Example WR 121 Student
In-Class Essays (2)
Webpublished
with students' permission ~ Thank you! ~ Cora
(2) In-Class Essay Examples:
Fall 2002:
Kalei Renae Kadau [In-Class Essay
#2]: "What My Mother Taught Me"
Kera Sander
[In-Class
Essay #2]:
"Reading and Writing: How and Why?"
Kalei Renae Kadau
WR 121, Prof. C. Agatucci
In-Class Essay #2 - Topic #2
20 November 2002
What My Mother Taught Me
When reading “An American Childhood,” by Annie Dillard, the mother’s quirky attitude reminded me very much of my own mother’s attitude (184-190). My mother isn’t so extreme as to confront a stranger about a fake affair as the mother in “An American Childhood” did, but their personalities are strikingly similar (186). My mother definitely has a few outstanding characteristics of her own, like her carefree attitude, her extreme compassion, and her push for my success. These things about my mom have impacted my life in a huge way. I’ve learned so much from her and I don’t think she even meant to teach me. In the following, I’ll explain how and why these three things have impacted my life.
First of all, my mother has this great carefree attitude. I wouldn’t describe her as being too carefree. She worries about important issues like bills and her job, but she doesn’t let the little things keep her up at night. She has the ability to brush off rude comments from people and to not care if someone doesn’t like her. She makes bad situations lighter with her sense of humor. She has a fabulous sense of humor. She’s always laughing and making other people laugh. Her sense of humor makes her a fun person to be around and helps her as a childcare provider, making children laugh and have a good time.
Growing up with my mother’s carefree attitude has aided me in several ways. Because of her, I try my hardest not to let silly things bother me, like when a friend cancels plans or says something rude to me. My mother’s attitude makes me attempt not to care if someone is mad at me although sometimes it doesn’t work. And of course, my mother’s sense of humor has aided me. From her, I believe I’ve gotten a pretty good sense of humor. I’m able to laugh at myself and with others. I can joke around with others without getting offended. Having a sense of humor makes life easier and a lot more fun. I’m happy to have obtained a great sense of humor and a great attitude from my mother.
The second thing my mother has taught me is compassion. Compassion is a great character trait to have. My mother is undoubtedly the most compassionate person I’ve met. She has a love for all living things. For example, my paternal grandma is getting up these in age and has difficulty getting around. Every day, my mom stops by her house to get a list of things my grandma needs and to do any work my grandma is unable to do. My mom does all of my grandmother’s shopping and any chores she needs done. Even though my father passed away six years ago, my mother acts as though she’s my grandma’s daughter.
My mother is also extremely compassionate when it comes to animals. She always buys dog bones and pig-ears to feed to the neighborhood dogs, just to be nice. She’s the first to offer to take care of a friend’s dog or cat when they go out of town. If she sees a sick cat outside, she’ll take it to the vet and nurse it back to health. She stops to feed stray dogs and sometimes brings the stray dogs home, which is how we got our dog, Shilo. Shilo used to belong to our neighbors but they weren’t very nice to her. They frequently left her outside without food or water. When Shilo had puppies my mom decided to take action. She went to the neighbors and rescued Shilo and her puppies.
Growing up with a compassionate mom like mine, I’ve become an extremely compassionate person as well. Much like my mom, I like to feed stray dogs and cats. I like to rescue animals from bad environments. I also take pride in helping people in need. I volunteer in the community kitchen, help with food drives, and have chosen nursing as my major so I can spend my life helping people that need help. I believe compassion is the best thing my mother has passed on to me. She’s made me a better person by teaching me to care for all living things.
Another thing I’ve learned from my mother is to always strive for success. In everything I do, my mom pushes me to do well. In school and with my job, I always have her encouragement to be successful. Her encouragement has made me more responsible with my job. I’ve worked at the same place for two years now and feel the constant need to do well at work. Doing well means making more money, being promoted, and having more responsibilities. My striving for success has made me more responsible with work because to succeed, one needs to be responsible. So, while encouraging me to be successful, my mom has also taught me responsibility, which helps me get my bills paid.
My mom has always encouraged me to be successful in school, and she’s done it in a way that doesn’t make me resent her, like some of my friends do their parents. Since I was a child, my mom has always been concerned with my success in school. She’s pushed me to do homework I didn’t want to do; she’s pushed me to go to school when I just wanted to sleep-in and because of that, I did really well in high school. Without her push for my success, I wouldn’t be going to college for free. Without her I may not have gone to college at all. Doing well in school makes my mom so proud of me and so happy. Sometimes, when I’m completely worn out and tired I’ll do well just so she’ll be happy. When it comes down to it, I’m glad my mom has taught me to be successful.
When my mom was in high school, an unexpected pregnancy made her life change course. She got married and had babies. I think that may be why my mom pushes so hard for the success of her children. It makes her proud when her children succeed. In return, her children like to make her proud. Her mistakes as a young adult have taught me not to do the same thing she did. Her mistakes and her push for my success have made me have a better life. If I do well, I’ll maybe have the life she wanted to have and I’ll make her happy.
