I need some Geek opinions.

I need some Geek opinions. ASAP

I'm doing something unique for my English class and I need some geek insight. I need everyone who reads this post to give me their gut reaction to the following statement or in other words: How does it make you FEEL?

"You must compose a classification essay of approximately 800 to 1,000 words. The topic must be innovative (original), or shed new light on the discipline being classified. "

I'm not asking what you would write about, I'm asking if someone gave you this assignment and your grade depended on it, how would you FEEL?

I'll tell you why after I get some answers. :cool

 

I would feel no worries. Us geeks know how to download a "A" paper.

Im kidding. Who cares. Im in the class, write the paper. Do the best I can.

 

I'll post my assignment, but your answers to the question are actually PART of my assignment. Don't worry about me, worry about you. This is YOUR paper.. how do you feel? Anxious? Confused? Annoyed? Ambivilant? Confident? Anything, just give me your gut reaction. In other words, don't over analyse it.

 

35+ years ago, I would have been annoyed and anxious.
Today, I would be ready and willing to expound on a subject that I thought innovative and original.

 

An "original" topic - so no one has ever written anything about it before. Tricky! rolleyes

 

That would be tough IMO, original is open to interpretation of the reader and their knowledge of the subject.

It would depend on your knowledge of the discipline and then again open to the personal perspective of the reader as to if it actually "sheds new light".

If it were me, I would be hoping that I was on the good side of the person grading. It would make me fell like I was shooting craps for my grade, either way depending on the roll of the dice - uncertain.

 

Well, being 'classified' to me sounds like being compartmentalized in one's thoughts of exterior phenomena, be it racial, religious, spiritual or evolutionary etc., I think I covered all the bases. I would basically feel that I would have to reveal my inner soul to be able to express my deep felt opinions.

Hehe, and this is a geek question?!:-D Now where did I put that 8800GT?

 

I would break out in a cold sweat, skip school a go and play golf, hell that’s what I did over 40 years ago I haven't changed much. ​

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Re: I need some Geek opinions. ASAP

Sure. This is what I do. This is what I'm good at, and if you're basing my grade on a 1,000 word essay, so much the better. I'll be in the "A" pile when you grade these later...

Writing papers was always what I was best at in college... arrogantly confident in my own abilities to ace any assignment was a close second. :-D

 

Re: I need some Geek opinions. ASAP

Hmm, so besides being competently arrogant and self confident, what have you brought to the table?

 

You guys, this is great. Now that I have some answers my classification essay is going to be to classify the emotions that having to write a classification essay encompass. Keep posting and I'll post the final copy of the thing after I turn it in. I really appreciate this.

 

Re: I need some Geek opinions. ASAP

Variety. I'm the only one who would be looking forward to writing the paper.

 

Re: I need some Geek opinions. ASAP

Variety makes life interesting if we were all the same, we would bore ourselves to death :-D

 

Hahahaha! This sounds very much like you, 'I spit in the face of academia'!:-D

You got that write!*groan*:-D

 

My gut reactions would be curiosity and bewilderment! Curiosity as to what the teacher expected and wanted and bewilderment because most most topics have already been researched and written about. To me the human mind is the most undocumented thing in the world! Hope this helps.

 

I hate to disagree with you like this augie but this is actually, perfectly legitimate academic research.

Wenchie took her essay topic, went out and found a group of "test subjects" and gathered data from each subject in that group on the emotions they experience when faced with the task of writing a classification essay. The answers are going to be varied, due to the diverse nature of her test group, and as a result, she now has several different emotions to classify, compare, and contrast in her essay.

Don't forget to use up at least a paragraph on how and why you selected the test group you did. Demonstrating sound methodology usually gives the researcher some additional brownie points.

 

I would be ready to write, except this part is confusing me "or shed new light on the discipline being classified"

What does that mean?:confused

E

 

My first emotion what in gods name am i going to write about and second emotion how do i make it sound original?

I am up for the challenge but need some time to thinkhttp://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/smileys-91853/j0/readpb.gif

 

You are right of course Mims, I guess my attempt at a joke flopped horribly!:-D

 

Simple, you use some new found light source on the discipline being classified. Try this light source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7547118.stm I'm sure something new will come out of it that hasn't been seen before! :-D

As to discipline, there are all sorts of rules, protocols and punishments...

Gut reaction to the original request, simple enough these days to create classifications given the vast repository of the Internet. However, whether the classification is original or provides new ideas on an existing subject may be up to a person's ingenuity.

 

I just started school again after almost 30 years and I am a little overwhelmed right now.

