Practice Exam # 2

Analysis and Response, Pre-Writing

Digging by Seamus Heaney

The writer is writing about a child of a father and grandfather that were hard working potato farmers.

The son of the potato farmers was not following in their footsteps as far as farming.

The child’s life was made easier by the hard work of father and grandfather.

 

The essay will be an analysis and response to Digging by Seamus Heaney. The writer is writing about a child that is reflecting on the hard work of his father and grandfather, who had a potato farm. They made the life of their children financially sound so they wouldn’t have to struggle and do hard manual labor. This child will use his mind versus manual labor in this career.

 

I can relate to this child mentioned in this poem “ a young man is sitting by the window with a pen in his hand”.(Heaney 1-2) reflecting on the hard work of this father and grandfather on the their potato farm. I sit and reflect on history and how ways of the past made life better for me. It is good to reflect on history that made you what you are today. This can bring you to reality which we sometimes forget. The child his looking/reflecting at what was the cause of his life is now.

The hard work of the father and grandfather of the boy who was reflecting in the above paragraph was the reason why “he will not have to do the hard labors like his family before him (Heaney 12). They are planning for their children’s financial future and stability. They had worked daily to raise the farm and made a foundation for their family through manual labor and strategic planning. If this was not done this way they would have had to be responsible to do the hard manual labor.

Because of this hard manual work of this child’s father and grandfather “this person can work so that perhaps he could get an education”(Heaney 9-10) and work with his mind instead of his back. A good education will make this child potentially have a job that is clean and that there is no manual labor involved in. If his father and grandfather did not follow the path they did this may not have been possible of financial feasible. An education today could be a wealth of knowledge to enhance someone’s future.

In summary the writer made a solid point on this child reflecting on the hard work of his father and grandfather on the potato farm. The hard work was necessary for their future and children so they could be financially stable to allow their children the opportunity to an education, and not have to do hard manual labor. The children could get educated and work with their minds and not their backs.

 

 

 

 

 

Argument Essay:

The Why We Crave Horror Movies by Stephen King is one sided text that explains that all people that love horror movies are mentally ill, in some form or another. I feel that this piece of work has no factual proof that all people that love horror movies are mentally ill,  the story  is one sided  and the writer should have a study completed before writing such a story.

Stephen King has factual evidence listed that all people that love scary movies are mentally ill in some way, form or another. Apparently this relates to his personal feelings and opinions on horror movies. From my prospective this is a very opinionated story to write without proof. Stephen is stereotyping all those who have interest in these types of movies, which is wrong in my opinion. I enjoy these types of movies and can say I’m not mentally ill. I take offence this story as I am sure others do as well for example statements like “If we are all insane, then sanity becomes a matter of degree” (King 8).  

As l said above Stephen king has no evidence based information regarding illness and creates an argument that “most people that love scary movies are mentally ill” (King 1-2). This is a one side story; Stephen gives no other opinion on this statement. Readers need to be aware that there was no research or input from anyone considering such a statement and view besides the author himself. The arguments that I feel the author should have considered when writing are, how will this affect readers, the need to research/ surveying individuals who enjoy the movies.  Also, it may be helpful to interview individuals who may have expertise in this type of information to have both sides listed as far as why people love scary movies. Stephen may have just personal experience with someone that is mentally ill, who loves scary movies which should have no judgment on everyone else that like these movies.

Stephen should have had an evidence based study completed before writing this one sided story. In order to have the writer read and gather good useful information that should be factual information from stated in his work. This type of study should been completed by mental health research professionals. If there was evidence that this was factual regarding this it may help treat those suffering from this type of illness.

In summary Stephen King has no factual proof that most people that love scary movies are mentally ill in some form or another as described above. This is one sided and just Stephens’ opinion regarding this subject. There was no evidence based studies completed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revision Strategies Essay:

After reading the essay written by Justin, regarding his life as a young 18 year old Asian male who likes night life and partying. The thesis is very clear, there many errors with spelling and grammar. Also, a main point of the writer is repeated throughout the essay over several paragraphs until he believes his point is understandable, which can be clarified in one substantial paragraph.

The thesis statement is very clear and easy to understand the writers point that he has discovered he is “good at (The Night Life),  spending $$ on fashion (Clothes, Attractive Girls), clubbing and enjoying delicious food”( Justin, 3-4). Justin is very colorful in his thesis statement explaining what he enjoys in life and what he wants the reader to understand.

There are many errors in spelling and grammar through the essay for example in the in the thesis statement (The Night Life), Spending $$ on Fashion (Clothes, Attractive Girls), Clubbing and enjoying delicious food( Justin, 3-4) Above listed is miss use of commas, dollar signs and capitalization of letters is in mid-sentence is incorrect.

The main point of nightlife is repeated throughout many paragraphs which can cause the reader to become distracted. I feel that explaining about his night life activities can be described in one paragraph to convey an idea to the reader.

In conclusion the writer had written a good thesis statement as far as getting his points across to the reader. There were many errors in grammar and spelling as described above which makes a weak essay. The paragraphs describing night life also can be clarified in one paragraph instead of being repeated which can be very confusing for the reader. Also the essay is very lengthy and jumps from point to point before a clear point is made. The writer must edit this work.