Richard Cory

ANCIENT STORIES

• How is the language in these texts similar to and/or different from the language you use in everyday conversation?                                                                                                             The language used in this text is very different from the language I use on a daily basis. With my friends and family, we talk in slang never using proper English. Whereas when I write and read stories or novels there includes high vocabulary and other terms of language.
• Because it began as an oral story, "White Buffalo Calf Woman" can be found in multiple text versions.  How important is it for a story to be repeated word for word?  Is meaning embellished, distorted, lost, or enhanced in the retelling?                                                                           There is no way that someone can repeat a story word for word because these type of stories are always passed down from generation to generation orally. Take the game telephone for example, each person passes on the phrase that they hear out of memory or simply how they interpret that phrase and by the time it gets to the last person the phrase is butchered or changed completely. It's important to get the main gist and detailing correct as each person will retell the same story in completely different ways depending on the author's syntax. Person one can tell the same story or myth as person two but either one of them could express it in more entertaining or clear form based on their diction.

2. Now that you've had a chance to use some digital tools and think about how we'll use them, answer the following questions in a post on your blog entitled REFLECTIONS ON WEEK 1

1. Are there any factors that you think are going to affect your participation or experience in this class? (Access to a computer, cell phone, transportation? Family that can help or hassle? Friends that can help or hassle? Scheduling factors that can help or hassle?                                                                            I feel like the expectations in this class are very realistic and there is nothing that can deter me from fully participate in every aspect of this class on my own.
2. Think of an awesome (or the best ever) learning experience (or an experience where you changed) What was it you learned?  Where were you? What happened? Who else was there? Did it teach you anything about how you learn (or pay attention... or think?) How did you know what was happening?During my exchange year in France I learned not only to speak French but I learned a lot about myself and about France but I learned a lot about our home country through the eyes of a European. I learned to be independent, to speak my mind even if not everyone who is listening will like it, to live the most out of your life because it's so short and there's no reason to be unhappy. I think that I have a completely different mind-set after that experience, it just gave me so much perspective and challenged my ideas and views. I noticed this change in me while I was over there but more so upon return to the US when I realized... wow everything is the same it was the day I left it a year ago but it's me who has changed. 

What are you most [excited/concerned] about in this class? What do you look forward to in learning?  How do you think it can/will make a practical difference in your life?

I'm sort of nervous to see what kind of assignments we will have to do and whether I will learn and do what I came here to do, or if I will fail because everyone has a little fear of failing somewhere deep inside of them. But I'm certainly excited to see what knowledge I can gain from my piers and from Dr. Preston.

Assignment #1

As of August 12th, I began this American Literature course taught Dr.Preston at Ernest Righetti High school in Santa Maria, California. To tell you the truth, I'm taking this class because it's a California high school graduation requirement to have a total of 4 years of English. This one I'm lacking because of my study abroad last year. But I am glad I'm taking this class and I'm excited to see what I am going to learn as this isn't a "traditional" American Lit./English class. I'm  excited to learn more about these subjects that we will be studying and the types of literature we'll be reading. My goals in this course are to get the best grades possible  by doing every assignment and looking at each piece of work or idea studied in class with a different perspective to broaden my horizons and get a better outlook on life.

I can read!

I took me 6 minutes with a total of 14 mistakes.