So What?: "Crossfire"

     "So what?", a very challenging or most commonly used as a sarcastic remark, is the very foundation of the "Notice and Focus + Ranking" technique.  Noticing many different things is the main key. 

     First things that come to mind while watching "Crossfire" are: The many different comparisons in the beginning of the show,how very comical the show is, how all of the characters seem emotional (Some stronger than others), John Stewart is challenged on asking "Fake" questions to John Kerry, the democrat is wearing an American flag lapel, and the republican is wearing a bow tie.

     In the opening scenes of the show, many complete opposites are named "Black and white, Left versus Right, Sox versus Yankees..." these comparisons give a foresight of what is to come between the hosts and guests of the show. All of the characters are dressed a very specific way. The republican is wearing a bow tie, as John Stewart points out, that makes him look very young; this could make him seem young and vibrant, but also naive and inexperienced.  John Stewart, dressed in a sweater, seems non-chalant and laid back, also very comical. The democrat, wearing a suit and tie with an American Flag lapel, takes the appearance of a sophisticated, knowledgeable, and a mature patriot. Through out "Crossfire" John Stewart is repeatedly nagged about why he didn't ask John Kerry harder questions when Stewart had the chance. John Stewart constantly shrugs off the questions with comedy and then strikes back at "Crossfire" or the hosts. The comical side of John Stewart keeps the show from becoming too violent and hostile.

     The Method: 

Throughout the show John Stewart repeatedly asks the hosts "why cant we get along," or demands "stop hurting America, and constantly expresses how "Crossfire" is bad- bad for America, but good for the politicians. This statement by John Stewart strikes me, Crossfire is hurting the American people but is very helpful to the politicians, this is so striking because the television shows are more worried about the politics and TV ratings more than the American people.

Compostion Homework 1: High School Writing

Once assigned a topic, many different thoughts begin running through my mind. I start thinking of what I am going to write about the exact moment I hear the subject.  The easiest part of a writing assignment is figuring out what I am going to write about. I like to brainstorm throughout the day and evaluate all of the possible things and ways to begin and end a paper. I think about many different topics and layouts as I walk between my classes. After putting much thought into a paper, I usually procrastinate, a habit that I am trying to break while in college. Many times I organize my paper in a five paragraph format. This layout has been drilled into me since I first learned to write essays. According to Writing Analytically the five paragraph format is completely destructive to all characteristic of writing, except for the organization aspect. Once I return home from school and I have laid out the format of the paper I start to develop my ideas. To begin my paper and thesis, I begin to freewrite to create a foundation of thoughts that I mold into my essay. Establishing a well-developed thesis is very difficult for me to do without another’s opinion. Many times I will create a thesis and think that it has too many flaws and then restart. Transferring my thoughts to the paper and thoroughly developing the concepts are more difficult. Many topics that I write about I assume people view the topic the same way that I do. Something that makes complete since to me may look like a whole new language to another person. Creating a lengthy piece of literature has always been a problem for me. I am very easily distracted, as writing is not my most favorite activity. Many times I will become sidetracked by other noises or people around me, but complete silence is even more difficult to work through. Eventually, I come back to the paper to finish. The conclusion is the easiest, and most enjoyable, part of any paper. To me, the conclusion says “You’re almost done”! The conclusion is wrapping up what you’re whole essay has said. Therefore, completing a conclusion that summarizes the paper, and adds a few finishing touches to some thoughts, is a very accomplishing feeling. Proof-reading my own paper is one of my biggest flaws. When I proof-read my own paper, I completely understand what it is that I wrote. Then, I have to take my paper to a peer to ask for help. Only after then can I go and make final corrections to make my essay more clear and understandable. I will have many drafts of a paper. After printing and proof-reading then correcting, I have created at least three different papers. Up until the point that I turn in my paper to my teacher, I was always nervous. I knew after I left home that there was nothing I could do to better my paper any more. The accomplished feeling of turning in that paper is amazing! Then the cycle of anticipation and nervousness restarts and only ends when I see the final grade.

 

Once assigned a topic, many different thoughts begin running through my mind. I start thinking of what I am going to write about the exact moment I hear the subject.  The easiest part of a writing assignment is figuring out what I am going to write about. I like to brainstorm throughout the day and evaluate all of the possible things and ways to begin and end a paper. I think about many different topics and layouts as I walk between my classes. After putting much thought into a paper, I usually procrastinate, a habit that I am trying to break while in college. Many times I organize my paper in a five paragraph format. This layout has been drilled into me since I first learned to write essays. According to Writing Analytically the five paragraph format is completely destructive to all characteristic of writing, except for the organization aspect. Once I return home from school and I have laid out the format of the paper I start to develop my ideas. To begin my paper and thesis, I begin to freewrite to create a foundation of thoughts that I mold into my essay. Establishing a well-developed thesis is very difficult for me to do without another’s opinion. Many times I will create a thesis and think that it has too many flaws and then restart. Transferring my thoughts to the paper and thoroughly developing the concepts are more difficult. Many topics that I write about I assume people view the topic the same way that I do. Something that makes complete since to me may look like a whole new language to another person. Creating a lengthy piece of literature has always been a problem for me. I am very easily distracted, as writing is not my most favorite activity. Many times I will become sidetracked by other noises or people around me, but complete silence is even more difficult to work through. Eventually, I come back to the paper to finish. The conclusion is the easiest, and most enjoyable, part of any paper. To me, the conclusion says “You’re almost done”! The conclusion is wrapping up what you’re whole essay has said. Therefore, completing a conclusion that summarizes the paper, and adds a few finishing touches to some thoughts, is a very accomplishing feeling. Proof-reading my own paper is one of my biggest flaws. When I proof-read my own paper, I completely understand what it is that I wrote. Then, I have to take my paper to a peer to ask for help. Only after then can I go and make final corrections to make my essay more clear and understandable. I will have many drafts of a paper. After printing and proof-reading then correcting, I have created at least three different papers. Up until the point that I turn in my paper to my teacher, I was always nervous. I knew after I left home that there was nothing I could do to better my paper any more. The accomplished feeling of turning in that paper is amazing! Then the cycle of anticipation and nervousness restarts and only ends when I see the final grade.