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Grammar Post

The semicolon! I've heard that the semicolon makes a paper look fancier, so whenever I write I try to add them in my paper. I dont know about anyone else but I kinda understand the basic rules of the semicolon. but I tend to not always use them in the right places. I found a really cool and interactive website that shows you more of the rules of when one should and should not use a semicolon. After youve read the webpage you can test your knowledge on one of their online quizzes. I hope everyone else can benefit from this site.

http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/semicolons.asp

Grammar Post

What's an essay without a good thesis? probably not much more than a C, or if your lucky, a B paper. So far my thesis statements have been able to get me by, but they're definitely something that I can improve in. I've been having problems with making my thesis statements very specific. The website below has some good tips and examples for creating well constructed and specific thesis statements.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/

America an oasis of goodness

D'Souza did an excellent job at creating a persuasive piece that would appeal to many Americans. As I was reading this essay I noticed how his thoughts were very organized and cohesive, which in turn allows the reader to perceive his opinion as logical.

His rhetoric and tone also allows the reader to have a more intimate relationship with the piece and I think allows the reader to agree with him.

The author definitely brought some interesting points that made me think and analyze things, but I didn't find myself agreeing with everything. I felt like his piece was too opinionated and generalized in a sense. In his last paragraph D'Souza mentions, (In reference to America) "It is an oasis of goodness in a desert of cynicism and barbarism." I felt like that statement went too far and put America on too high of a pedestal.

To be or Not to be

Apparently I have a huge problem with to be verbs. I didn't really realize i was a to be verb addict until I received my political cartoon essay back. I found the writing center to be an excellent place to get help with to be verbs and I highly recommend it to anybody with this same problem. But in case you cant make the writing center you can also visit the website linked below. The website gives you tips on how to replace to be verbs with strong action verbs.

http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/14427.aspx

Im Black your White

There was a lot of good points in Steel's essay and he certainly brought up an issue that needs to be better dealt with in our society. When it comes to race and racism many of us then to shy away. However I also felt like Steel came off a little too strong and was over judgemental on people.

I like how he sees all races as being accountable with the problem of racism; and the point he brought up about feeling innocent and wanting power was definitely interesting and gave me something to think about. I also agree with him when he mentions that certain ethnic groups need to have a sense of belonging and feel like they are very much still apart of their race. A dilemma that the Black engineer felt he was faced with.

However I also think that Steel was overcritical. To define Bill Cosby as a bargainer is a very bold statement. Many people have Bill Cosby and the Cosby show in esteem and to demoralize that in a sense may be a limiting factor in steel's piece. Being very bold and outspoken can certainly turn off many people from his piece.

The Ellipses

Well I took Chelsi's suggestion and decided to write my grammar post on ellipses. Although I have used ellipses to modify quotations in my writing before I've learned that I haven't been using them completely right. The following article helped me better understand how to correctly use them. The article talks about the proper use and formatting of an ellipses. Now I will know how to properly use them in my next paper.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/ellipsis.htm