Obama on current state of Economy

*Barack gave a speech detailing his plans for repairing America's struggling economy in Golden, CO on September 16th, 2008. *

In this clip, Obama is also saying that he is willing to listen to the opinions of others, that he doesn't know everything and will listen to adive of those with more experience and make his own conclusions.

Small Group Activity 9/9/08

Amanda Shumake
Danielle McKinney
Alyssa Lester

1. Wolff’s essay was the good mixture between both positions of whether or not the war is working or if it has just become a pointless war. He does have a sarcastic tone when it comes to talking about the Bush administration but was not completely against what they stood for. His essay was a good way to introduce new concepts and ideas to those who have not taken the chance to see both sides of the story. The essay was a whole was well written but parts had a tendency to become confusing when both sides are voiced quickly.
2. Since this article was written in 2003, the situation now in 2008 has not differed drastically. The situations have continued to improve in Iraq but have not completely healed since 2003.
3. “Bipolar Iraq” is a good example of writing to example of writing to explore because Wolff divulges into the topics deeper and deeper while informing the reader of what is going on in Iraq and the different situations. The article shows us how to do exploratory writing and thinking buy showing us as a writer, it is okay to not have just one opinion as you start writing. Often times it seems that you are not sure where you stand until you put one point against the other. This helps because at this moment, you can see which topic you are more likely to stand for.
4. Foreign media is talking about how Mr. Bush is leaving troops in Iraq until his last month in office. They discuss how many troops are over there and the plans Bush had before today and how Bush is running the war his own way.
London is saying that McCain and Palin are taking ahead in the election. Palin is what the republicans needed to help them get ahead and that she is a great look for the president.

Invention Strategies

Three invention strategies that I use are free writing, questioning and brainstorming. I feel that invention strategies are important because they help you to generate information and knowledge about your topic. I can incorporate invention strategies into my I-Search and my Writing to Explore assignments by gathering my own opinions and wondering why each candidate has what their opinions are and where they come from. I usually write my paper and then go back over it the next day after when my head is clear; when I reread it, I usually read it along to make sure it has a correct flow in wording. It is important to read your paper aloud so that you can hear each mistake because you will read it as it is supposed to be spoken and may fix your mistakes. I should read each of my works that I write before I turn them in so that most mistakes will be found.

Strengths and Weaknesses

When looking at the list of each quality, I find it fairly easy to point out which item I have a handle on and which I feel that I need to work on. For rhetorical knowledge each of the items are self explanatory. I feel that I have no problem focusing on a purpose, responding appropriately to different kinds of rhetorical situations, using conventions of format and structure appropriate to the rhetorical situation, understanding how genres shape reading and writing and writing in several genres. But I feel that I have to better learn to respond to the needs of different audiences and in adopting appropriate voice, tone, and level of formality.
When it comes to thinking critically, reading and writing I feel that I can use these skills to question different ways of learning and wording each part of a paper or in everyday communications. I also feel extremely able to understand how to complete a series of tasks that are necessary in writing a paper and also integrating my own ideas with those of others. I do feel that I could work on understand the relationships among language, knowledge, and power; in such a way to make my words more powerful.
When it comes to the processes of writing a paper, I do understand that many facets are important, whether or not I like them. I do understand that it takes multiple drafts to complete a paper, but I often do not like to read over a paper once I have finished it. I also do need to work on my proof-reading skills and being more comfortable to have others read my works as well. I also need to trust others when their opinion is voiced towards my paper and use multiple ways of correcting the paper.
The use of knowledge of conventions includes learning common formats for different kinds of texts which means grasping different concepts from different texts, developing how to range in the structure of a paper and setting the tone. I know I have a good grip on documenting my works in a bibliography. I know that I need to better perfect my use of punctuation and grammar.