got me to thinking what is it about video games that makes people what to live in those moments. I think when people interact with a virtual reality for long periods of time it can have a minimal effect on how they view their actual reality. I don't think people who play video games get lost in them accidentally. I think its because something has caused them to want to escape their actual reality and live a world where they find it more appealing than their normal lives. When I play a video game I know when to stop and I think for people who are addicted to video games subconsciously want the video game to become their actual reality. I feel that its not the video games that are addictive and its more of a psychological affect that causes people to intentionally want lose their minds in a virtual reality.

Art as a Social Practice

I have honestly never thought of the idea of collaborative artwork. If someone were to ask me who made a particular piece of art I would never guess multiple artists. The idea that more than one person contributes to making one piece of work is an interesting one. I think the more people who contribute the better story that piece of art can tell. If two completely opposite artists come together to create one masterpiece, then in my opinion that work will be greater than any individual piece.

It is my hope that my mug will let the next person understand my story. It may be difficult to find an image to make that work, but if it is done hopefully there will be an impact.

Art as a Social Practice

Having a history of two years of taking AP art in high school and a childhood full of always trying to expand my artistic skills this project appeals to me.  I have always found art to have great importance.  It is a chance for people to express themselves, relieve stress, and inspire other people.  What I love about this project is that it brings together different types of art, writing and 3D sculptures.  This project creates a bridge between two different art forms and allows people to branch out and experience and appreciate different mediums of art.

Art becoming a social practice is something that helps shape our world into a more unified place.   Like I said before, this project is an example of art bringing people together that may not have ever come into contact before.  It's really cool to think that this art project is a collaboration of at least three different people; the sculptors, the writters, and the readers.  All of us get to play apart of this "social practice". 

Brooke Beidler