The word of the day is stockholm syndrome. Stockholm syndrome is defined as feelings of trust or affection felt by a victim toward a captor often in the instances of a kidnapping or hostage situtation. Victims often take a lack of abuse from their captures as a gesture of kindness. Victims typically go through 4 stages:
The first stage is simply the act of being held hostage. The victim learns that the only way to survive is to be compliant. Stage two is getting to know your captor's moods and behaviors so that you can avoid upsetting him. If you upset your captor, he may harm you. Naturally, you avoid this. The third stage is taking any act of kindness, even if that act is simply not killing you, as a sign that your captor is a good person. The final stage is when you think of the captor as your friend and those who try to rescue you as your enemies.
Patty Hearst is often used as an example of Stockholm syndrome. Patty was a newspaper heiress who became a kidnap victim and eventually a bank robber. After her kidnapping, she ultimately ended up joining her captors and furthuring their cause, a classic example of Stockholm syndrome.
An example of Stockholm syndrome hidden within a childhood classic can be found in Belle in Beauty and the Beast. Belle exhibits all of the signs and goes through all of the stages. Hostages have been known to fall in love with their captors in order to keep from losing their grip on things, and Belle does exactly this. Although it is a love story, she is being held hostage. She traded herself for her father's freedom, and the Beast is her captor. She learns not to anger him, and she takes his 'gift' of the library as the best thing in the world. In reality, the library was always there, and he simply showed her where.
Although Disney had a love story in mind, Stockholm syndrom is not far behind.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Creative What? Nooooo!
Have you ever heard the words 'Creative Writing Assignment' and wanted to scream? Does the thought of writing poetry or creating a short story make you want to head for the hills? Ever English student has had to face the dreaded creative writing assignment, and every student has had to deal with writers block.
When writing a short story, one can often stare at a blank sheet of paper for hours on end with no results. Don't be discouraged! Simply start with an idea. Whether it's a theme such as love, a crazy character, a feeling, a chilling setting, or simply a random object, anything can get the creative juices flowing. Once you have an idea to go off of, prewriting can be extremely helpful. This way you are able to briefly sketch out your ideas as well as ensure your writing has direction and fulfills all requirements of the assignment.
Before you finish your writing, make sure you spice it up with figurative language. Even the simplest piece of writing can become sophisticated with a complex metaphor carefully inserted into place.
So, the next time you hear the words 'Creative Writing,' it might not be so bad.
When writing a short story, one can often stare at a blank sheet of paper for hours on end with no results. Don't be discouraged! Simply start with an idea. Whether it's a theme such as love, a crazy character, a feeling, a chilling setting, or simply a random object, anything can get the creative juices flowing. Once you have an idea to go off of, prewriting can be extremely helpful. This way you are able to briefly sketch out your ideas as well as ensure your writing has direction and fulfills all requirements of the assignment.
Before you finish your writing, make sure you spice it up with figurative language. Even the simplest piece of writing can become sophisticated with a complex metaphor carefully inserted into place.
So, the next time you hear the words 'Creative Writing,' it might not be so bad.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Dot Your i's...
Whenever we pick up a pencil, we reveal something about ourselves. The study of graphology is the study of handwriting. It is believed that the handwriting of a person contains indicators towar a person's personality. Every slope, every extra dash or curve, every dot and crossed t is an indicator of who you are according to the analysis of handwriting. For example, intense lines can indicate emotional intensity. Large looping letters can indicate vanity.
Those who study graphology may look for symbols. For instance, John Wayne's signature shows a blackened out portion which some believe indicates his lung cancer. Next time you write a note, analyze your writing. Which way does it slant? This is an emotional indicator. Do you loop your y's or do you go straight down? This indicates your social skills.
Graphology analyzes the results when you put pen to paper. Based on what your letters look like, it can tell you who you are.
Those who study graphology may look for symbols. For instance, John Wayne's signature shows a blackened out portion which some believe indicates his lung cancer. Next time you write a note, analyze your writing. Which way does it slant? This is an emotional indicator. Do you loop your y's or do you go straight down? This indicates your social skills.
Graphology analyzes the results when you put pen to paper. Based on what your letters look like, it can tell you who you are.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
A Work Of Art
Writing is often considered an art. Whether it is a poem, a short story, or simply a beautiful description, writing can be considered art. However, the way that the writing is presented can also be an art. The words themselves, the actual writing of the words, can be an art. Calligraphy, hieroglyphics, and the Shodo (Japanese Traditional Calligraphy) can all be seen as forms of art.
Calligraphy is defined as a type of visual art related to writing. Letters and writing are designed to be expressive and fluid. This type of writing is often seen in wedding invitations and event invitations, and it can also be found in other works of writing. Calligrapy means beautiful writing; is it any surprise that it is seen as an expression of art?