My first reaction when reading it was...well, first I read it about three times......then.....when is it due?, what other classes do I have to have things turned in before that?,....I should start thinking of a topic and researching it.

Is that called planning and organizing? lol

 

Good point. I stand corrected.

 

As I remember, and keep in mind I was a Communication Major, the most important part of any paper or essay was to start out clarifying and defining exactly what the paper was going to be about. To me, the obvious approach to this type of classification essay would be to find a group of people and get their input on what it feels like to have to write this paper, since a large number of different emotions means more material to write about, which is a good thing.

So I'd start the paper with "this is what I'm going to write about", with a short addendum on "this is where and how I found a group of people who provided the various emotions I will be classifying". Then you move on to defining what is a negative and what is a positive emotion--anxious, confident, et cetera. If the over-whelming trend is towards negative emotions of nervousness and anxiety, then that would probably be where I put my focus. And then move on to defining what "nervous" and "anxious" means, and what the difference between the two is, and go from there.

It's been a while since I wrote papers for college, so that's the best I can do off the top of my head.

 

Yeah... Communication falls under the social sciences.

 

Re: I need some Geek opinions. ASAP

My first reaction would be something like, "Hmm, I wonder if 1,000 words will be enough?" "Can I accurately cover all the points I want to?"

Heck, some of my posts used to be as long, or longer than that. ~ But then again, I have been known to 'Be running off at the keyboard', at times.

 

So I have decided to rebel against academia... My constant stream of A's and praise has disillusioned me, because does everyone get A's?? How do I know??? So in response to the droll wretched nature of my English Assignments, I decided to pull the same stunt I did in middle school when I was forced to write an essay on how I felt about the Bible... to a priest... in religion class. I was not kind, but I was well expressed and animated and that priest gave me an A.

I've apparently done it again...

Assignment 3 for this week is to post a rough draft of the afore mentioned essay. But in a sarcastic pirouette that truly I was designed to pull off, I decided to classify the gambit of emotions presented in response to having to do a classification essay. And I did so less than kindly. My rough draft outline and its explanation are as follows (posted as is for peer and professor review):

I’m sure I will be reworking this assignment entirely, but I've been feeling rather cantankerous lately and have thus focused my ire into my homework. Although you will recall that I did, in fact, forewarn everyone that I am extremely sarcastic… I was trying intently to make the assignment fun not only to write, but to read.

It’s therefore presented in first person conversational as a scientific study. It will go on to include the actual results and examples as provided by the given sources. It will conclude with a summation of thesis statement, which I feel I can adequately prove based on the results.

If anyone would like to be an anonymous part of the “study” email me at .....

----

Classification is a uniquely boring structural blueprint for any body of writing. But as I must endure so shall I endeavor to make the experience as entertaining as possible, for we are all in this together. And what shall I be classifying today, you might ask? Why, it’s the very thing itself: Classification essays and how people react to them.

For this astonishing topic I canvassed the internet searching high and low for this answer. But searching for classification essays merely yields a myriad of web sites looking to pander pre fabricated term papers. I write my own thank you very much! Therefore, having absolutely no life and being a member of several social networking sites and forum groups, to my friends I posed the question:

“Give me your gut reaction to the following statement. How does it make you FEEL?

You must compose a classification essay of approximately 800 to 1,000 words. The topic must be innovative (original), or shed new light on the discipline being classified.

I’m not what you would write about, but if someone gave you this assignment and your grade depended on it, how would you FEEL?”

I would love to tell you the results were astonishing – an astounding insight into the human psyche! - but truly they were not. However the reactions can be easily categorized. Answers were obviously influenced by several factors, including previous experience and intelligence level. Several examples will be included although edited to remove swearing. Yes there was swearing, and who knew such a simple question could evoke such a severe reaction!

----

Fully expecting to be told to choose another topic, I went off to read a book, and came back to find the following response from my Teacher:

Hi Renate--just a wonderful idea! I love it. I really do, and more, I applaud your enthusiasm. I do want to point out that academic writing should be in third person, however. PLEASE don't be angry with me!

Antonio

It's like a dinner party thrown by Madonna and Howard Stern, you just can't say ANYTHING that'll get a reaction... I don't even know why I was hoping to get one, but to be applauded for being a brat is simply too much!!!

So I replied: Oh must it??? That a wretched evil stereotype! It takes so much of the FUN out of it!!! But I can manage, I suppose. I can go from first person conversational to third person narrative and who knows? It may make it even more dramatic... Buy just so you know, a small part of me just died... *sniff* END. Exit stage left.

Sigh.

I'll repost the final edit when I'm done and if they think I can't be sarcastic in third person they're seriously mistaken... And yes I really did post it and the answers exactly like that, I copy and pasted.

