"We are part of the system"

"We are part of the system... We are, in this view, neither owners nor operators; at best, we might see ourselves as motile tissue specialized for receiving information" (Thomas 916).

Many people believe as humans we control the earth. Although we have continued to develop and make advancements in our society, we do not control nature but we are a part of it. Many view humans independent from nature "despite the sharing around of genes, enzymes and organelles"(916)  as those other species living on earth.

Through our actions we not only harm other species but ourselves too. We are not protected from the effects of climate change, pollution, and many other harmful problems as we are a part of the environment. We directly affect other species and "we are as dependent as the leaves or midges or fish on the rest of life"(916). As humans are dependent on other species, we also face the same negative effects that humans cause. As climate change continues to threaten the earth, many forget that it does not only affect animals living on earth but also humans. Not only climate change, but also the ongoing problems of plastic and trash being released into the oceans negatively affects humans and while it may affect the species in the oceans more, it still affects us.

As humans we continue to attempt to control the environment but the reality is, is that the earth is not "at our disposal to be consumed, ornamented or pulled apart as we wished"(915) as many previously believed. We were evolved the same way as the other species that live on earth as not to control or rule over nature and other species but instead we asserted ourselves into that role. It is true that we are "neither owners nor operators"(916) of the earth but despite how it may seem, we are still just one more part of the environment, ecosystem, and the earth we live in.

If the effects we have on other species that have already occurred or will occur in the future are not enough for society to take action to save the environment, we need to change our actions to not only save other species, but ourselves too.


Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/science/human-evolution/images-videos/media/275670/73009
The Language of Composition: Reading Writing Rhetoric

"My Three Englishes"

My three Englishes include speaking with family, friends, and speaking/writing in school. When speaking to these different groups or environments, I speak differently using formal or informal language choices along with using different vocabulary with each of these groups.

My most casual form of speaking is with my friends. While with my friends I often use certain jargon and I do not always speak with proper grammar. I don't worry about being judged on how I speak because when speaking with people my own age we generally speak the same way using the same jargon and grammar. Along with speaking with my friends, texting is also very casual and informal. In texts, I often use abbreviations and incorrect grammar, I rarely use punctuation, and I do not correctly capitalize.

My most formal speaking and writing is in school and with my teachers. While speaking with teachers, I always use correct grammar and try to use a deeper vocabulary. I also write very formally in papers and assignments for class. I try to use sophisticated language while writing and always check my grammar and spelling before turning an assignment in.

My other form of English is speaking with family. When speaking with my family, I often find I use a combination of how I speak with friends and teachers. I talk somewhat casually with my family but I don't use the jargon that I use with my friends. This is due to parents or other family not always understanding the jargon and terms people my age use and it can be difficult to describe the terms to them. By refraining from using this jargon, I use a different vocabulary similar, but not as formal, to the vocabulary I use with teachers.

With these three Englishes I use during different times and with different audiences, I think I have the most power while speaking with friends and others that are the same age or younger than me. I think this because while speaking with friends they don't judge the way I speak but focus on what I am saying instead of how I say things so they focus on the idea I am trying to express instead of how I express it. I feel I have less power while speaking with teachers or other people that have a higher authority because they often focus on your grammar, language choices, and whether your speaking formal or informally. By teachers focusing on those details, they are less focused on what you are saying and you cannot fully express your ideas.

By using my three Englishes, I am able to change the way I speak with different groups of people to try and express my ideas to their full extent. With using these languages I am able to obtain different levels of power to portray my opinions and ideas successfully.

Metacognitive Reflection

Over the course of this semester, I feel I have grown as a writer immensely. Though I can sill improve a great deal, discussing my writing with others has helped me continue to grow. This semester, I have had my peers and I have personally reviewed and reread my essays after receiving my grade and Ms. Nagi's feedback.

The area I felt I have improved the most in is my analysis. At the beginning of the semester I had used phrases such as "this shows" but as the semester continued I began to refrain from using such phrases and have let my ideas flow more smoothly. I also think I have improved on embedding my quotes in my writing. I now do not use stand alone quotes and embed my quotes to continue to improve my analysis.

One area I feel I can further improve in is focusing on the big picture and broader ideas instead of focusing on specific things in the text I am writing about. To accomplish this, along with meeting with Ms. Nagi next semester to discuss my writing, I plan to spend time focusing on the broader idea the text is trying to portray and focusing on that idea instead of specific details from the text.

The writing assignment I am specifically proud of is my social concerns final essay. I am specifically proud of this essay because I feel this essay reflects all of the skills I have learned this semester. In my essay, I believe I provided an effective thesis regarding gender inequality and provided sufficient and effective analysis to support my claim.

To help further develop my skills, Ms. Nagi can provide more feedback for my writing. To provide more feedback on my writing, it would be helpful for me if she could mark and comment more on my writing. Along with receiving more feedback I plan to meet with her more often next semester to further discuss my writing to continue my improvement this school year.