Egyptian hieroglyphics can also be seen as a form of artistic expression. Hieroglypics are pictographic scripts. They are often hard to read, but that doesn't mean they aren't nice to look at. The Egyptians spent a great deal of time depicting their alphabet into pictures and explaining their histories through the pictures seen as art.
The Japanese written caligraphy, the Shodo, is also seen as an art form. It is based on Chinese verse which uses couplets of 4, 5, or 7 syllables. The Shodo started with Chinese; however, today it is also based on something called the kana, a calligraphy unique to Japan.
Although writing is often considered an art form because of what it says, the form of writing itself can also be considered a form of artistic expression.
Calligraphy is defined as a type of visual art related to writing. Letters and writing are designed to be expressive and fluid. This type of writing is often seen in wedding invitations and event invitations, and it can also be found in other works of writing. Calligrapy means beautiful writing; is it any surprise that it is seen as an expression of art?
Egyptian hieroglyphics can also be seen as a form of artistic expression. Hieroglypics are pictographic scripts. They are often hard to read, but that doesn't mean they aren't nice to look at. The Egyptians spent a great deal of time depicting their alphabet into pictures and explaining their histories through the pictures seen as art.
The Japanese written caligraphy, the Shodo, is also seen as an art form. It is based on Chinese verse which uses couplets of 4, 5, or 7 syllables. The Shodo started with Chinese; however, today it is also based on something called the kana, a calligraphy unique to Japan.
Although writing is often considered an art form because of what it says, the form of writing itself can also be considered a form of artistic expression.
Calligraphy
Hieroglyphics
Shodo
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Talking Smart
Have you ever found yourself in conversation with someone, and you realize you have no idea what the other person is saying? When I find myself in conversation with someone from the 'jock' group on the Monday after Sunday night football, I often find myself extremely lost. Touchdown? Hail Mary Pass? Come Again? However, throw me into conversation with an 'AP' student, and I tend to fare better. I can throw around words such as electrons, redox-reactions, oxidation states, ect. without a problem.
The language we use and understand in everyday conversation is often associated with the people we spend our time with as well as the backgrounds we possess. When I 'talk smart' around some friends, they point me in the direction of a science book and ask me to translate. Yet, I feel the same way when someone begins to talk sports and yesterday's Big Game.
The same can be said for where we live in the country. We all speak English in the US, but we often use different words for the same objects. For example, is it pop or soda? If you visit Michigan, they call it pop. However, here in New Jersey, there is no pop. It's soda all the way.
It can often feel as though we all speak a different language, but they can actually all be perceived as different dialects. Although each dialect is different depending on what circle you run in, we all speak the same language.
The language we use and understand in everyday conversation is often associated with the people we spend our time with as well as the backgrounds we possess. When I 'talk smart' around some friends, they point me in the direction of a science book and ask me to translate. Yet, I feel the same way when someone begins to talk sports and yesterday's Big Game.
The same can be said for where we live in the country. We all speak English in the US, but we often use different words for the same objects. For example, is it pop or soda? If you visit Michigan, they call it pop. However, here in New Jersey, there is no pop. It's soda all the way.
It can often feel as though we all speak a different language, but they can actually all be perceived as different dialects. Although each dialect is different depending on what circle you run in, we all speak the same language.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Dice lo? (Say What?)
English is an easy language, right? Afterall, we use it everyday. However, for non-english speakers, english is actually an extremely difficult language to learn for several reasons. It may come as a surprise because you speak it everyday, but english is one of the hardest languages in the world.
To begin with, our spelling alone is enough to confuse someone. Unlike other languages that spell phonetically such as Spanish, English almost requires the simple memorization of the spelling of words. For example, words like 'through,' trough,' and 'though' all sound so different, and yet, they are spelt in similar ways. The english language is also full of subtle ordering rules and tricks that native speakers aren't even aware of. For instance, you wouldn't say, "a little cute dog." You would say, "a cute little dog." It simply 'flows' better.
English synonyms can also be confusing. The words of the english language come from diverse etymological origins. To become a master english speaker, you must know what words to use when. Native speakers know we can watch TV and and we can watch a movie, but we can only see a movie, not TV. Could you explain exceptions like this to a Spanish speaker?
The way we phrase questions is also confusing. If i were to say, "it is cold," and then ask, "is it cold?" the switch of the is and it is almost unconscious. However, to a person new to the English language, this switch could be extremely confusing.
Overall, the english language is a difficult and confusing one, even though we speak it everyday.
To begin with, our spelling alone is enough to confuse someone. Unlike other languages that spell phonetically such as Spanish, English almost requires the simple memorization of the spelling of words. For example, words like 'through,' trough,' and 'though' all sound so different, and yet, they are spelt in similar ways. The english language is also full of subtle ordering rules and tricks that native speakers aren't even aware of. For instance, you wouldn't say, "a little cute dog." You would say, "a cute little dog." It simply 'flows' better.
