Abstract The paper examines the study by M. Knauff and E. May entitled "Mental Imagery, Reasoning and Blindness", which presents evidence that is relevant to the study of mental imagery in congenitally blind individuals. The paper also examines the study by A. Vanlierde and M.C. Wanet-Defalque entitled "The Role of Visual Experience in Mental Imagery", which examines the impact of visual experience on mental imagery formation. Additionally, the paper looks at a study by S. Lambert and colleagues entitled "Blindness and Brain Plasticity: Contribution of Mental Imagery?", which is concerned with the responses of the brain, particularly the primary visual area (PVA) in blind individuals during participation in mental imagery. The paper concludes that it appears that visual imagery does not occur in those blinded early in life but only in those who are blinded later in life.
Outline:
Visual Imagery and Interference
The Role of Visual Experience in Mental Imagery Blindness and Brain Plasticity
Summary and Conclusions
From the Paper "The study by Knauff and May (2006) focused predominantly on the interference which visual imagery may exert on reasoning ability. It does however also present evidence which is relevant to the study of mental imagery in congenitally blind individuals.
"The study cites several previous studies which have shown that there are differences in the use of visual images in sighted people and those who are congenitally blind. It has also been shown through these studies that the use of spatial reconstruction is not significantly different between the two groups. It is this information which was used as the basis for the experimental design which the study used. The hypothesis is also based upon this information, along with the information from previous studies which have shown that visual imagery interferes with reasoning where spatial imagery does not."
Abstract The paper discusses the importance of quality writing in the business world. The discussion encompasses the hidden costs of bad writing, the ways in which businesses use effective writing everyday and some of the lessons that can be learned by studying literature and composition. In short, quality writing is crucial to success in business. The paper explains that courses in writing offer the means of mastering the skill.
From the Paper "No one in the business world needs to write, right? After all, business is about making money, not crafting pretty strings of words of clever turns of phrases. Who cares about that kind of thing? What could literary writing possibly have to do with up-and-coming business leaders? As it turns out, there's quite a bit that the business world can learn from literature and writing classes. And not just to sound smart, but to improve the bottom line. A recent survey by the College Board found that one-third of the employees of the world's top 120 firms lack adequate writing skills. The result? Those firms cumulatively spend more than $3 billion annually on remedial writing training for their employees ("Good Writing" 22). Three billion dollars."
This paper details methods used in teaching expository writing, and then gives an overview of multiple intelligence theory. Uses buzzwords like empower and geared to specific intelligences.
Abstract This paper explores the different methods of teaching expository writing at a secondary school level. The topics covered are: Different theories of teaching expository writing; different methods used to teach expository writing; the use of multiple intelligence theory as a framework for diverse teaching of writing; and the application of multiple intelligence theory in the classroom.
From the Paper "Information literacy in the form of classes on information management and retrieval precede any actual writing in composition classes at some schools (Farmer & Mech, 1992). Behaviorist approaches, such as the one advocated by Kanellas, Carifio, and Dagostino (1998), require the teacher to break the tasks involved in expository writing into small teaching units that will ultimately lead to an acceptable paper. Chomsky (1985) sees poor writing as evidence of an inability of the student to develop his own knowledge, as do teachers of writing from middle school to college."
Abstract One of the major foci of Octavio Paz's writings is the nature of being a Mexican or a mestizo. This paper shows how he attempts to persuade other Mexicans through his writings to be proud rather than ashamed of their 'in-betweeness'. The paper explains the writing form of Magical Realism and shows how it has been championed by a number of Latin American writers as a way to express political views. Paz uses highly symbolic and inventive language to make people look at the world in novel ways. Because he approaches the problem of Mexican identity through the use of magical realism, his writing is less threatening to many who are trying to negotiate their own sense of self.
