Where are you from?

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

United States of America.

USA.

America.

Mountains, Deserts, Plains.

Cool ocean breezes.

Forests.

Lakes.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

People.

307 million.

Diversity.

Big cities, Small Towns.

Farmers, Engineers, Architects.

Men, Women, Children.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

Midwest.

Illinois.

Flatlands.

Rows and rows of corn.

Roar of tractor engines.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

Life.

Spring storms.

Flowers bloom.

Summer heat.

Splash of water.

Autumn Chill.

Crispy, crunch of leaves.

Snow falls slowly.

Buzz of the snowblower.

Death.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

Chicago

Big city.

3 million.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

Glow of the city lights.

Skyscrapers.

Big buildings.

Towering through the sky.

The Second City.

The City of Big Shoulders.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

The Windy City.

Lakeshore.

Wind swirling in from the lake.

Boats.

Beaches.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

Buzz of the big city.

Busy sidewalks.

Liveliness.

Honks of the yellow taxis.

Street entertainment.

Chicago sports.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

Glenview, Illinois.

Suburbs.

Green lawns lining the streets.

Rows and rows of houses.

Schools.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

The sway of trees in the wind.

Squirrels scatter the yards.

Flick park.

Snow days.

Sled hill.

Toboggans scrapping the snow.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

Jordan.

Culture.

Differences.

Arabic.

Deserts.

Parents.

Relatives.

Family.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

People as where I am from.

I say.

United States of America.

Midwest.

Illinois.

Chicago.

Glenview.

Jordan.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

I am who I am.

I come from different places.

These are my home.

Where are you from?

Where are you from?

By: Farah Ishaq

Works Cited: Group Final Presentation

***Format not correct due to format of blog***

 

Works Cited

Culver, Chet. "Dam Fails in Eastern Iowa, Causing Massive Flooding - CNN." Featured Articles from  CNN. 24 July 2010. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2010-07-24/us/iowa.dam.breach_1_dam-breach-flood-warning-maquoketa-river?_s=PM:US>.

"IFC Inundation Maps." Iowa Flood Center. University of Iowa, 23 Mar. 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://ut.iihr.uiowa.edu/ifc/detailed_inundation_maps.html>.

Mutel, Cornelia Fleischer. A Watershed Year: Anatomy of the Iowa Floods of 2008. Iowa City:     University of Iowa, 2010. Print.

Pulliam, Jason. "New Online Map System Helps Flood Preparations." The Des Moines Register. DesMoinesRegister.com. 24 Mar. 2011. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110324/NEWS/103240354/New-online-map-system-helps-flood-preparations>.

Saunders, Forrest. "Quick Melt Causes Flood Concerns in Akron, IA - KTIV NewsChannel 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports." KTIV NewsChannel 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports - HOME. 19 Feb. 2011. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14063826>.

Swoboda, Rod. "Too Much Rain Causes Floods In Iowa Fields - Wallaces Farmer." Wallaces Farmer - Home. 25 May 2004. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://wallacesfarmer.com/story.aspx/too/much/rain/causes/floods/in/iowa/fields/380>.

Addicted to Risk: Naomi Klein TED Talks Lecture

     Naomi Klein's TED lecture entitled, Addicted to Risk, provided slew of information, but could have been presented more effectively and credibly. In the beginning of the lecture, Klein does mention that she is no scientist, but did spend time observing the issues with a research team. Although this did bring a more personal aspect to the lecture and allows the audience to relate with her better, it did take away some of her credibility. Stating this fact made me question and wonder where her information was coming from and how credible it actually was coming out of her mouth. Considering she wasn't a scientist, I believe any one of us could have done research and lectured about the same material she was lecturing on. 

     As for her sources, Klein mentioned several names of organizations, but could have supplied the audience with a more specific source. The fact that she did jump into several different topics surrounding the oil spill and global warming as well as the effect on the economy is good for provided and array of support, but it does also suggest that more credibility is needed with such a wide range of information. Also, her lecture became tougher to follow and unclear because of the wide array of information. Her comments about men were also very bias and did not add any content to her lecture and were not appropriate. Another "annoying" or distracting part of her lecture were here mannerisms when talking, which may have caused distractions within the audience and allowed them to lose touch.
     On the other hand, most of Klein's visuals did do a pretty nice job of showing environmental risks, but also seemed to add pointless visuals and effects to try to enhance her lecture. Through watching Klein's lecture, it is easy to see that there is much room for improvement. It takes a lot to present to a large audience and I applaud her intentions, but through enhancing her overall presentation, she could have proven her point and allowed for her purpose to shine through. 

English Photo Project:Iowa State University--Lake LaVerne

A bird takes a break on the grass

When given the opportunity to connect with my surroundings and visually represent one place that matters to me, it was easy to decide that Iowa State University is what matters to me. Through visual representation of the campus, I took the time to illustrate the growth and opportunity present within the nature surrounding the University to represent the growth and opportunity students have being here. Since the photo project was purely visual communication, the area around Lake LaVerne was most appropriate to indicate growth present within the Iowa State community. To me, Iowa State is the whole community consisting of the student body and the surroundings and environment of these students. My visual communication or representation strives to express growth and opportunity around Lake LaVerne as well as the growth being experienced by the students and the opportunities they have being here. Iowa State University—a place full of growth and opportunities, a place important to me.

