The article “The Ideal English Major” is written by Mark Edmundson a professor of English at the University of Virginia; Mark defends the argument that majoring in English is the best choice for college students. He goes on to say that majoring in English is majoring in being a human being. English majors are more open to experiences and reach out to reading and writing to live other life’s other than their own. Mark explains why majoring in English is so important to a person’s life. English majors aren’t like others; they live non-like anyone else. English majors learn to use language to help contribute to the English race and to further their own life.
In Mark Edmundson’s essay “The Ideal English Major” he argues that English is the best
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Edmundson tries to prove that without the value of an inner self love for language and everything involving language then you can’t fully know yourself or your surroundings. His argument that that English majors are more open with themselves and the world could spark the thoughts of incoming students to major in English. The essay goes on to criticize businessman and athletes, claiming that their lives are such as a tape loop. Edmundson doesn’t give any information to why he thinks they are a tape loop or what makes their carrier choice not as appealing to himself. Instead of him jumping to conclusions he should compare why English majors are more superior than other majors.
The essay does a good job balancing some real-life examples of English lifestyles, such as speaking about the essayist Jeremiah Sullivan but it should contain some more examples such as other writers and other journalists that talk about their thoughts about their carrier choice. I feel that his argument is all about what he thinks with little to know facts to back it up. His essay lacks insight from anyone besides himself. It’s all about what he thinks and feels what English majors are or
It reminds me of the issues that many students went through at my school because of lack of resources. For example, there were often teachers who didn’t have the necessary degree, but had the experience in that field to teach the course. There just isn’t many other teachers in the field with the degree and experience necessary to teach a certain course. This is extremely prevalent in not only english, but in all other subjects. Students that have good teachers are lucky. Now, let me put it back into terms of the essay. Raymond Branch had far more resources right in front of him, mainly because of his inheritance, but also because he had access to these resources, unlike Dora Lopez, who had to do a lot of work on her
bell hooks’s essay, "Keeping Close to Home", uses three important components of argument (ethos, pathos, and logos) to support her claim. hooks develops her essay by establishing credibility with her audience, appealing to the reader’s logic, and stirring their emotions. She questions the role a university should play in the life of a nation, claiming that higher education should not tear a student away from his roots, but help him to build an education upon his background.
What does he mean by this? Perhaps confronting your professors? Edmundson states, "The students and the professors have made a deal: Neither of them has to throw himself heart and soul into what happens in the classroom" (Edmundson 408). This is one idea of Edmonson's that I disagree with. Not all students and professors act as if they don't care about the curriculum, sometimes both students and professors actually care and want to learn or teach to the best of their ability. The author emphasizes this idea of fighting a lot throughout the article and I believe that is him trying to prove that point. Some examples are when he constantly brings up the idea of professors not teaching to the best of their ability or even students not doing the best that they can to learn. As a college student, I can relate a bit to this idea of having to fight. In the beginning of my first semester of college, my classes along with the professors were not the best. I think that Edmundson means that when you fight, you are not targeting the whole institute which you attend, but more specifically, the
In the article "Why Good English is Good For You," by John Simon, the intended audience is English speaking Americans. Simon stresses the importance of keeping good English alive, and spreading it. He explains how the influence of adults can greatly impact the future of the upcoming generations. Simon makes it clear to the audience, which consists of young adults, adults, and professionals, that language is a daily necessity that should not be used in a way that makes Americans appear illiterate. Simon uses many rhetorical devices such as analogies, personification, asyndeton, and anaphoras to demonstrate the importance of utilizing English in a proper manner. Those who use English must train themselves to exert the language in the correct
When I first came into English 1101, I lacked confidence in my writing. I didn’t know if I was writing correctly or even forming an essay correctly, also I experienced trouble with research papers and the process of writing these kinds of essays. I would often feel overwhelmed and embarrassed since I was never taught how to write any essay correctly. I was thinking to myself, how could I have not known how to write? Writing should have been something so first nature to me, but through the help of Mrs. Hermanson and her positive attitude, eager to teach, and nurturing nature, I felt unafraid to make mistakes, I became more confident in my writing and ready take on the world of writing.
