Nervous Conditions-2/25- ch. 4 with annotaions- 1hr. 2/26- ch. 5 with annotations and reading guides ch. 1-2- 1 hr. 15min. 2/27- finished ch. 5 with annotations. and finished reading guides ch. 3-4- 1hr. 15min. 2/28- ch. 6 with annotations, finished reading guide ch. 5, close reading- 2 hrs. 3/2- ch. 7 through page 143 with annotations.
total: 5hrs 30min, 5 reading guides, 6 1/2 chapters of annotations, 1 close reading, 85 pages.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
From Maiguru's Perspective
I'd sensed it brewing for some time, but I could never bring myself to be too firm with Nyasha. How can a good woman be firm with a daughter that wants anything but to be a good woman by societal standards? Maybe being too firm would have prevented the fight. Maybe I try to keep the peace too much. Maybe I think too much. Yes, I reckon that's what it is. I think too much. I am too capable of reasoning and independence to be a woman with two children and a husband to look after and yet submit too. Perhaps that's why I couldn't stop that fight between Baba and my Nyasha. I simply don't have the power.
But how can I not think? All this patriarchy... it's not fair. I have as much intelligence as Baba, but do I get the credit? No. Never will I either. Is it wrong to be jealous if you are capable of hiding it behind a smile? I hated sitting there and listening to Baba tell little Tambudzai how lucky she was to have such a generous uncle. As if he earns all the money in this house! As if he is the God of this universe. However, I suppose that, in a way, he is just that. Perhaps that is why I felt obliged to sit and quietly agree with his words, emphasizing his generosity and work ethic and kindness. And perhaps my sense of the necessity of such agreeing is why I am a woman. Why I am the lesser of two halves said in some places to make a whole.
But how can I not think? All this patriarchy... it's not fair. I have as much intelligence as Baba, but do I get the credit? No. Never will I either. Is it wrong to be jealous if you are capable of hiding it behind a smile? I hated sitting there and listening to Baba tell little Tambudzai how lucky she was to have such a generous uncle. As if he earns all the money in this house! As if he is the God of this universe. However, I suppose that, in a way, he is just that. Perhaps that is why I felt obliged to sit and quietly agree with his words, emphasizing his generosity and work ethic and kindness. And perhaps my sense of the necessity of such agreeing is why I am a woman. Why I am the lesser of two halves said in some places to make a whole.
C Layer 1 Reflection
In the first five chapters of Nervous Conditions, reading was my main focus. I spent most of the time outside of class reading, and the time in class working on projects. I don't think that this was altogether a bad idea, but there are ways to improve my strategy. First, since I am doing reading guides again, I should probably get those out of the way as I read the chapters. Second, I should use my annotations to help with the reading guides: I write questions in the book, but often end up coming up with new ones for the reading guides.
The most helpful project so far has been annotations. They help me to get my thoughts in order as I'm reading. I think the least helpful was the close reading I did of page 23. I don't think this was because I chose an insignificant passage. I noticed a lot that I would not have before, but in basic comprehension it was not that helpful. It could, looking back however, come in handy when I look towards writing the literary analysis in the A layer.
The most helpful project so far has been annotations. They help me to get my thoughts in order as I'm reading. I think the least helpful was the close reading I did of page 23. I don't think this was because I chose an insignificant passage. I noticed a lot that I would not have before, but in basic comprehension it was not that helpful. It could, looking back however, come in handy when I look towards writing the literary analysis in the A layer.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Reading/Work Details 2/18-24
Work on research paper:
2/18- reviewed comments on rough draft and added to those things: 1hr
2/19- continued using comments to revise draft: 45min
2/20- smoothed out additions to paper and continued revising: 45min
2/21- edited- 45min
2/22- read through and made small adjustments where necessary: 15min.
Total: 3hrs 30min, completed paper.
2/18- reviewed comments on rough draft and added to those things: 1hr
2/19- continued using comments to revise draft: 45min
2/20- smoothed out additions to paper and continued revising: 45min
2/21- edited- 45min
2/22- read through and made small adjustments where necessary: 15min.
Total: 3hrs 30min, completed paper.
Research Paper Reflection
I feel that my final research paper turned out extremely well. It took effort and a concentrated focus on keeping by personal bias from bleeding through. Reading the finished product, I think I was successful.
Most of the feedback I received, particularly early in the process, seemed to be negative. It was somewhat frustrating that, before I started the paper, I was up against the assumption that my report would be bias- a position paper rather than true research. However, this frustration led me to focus specifically on neutralizing my opinion, and i am proud of the success I feel there.
The most difficult thing in this process was finding sources who were unbiased, credible, or finding an equally credible source whose bias was opposite and of equal strength as another. Once I had the information I needed, writing the paper wasn't a huge ordeal.
If I had to redo this project, I would first keep my mouth shut about my personal passions for a subject, at least until I had produced an unbiased report. Other than that minor issue, I don't think i would do anything differently. I feel good about my work.
I think the strongest elements of my paper are its sentence fluency, voice, and organization (particularly the integration of sources). I'm not sure what the weakest point is, as I made every effort to have it balanced in all areas.
Most of the feedback I received, particularly early in the process, seemed to be negative. It was somewhat frustrating that, before I started the paper, I was up against the assumption that my report would be bias- a position paper rather than true research. However, this frustration led me to focus specifically on neutralizing my opinion, and i am proud of the success I feel there.
The most difficult thing in this process was finding sources who were unbiased, credible, or finding an equally credible source whose bias was opposite and of equal strength as another. Once I had the information I needed, writing the paper wasn't a huge ordeal.
If I had to redo this project, I would first keep my mouth shut about my personal passions for a subject, at least until I had produced an unbiased report. Other than that minor issue, I don't think i would do anything differently. I feel good about my work.
I think the strongest elements of my paper are its sentence fluency, voice, and organization (particularly the integration of sources). I'm not sure what the weakest point is, as I made every effort to have it balanced in all areas.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Reading/Work Details: Mardi Gras Break
Prized by Caragh O'Brien- 2/9- 1hr 30min, 2/10- 30min. (50%-100%)
Promised by Caragh O'Brien- 2/11- 2hrs. 2/12- 2hrs 30min. 2/13- 1hr. (0%-100%)
Nervous Conditions- 2/14- 45min. 2/15- 30min. 2/16- 45min. (pgs 1-57)
Total: 9hrs. 30min. 150%?(on kindle), 57 pages
Promised by Caragh O'Brien- 2/11- 2hrs. 2/12- 2hrs 30min. 2/13- 1hr. (0%-100%)
Nervous Conditions- 2/14- 45min. 2/15- 30min. 2/16- 45min. (pgs 1-57)
Total: 9hrs. 30min. 150%?(on kindle), 57 pages
Monday, February 4, 2013
Work Details
1/28- made 6 notecards, started outline- 45min
1/29- completed outline- 1hr 15min
1/30- edited outline- 15min
2/3- edited thesis statement and began tentative drafting- 1hr
total: 6 notecards, outline, thesis statement, and beginnings of a draft: 3hrs 15min
1/29- completed outline- 1hr 15min
1/30- edited outline- 15min
2/3- edited thesis statement and began tentative drafting- 1hr
total: 6 notecards, outline, thesis statement, and beginnings of a draft: 3hrs 15min
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)