In the article ‘Kinda Cussin’’, Marlon Manuel explains how the younger generations of today find ways to replace actual cuss words with slang. Slang has been around for a while, ever since there was an exploration with words that allows youth (and adults) to express themselves the way they want to. Youth have found ways to form themselves to how they speak in everyday life. It matters on the environment that the youth is raised in; children that have parents who openly cuss will most likely cuss. There are several effects that slang has on the culture of today as well, it’s not rare to see a movie, hear a song, or see television without hearing slang. All this effects our youth and impacts their speech. Where this is a teen with a problem, there is a new language sprouting out of their mouth. Teens impact cultures more than any age group. They spend the most money, they watch the most movies, and they believe they have an opinion worth listening to. The truth is, they need to separate themselves from adults to make them feel more important, some approach this with a tact involving slang. In the article there is a quote “A lot of my guy friends use a lot more slang words and stuff- If we have too much homework, they might say ‘I hate this crap.’” It’s just a way to express themselves towards others, almost as if they’re the only ones that understand each other. Its not just half cussing, it’s also an artistic language. Slang also has a lot to do with the way people dress, when you see a man wearing a suit it says ‘Hello, I mean business’ when you see a man wearing ripped up pants and a black faded shirt it says ‘Freak you, I don’t give a crap.’ I’ve noticed that MTV has a huge impact on our culture; it’s almost as if it’s telling you how to act and what to wear. Not just towards one group of people but several different types; rock, rap, R&B- these genres of music have people representing them that speak a certain way that involves slang. In the article an 11-year-old said she’s hears mild expletives on MTV, and she and her friend use them regularly. Parents that cuss at home set up an environment for their children, they may say that they have never heard their children cuss before, but how often are they watching them? Or listening to how they talk when they’re on the phone? The youth of the world will always be impacted by each other, they want to fit into a group so they try to act at the others do. So, it’s understandable why teens seem to worsen as time goes by.
My concerns about the environment
I have to admit, I really don’t have a lot of concerns about the environment. I think the one thing that really bothers me (that has to do with the environment) would have to be littering. I dislike littering A LOT. I just don’t understand why people wont walk their butts over to a trash can and drop their junk in there, I mean is it really that hard? Find a trashcan- and that whole “Its natural it’ll go back into the soil” is a load of crap- when does plastic come natural from the ground?! I seriously think that’s extremely lazy and irresponsible. But anyways, moving on- I think that its important to change this before there is more damage.
2ND DRAFT for essay “The Worlds Problem is Us”
<div>There’s is a problem that needs to change so we can improve the environment. This problem is tiny however; many have caused horrible damage to our beautiful planet by committing it. There are several different ways that we damage the planet by doing this, one is polluting the ocean. In the past the government has conjured up several plans that (doesn’t quite encourage) would make groups of people do their part in helping prevent this crime from covering up the United States. What is this problem? It’s called littering.</div>
<div>What is littering exactly? Littering is when you dump plastic bottles, glass bottles, plastic wraps, foil, hazardous waste and other wastes in an area that is not a dump site. Some even use the excuse that there is not a trashcan around and they rather “Hide litter” (which means they throw the object behind a tree or into bush) then keep it with them until they find a trashcan. They also add that it’s not as bad as dumping it near a drain gutter. People seem to think that there is nothing wrong with throwing trash around in the streets since they already see piles of trash around the area. If many think about littering this way, then I understand why many famous cities are filled with trash. People just don’t know when its time to follow and when its time to lead. Doing this, causes a lot of damage, beautiful cities turn into disgusting sites of waste and smells such as Los Angeles. Also, people seem to find places that were once beautiful and natural and turn them into wastelands. For example, I remember going camping when I was ten years old; I remember how natural the campsite was. I went back in the last summer, I was very sad, the area was filled with glass bottles and plastic cups. On one the sides of the nearby lake there was this thick mass of trash. I just couldn’t understand how people could do that to such a beautiful place. I just wished that people could see it how it was several years ago. </div>
<div> Littering damages the environment in many different ways. By dumping toxic waste in an area near wildlife you can poison any animal that eats or comes into contact with it (matters on what kind of toxic chemical or substance it is). Some animals get trapped in the plastic bottle nets near their habitat and suffocate, open can food can cut up an animal, and paper is eaten by the wildlife. Not only does it harm the wildlife, but it can also harm humans- its common, in other countries in the past, that rats and diseases develop in high amounts of litter. There is also the effect on marine life, some may think that by littering away from drain gutters is okay and wont damage the marine life because it’s not near it, and will not fall in. However, there are some people that pull out the trash from wherever its hidden, (lets say its a bottle) and throw it from their home, landing in the gutter. Maybe someone might pick it up, maybe a kid might just kick it inside the drain, and maybe it’ll rain and the bottle will slowly float into the drain. Either way, people don’t seem to lose sleep over the idea that its slowly getting closer to where it shouldn’t be. The ocean is a big problem too (lets face it anything that is harmed in the environment is a big deal since the circle of life is very fragile) 90% of floating marine debris is plastic, and 70% of littler input sinks to the bottom of the ocean. The litter that does not get trapped underwater, and doesn’t sink to the dark ocean floor with its poor marine victims, goes back to the coast and washes up on the beaches.</div>
It’s not quite dont yet, but its getting there- please give me feedback…
Wednesday Class 27th FEB
Well for those of you who were unable to make it today- poor you. We went over the midterm-again. Gwen moved the midterm to next week-Monday- and she also posted up a description about it on her blog, and you possibly got a email- so check that out. (If you did not receive the email you will have to send her an email so she can send you the info)
She also talked about the essay that is due WEDS MARCH 5TH, you will have to turn in your rough drafts along with the final version. If you have not started on it- remember that it has to do with helping out with the environment. Gwen said it would be great to use your advertisement idea for your essay. It has to be at least 3 pages long, double space, 12 size font.
