Lie to me, please

I remember a time in my creative writing class that I had to write a persuasive topic on what I did not believe in. the topic was videogames are a bad influence on kid. I personally love video games. To me they are a clean escape from reality by keeping you away from the streets or other bad methods of coping with things. Almost like a video game therapy. so the fact that I had to write about something I totally didn’t believe in and convince an audience that what I was saying was true was a challenge, but I enjoy a good challenge.
I was being graded on the number of votes I get for from people that believed what I was saying was true. So getting there attainting was important to me. I looked online for many different methods and the most bloody and gruesome games I could find. I used those games as examples of “how cruel reality could be” and how “videogames make it worse on minds”. Surprisingly my skill of BS paid off and they believed me. My only problem was converting them back to my original belief.

Weather man

In science class in 4th grade i had to do a weather report and act like i was a weather man on t.v. We had to have are 7 day forcast and cover all of the 50 states weather. I wanted to be the best presenter so i bought a fake mustasch to put on and wore a suit for the presentation. I bought the mustasch because i had a fear of presenting in front of the class so I thought buying it would be a great idea. My class thought it was funny that I choose to present my information this way. They couldnt believe that I put on a show like that for them . The reason why I did it this way is becuase this is what I thought a weater man looked. When I was younger I would watch the news so I can watch the weather man predict what the weather would be. It was cool to see the backround and the fake rain and snow over the states.

In my presentation I covered all the weather and brought a funny element to doing the weather. My teacher thought I did a good job and told me this was the first time that anyone has done something like this in her class. after my presentation i felt releaved to get it done and proud that i finally was a weather man.

The Great Debate!

The last presentation I have given was my senior year in English. I did a presentation on encouraging students not to become young mothers. I had noticed over half the girls in my high school were pregnant or already mothers before graduation. This kind of disturbed me, knowing I had so many peers becoming mothers and not college students. I had decided that if I had to stand up in front of a group to give an opinion it would be a strong one. I knew in one way or another this would cause a debate, since there were mother's in this class. I wanted to speak on other alternatives in life, being a mother could wait.
My audience was very attentive since the subject was so touchy. I felt some tension while talking but I had to stand for what I believed in. If I had a choice I would probably do it again. I felt that I had something important to get across. As for my audience some felt the same way, and there were some who disagreed. As the presenter I learned even if people diagree with what you are saying or do not agree with you, you still have to be able to speak and get ypur point across. Someone may have been listening and understand where I was coming from as a high school student seeing my peers as mothers. No matter what the subject sometimes you have to speak on it.

lecture time!

There was on time when I had to present a presentation about a certain part of the brain for pyschology. I had to explain many things about the specific part of the brain and its many functions. My project was so dull that I had to lighten it up a little by making a poster board full of drawings I made. The poster also had printed out pictures of a real part of the brain section that I was presenting about and I explained with detail. I pointed out the specific part of the brain and explained how we use that part for memory.
To finish off my presentation i passed out information on how alcohol and drugs effect your memory and damages that specific part of your brain. Another great fact on that specific part of the brain was there is a disease called autism that relates to that part of the brain, that got poeple interested. My goal and purpose was to let people know about that certain part of the brain like facts and any interesting things that they don't know about there own brain. The audience responded well, they liked how I explained the presentation and gave them facts on diseases of that part of the brain. They also learned not to do drugs or consume a lot of alcohol or it would effect there memory. I learned its very nerv racking do a presentation in front of people but learn to relax and does flow with it.

Level of interest

Through out my high school career I've been expected to give many presentations. Whether it being a PowerPoint, or reading from notes. I was give the duty of informing my fellow classmates on a subject in which I chose to research. my goal and purpose of giving these presentations were to bring more knowledge to the students, and to make it enjoyable to listen. Every presentation I've given has been applauded. But that doesn't mean people liked it, or were even listening. I can honestly say at least 2 of my presentations have been enjoyable.

Through out the years of giving these presentations I've learned a few things. Such as, always try to grad the audiences attention. You have to hook them, and make them interested. Also, you need to know your facts, this will make you prepared for someone to ask you questions. Speak loudly and clearly so that you can get the attention your presentation deserves. And the final thing I've learned is to have fun with it. If your not enjoying what your presenting then the audience is not going to.

