As you write on the blog this week, I'd like you to respond to these
first few poems that we're reading. But I'd also like you to share some
information about yourself--your attitudes/experiences about reading and
writing and anything else you might want to share. Please also ask any
questions you have and I'll use this space to answer them.
All entries on the blog this first week (until 2/02) will be extra credit.
Welcome to the blog for Prof. John Talbird's English 102 class. The purpose of this site is two-fold: 1) to continue the conversations we start in class (or to start conversations before we get to class) and 2) to practice our writing, reading, and thinking on a weekly basis in an informal setting.
I have really high expectations for this course and I'm hoping that I have more creativity in not only reading the passages or poems but writing about them. I've always had difficulty with English class because I'm not a creative writer. I have a really hard time understanding poems so hopefully by the end of the semester i have developed those necessary skills to help me enjoy english classes and prepare me for my career.
ReplyDeleteHi Merry: Most people struggle interpreting poems. It's a process that takes practice.
DeleteHi Merry: I totally agree with the professor's response. I believe that being able to understand poems is a process that we all have to become familiar with. In my opinion, the more we read outside of poetry, the more we look at our lives, other people's lives, and interpret things that happened around us the more we can relate to what's being told or described in the poem. My experience has shown that many times poets write about happenings in their surroundings but does so by relating it to some symbol or some far fetch association.
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ReplyDeleteAm excited for this course because I hope at the end am able to understand the deeper meanings to poetry which was one of the cons I tend to have with English alot.But the poem we discuss in class was very interesting cause at frist I was confused at to what the poem really was abouth but what helped me to get better understanding was when my class mates was able to express there opinion abouth what they think the author means with each stanza.so at the end of this class hoping am able to develop the skills that necessary to write better essays and poetry or learning abouth them alot more .
ReplyDeleteI at first thought the class was going to be quite boring however, after finding out more about what the collection was about I am now interested. English isn't one of my favorite subject and poetry and interpreting poems has always been a struggle for me. When finding out we were going to be reading poems I got a little scared. I am still a bit worried. I really hope the collection will be fun and interesting and possibly by the end of the semester I will get better at interpreting and understanding poetry
ReplyDeleteDon't be afraid of poetry!
DeleteI too, at one point in time had difficulty in understanding poems and I am not suggesting that I am good at interpreting every one of them. I will not, however, dislike poems. For once, I am given a possible interpretation of a poem I don't intentionally understand. It then becomes to understand what the poet is trying to possibly interpret it in a different form. So I definitely will not hate poetry. And I suggest to you keep an open mind.
DeleteI am looking forward to learn how to read poetry the correct way and to see what I was taught can be affective to my final paper and exam. A fun fact about me is, this is my fist semester here at QCC and I'm in Engl. 102, hmm, how did that happen, how come I'm not in Engl. 101? I took College writing in my Junior year and I did something similar to selecting a topic and write a 10-15 page paper.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this syllabus, the requirements for Engl 102 seems clear as the syllabus addresses the major aspects of the course in its entirety. I admire the fact that technology is utilized for communication in this course. Further, having Professor John make himself available for writing assistance seems admirable. In my opinion, participation/attendance encompasses a large part of the grading structure. Attendance, I believe is important for learning but lack of participation may not necessarily imply that learning is not occurring. Thus, my suggestion would be that the participation/attendance percentage be lowered. Overall, I am thankful for a detailed syllabus that specifies all the necessary requirements. This is my second reading and writing course and I hope that on completion of this course I can become a better writer.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea: Thanks for your feedback. It's true that some people are shy and don't speak a lot in class. But there are lots of ways of showing participation. Maybe you post more on the blog. Or maybe you just demonstrate engagement by always being on time and interested and stay off your phone. I think it's important to reward good participation in whatever fashion in comes in.
DeleteIt is good to know that participation doesn't only involve verbalizing in class but that other aspects of communication are also count.
DeleteAfter reading this syllabus I've retained a clear understanding of this course. At first its overwhemling to look at the work at once , the 15 page paper is one thing that stood out to me. I have done probably more then 15 pages in total in other english classes but writing three pages a week is something I would struggle with. Other then that, I'm excited for this semester in English the books you picked for us seem interesting and im ready to learn something from you.
ReplyDeleteI found the first poem we read in class to be very interesting and confusing at the same time. There was not one exact way to read. Whether we see it as literal or a metaphor. The poem really struck my interest. Im looking forward to being able to write on topics that I pick. I love create writing and I'm kinda looking forward to this writing assignment because of that.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the syllabus I've learned that it's going to be a development of English 101, but the course is going to be much different. I feel like I'll be able to use my reading and writing skills from there onto this class. I find it slightly overwhelming at first but with time I'll hopefully develop more skills. I didn't have much experience with poetry but reading the poems during the class has intrigued me.
ReplyDeleteThe poems that we have read in class can be interpreted in many ways. Poems are written without intent. They are written so the reader can come up with their own meaning. If there is a poem one person can interpret it as it being about survival of the fittest and another person can interpret it as meaning living in the American Dream. The poems can be anything you can interpret them as.
ReplyDeleteI am very happy to be taking English this semester. During this course I'm looking forward to expend my strenghts and improve my weaknesses. When it comes to writing, I have trouble expressing the words in a unique way. Finally, my grammar could use improvement in areas such as spelling and punctuation. Not only that but I'm looking to gain a deeper understanding of the author's major themes, poetic techniques. I can definitely say we are going to read lots of poems this semester which I'm very excited about it.
ReplyDeleteI am actually quite exited for Eng 102 because I enjoyed 101 a lot. I as well find that I struggle a bit interpreting poems but after reading it a couple of times I somewhat have an idea about what is trying to get across. I hope that this course will strengthen my abilities as a writer and as a reader. I believe that those two things are very important on a day to day basis.
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