In conclusion, I’ve learned so much from my mother. She’s taught me to have a positive attitude and a great sense of humor; she’s taught me to be compassionate and kind-hearted, and she’s made me strive for success with work and in school. With these things my mom has passed on to me, I’ve made a great life for myself. She’s given me a great life and I will be forever grateful. I just hope that one day I’ll be able to teach my children the things my mother taught me.
Works Cited
Dillard, Annie. “An American Childhood.” An American Childhood. HarperCollins, 1987. 110-117. Rpt. The McGraw-Hill Reader: Issues Across the Disciplines. Ed. Gilbert H. Muller. 8th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2003. 184-190.
© 2002, Kalei Renae Kadau
Writing 121, Prof. C. Agatucci
In-Class Essay #2 - Topic #1
17 February 2003Reading and Writing: Why & How?
Why does one person enjoy reading more than the another? Why does writing seem to come more naturally to one person than the other? Who really cares? Well, I care! I have not always felt this way; actually, I’m quite surprised with my new perspective, so let me explain why.
I have not always enjoyed reading; in fact, I really disliked it. The reading assignments I got in school were usually on topics that did not interest me and, thus, my opinion was formed. At that time, I didn’t realize the enrichment reading would provide. I often reflect on why reading was not a preferred pastime for me and realize that my parents fell short in instilling this value. I know that if my children see me read, they will choose to read. Leading and teaching by example is an excellent teaching method.
Why do we read? There are many reasons: to learn and to know, for enjoyment and relaxation, to complete assignments at work and school, to enrich ourselves. There are also many different types of reading and as we approach these types of readings, we will do so with different attitudes. For example, we will approach reading a Glamour Magazine much differently than a science textbook. We will approach religious scriptures much differently than a romance or mystery novel. Realizing this aspect has helped me approach reading differently to get the most out of what I read. Mortimer J. Adler is an author known for his ability to edify the general reader by explaining his concepts in everyday language. Generally, we think that marking in a book is disrespectful. Adler says, “You know you have the read ‘between the lines’ to get the most out of anything. I want to encourage you to . . . . ‘Write between the lines.’ Unless you do, you are not likely to do the most efficient kind of reading” (42). As Adler persuades us to write between the lines, he declares: “I contend quite bluntly, that marking up a book is not an act of mutilation but of love” (42). Adler’s obvious passion contributes to his persuasion. This idea adds to our comprehension and retention as readers. As we write down our reading responses, these ideas are brought to the forefront of our minds, preserving them better.
Like reading, writing has so much to offer. Why do we write? We write to communicate and to share, to teach and to edify, to record and to remember. Some of us have different writing styles. Some of us find it easier to articulate than others do. Attributes of effective writing would include the ability to illustrate ideas, the ability to create text with clarity, the ability to organize and present ideas, and the ability to captivate and audience. One of the most important attributes, to me, would be the ability to bring out different emotions in the reader. My mother possesses this attribute. As I read letters and documents she has written, I will laugh and sometimes cry. Our emotions help us relate to material we are reading and we get more from it. I am reminded of my Grandmother who left behind a journal. I appreciate being able to refer to her journal and learn about her after she has passed away. These influences in my personal life have encouraged me to want to become a better writer.
As I learn to be an effective writer, I can take advice from Peter Elbow. He has revolutionizes the teaching of writing through a concept and practice called “Freewriting.” According to Elbow, “The most effective way I know to improve your writing is to do freewriting exercises regularly. . . . The idea is simply to write for ten minutes . . . . Don’t stop for anything. Go quickly without rushing . . . . The only requirement is never stop” (53). Throughout a freewriting exercise we are encouraged to keep writing even though it may be considered as “jabbering” or “babbling” (53). If we do this exercise frequently and correctly, we can become more effective writers. After practicing freewriting, I believe Elbow is right.
I have learned that reading and writing go hand in hand. I have also realized that repetition rewards all who are willing to put forth the effort in hopes of becoming better readers and writers. The more we read, the faster we will read and the more we will retain. The more we write, the easier it will be for thoughts to flow from pen to paper. There is so much knowledge to gain as we read and so many experiences to share as we write. The ability to read and write is a priceless commodity that should be cherished.
Works Cited
Adler, Mortimer J. “How to Mark a Book.” Rpt. The McGraw-Hill Reader: Issues Across the
Disciplines. Ed. Gilbert H. Muller. 8th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2003. 42-46.Elbow, Peter. “Freewriting.” Writing Without Teachers. Oxford UP, 1973. Rpt. The McGraw-
Hill Reader: Issues Across the Disciplines. Ed. Gilbert H. Muller. 8th ed. Boston:
McGraw-Hill, 2003. 52-55.© 2003, Kera Sander
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