Although most of his evaluations are favorable, he was fearful of the comments that his class was also enjoyable; Edmundson doesn’t teach to amuse nor interest. He possesses the genuine passion of spreading knowledge resulting in hearing the students talk of how the course changed them as a person, an individual. (Edmundson, p.390). Addressing the culture of the university Edmundson believes they are more devoted to the consumer consumption and entertainment values. The quality of education is declining due to giving the consumer what they want, rather what they need. Higher learning is shifting towards a society that is sophisticated with technology. The marketing side of decisions that are made with the finances and education are primarily for money being placed their pockets and making sure it stays there due to their tenure and permanent seats. They will always have a job, but what about the decisions for the quality of the education? Or having to cover the expenses of staying current with the newest technology and amenities as well? In order to keep balance in all of this the school will usually raise tuition which causes a chain reaction of rising costs for everything. With the rise of costs, school becomes undesirable to the students who aren’t able to afford it, or the ones who go into debt
Without delay, I begin my in-depth look into the requirements of this study and what was expected of me, as an English 111 student. To successively complete these assignments, I would need to be focused on the process of such writing assignments. Along with the instructor’s ideas that our writing would be done in such different ways it will eventually consume every waking moment of my time and become top priority for the next four months.
Edmundson at first, describes college as just go to class and you will be ready for life. But he then goes on to say that the education system is not about following in line. He continues on by saying, “To get an education, you’re probably going to have to fight against the institution that you find yourself in” (Edmundson 115). He often repeats himself by recommending students fight the education system. He points out higher education is often seen as a chance to study something
Writing this evaluative essay is both beneficial to the teacher and the TCC English Department. The professor because she had given us a chance to critique her and tell her, her strengths and weakness of her teaching; it favored the English department because they now know how effective the textbook is and how effective this class is to the students actually taking it. Because I had a teacher who was willing to help when in need, English 111 wasn’t as hard as others portrayed it to be. I had a good professor, peers, and the writing center to help me with this class. I hope to continue to be successful in the second part of the course. Although I do not enjoy writing essays this is an essay I enjoyed writing.
In this essay, I attempted to combine two sources and analyze them each by itself first and then combine it at the end. I think I did a good job analyzing and interpreting what Ellen DeGeneres was saying in her article. This essay was more difficult than the other essays for me because it is hard to apply the examples and try to combine two different sources to make a compare and contrast paper make sense.
In Edmundson’s , “On the Uses of Liberal Education: As Lite Entertainment for Bored College Students” he creates a strong argument on how the students of our era don’t appreciate education. He blames this on his era (sixties) for shielding them from how hard life is. Due to the kids of today's upbringing in the school system they favor jovial, amusing professors who can keep them attracted instead of stern instructors who are hard on the material. Edmundson doesn’t want the students to feel as if they’re coming to class for a show yet, for the students to be challenged mentally. Another topic he attacks is how the universities spend all their money on attractions to appeal to the students. This lures students to the school and the schools benefit
The starting of the essay “WELCOME AND COGRATULATIONS” is the main sign that Edmunson’s claim has a kairos because it is a phrase to start in the context related by the author and its composition. But also, the author establishes credibility when he shares his experiences in College as a student and as a Professor. This means that the evidence shown among the paper are primary source narrates from the mouth of someone involved in the American education system. From my point of view, the “Who Are You And What Are You Doing Here?” essay innovates the style to describe and analyze events that many people have experienced in any time of their life. Throughout the reading of this essay, I found agreements and disagreements points with the author’s opinion. In the following paragraphs, I will state my perception of this composition.
When I first read Langston Hughes' poem "Theme for English B", I did not particularly like it. But after reading it a second time and discussing it in class, I came to appreciate the poem on several levels. The way Hughes describes the setting of Harlem/New York is brief, but evocative. He also gives us insight into the thoughts and emotions of the main character, the young "colored" student, and ends the piece with several thought provoking passages.
This essay received an "A." This essay's greatest strength is the writer's use of sophisticated syntax, employing phrases, and in dependent and independent clauses, modifying the main clauses, and creating a rhythmic reading pattern.
In high school, English was my strongest and favorite subject. I never had to work as hard in English as I did in math or any other subjects I took in high school. My peers would cram all night for a Literature test we were going to have but not I. I excelled in writing essays about Moby Dick and his white Whale or Beowulf and Grendel. My confidence in my ability to write was always high and when I enrolled at Chattahoochee, I assumed my confidence would not waiver. When I received my grade for my first paper, I was in shock of all the red ink that covered it. English 1101 taught me the skills I needed to have to be able to write a great paper and prepared me for what was to come for English 1102. English 1102 have taught me to rethink my abilities as a writer and to work harder and spend more time on my essays and think outside the box.