Reaction: The Maker's Eye: Revising Your Own Manuscripts

       With this article, the author wanted people to become aware that writers put a lot of thought in their writing.  Everything that we read that has been published could have been revised a hundred times before we saw it.  The author wanted us to know this, because if he had not said this, then we never would have known.  In revising drafts, I think that everyone has a different style of doing so.  In the article, a process that some authors follow is described.  But again, everyone has their own way of doing things.  For me, when I revise, the first thing that I do is look for grammatical errors.  Next I check my first paragraph, making sure that it clearly states the point of my essay and is an effective introduction to the body.  Next, I check that all of my points are on point, and then I look for an effective and conclusive conclusion.  I check my voice and the audience, but most of all, my thought organization.  With all my works, I hope that my reader understands my thought process.  I hope to say everything that I want to say as best I can.  The author says that revising can happen forever because a piece is never as perfect as the writer would want.  So really, the only thing absolutely similar about writer's writing process is that revision is inevitable and is key to exceptional writing.

Reaction: Cinematypes -- Susan Allen Toth + My Favorite Movie Genre :)

       This was a funny article to read.  It really proves that a lot can be told about a person from their interests, like  movie preferences.  The author describes what a person that enjoys films redeeming social value, art films, and entertaining  films is like.  We even learn what a person that like old Technicolor films is like.  Personally, the type if movie that I like is the type that balances action and thought.  These are those films that keep you thinking, but not the too-mind-boggling-that-it-is-annoying kind, and  at the same time, has action, and not the mindless explosion type of action either.  Movies like these are those done by my favorite director, Christopher Nolan.  His movies like The Prestige, Memento, the Batman movies Batman Begins and The Dark Knight and Inception are exactly the kinds of movies I am referring to.  I wonder what my movie preference says about me. 

Reaction: Doublespeak --William Lutz

         I am learning more and more that English is truly so much more complex than I thought.  It is a very powerful tool to those that know it well.  For example, the use of doublespeak can be both useful and deceptive depending on situation or intent. One can use doublespeak to make people do things all because they have no idea what is meant by the speaker.  I believe that the best way to counter doublespeak i really, knowledge of the language.  If you can truly comprehend everything a person is saying then there is no way you can be fooled.  As a result, I have concluded that I want to continue to learn the secrets of English for the more I know, the less likely i will be deceived and more likely I will be able to use the language for good.

The Filipino Woman: Cory and Leonor, Gabriela and Imelda

      I really liked reading this article.  It shows all the different things that a woman is faced with and the ways they can react.  Leonor was a woman who did what she was told even if it meant that she would give up happiness.  Cory was a woman who was not afraid to step completely out of her comfort zone to free her nation.  Gabriela, similar to Cory, was also a woman led, but she led in a different way.  She did something that men would think was an incapability of women.  She actually led an army. Imelda was a woman who harbored off her husband to support the arts.  An observation I made was that, among all of the examples the author made, Imelda was the only one with a husband that she loved by her side.  I liked this article because I could find a little inspiration in all of them.  Leonor in her willingness to sacrifice, Cory in her doing that is right even if it was something not in her line of work, Gabriela in her courage, and Imelda in finding power for herself.  Really, I know that a woman is capable of great things and so, I am proud to be a Filipino woman.

Reaction: Sexism and Language-- Alleen Pace Nilsen

         This reading is all about how there are terms in the English language that show sexism.  So many negative terms have words in it that refer to a female.  At the same time, there are terms that seem mostly male that are positive.  Also, it is obvious that young females are favored to older females.  Another reason language is sexist to the author is that some terms, when used to refer to men are positive; however, when the same term is used for women, it is negative.  The author describes it as "glorifying men". The author gave many proofs and examples and so I find myself more likely agreeing with the author.  In the end, I do think that the English language shows some sexism against women.

Reaction: Happy Feet: The Pleasures of Teen Dance Movies

     I agree with the author of this article completely.  Pretty much all teen dance movies are the same or have similar themes.  Despite this people still watch them.  Personally, I think that it is because of the dancing.  People really just enjoy watching dance movies to see the dancing.  Usually, when I watch dance movies, I completely ignore the cliche storyline just as long as, in the end, the dance numbers were nice.  Sometimes, I even skip through the movie and only watch the dance numbers.  I believe that it is right to say that as long as there are people that enjoy dance, dance movies will be successful.

Warning: Propaganda

         I can not think of a better term for this type of propaganda than a direct command.  This means that in this type of propaganda, the audience is not given much of a choice other than buying into whatever product is being sold.  It means that the option is not simply the better choice, but rather the only option, consequently meaning, the only thing that can be done.  A perfect example for this would be the Nike ads and their tagline Just Do It.  This has no questions asked, simply a command.