English synonyms can also be confusing. The words of the english language come from diverse etymological origins. To become a master english speaker, you must know what words to use when. Native speakers know we can watch TV and and we can watch a movie, but we can only see a movie, not TV. Could you explain exceptions like this to a Spanish speaker?
The way we phrase questions is also confusing. If i were to say, "it is cold," and then ask, "is it cold?" the switch of the is and it is almost unconscious. However, to a person new to the English language, this switch could be extremely confusing.
Overall, the english language is a difficult and confusing one, even though we speak it everyday.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
This Doesn't Even Count!
As seniors, we all should have taken part in the tragedy that is the Saturday morning SATs. Some students obsess and stress over these numbers, while others simply fill in the bubbles. However, it is a common belief that the writing section of the SATs 'don't count' and that they 'don't matter so why should we even try?' Many students stress over the critical reading and cram for the math. They stuff last minute vocabulary words and test-taking strategies into their heads, but they ignore the writing section. Why is this? Does the writing section count? The short answer? Yes!
The writing section measures a student's ability to recognize and conform to the conventions of standard written English. The section consits of a 25 minute student-written essay as well as multiple choice questions. Students often undervalue this section with the thought that it does not count or that colleges do not look at the score. This simply isn't true. Unless a college specifically tells you they only look at the math and reading, they check out the writing too. Why do they check this? Schools have been compiling data from the SATs and the writing tests are shown to be a good indicator of how a student will perform the first year of college. The essay requires a student to think deeply and analytically about a topic and provide multiple examples in a brief 25 minutes.
Writing is also a big indicator because many freshman in college have to write and turn in a lot of papers. I'ts that simple. If you can write well in a 25 minute span, you should write a good paper in the years to come. If a student struggles to write, they may struggle their freshman year and subsequently drop out. This is a risk for schools, and it is exactly the type of student they wish to steer clear of.
So, the writing section does count, and colleges do look at it. It is a good indicator of your writing as well as your ability to think critically in a limited span of time. The writing section does matter afterall.
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/sat/f/sat-writing-section.htm
http://www.proprofs.com/mwiki/index.php/SAT_Myths
The writing section measures a student's ability to recognize and conform to the conventions of standard written English. The section consits of a 25 minute student-written essay as well as multiple choice questions. Students often undervalue this section with the thought that it does not count or that colleges do not look at the score. This simply isn't true. Unless a college specifically tells you they only look at the math and reading, they check out the writing too. Why do they check this? Schools have been compiling data from the SATs and the writing tests are shown to be a good indicator of how a student will perform the first year of college. The essay requires a student to think deeply and analytically about a topic and provide multiple examples in a brief 25 minutes.
Writing is also a big indicator because many freshman in college have to write and turn in a lot of papers. I'ts that simple. If you can write well in a 25 minute span, you should write a good paper in the years to come. If a student struggles to write, they may struggle their freshman year and subsequently drop out. This is a risk for schools, and it is exactly the type of student they wish to steer clear of.
So, the writing section does count, and colleges do look at it. It is a good indicator of your writing as well as your ability to think critically in a limited span of time. The writing section does matter afterall.
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/sat/f/sat-writing-section.htm
http://www.proprofs.com/mwiki/index.php/SAT_Myths
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Say It With Your Chest
Body language is one of the most powerful ways we communicate with one another. Body language is non-verbal communication which involves posture, facial expressions, gestures, or even the twitch of an eye. Body language may provide a clue to the person's state of mind or attitude. It goes furthur than the verbal form of language. It can be said that when we communicate, we express ourselves 90% through body language, and 10% through verbal language.
People often gestulate while talking. Rapid hand motions, pointing, and waving of hands are all common. These actions are just another way for the speaker to get his point across. A speaker can also get his feelings across through unconscious actions. For example, a person crossing their arms over the chest is a very clear sign of putting a barrier in between the speaker and the listener. Boredom can be indicated by a head tilt to the side,and deceit can be inferred from the touching of the face. All of these 'tells' can be used to infer a greater meaning from the words of the speaker.
Your tone also affects what you say. When a writer puts a pen to paper, his tone greatly impacts how the audience percieves and takes in what he is writing. The same can be said for the way we speak. Teenagers are excellent examples of why tone is important to language. There is a difference between saying "Yes Mother," with a sweet-oh-so-innocent-voice and the "Yes Mother," voice that is usually complimented by an eyeroll as well as a voice oozing with sarcasm.
Both tone and body language play a huge part in language and the way we communicate. Whether its the twitch of an eye or the slight sarcasm in a voice, these non spoken forms of communication allow us a greater insight into communication with our fellow human beings.