Poetry Experiment

When I was twelve years old I had to present a poem based on anything in front of bunch of people which half of them where my classmate at Navy Pier for a poetry fest. My poem was about changes in my life and different experience I had during those changes. I felt that nobody would understand my point of view about my poem.
Waiting to present, I listen in to other people who went up to present and some of them didn't have any good response from the audience. And some of them made up funny poem which got the crowd laughing. I was starting to feel nervous about reading my poem out loud to everyone. When it was my turn to present my poem in front of everyone, I can feel the nerves kicking in. After I read my poem I got good response from the audience and I thought that they got the point to my poem. I'm glad I did it but I don't want to write poetry again. I didn't win the poetry fest but I did have good time hanging out at Navy Pier.

freshman year

I’ve had to speak in public numerous amounts of times, however there was single absolute most memorable time which happened my freshman year of my private high school ( student population 400 ). To fulfill speech class, we had to speak in front of the whole school about a topic the teacher had chosen for us. I can only say I felt very timid and extremely panic-stricken when it came to speak in front of so many people. Our teacher had advised of us to use visuals so it would attract the audience into your speech. The topic I had was , morals among teens , I felt prepared to speak nevertheless I still felt I had to remember to never get off my main key points and go off into dismay. My main goal was to remember how and why I needed to get my information to these young people , in addition to also making it persuasive. The audience responded in a usual manner, many were surprised I could actually speak in public. This occurrence taught me how to convey a well-given presentation, and to always be on topic.

DECA

During my second semester of my senior year we had to come up with a couple of speeches and one of them had to be an informative speech. I was very involved with my DECA program and loved to share what it was all about and my experiences. After watching all these dull speeches I wanted to make sure mine was interesting. I made a poster that wasn't just filled with bullet point and columns. I made it very eye appealing that drew every ones attention, it made a great focal point. When I stood up there I was excited about being up there and tried to create an energy to get people interested.
While speaking, I didn't talk to them, I talked with them. I asked many questions since no one really knew what exactly DECA was and the involvement we had in the school. I was having a conversation with the entire class but still getting my information out there and known. Having an engaged audience made it much easier to stand up there and give a speech. You didn't feel boring or dull, you wanted to keep the energy up and have them learn as much information. I learned that when you get ideas flowing with your audience then they can help you become a better presenter.

Sarcastic Lectures

When it comes to lectures they are some times very difficult for me to give because most of the time I have ideas running through my mind. For example if im talking to soft or mummbling alot, it just gets so nerve racking. Also in the back of my mind I alway have the idea that my thoughts are pointless and wrong, and why are they listening to me.
I recall how there was once a lecture I had to give regarding Chicago for my final project for middle school. The project me to stand up in front of my Socials Studies class and talk about the major landmarks of Chicago and its history. The Lecture didn't start out so great because I kept thing maybe my information was wrong or even if I had enough information. Then near the end people started asking questions and the way I answered was in sarcastic funny ways and it really broke up the feeling of nerviousness that I was having before. Even since then when ever I do a lecture I act alitte sarcastic and it breaks the tension.

The Exorcism of Lectures

I honestly can only remember delivering a lecture or some form of information to an audience during high school, when I was forced to present a psychology project before my classmates. My partner and I decided to do our project on schizophrenia, thus we split the project into 2 parts. I was to research on Anneliese Michel, whose true life exorcism was the basis for the 2005 film the Exorcism of Emily Rose. My partner, on the other hand, was to do research on the affects of schizophrenia. When the time came for us to present, the first half of the presentation was sloppy, our posterboard looked like hell, and my partner's presentation of schizophrenia was dull.

My attempt was no better. I had attempted to lecture my class with the information of schizophrenia all the while providing the back story of Anneliese Michel, whose demon possesion was supposedly linked to mental illness. I tried to make the story and lecture interesting with saying that there was a possible link between demonic activity and mental illness. Sadly, my classmates happened to brush this off as just a another psychology lecture/presentation.

My backyard

There is a image in my head which usually pops up when i think of my backyard , i think of my grandfather " abuelito" cooking a traditional Mexican cookout . While my aunts could be heard with their ridiculous laughter from the next house over.Then there is the image of my little cousins running around aimlessly , and pretending they are the absolute best at soccer. Whether it was just chilling with the family or having another out of the moment backyard party , i cherish my the many funny memories while growing up with eccentric family in my infamous backyard.

Foreign Country behind my house

My backyard is like a foreign country that I've never been to. I never use my backyard because it does not interest me in any kind of manner. When I look out my screen door I realize that I have a wonderful backyard that I never use. My yard consists of a pool, a bonfire pit and a spacious patio. Some might think I'm crazy for not using my backyard but I say, "fuck the backyard," I have a luxurious room to chill in.

