close reading

I like this article on close reading because it helps you to better understand the text. I like the idea of having a pencil in your hand while reading becasue this helps you to take notes and underline the important things in the passage. Another idea that was intersting was finding similarites repetitions and contradictions. This helps to identify whats going on in the article.For example, if you see on word at the top of the article then you see the word keeping being repeated later on you know that word is important and may have several meanings to it. Also asking your self questions after reading the article and asking questions at the end of the article is helpful to fully comprehend things. If you start questioning why something happened then your willing to keep reading to find the answer.

In the other source i found it had the same basic steps on how to close reading, but it added a few more. It said look for the tone because it gives you a good sense of the story such as if the story is humerous, scary etc..Another thing it said to look for is texture. the texture helps to paint a mental picture so you can get an idea of whats happeneing.

Baseball Scout Day

Yesterday for baseball we had an event known as Pro Scout day. Pro Scout day is a day where major league scounts come and run a showcase for the team. The showcase consist of a 60 yard dash, ground balls, batting practice and pop time for cathers. Going into this event i was a little nervous because the pro scouts only take the top of the top juniors. Even though im to young to get drafted, i still wanted to go out and give it my all. So as soon as i got there, i started warming up playing catch to help get my arm loose. After that i decided to go on a little run becasuse the first event we had was a 60 yard dash. So im the middle guy to go in the 60 yard dash. I walk up to the line and show the scouts my number. After i showed them my number i get into my running position then take off. As soon as i crossed the line i found out i ran a 7.0 which is really good for cathers. After the 60 yard dash, i had to do pop times. Pop times are how fast you can get the ball from home plate to 2nd base. I was the second one up. As i stood on home plate i recieved the ball and immediately threw it to second base. It registerd as a 1.9 which is really good for college cathers. After pop times, i went to take batting practice. I was the the 2nd one up. As soon as i stepped up to home plate i was determined to hit the ball where its pitched. When the pitcher threw the balls, i hit every pitch where it was pitched. I was so proud of myself. At the end of the event my coach told me good job, and hopefully in 2 years the scouts will come back and remember my scores.

Peer review editing

Last week in english class we had a peer review for our papers. I thought it was very beneifical to the people who bought in extra papers so we can review. I like how each person gets the paper of another and we can all read it and help the persons paper get better. I also like how we have this as a group discussuion. We all go around the room and read one paper at a time. Each one of us gets to read the persons paper then right suggestions on it. After everyone is done reading and writing suggestions on the paper, we come together and discuss it with each other. Everyone who wants to, gets to raise their hand and tell the person how they can make their paper better. This is very benefical because instead of only using one mind, you use the whole class. I talked to my one friend who brought their paper in and he said it was very beneifical to him because he got a lot of feed back and can now make his paper stronger. Peer review discussions is a good thing and hopefully we keep using it more so we can keep making our papers stronger.

What would a 21st century Emerson have to say about the same topic?

A 21st centry Emmerson would say that many people in the world take life for granted and dont live up to their potential. Many people do not go out and do things in the world which is a waste of a life. People should go out in the world and explore new things. Exploring new things help people learn. People  need to learn how to do the basic things in life such as learn how to work. Many people in todays society expect their parents to take care of them and so they do not know the value of hard work. People need to be more agreesive with their lives and go out, find a job, and make a living so you can reach your dream of making alot of money and living happily.
 One big problem in society are people not learning to make friends. Many people waste their life inside their house and do not expand their networks and meet new people. Without having conncection, you will not have friends and you will not find a job.
 Also, people should take an interest in books becauses its another way of learning ideas. Many people in todays society do not learn new things simply because they do not read. If we had a society where everyone reads, this would make the world a smarter place. In addition, people should share their ideas with one another. Sometimes in society people are to shy to speak up and share ideas. If people were to share ideas, their probably would be more inventions, and even cures to diseases. We need to stop only caring about our own thoughts and listen to others.
In conclusion, People need to stop being layed back and go out and do things in life. The biggest regret in a persons life is not accomplishing something you wanted. If you go out and do everything you want in life, you will be a happy person.