From the Paper "Octavio Paz is one of the writers and thinkers most responsible for helping Mexicans come to an understanding of their own place in the world, and the relationship between "Mexicanness" and mestizo-ness. Through his writings he has helped both Mexicans and everyone else come to understand that the mixed heritage of the people of Mexico is not something that should be attempted to be overcome but is rather something that should be celebrated."
This paper analyzes three fictional works that have particular elements of similar writing. The three works are "How to Become a Writer" by Lorrie Moore, "Joy of Cooking" by Elaine Magarrell and "Will and Grace" by Kari Lizer.
Abstract The writer of this paper focuses on the common themes present in all three works of writing, which are comprised of the feminist perspective, the characters it creates and the resulting conflict. This paper analyzes the main female characters in all three novels, in which each possesses a distinct character that creates the mood for each piece. The writer also discusses the ensuing conflict among the characters. This paper delves into the practice of female authors who write female characters that often have a different perspective than their male counterparts. The writer contends and describes why these three works are decidedly female, decidedly different and all written with a noticeable attitude. The writer of this paper discusses the many layers that are needed to create fiction when writing and how those layers differ from story to poem to play and back again. This paper details the uniqueness of each character in all three works and the manner in which they deal with conflict. This paper also focuses on each of the authors' unique style of writing.
From the Paper "This is also a very common bond between all the characters. They are all such strong and unique personalities that they create conflict around them. They are not afraid to speak their minds and open up their hearts, and so, they are sometimes strident and sometimes controversial. They live their lives with passion, doing the things they love, and they sometimes irritate and clash with those around them. This young writer is not fulfilling her mother's dreams, she is fulfilling her own, and so, she has a long-term conflict with her mother. Even though the story never actually says so, it is clear the writer will have a conflict with her mother throughout her life, and so will the girl who wants to serve up her brother's heart on a plate."
Abstract This paper describes the grant-writing process in detail for newcomers to grant-writing. The paper gives sources on the web where grant-writing information and granting agency information can be found and cites the ten important elements for successful grant writing.
From the Paper "There are many reasons why a school teacher may find it necessary in the course of his her career to write a grant: the need for new technology hardware, software networking, staff development programs, enrichment of school programs, replacing worn out or out-dated school equipment supplies for art or drama classes or funding for mounting special events, sports days, open house, school plays etc. All these things take money, which is usually in short supply. There is an art to grant writing and there are tricks to it just..."
Abstract This paper concentrates on legal writing. The paper includes examples of good and bad writing and attempts to clarify what constitutes good and bad writing.
From the Paper "The most common complaint with regard to legal writing is that the language is complex, ambiguous and wordy. Those who do not have experience with legal writing often find the wording cryptic and attribute the writing style to lawyers trying to hide important information. The biggest hurdle to interpreting legal language is the complexity of both the law and the language necessary to convey legal matters."
Tags: good writing, grammar, punctuation, syntax, errors, short sentences, legal writing, clarity
Abstract This paper defines the autobiography as one person's decision to chronicle his/her life by writing down the sum of their experiences, which allows readers to gain knowledge about him/her. The writer of this paper focuses on Gertrude Stein's writing in "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas" which has since proven to be years ahead of feminist, literary and psychological theory. Stein was one of the first feminist fiction writers to bring the discussion of self-writing and its language to the forefront. The book chronicles the life of Stein and her long-time companion while focusing on the idea of self-definition. The title alone represents the parody Stein was creating by using the language of autobiography against itself. This paper examines Stein's method for breaking down both the societal constraints that foreclose on us and the walls of a genre that women, especially lesbian, expatriate writers, cannot identify with.
From the Paper "Essentially, Stein created the impersonal autobiography, a veiled construct allowing readers to enter, but leave with "only a vague idea of its situation." For instance, her descriptions of Alice and Gertrude travelling through the war zones in Europe are devoid of feeling. As she states, the war signaled the beginning of her studies of "the inside as seen from the outside." Readers learn that these two women were involved in history, but only an outline is given, opening the door for interpretation. Thus, the book chronicles her fascination with being "apart" of something, a movement, a nationality, a history, and yet being "a part" from it at the same time. In some instances, her and Alice play out a heterosexual relationship, in which Gertrude is the male and Alice is the female, or vice versa."