We also answered some questions here they are…
Your topic can be the same one as for your ad campaign or it can be a different topic, but it must be a specific environmental problem which has come up in class with a specific solution; preferably one or more of the readings will be used, and possibly one of your “posts” will serve as a draft. Persuade your audience by using both personal experience and quotes from class readings or other research. All claims must be supported with evidence. I encourage you to bring a draft to a writing tutor for feedback.
What is your topic or the problem you hope to address?
What do you think will work as a solution?
What personal experiences can you use to develop your essay and support your claims?
Which texts might help you develop your essay and provide evidence for your claims?
Who is your audience? (Who do you want to convince to take what action about which problem?)
You can read the full post on the class site.
Answering Essay Questions
For my essay I decided to write about littering. I guess I will explain what it really is- (I bet people are wondering why I would explain something so obvious) well by explaining it I am also setting the floor-plan on how it can be prevented. I will also explain how it is a constant problem, not only in our country- but all over the world. I mean doesn’t anyone ever wonder why people continue to do it even though they know it is harming the planet? Self control has a big part. People rather drop a plastic bottle on the ground then walk a couple a steps and drop it a trashcan or recycle bin. Is it really that hard? People say LA is awesome and filled with life, what part of LA are you looking at?! I walk around and see and smell waste all around. Its disgusting… I think that people who care and notice that this issue is really getting out of hand would like to read my essay.
Class Monday
I decided to, for the rest of class, post up info on what you missed in class. I don’t know if its allowed- but I will post my little notes about the class date.
Announcements: Feb. 27 “How to Win Friends and Influence People: Becoming a Tutor” will be at 4:30-5:30pm
Syllabus: Read EW 207-274 “Sentence Grammar”
John Muir “Hetch Hetchy” read and discussed
and read article “Kinda Cussin’” and write a thesis
In class we talked about ‘Hetch Hetchy’ (that Gwen posted on her classroom blog) and went over some steps of how to make a thesis.
Steps:
TOPIC: Author, Tittle
‘Tude (Attitude): feeling from what you read or theme (ex: Somewhat boring/ opinion)
Supporting points: (Telephone pole: three or more points to support your answers for attitude)
Tension: feeling you get from what you have read- anger, sadness?
This is the example for the “Kinda Cussin’” article
“In the informative article ‘Kinda Cussin”, Marlon Manual goes deep into the world of inappropriate slang that comes close to cussing, and how this language is slowly being accepted, and becoming the gateway to other delinquent behavior.”
Also, remember that the midterm is on weds. You will need to have ‘Kinda Cussin” for the midterm!
Hybrid
So, those of you who are in my group-dont forget that you need to come up with some ads. I know that Michael has the tree behind the car- and Cara has the fashion girl leaning on the car- so Linda and uh (sorry I forgot your name) the nice little lady need to come up with some ideas. I WILL NOT DRAW FOR YOU GUYS ><!!!
2.0.0.8 What can I do?
In the ALMOST twenty years of my life-I’ve realised that I haven’t really had any goals to accomplish. I usually just do things as they come, not really caring if I do them or not. And now, it irritates me when I do not accomplish anything in a week. I will go through a whole day not doing anything productive. All because my family has set me up with responsibilities that they want me to do- because they can not do them themselves. So, yes I’m stuck doing everything at home and not doing what I want to do, like paint. I love painting and drawing. However, Ive noticed that when I was a child I would stay up late and draw out little short stories in the dim light of my little cheap flashlight. I miss those times. So I have decided to write out my plan for this year- or rather-my goals.
1. Work on my art. I want to be able to draw realistic art. To execute this goal- I would have to spend a lot of time drawing real life subjects- I could sit in a middle of a plaza and study the people that walk by and draw them out. Just a lot of practice…
2. Get my license >:(
3. Heh- Get a car 
4. Get a job. 
((
5. Work on my portfolio for AAU.
and other things I cant think of…..