The most meaningful visual aspect of the thirty photos taken were the growth that surrounds Iowa State- more specifically Lake LaVerne. Each captured photo illustrates the surroundings present around campus and symbolizes the potential present within nature and the students as well. If one takes a around at nature, especially during this time of year, it is easy to note that trees, plants, and even animals are waiting to grow and express their beauty for the next several months. This growth that surrounds the students can easily be related to themselves. Students are given the opportunity to grow and show their potential during their time here at Iowa State. They need to realize that nature is growing with them, whether it’s the flowers near spring bloom or trees slowly awaiting their leaves. If one takes a look at the photos with students walking around the lake, this growth and opportunity is easily noted. The branches and paths that are visually represented present these opportunities in nature, but also can relate to the opportunities present at Iowa State University. Before this project, I had never wandered around the lake paths. Doing so allowed me to realize how easily the nature surrounding our beautiful university can relate to the students themselves and the reasons why they are here. The university provides nature to grow with beauty while allowing the students to grow side by side educationally. With the opportunities present, Iowa State allows for its surroundings to live it to its potential. Education is what matters to me and to know that my surroundings are experience growth along with me allows me to push forward and live up to my fullest potential. The abundant nature on campus inspired me and it is symbolic of the opportunities available to students.  As the trees branch out for birds to lay nests in, the University provides branches of networks for the students to settle in.

Evergreens flood the area around Lake LaVerne

Flowers bloom near Lake Laverne

Evergreens glow and trees wait for Spring growth

Students walk to class surrounded by growth

The Water Tower towers over Iowa State University

A Swan enjoys a warm, spring day in Lake Laverne

A branch floating on Lake LaVerne

A path weaving through the growth surrounding Lake LaVerne

Acorns glitter the floor surrounding the lake

Another swan enjoys the cool lake waters

A bench gives students the opportunity to enjoy the Lake's surroundings

A goose swims in Lake LaVerne

Rocks surround Lake Laverne

Evergreens shine all year long

The Campanile towers over the trees waiting for Spring growth

A path stretches across the green grass

The Water Tower expresses the Iowa State University logo

Branches jut out of a tree, waiting for growth

Lake LaVerne and its surroundings

The Campanile on Central Campus

Trees jut out of the grassland

A bench lies next to Lake LaVerne

A squirrel scanning the area for food

A goose enjoying the warm, spring day

A branch floats on the lake surrounded by rocks

The Memorial Union lying peacefully by Lake LaVerne

A bare tree around Lake LaVerne

An evergreen tree towers over the other trees waiting to grow

Branches intersecting each other waiting for Spring

"The Making of a Marginal Farm" by Wendell Berry

     Sustainability is an important issue facing our country today. Being able to efficient with our resources and working towards a sustainable future are important concepts present in Wendell Berry's, "The Making of a Marginal Farm." Through his writing, Berry illustrates sustainability and his ability to live off what he calls a marginal farm or land. This type of marginal land frequently goes unused by society because it is seen as poor-quality or has little to no potential. Through Berry's farming practices, society can begin to see  how one can live off such lands and build a more sustainable future within agriculture. Writing through first hand experiences and reflections he has, it is easy to follow Berry's discovers on the subject. Berry explains that, "From where I live and work, I never have to look far to see that the earth does indeed pass away. But however that is taught, and however bitterly learned, it is something that should be known, and there is a certain good strength in knowing it" (516). This marginal farmland Berry is living off of is often passed and left to pass away or die, but it requires strength and love of the farming to create such a life from this land. Through his writing, he explains the consequences of the modern and new developmental methods and that to create such a place from marginal farmland needs hard work, love and dedication towards the land. It is interesting to see Berry bring about opportunities for change within agriculture that human's can work towards and also bring out sustainability towards the future. Through first hand experience, Berry shows that you must be able to live with what you have and develop new ideas and ways to efficiently use and work with what you have in order to work towards sustainability.

Omnivoirs Dilemma: Michael Pollan

     Through his writing, Michael Pollan offers what seems to be credible information towards his audience. His knowledge on the subject and the fact that he uses personal experiences to provide this information unto his audience makes me interested in the way he writes and exhibits facts through this writing. His use of words and wide range of knowledge on the subject of farming and similar areas allow him to support his claim that reorganization is necessary within the farming industry. Also, it is important to note the passion he has in learning and presenting the information that is relevant and also bolsters his credibility and makes it easier for the audience to enjoy and listen to what he is saying.
 
      It was interesting to see that most of his information that he was presenting was gathered by conducting interviews and through personal experiences. This made his writing more understandable and relatable because he is drawing the audience into a specific experience and allows them to feel more a part of something. He does use statistics, but Pollan does a nice job in explaining them and once again making his writing and research more understandable for the audience. The facts are surprising and interesting, which once again gain reader attention. Through the use of interviews, personal experiences, and description of processes, Pollan makes it easier on himself to state his claim and also makes it easier on the audience to follow along and trust his credibility and sources.

     Overall, although some of the information present in the writing was in-depth, Pollan provided excellent explanations in presenting his case and supporting his claim. He is a very interesting writer, but also uses unique ways of research to keep the audience interested and allows them to follow along more closely. Pollan does seem to be a credible source in presenting information and provided an easy read even though so much information was present.

Everyday Writer Chapter 7---Andrea A. Lunsford

     The Everyday Writer provides a great resource for students as it presents information to aide in the writing process. I found the most important and most interesting part to be about developing a thesis. It was nice to be reassured that the thesis can be flexible and change as you begin to develop and write your paper. Through the thesis, it is important to focus on a main point that will be present throughout the paper, but that does not mean it can't be modified as new ideas may flow as you work through the writing process. Flexibility is necessary in writing as sometimes it may be tough to change ideas that you have already gotten down on paper through a rough draft. Flexibility does not necessarily only mean through the thesis; it can be present through prewriting, planning, and even the organization present throughout the paper. Through flexibility in these steps in preparing and writing a paper as well as through the resources present, one can continue to edit their paper to create a very clear, strong analytical paper. It is important to use books such as The Everyday Writer because they do help create ideas in establishing a more well thought out paper through enhancing the writing process.