Lightning

   In the photograph which is shown on page 712 in the textbook, I see a striking image of a lightning. There is definitely a cause and effect relationship shown in the photo. In addition, more than one example of this relationships can be found. The friction between hot air and cold air combine with chemical reaction cause the lightning, which hits the tallest tree on the ground, thus causing the smoke and the tree to burn.

   In this picture, the color is strongly contrasted: the sharp bright light from the lightning compared to the rest of the empty space which is dark blue. When first looking at this photo, my eyes are drawn to the lightning because it’s the only focused and clear image. It’s the one that stands out most, which results in my attention being first paid at it. Only when looking closer at the image, I can see there are other things, such as: trees, houses, and fencing. Other than this technique, there is also the usage of relative sizes of objects in this photograph. In proportion, the huge lightning is contrary to the small houses. Also, the photographer uses the empty space to imply the endless power of the lightning.

What I think

   I interpret the quotation as “if you don’t write down what are your thoughts, then you wouldn’t be able to know what are you thinking about.” Human brain’s thinking process is fast, complex, instant. Sometimes, if we don’t jot down our ideas, we would forget them the next moment. In the AP European class, we take notes of everything Mr. Jones said. Although he talks pretty slow, there are always lots of materials we need to copy down, so I have to write fast. Sometimes, I would have questions about stories he talks about, but I don’t have enough time to ask him. If I don’t write down what I’m going to ask, it takes me a long time and much effort for trying to remember my questions. What’s even worse is that after thinking for so hard, I still can’t retrieve my memory.     I think that writing definitely helps me to clarify and understand my own thoughts. Sometimes, what we think in our brain as reasonable might seem not logical anymore after we write them down. When solving math problems, I go through all my thoughts and think that I can get the solution. However, when I start writing the steps down, I get stuck and can’t move on anymore. Thus, it’s important to see our thoughts.

Winter Break

       Although I don’t have lots of parties during the two weeks winter break, it’s still memorable. In the first week, I spend most of my time doing homework. The only big event is the Alumni Party, and I meet lots of old friends again. I hear from graduated students talk about their experiences in universities, chat with friends, and enjoy the delicious food.

        My second week is busier than the first week because I’m starting to do the college online application stuff and there is a New Years Eve Party. I come to school several days to discuss with Ms. Pamela about the college application information, and she lists out lots of things that I have to do before she leave for college visit. Also, she hopes I can send out everything before January 10.

        The New Years Eve Party is special because it’s my first time celebrating new years eve at friend’s house. The party takes place at Antony’s house, which is near Mirama shopping mall. I spend the whole day of December 31 in Taipei, and I go shopping and eating. I buy 5 pants and 3 jackets at the Wu-Feng Po shopping center, which is famous for its variety and cheapness. At night, I go to Shih-Lin night market and have lots of famous Taiwanese food.

        Antony’s house has a great view of seeing the fireworks from both Taipei 101 and Mirama. However, we lost enjoying Mirama’s fireworks because we are focusing on that of Taipei 101. When we rush to the back balcony and are ready to see Mirama’s firework, it’s already done, which is kind of a pity. I really want to see how is Mirama’s firework like, and I would have run back and forth all the time if I could.

Writing and Thinking

    The thinking process is important to writing, and yes, it’s also true that writing can help one thinks more clearly. As writing process goes on, writers are able to develop more and more ideas. Putting words down on paper or on a computer can help a writer better know what he or she thinks or feels because along the way they write, they would have a clearer picture of what to write. Also, their emotions can be brought out easily as words are flowing out of their minds.

   One example of how writing helps one understand one’s own thoughts and emotions you come up with is writing journals. The first time we start to write journal, we would only describe the specific event. But after writing for many times, we would also write down how we feel about things that happened. Another example is when writing books. For first few chapters, sometimes writers aren’t sure what to write about yet, so these chapters are more general. However, when readers get to chapters at the back, they can finally understand what the story is talking about because writers are able to express the information more clearly since authors have a better idea of what to write and find a way to show their emotions.

Presence of Mind

    To me, this “perfect presence of mind” means the mind is in a peaceful, calm, undisturbed state. When I’m playing basketball games, I think my mind is in the situation of perfect presence. While on the court, I only think about one thing, and that thing is to score as many points as possible. The tempo on the field is fast, so if I’m not focused, then the opponent might get in 10 points of more. Also, basketball is about cooperation between teammates, so we can’t lose easy points such as miss catching a ball. Everyone on the court must not be distracted, so we can pay attention to the ball, thus gaining as many points as possible.

    For writing a compare and contrast essay, this presence of mind is particularly important because we have to think of the similarities and differences between two subjects carefully, unhurried. We sit down in front of the desk, think thoroughly, and write down about the two things that are being compared and contrasted with. At first we might have lots of ideas, but many of them might be eliminated because they are either insignificant or biased. As for result, when our essays are out, there would be less of our own opinions because we have edited and revised our paper.

Revising and Editing

    After finish writing an essay, we can’t just send it out to teachers or colleges without using techniques of revising and editing. Thus, this explains why there are so many drafts needed to be done and so much time the essay process takes. By revising, we are changing the larger part of the whole essay, which is our development of idea. It’s essential for us to check whether our ideas developed as the way we want, and whether we are sending the message we’re trying to tell correctly. Admission office must go over thousands of applicants each day, so it’s impossible for staff to look at each individual’s essay carefully. As for result, an outstanding essay has to show its significance right away, letting colleges feel that your essay is excellent, and they have to accept you.

   Editing is changing smaller parts of the essay, which is fluency of sentence, grammar. By looking at the essay line by line and word by word, we’ll be able to use the most concise sentence to tell the same message eventually. After reading some sentences for several times, there will be changes made. As for result, this makes the whole essay not only sounds better, but also look more complete. Although the process of revising and editing is lengthy, it’s also graceful because essays we wrote are going into a more wonderful stage.

Your Audience

   Writers write books, but how can they know whether their books are good or not? One solution is through us, the readers, giving feedback to authors in order to let them improve their writing or applaud their hard work. Writers are like performers: they need the audience to inspire them so they can continue on their path of writing career. A writer can get feedback from his or her audience through ways such as readers commenting on the blog. Also, if the writer is willing to give his or her email address or telephone number to the public, readers can send emails, call the writer, or even have face to face discussion. In addition, the audience can send letters to author’s living place. Other than direct contact with the writer, there is indirect one. If the writer finds out that the sale of his or her books start to drop, then this shows that the author fails to get the appetite of the readers.

  However, there’s solution for writers to improve their writing. Nowadays, the fast speed of Internet allows readers and writers to have closer relationship and to communicate in a more effective and convenient way compared to the past. By going over the feedback and understanding what the general public want to read, the writer can again produce books that the audience would like.