Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Copy Edit the World (10pts total)


I. Corrections (4pts)

1. The "_" after Okla should be a "-".
2. Okla should have a "." after it.





II. Corrections (2pts)

1. Eighteen should be "18".




III. Corrections (4pts)
1. In the paragraph starting with "Part of the reason...," the words "that the" should be deleted-grammatical error.

2. The "58%" should be spelled out to 58 percent.


Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Word of the Week #5


1.     Word: Tortiously

2.     Found: On appeal plaintiff attempts to distinguish between publication of confidential information lawfully obtained by the press and that obtained tortiously.
3.     Definition: A civil wrong which unfairly causes someone else to suffer loss or harm, which results in legal  
        liability for the person who commits the wrong. 
4.     Part of Speech: Adj. (Tort- noun)
5.     Sentence: The case involving OJ Simpson was ruled tortiously.
Citation: Justia Law. 2014. Nicholson v. Mcclatchy Newspapers (1986)177 Cal. App. 3d 509 [223 Cal. Rptr. 58]. [online] Available at: http://law.justia.com/cases/california/calapp3d/177/509.html [Accessed: 26 Feb 2014].

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Word of the Week #4

1.     Word: Opuscule
2.     Found: Harry Potter book: "Position Opuscule"
          * I wasn't sure what this meant.
3.     Definition: A small or minor literary or musical work.
4.     Part of Speech: Noun
5.     Sentence: My friend gave me an opuscule of her mothers journal entries as a child. 

Citation: Harry Potter Wiki. 2014. Potion Opuscule. [online] Available at: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Potion_Opuscule [Accessed: 19 Feb 2014].

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Word of the Week #3



1.     Word: Cyclone
2.     Found: "Other states that have fallen prey to the swirling cyclones include Kentucky, Missouri , Texas,  Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, California, Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, New York, Virginia and Washington."(Switchon.eaton.com, 2013)3.     Definition: a system of winds rotating inward to an area of low atmospheric pressure, with a counterclockwise (northern hemisphere) or clockwise (southern hemisphere) circulation; a depression.
4.     Part of Speech: Noun
5.     Sentence: The cyclone swished across the city destroying over 70% of newly built houses.


Bibliography: Switchon.eaton.com. 2013. Tornado Facts That Will Blow You Away via @SwitchOnEaton's The Plug. [online] Available at: http://switchon.eaton.com/plug/article.aspx/tornado-facts-that-will-blow-you-away?utm_source=End_User_Outbrain&utm_medium=Content_Distribuition&utm_campaign=Plug&utm_content=Tornado-Facts-That-Will-Blow-You-Away [Accessed: 10 Feb 2014].

What Makes News


An 8.7 million pound meat recall affecting four US states was reported by CNN on Feb 9, 2014. The meat was assumed to be “unfit for human consumption” due to the lack of proper federal inspection by the FSIS. The FSIS believe the meat, including various beef and veal parts, could cause “serious, adverse health consequences or death.” According to the article, the products were produced and dispersed between Jan 1, 2013, through Jan 7, 2014 reaching four states including California, Florida, Illinois and Texas.

The news values that make this newsworthy are as follows: proximity, timeliness, unusualness, conflict, and impact. The fact that it is affecting California and took place throughout the duration of a full year poses a huge impact on us locally. The situation is still current because the meat has not been traced to each supermarket or distribution center. That being said, people can still be in contact with the “diseased meat” and not even be aware. This is an unusual situation unlike meat recalls in the past due to the large quantity and length of time distributed. The conflict here is the fact that the recall could have serious long-term problems stemming from the event. The report stated meat was “not fit for human consumption” and could “cause serious health consequences and even death.”

This story could be localized, and should be localized by tracking down the retailers that carried the meat between the dates of distribution. Once that is done, send out an advisory to the Bay Area and explain the seriousness of the recall. People should be aware so they could make an informed decision whether or not to continue to buy products that stem from this manufacture.     

Link:http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/11/us/graco-child-seat-recall/index.html?hpt=us_t2
WC: 285 

Sunday, February 9, 2014

A Fly On The Wall


Awkward Tantrum 


The small group of people in front of Michael Kors pretended not to see. They walked passed as if their conversations had taken them to a different universe so far away they no longer had a connection to this Earth. Why was the screaming so loud?

The sky was grey and the air was moist; however, streams of sunlight continued to peak out of the clouds. The cold breeze blew past the trees, the people, the strip of high-end clothing stores and the one screaming at the top of his lungs.

The little boy twisted and pulled to escape the death grip of his father’s hand. He was no older than two yet had the will and strength of a kung fu fighter. The boy screamed and cried as if he was being murdered right in front of everyone. The small group of people in front of the store grew to a small crowd. No one could help and no one wanted to.

“We’re going home David, stop it!” the man yelled as he tugged the little boy past the florescent directory.

The boy continued to scream and sob, “No!”

His face was red with anger and rage.

The moving crowd tried not to look at the father and son out of respect to the embarrassing episode. One small girl who sat on a stone in the corner of the mall entrance watched calmly in amazement. Her eyes were opened wide and continued to watch as the man and son walk toward her. She stood up and began walking behind them reaching out for the boys hand.

“Dad, why is he crying?” the girl asked.  

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Word of the Week #2



1.     Word: Botany
2.     Found: “Unique park blends recreation with heritage and botany.” (Barcel, E 2014)
3.     Definition: the scientific study of the physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification, and economic importance of plants.
4.     Part of Speech: Noun
5.     Sentence: The unique botany displayed in the garden was vibrant and full of color.

Citation: Barcel, E. 2014. Unique park blends recreation with heritage and botany. [online] Available at: http://www.northshoreoflongisland.com/Articles-Arts-and-Lifestyles-i-2013-06-06-96276.112114-sub-Unique-park-blends-recreation-with-heritage-and-botany.html [Accessed: 3 Feb 2014].

Monday, February 3, 2014

My Favorite Writing


My favorite writing piece would have to be the poem “A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes. Langston Hughes was a writer and activist during the Harlem Renaissance, a time in which African Americans were overcoming oppression. The poem is one I always go back to during trying times in my life. I like to reflect on the history and how far I have come since my first time reading it in the 8th grade. I’ve used it as motivation to prevent procrastination and self-defeat. I don’t enjoy reading long drawn out poems and novels. I’d much rather read short stories and poems like “A Dream Deferred” because they are short and sweet yet have a huge message that can relate to almost anyone.

The tone of the poem seems relaxed almost as if the author was able to read your thoughts and place it on paper for you to read and analyze. The style and questions expressed throughout the poem allows the reader to really consider what it is they are doing by not acting on a dream. I love the imagery used in every line. “Does it stink like rotten meat?” (Hughes, line 3). Everyone can imagine what rotten meat smells like, so this quote draws in the reader and plays with his or her sense of smell. Hughes does a great job at expressing the physical effects of pushing off dreams that one should strive to achieve.  


A Dream Deferred
by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up 
like a raisin in the sun? 
Or fester like a sore-- 
And then run? 
Does it stink like rotten meat? 
Or crust and sugar over-- 
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags 
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Cswnet.com. 2014. A Dream Deferred (by Langston Hughes). [online] Available at: http://www.cswnet.com/~menamc/langston.htm [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].