Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The First Charter of Virginia; April 10, 1601 (Revision)

Author -

  • In reading this rough, old English document, the author is simply unknown. For me, knowing the author or maybe the authors background helps me better understand the context of the writing. Although, at the very end of the document there is an indication that the author may be "Lukin" which is the name disclosed on the last page.

Audience-

  • The audience of this document are the colonists that were adventuring from "Plimouth" on their way to make a plantation on the coast of Virginia I do believe.

Tone-

  • In my own opinion, the tone of the writing is very persuasive and also authoritative. It sounded to me like the document was directed toward the colonists to persuade them of the great things that may come with colonizing in the new world and also telling them of the laws and regulations.

Purpose/Context-

  • I believe the purpose of this document was to inform the new colonization off the coast of Virginia of the plans and laws made by the council, and to assure that the rules would be followed.
  • My impression of this document is that the repetition is there for a reason, and the reason is to stress the importance of the laws and regulations in their new colonization. The repetition started with "And also all the Lands, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Woods, Waters, Marshes, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever,...". This was used approximately six times throughout the document.
  • Words such as "GRANT" and "DECLARE" are accentuated by bolding to show the significance of the authority. The author often used the word "Us" when talking about the council of thirteen, who were granted power in the colonies to have authority over the colonists.
Ethos-
  • To me the ethos of the writing were the regulations in the colony and the relationship between the inhabitants and the law-makers. The laws may cause emotions to rise among the colonists.

Pathos-

  • I believe the pathos are the rule-makers, which would be the "we" in the text: the council. They have the credibility and authority in the document.

Logos-

  • Last but not least, the logos of the writing would be the successors, the ones who have been granted power to logically enforce the laws of the community.

Monday, September 29, 2008

The First Charter of Virginia; April 10, 1601

In this long and strewn out reading, I did not find out who the author was until the very end of the text. I usually like to know who the author is right away. It gives me a better visual almost, and understanding. I do believe the author is Lukin, whoever he (or she) may be. The audience in this document are most certainly the colonies that were making a plantation on the coast of Virginia coming from "Plimoth". The tone and context of this document is very, very repetitive.

He often used the word "Us" when talking about the council (I am assuming), who were granted power in the colonies. Some of them were Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hackluit, Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thornas Hanham, Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham. The repetition of the voice first started with "And also all the Lands, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Woods, Waters, Marshes, Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, ..." always in the same order and always stating the same thing.

My impression of this document is that the repetition is there for a reason, and the reason is to stress the importance (their importance) of the laws and regulations in their new colonization. Words such as "GRANT" and "DECLARE" are accentuated by bolding to show their importance.

I suppose the ethos of the document must be the regulations in the colony and the relationship between the inhabitants and the law-makers. The laws may cause emotions to rise among the people of the colonies. I believe that the pathos are the rule makers. The "we" in the text: the council. They have the credibility and character in the document. Last but not least, the logos is the successors, the ones who have been granted power to logically enforce the laws of the colony.
I believe that the purpose of this document was to inform the new colonization off the coast of Virginia of the plans and laws made by the council, and to assure that the rules would be followed.

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Cruelties of the Spaniards Comitted in America

The person writing this claims that the Spaniard's purpose of their endeavor was for specifically gold only. I have some mixed feelings about this and don't wholly agree. On the one hand, I agree that the Spaniards were after gold, but on the other hand, I believe that they also wanted power and more authority over the land, and possibly the land itself. The Spaniards didn't care who they killed to get this (women, children, etc.), as long as they got what they wanted.

At the beginning of the passage, they mentioned how the Spanish Island, San Salvador, had very fertile soil (great potential for growth and wealth) and was of massive space and length (about 600 miles). The Spaniards were also drawn to the fact that the people of the Islands were such loyal, submissive subjects. Despite this fact, the Spaniards still killed off most of the inhabitants. Three million people had dwindled down to only three hundred. They went on a killing rampage and had no care at all. Why do the Spaniards feel they have the right to do these awful things?

I believe that the Indians might have stood a chance against the Spaniards had they been better prepared on their first attempt to attack the Spaniards to retrieve their land and freedom. In my opinion, the Spaniards obviously wanted more than just gold. Who would kill off millions for just gold and not have plans of using the gold for advancements or growth? I believe it is because they saw wealth and power over reasoning.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

My Writing Philosophy

Writing is one of the simplest of things. It's something that comes easy to most, like talking but in a different form. Before I write I sit down and really think about what I would like to accomplish in my work. For me writing is often an art form; a blank canvas with pages of unknown words and phrases just waiting to be utilized.

To be honest my writing can sometimes be vague, and I always tend to keep things simple because that's how I like it. If I don't like to read things that are confusing, why make my own writing complicated for others?


In my opinion writing can calm. Bottling up feelings can lead to explosion of the mouth. Writing is a way to get thoughts and feelings out, that are sometimes painful, and express yourself in a calming way.

English Composition as a Happening

This piece of writing has a very negative approach. He is talking about his own personal feelings and beliefs about education and gives many supporting quotes and ideas. I found it very interesting that Deemer put quotations around the word teacher every single time he used it. What is he suggesting about teachers? Maybe he's just showing that teachers have a certain role or title.

"Watch the class yawn for it's food." I love this quote from the text. In my opinion, students are sometimes fed so much information, often year after year, that goes in one ear and out the other. Anticipating the teachers giving us more work is just tiring. We all know it's coming, and we're all so comfortable with it in our own way.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

PSEC Application Essay

Leah Vickers
9/10/08
Application Essay

When I was very young, possibly ten or eleven years old, I dreamed of growing up fast and doing adult things. My mom always said I was different than anyone my own age and that I was very mature. I always wanted to do everything. When I had to make a choice between piano lessons or swimming lessons I was torn apart. I ended up doing both and was quite happy about it. I not only learned how to swim quite well but it gave me musical experiences that lead me from piano for three years and on to the guitar since 2004.

Now at the age of sixteen I am a volunteer at my church, I help greet, I sing on our worship team, I lead our youth worship by singing and playing my guitar, I played Anne Frank in a play and Mary in our Christmas play, I help with childcare, and I was formerly a part of an elderly group at our church called “The Grands”. I haven’t had any interests in getting a summer job because I like to have time to do other things. I make extra money by babysitting, which is helping people, but I also benefit from it. My desire to help out in any way I can has built a great relationship between myself and a lady at my church named Zoe. She lives in Renton and has lost family members and needs help around her house because she has painful arthritis. I go over once a week and do her dishes, clean and organize whatever she needs me to. She has become a close friend and we realize that we both have much in common.

All of these things require motivation. Volunteer work can get tiring, but I have to remember what I am working for. I am not doing it for myself, or for any personal reason, I’m doing it for the community and for God. Even though it can get stressful at times, I have always enjoyed being very busy. I hope that my skills can be put to good use at PSEC and that I am able to help in any way I can. My future depends on how much I put forth, and I plan on using all of my efforts by giving 110%!