Backyard

When talking about your own personal backyard I can not really relate, because I don't have one. But I do have a really big front yard that looks out toward the silent houses on my block. Tons of things have happen on my front yard ranging from big parties to my mom driving on it to get around my car resulting in a big muddy mess. Also there are random nights were it gets redecorated with toilet paper. Then there are some times its even busy when we are in doors and bunnies decided to take it over and make it their home. What it comes down to is that my front yard is a rather social place were people and bunnies come together to hang out.

Discussion Question 7/22

In Monday's lecture, Ames Hawkins talked about our responsibilities as audience members to listen to and make connections between the information being presented and what we as individuals think we already know. As Ames stressed, the level of interest in and connection to the material is not only affected by the way material is presented to an audience and but also by an audience member's willingness to consider new ideas.

I'm sure there's been a time in your life when you've had to deliver information to an audience and appreciated their active engagement.

When have you ever been required to present information to an audience in an innovative way, and how did you choose to do it? What was your goal and purpose? How did the audience respond? As the presenter of ideas and information, what did you learn from the experience?

IF THE CHANCE ARRIVES: READ THIS

There is a wonderful article over in the Atlantic Monthly about Google and if it is making our generation stupid. I suggest all of you check it out when possible and generate some discussion on it. To visit the article, click on the blue link above.

Cheers, Flynn

Oasis

My yard had large bushes on both sides of the yard. They were way above my head intertwined with the fence making the hedge seem like an impenetrable oasis from the concrete savanna of the streets. My father always kept the yard very well maintained with lush green foliage and an elaborate array of colorful flowers, it was a pleasant sight. Being in the yard was like a shelter from the outside world while you were outside. You could still hear running engines and chatter of the people but they would never bother you without invitation. That’s what made my yard an oasis.

my backyard

My first backyard was in the city on south west side of Chicago. It was in a large populated mexican community in my area. Most people were in there backyards talkin to there neighbors. My house was the first house on the corner so everybody would pass by and look at yard and give compliments to my grandmother for the how nice she kept it. My backyard is very unique it shaped like a large L. First there is the apartment to the right then on the left of the apartment there is a grassy and garden type side yard. In the back yard there is nothing but cement and small rocks. In the backyard there is a basketball court were many times me and my father played basketball against each other. In the backyard there is also a old worn out garage full of junk and on the side wall of the garage there is a mural of the virgin mary. We use to put candles right next to her for prayers or to take care of our family. One very special thing in our backyard is my fathers first car a Chevrolet camero that is does rusting away. Every winter me and my friends after school when we was kids, when it was snowing crazy we would play "KING OF THE HILL" were we would does push people of the car until someone was on top of the car for a while. "good times". My backyard and front yard was the greatest tho especially on Mexican independence day after the parade because we does have family and friends all around the house front and back drinking, music blasting, meat getting cooked, people dancing, people waving the Mexican flags yelling out
"viva mexico". Everybody does havin good times at my front and backyard and parties never ending till like 3 o clock in the morning.

P.S.= AINT NOBODY GOT NOTHIN ON THAT >"NANDO"<

Bogan's Backyard

Many may see my backyard as a small area behind my house with many plants. I see my backyard as an area where I express myself and show how much I care about my house. Although I have only lived in my house for 11 years, my family and I have always kept my house and everything around it clean and well kept, so that our neighborhood, as well as, our community can be pleasing to the eye. In my backyard, my mother and I have planted many flowers and added little decorations to make the yard look pretty. My father keeps the grass cut neat, the bushes and trees trimmed, and makes sure that there is no garbage thrown into the yard. The Bogan's backyard, from someone point of view, can be seen as our concern for our neighborhood; sometimes we may not always agree with our neighbors, but we always make sure that our house looks nice, so that our village/community looks well.

A nothing to something!

Growing up I guess you can say our backyard evolved. It went from just being a large area of grass with a concrete walk way inbetween that led to the garage, to a fully furnished patio with glass doors that extended from the kitchen. It went from just a yard to a place where family gatherings were held, parties, conversations , and cook outs were also held. The yard to us was still home just outside, a new setting to enjoy each other. My grandmother had it built on to our house after she added an addition to the roof. After the porch was built she slowly made additions like Patio furniture with the table and umbrella, Flowers and a bar b que pit for all the family get togethers. I guess you can say our patio made it easier to entertain and bring our family togther. It made our backyard turn into something after being nothing!

backyard

One place that comes to mind is Plymouth, Minnesota. I have lived there for all of my 19 years and now that I am living in Chicago I can see how Plymouth is my own backyard. It is where I have had the ups and the downs in life. It is the place where my roots are so strong and I keep growing, becoming an adult in the real world. I have had so many great memories as a child that it makes me a happy, loving person and wanting to share all that happiness to others. There has been a few rough times growing up, and learning from them makes me a stronger person. Going to school, having my first couple jobs, and meeting great people all came from Plymouth and that's why it is so close to my heart.

