Process Journal #1

The reason I chose the thesis that I did was because I agree with it, there are many determining factors that play a part in deciding whether or not killing is ever justifiable. I still agree with my decision to use this thesis.

The purpose of our first essay was to answer a point based off of the movie Road to Perdition given by Mr. Stalides. I chose to answer "Is there ever a time when killing is justified?" I felt like I clarified my point that there are many factors that play a part in determining whether or not it can ever be justified. The confusing part for me when writing this essay and trying to make my point was that there are a lot of questions that can be continually asked when making my arguments. So I had a few question statements in my essay and I wasn't sure if that was appropriate necessarily but I felt like I needed to put them in there, so I guess I need to clarify that with Mr. Stalides if that is okay or not.

I try very hard to write my papers in peace and quiet....that is not always as easy as it sounds at my house. I have two little girls ages 5 and 6 and my husband works until 7:15pm every night, so writing my essays usually consist of "mom, she hit me", "mom, I'm hungry", "mom, I need a drink", or I usually write late at night, that seems to be the best time for me to study and write my papers. I have been doing that now for 2 years and my body has become accustomed to late night studying. I get everyone fed, bathed, and down for bed and then it is time to work. It is probably not the best choice, but it works the best for me, there are usually less distractions.

I always start out just writing out my thoughts based on my topic I have to write about or my thesis and try to build on those. Once I feel like I have enough for my essay then I try to organize it on paper, not writing it out, but more like an outline. Then I sit down and type out my essay. After I have typed it out, I then look for my research to back up my thoughts in my paper or anything I think would help support what I have written. Once I have that then I try to work it into my essay. Once I have all of that done, then I type my rough draft. I do all of my typing at home, at my computer desk in my living room. Usually tired is my typical mood. I am also in the nursing program working on my RN, getting ready to graduate in May, so I am a full time mom, student, maid, cook, bookkeeper, taxi service, and up until August also worked full time. So, to say the least it has taken a toll on this "non-traditional" student.

I am pretty excited about how Mr. Stalides has set up so many resources for us on our blackboard and how he is current with the times. It is nice to have a young, open-minded, willing professor to help you grow as a writer! I enjoy having class in the computer lab! I think just like with nursing, you learn more when you have hands on experience. It gets very monogamous to sit in a class and listen to lecture and do exercises out of a book. I enjoy doing our blog and having Mr. Stalides there to show us new things to help us learn and grow.

I only had a couple problems with this first essay and my first one has been fixed already, which was my blackboard classes not being on my class list. So, I couldn't get on blackboard to get the assignment in the first place, and the week it was announced, my whole family was sick and we had been out of class for a week due to the Ice Storm of 2009, so I had missed the details given out in class. So, I finally got my access on blackboard the afternoon that our rough draft was due, so I had to throw it together very quickly! My other concern is the works cited page and doing the cites in the writing, I don't think the book is very clear, it just throws it all together it seems and sometimes it seems like the kind of cite you are looking for is not the exact way that it is in the book. (Mr. Stalides work your magic on getting that book changed for future students) So, I have some growing to do on the works cited but I think that with some discussion in class about it and getting to work with it more we will be able to conquer that concern.

As far as changing the way I do my essay, of course I will make changes. If I didn't make changes a long the way I wouln't become a better writer. Life is about change, and I believe in change, though some may think of it as a scarey thing, I believe it makes you grow.