Month: October 2017

Jacob Hickey

English 110-H4

Professor Miller

In Jessica Mitford’s “The Story of Service”, she angrily argues as well as questions why the funeral service industry would take advantage of people by misleading grieving families to pay for embalming their loved ones. She loudly exclaims in the beginning of the essay, “spokesmen for the funeral industry tend to become so carried away by their own enthusiasm, so positively lyrical and copious in their declarations” (Mitford 41). She states that this industry is not “clear cut” and that the funeral service directors often dramatize the number of hours it takes to produce an eloquent funeral. This can lead one to question whether funeral directors really care about their clients or rather making money. She states, “Our informant has lumped a lot of things together here. To start with ‘the most important of all, the service of your clergyman’: the average religious funeral service lasts no more than twenty-five minutes” (Mitford 42). She finds it interesting how “long” they have to work, or as they say, to produce such a short service. She feels they are lying and getting paid for hours they do not deserve. In this passage, she goes on to say that “the funeral salesman is inclined to chuck in everything he does under the heading of ‘service’” (Mitford 42). She is questioning here if it is truly service or taking advantage of people who are vulnerable due to grief. She uses the word “chuck” to highlight how loose she feels the funeral service industry is with their money and costs. Later on, Mitford questions the embalming method and if what takes place is truthfully explained to the customer. She writes, “A close look at what actually takes place may explain in large measure the undertaker’s intractable reticence concerning a procedure that has become his major raison d’etre” (Mitford 45). She again shows her feelings that this industry cares more about the money and notoriety than caring for the patients. She questions, “Is it possible he fears that public information about embalming might lead patrons to wonder if they really want this service”? In providing insight into this industry, it does raise questions as to how honest these people are with families of the deceased. Mitford calls into question multiple topics that are legitimate and should be asked of these companies.

Jacob Hickey

English 110-H4

Professor Miller

“The Art of Summarizing” Response

In this chapter of “They Say/I Say”, the authors highlight summarizing in writing using clear examples and sentences to provide the reader with the materials needed to understand how summarizing works. At the beginning of the chapter the authors highlight relatable material on why many students fail to summarize properly explaining, “perhaps because they don’t want to take the trouble to go back to the text in question” or “because they fear that devoting too much time to other people’s ideas will take away from their own”. These statements are relatable for many people, including me as I have certainly had these fears before, nervous that I will adequately use the text correctly while not completely straying from my own ideas. The authors do admit this can be a fine line to walk because, as they add, “it means facing two ways at once”. You, as the writer must carefully craft a piece that does not stray completely away from your thoughts and arguments, but just enough so you are able to give the author’s points.

I found other points made to be extremely helpful as they write, “to write a really good summary, you must be able to suspend your own beliefs for a time and put yourself in the shoes of someone else.” I love how they word this because it is relatable to students at or around our age as they tell us, the students, that we need to think about what “they say”, which will truly provide the opposing view to make your essay well rounded. However, the authors advise the writer that although explaining what another says is important, it is critical to not stray completely from your own argument and thoughts. They provide insight into this complexing writing stating, “it also requires that your own response exert a quiet influence.”

Lastly, the authors describe how to summarize satirically to which they illustrate this as, “a writer deliberately gives his or her own spin to someone else’s argument in order to reveal a glaring shortcoming in it.” This way of summarizing is amusing, entertaining, and relevant in today’s culture with all of the various political and social differences facing the country. In using this form or any model of summarizing, the authors suggest using colorful verbs, instead of old and commonly used verbs, that will make your writing stand out. In summary, I found this chapter to be very helpful, and will use it in my writing, in any way I can in the future.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_bnLVJSXikPTWl0RjJxTW01eU0

Jacob Hickey

English 110-H4

Professor Miller

Peer Review Questions

I learned from both of my peer reviewers that my overall essay was very descriptive and interesting. They shared with me that my essay was knowledgeable and informative about what and why my favorite food is turkey soup. I found it helpful when we shared where I possibly needed more imagery or description and how to make my thesis statement stronger in order for my essay to be more clear and concise.

In my opinion, I felt I adequately shared and pointed out to each of my peers where they had strong points and areas where they could improve their essays. I told each of them specific points where they could use more descriptive language in certain areas to spice up their essays. I learned in my high school years that adding imagery and description is very important in allowing the reader to join you in the writing experience you are describing.

One thing that was not mentioned very much in the actual feedback was on the topic of MLA format. I think this topic is unclear to some. I ended up using the guides Professor Miller gave us on our handouts and was able to see if I correctly organized my MLA format with headers with our last name and page number in the upper right-hand corner.

One topic I do wish that we talked more about is the thesis statements of each other’s essays. In my opinion, it would have been beneficial to state how clear and concise each other’s was. In some ways, I think there are still some people who are confused about this statement and avoid talking about it in order to not feel embarrassed or seem confused around their classmates. Overall, I loved this project and felt the topic was fun and interesting!

Jacob Hickey

English 110-H4

Professor Miller

Raymond Carver’s “A Small, Good Thing” Response

In Raymond Carver’s tragic short story, “A Small, Good Thing”, he teaches the reader that food is a tremendous connector for people, as well as comfort in times of need because of the warmth and satisfaction it provides for the human body and soul. By using words such as “warm” and “sweet”, he is able to impart imagery, detail, and color in the minds of the reader to show them how food can make people feel in painfully unimaginable circumstances.

The baker and two parents have a certain feeling of hopelessness and lack of control. The parents, Ann and Howard, do not understand how to cope with this sudden death as shown when Howard drives home from the hospital and thinks about the “forces he knew existed and that could cripple or bring down a man if the luck went bad” (Carver). The baker responds to the parents after learning of their child’s death, “‘You got to understand what it comes down to is I don’t know how to act anymore, it would seem’” and “sense of doubt” that had overcome him in recent years (Carver). The food the baker produces for the two parents at the end of the short story brings a certain amount of control to their lives again. They are able to control the amount of food they eat and what types of rolls they consume. The food made all three of the people connect and listen as the writer describes, “Then he began to talk. They listened carefully. Although they were tired and in anguish, they listened to what the baker had to say” (Carver). Carver teaches the reader that in times of hardship, having companionship and friendship from others is vital in overcoming tragedy.

Another point made by Carver is that everyone should think before they act because you never know what others are going through. During the child’s hospitalization, the baker continually called the hurting parents, even at midnight, and made Anne, the mother, incredibly angry saying, “‘I wanted you dead’” (Carver). Carver teaches a terrific lesson all people should live by, inferring through the characters that everyone should think of the other side, what are “they” going through.

Food provides a connection for everyone in different circumstances. It provides warmth, comfort, and friendship. It is an opportunity to show others you care. It offers relief in times of great tragedy as shown in this short story. Because it’s something everyone does, we all have stories that involve eating or sharing food.