Contempory Photography

During the times in which I had a backyard when I lived in a house, I did not utilize it very often. Because my living experience is most comprised of apartments, I can only recall having a backyard once, and that was aleast 2 years ago, during my stay at Broadview. My backyard was not a place of escapism or a harmonial getaway. In fact I did not spend much time back there at all, except when I would play around with my dog. I spent the majority of my time in my room reading and writing or at the local library, reading even more.

For me, the backyard was merely a large patch of grass that meant nothing more than watching my dog run about or a space out area (looking at a large square of grass from your window can result in spacing out a bit). So, unfortunately, there was no "involvement with society or even the harmony of a familar setting". But perhaps when I am older and I have my own home accompanied by the glorious backyard, I can then reflect upon the question posed for answering.

Back yard

Defining my own back yard is like flipping through an old photo album, or watching home videos. My backyard to me is a place for swimming, and laying on the swing letting the sun soak into my skin. A place where nothings wrong, and noones hurting, or upset. Beautiful flowers blooming everywhere swaying in the gentle breeze. The smell of fresh grass after the lawn being mowed. A place where you can become creative and imagine extra ordinary things.My backyard is family and friends having bbq's and just sitting around roasting marshmellows and telling stories about the past, present, and future. My back yard is a paradise, not to others, but to me. Its what I invision how things should be. My paradise that I've created, one that noone can take away from me.

Backyard

Growing up I spent most of my time in the typical backyards of a South-Side Chicago home. Small and fenced in, Im not great with dimensions but i would say usually about a 12x12 space filled in with maybe a small vegatable garden, grass and a crab apple tree. But for the the past six months preceding May i lived in a small town outside of Iowa City. I satyed in an apartment builing surrounded by farms and farmers. I never thought that in my lifetime i would see a buffalo, and about two miles across a field of corn was a buffalo farm. Living here definetley changed my perception of things and people. The locals were a breed of their own, people would bring their dogs to bars and not a person there seemed to mind. Living somewhere surronded by sprawlling fields makes you feel really conected to the landscape. So even though I lived there only a short time, the farms and fields of Iowa will always be my backyard.

A backyard to me is a place where you can spend time with someone close or just by yourself. It is somewhere you can think/contenplate or do just about anything the immagination offers. In my experiences of growing up I have seen my town as my own backyard. I do things that I feel are necessary or relaxing, such as enjoying the company of my family and friends, or getting the feel for my everyday surroundings and the way they change. A place that showed me a time for recognizing this change and also its importants.As a child, my town might have been dry because of the way people were, but with the closer people that I see all the time made it fun and eventful. Constantly turning nothing to do into something great to do. As the years pass, the town I live in had grown on me. It was where I lived all my life and created unforgetable memories that I will take with me wherever I go.

Martin Kralovec

The Museum of Contemporary Photography

The Museum of Contemporary Photography, which we will be visiting Tuesday, the 21st of July, is currently presenting a collection of work under the title--Beyond The Backyard--which highlights the cultural progression and placement of communal space.

The website uses the following description/summary: "Shaped by the distinctive forms of suburban development in the United States, the residential backyard has become a familiar landscape and a cultural phenomenon with widely recognized contours, from ideas about what backyards typically look like to the activities and cultural meanings we commonly associate with them."

Considering this particular focus on space and the yards we inhabit, how might you define what your own backyard has been? Even if you were raised in a place that did not have its own grassy quarters or aged porch/balcony for sitting, was there a place that you considered your own backyard and if so how has it defined your involvement with society or even the harmony of a familial setting?

This is one question to consider and answer before we attend the museum visit tomorrow. I look forward to hearing all of your thoughts.

-Flynn

WELCOME TO COLUMBIA'S BRIDGE PROGRAM!

Greetings students!

Please take a moment to look over MUSTER, the blog designed specifically for English Studies Section 4. Muster is where you'll be posting discussion questions, feedback, thoughts, and ideas about all you're reading and experiencing during the Bridge Program.

Best wishes for a successful program. We're happy to have you!