 

Here we be. Third person, feigned scientific and all.

Classification is a uniquely boring structural blueprint for any body of writing. Just announcement of such as assignment has been known to cause anxiety amongst those of every educational level. The pure tedium of writing essays for the sake of writing essays and the added pressure of doing so intelligently has been known to echo groans of exasperation through every corridor of Academia. Today the very thing itself shall be classified through test subject interaction: Classification essays and how people react to them.

For this topic the internet was canvassed high and low for test subjects. Several social networking sites and forum groups were tapped for an adequate cross section of the unwashed masses; to these unsuspecting guinea pigs the question was posed:

“Give your gut reaction to the following statement. How does it make you FEEL?

You must compose a classification essay of approximately 800 to 1,000 words. The topic must be innovative (original), or shed new light on the discipline being classified.

The question is not asking what you would write about, but rather if someone gave you this assignment and your grade depended on it, how would you FEEL?”

Reactions were astonishing: Not one person was excited about the prospect. Although the reactions were less than enthusiastic, there was enough of an emotional range that they can be easily categorized. Several examples will be included although edited to remove swearing. (Indeed, such a simple question did evoke such a severe reaction).

The Majority of replies expressed irritation, at times crossing the line into hostility. Many test subjects felt their talents could be put to better use, and expressed annoyance at being given an assignment so mundane.
Examples:
I’d punch the teacher in the stomach for being lazy and not giving me an actual assignment. – GCSA
Bothered that a teacher gave me a nonsense assignment when I should be more concerned about learning – GCU
Ok, that is a "WTF?" assignment! Is that the only direction you were given? I would defiantly be lost and frustrated on that one......... JDM

The second largest emotional group expressed confusion or required clarification which would also imply confusion. Test subjects were confused both that anyone would want such an essay written as well as exactly what constituted original and who made that determination.
Examples:
Wait, what? My brain got fried just at the assignment. – MBD
Confused and wanting to get off now!! Is my gut reaction with that statement – Halo
My gut reactions would be curiosity and bewilderment! Curiosity as to what the teacher expected and wanted and bewilderment because most topics have already been researched and written about. To me the human mind is the most undocumented thing in the world! – Novice

A large remainder of the group expressed ambivalence: They knew they could do it, but they would prefer to get it over with. It wasn’t in the least interesting nor of concern to them.
Examples:
It doesn't seem like a difficult assignment – LauraR
I would feel no worries. Us geeks know how to download an "A" paper. I’m kidding. Who cares? I’m in the class, write the paper. Do the best I can. –Tym
My first emotion what in God’s name am I going to write about and second emotion how do I make it sound original? I am up for the challenge but need some time to think – BillMCC66

Finally, in the vast minority, we have those who express confidence, readiness and perhaps even enthusiasm. These individuals are undaunted and eager to share their knowledge and experience with others.
Example:
35+ years ago, I would have been annoyed and anxious. Today, I would be ready and willing to expound on a subject that I thought innovative and original. - Musksnipe
Sure. This is what I do. This is what I'm good at, and if you're basing my grade on a 1,000 word essay, so much the better. I'll be in the "A" pile when you grade these later... – Mimsy
My first reaction would be something like, "Hmm, I wonder if 1,000 words will be enough?" "Can I accurately cover all the points I want to?" - Phantom

From these responses we can adequately conclude that while a wide range of emotions can be associated with the directive itself, the actual thing is still, as originally stated, extremely boring. Even if the topic itself is fascinating the tedium of being forced to dissect and classify it makes writing essays of this particular structural type disenchanting.

 

Needs a bit of work Wenchie, sounds like the start of a Nigerian scam e-mail. I like the essay.

 

i think it is a nigerian scam. I already presented it so I'll take what I can get. 3rd person isn't nearly as much fun.

 

Hmm, no quote from yourself posing as one of your guinea pigs? Then you could have used first person or even first person from a number of psuedo-guinea pigs.

It wasn't clear from your original post what the objective of writing such an essay is supposed to achieve. Presumably, a test to see if you can write a coherent, cogent and well structured piece of prose.

Is there a marking scheme? or is it a subjective assessment by your tutor?

 

bah its just a wench trying to make an enlish assignment more interresting. The original assignment, the essay itself, was MY assignment. Asking you all about it and writing the essay was my way of lashing out at having been made to do it in the first place.

 

I would be scared.
I would say "AHHH!" and have someone help me.

 

Nah... the key to any boring *** assignment is to come at it from a different perspective. Take it from 'the grind' into something unique and run with it. That's how I keep myself sane in boring classes.