Source:
http://www.slideshare.net/nas_56/how-body-language-affects-the-communication-process
People often gestulate while talking. Rapid hand motions, pointing, and waving of hands are all common. These actions are just another way for the speaker to get his point across. A speaker can also get his feelings across through unconscious actions. For example, a person crossing their arms over the chest is a very clear sign of putting a barrier in between the speaker and the listener. Boredom can be indicated by a head tilt to the side,and deceit can be inferred from the touching of the face. All of these 'tells' can be used to infer a greater meaning from the words of the speaker.
Your tone also affects what you say. When a writer puts a pen to paper, his tone greatly impacts how the audience percieves and takes in what he is writing. The same can be said for the way we speak. Teenagers are excellent examples of why tone is important to language. There is a difference between saying "Yes Mother," with a sweet-oh-so-innocent-voice and the "Yes Mother," voice that is usually complimented by an eyeroll as well as a voice oozing with sarcasm.
Both tone and body language play a huge part in language and the way we communicate. Whether its the twitch of an eye or the slight sarcasm in a voice, these non spoken forms of communication allow us a greater insight into communication with our fellow human beings.
Source:
http://www.slideshare.net/nas_56/how-body-language-affects-the-communication-process
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Talk Like an Animal
What seperates us from our caveman ancestors of long ago? Is it fire? Or perhaps it is the nice houses and the fancy governments. In simple terms, language is what sets modern day society apart from a more primitive civilization.
Language can be both written and spoken. Spoken language sets humans apart from animals. Although animals are able to communicate danger, the desire to mate, ect., they are unable to truly express themselves in the way humans are. I have yet to have heard of a chimpanzee waxing poetically about his love as Shakespeare has. Nor have I ever seen a cat express rage and passion through words the way a human can.
Written language allows furthur development. It is written language that has allowed civilization to be created. You not only have spoken promises, but you have contracts and commitments that span years and eventually form civilization. Written language allows us to record and encode our past as well as present. We are able to take notes, create money, textbooks and tomes, and we are able to form a true civilization.
The dictionary will tell us that a civilization is defined as an advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached. Language, both written and spoken, is what has allowed us to reach this advanced stage. Language has allowed us to progress past animals and develop beyond a primitive society. Language is the reason we are so advanced today.
Language can be both written and spoken. Spoken language sets humans apart from animals. Although animals are able to communicate danger, the desire to mate, ect., they are unable to truly express themselves in the way humans are. I have yet to have heard of a chimpanzee waxing poetically about his love as Shakespeare has. Nor have I ever seen a cat express rage and passion through words the way a human can.
Written language allows furthur development. It is written language that has allowed civilization to be created. You not only have spoken promises, but you have contracts and commitments that span years and eventually form civilization. Written language allows us to record and encode our past as well as present. We are able to take notes, create money, textbooks and tomes, and we are able to form a true civilization.
The dictionary will tell us that a civilization is defined as an advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached. Language, both written and spoken, is what has allowed us to reach this advanced stage. Language has allowed us to progress past animals and develop beyond a primitive society. Language is the reason we are so advanced today.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
There's a wocket in my what?
“When beetles fight these battles in a bottle with their paddles
and the bottle's on a poodle and the poodle's eating noodles...
...they call this a muddle puddle tweetle poodle beetle noodle
bottle paddle battle.”
― Dr. Seuss, Fox in Socks
and the bottle's on a poodle and the poodle's eating noodles...
...they call this a muddle puddle tweetle poodle beetle noodle
bottle paddle battle.”
― Dr. Seuss, Fox in Socks
Sam holding green eggs and ham. A fox in blue socks standing in a box. A wocket in a young boy's pocket. These images are from several of Dr. Seuss's books. Many of us have grown up with Dr. Seuss's stories. Children have learned to read from these stories. Dr. Seuss's stories often didn't start off with a moral for Dr. Seuss felt that children could spot a moral from a mile-off. Instead, his stories included crazy characters and made up words. Children often learned to read off of these books, and they were full of made up words. Children are still, to this day, learning to read from books full of made up words such as wockets.
Dr. Seuss books are designed to be an easy read. This means exactly what it sounds like- they are books that are easy to read.The books usually have large print as well as illustrations that make it easy for the child to 'decode' what the words are saying, even if that word is 'wocket.'
These books also taught children to read in a way that was much more fun than the standard 'See Dick run' books. With his fun, charismatic rhymes, Seuss teaches children to learn through rhymes as well as through making reading fun for children. The great doctor taught us simple things, such as to never stop learning. In 1954, children weren't learning to read because they they books they had were boring. Dr. Seuss solved that by writing the Cat in the Hat. This is his legacy. Through rhymes and new words, Seuss allowed children to read and truly question. He allowed us all to ask, what is a wocket? And why is it in my pocket?
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