The author of this paper argues that the required writing exercises of diagramming sentences and writing journal entries in school are a useful and helpful method of teaching writing skills.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 2 sources, 2006, $ 26.95
Abstract This paper revisits two unhappy memories of exercises done while in grade school and/or high school: the diagramming of sentences and the writing of journal entries. The paper then attempts to persuade the reader that these two activities, while not seen as fun or helpful at the time, were in fact very useful in the writer's development and learning. It is then argued that these same two activities are valid and useful with today's students.
From the Paper "There are two exercises that I was asked, no forced, to do when I was in grade school and high school that seemed so ridiculous and tawdry at the time that I can still remember my distaste and displeasure whenever they were assigned. I am sure these two activities bring back such unpleasant memories to many people of my age. They are sentence-diagramming and journal-writing. Yet, despite how much I loathed doing either of these while I was a burgeoning student and writer, despite how awful I thought they were, I have come to realize that each activity was quite useful in my development and learning. This essay will argue that sentence-diagramming and journal-writing were both sound steps in this writer's development and could also benefit students of today. The first of these two activities is still mentioned with scorn and even terror from most ex-students' lips even today."
Abstract An examination of the work of Mark Twain, Henry James and Stephen Crane and a look at how their work reflects a distinctive aspect of their time period. The author looks at how these authors aimed to preserve and to convey a picture of the distinct ways of life at the time of their writings. From the paper: "Writing periods have certain characteristics that mark them as unique. Local Color, Realism, and Naturalism are no exception, but they also have one thing in common. Just as a facet of a jewel reflects whatever light it may receive, so too do the works of Mark Twain, Henry James, and Stephen Crane reflect a distinctive aspect of their time period."
Abstract This paper argues that it is possible to think clearly and precisely about how to teach writing to students who struggle with that skill and that it is possible to provide them with the tools to evaluate and improve their writing themselves. The writer reviews articles and research in the field.
From the Paper "Written expression is one of the three academic areas under which a student can be classified as learning disabled under our special education laws. While reading, and to a lesser extent math, generally get more attention, the development of written expression skills is crucial to all students' eventual success. Students will have to write essays and research papers in high school, write essays on applications to college, and be able to write more advanced papers in college. If they do not go on to college, they will still have a distinct advantage if they can communicate well using writing as many businesses are making more and more use of e-mail for communication among employees (Hansen, 1998). In addition, writing can be a tool to access one's emotions and explore one's feelings and attitudes by such activities as keeping a personal journal (Karge, 1988). In spite of the importance of acquiring writing skills, difficulties with writing continue into adulthood in persons with learning disabilities (Karge, 1988)."
Abstract This paper analyzes the benefits of implementing an effective journal writing program into the classroom for elementary students. The author discusses the use of journal writing as a tool to develop competencies and skills in beginner writers.
From the Paper "The practice of journal writing among elementary students is a useful technique for developing a host of competencies and skills in beginning writers. While journal writing or keeping a log are common practices found in elementary education in ..."
Tags: personal development, teaching, writing, elementary education
Abstract This example of descriptive writing highlights the author's perceptions of a woman in a grocery store. The essay's narrator describes her late night trip to the grocery store and a young mother she encounters there. The author speculates on the young mother's situation and her character, comparing it to how she raised her own children. The narrator concludes by seeing the commonalities in the young mother's situation and her own, despite the differences in their stages of life.
From the Paper "Her voice was rich, surprisingly rich, and husky, but it sounded tired, too, like the troubles of the world weighed it down. She pushed away a strand of hair again and reached into her bag for her wallet. She looked at the cart, glanced at the contents of the wallet, and shrugged to herself. I so wanted to hand her a twenty and tell her to buy the roast and the ground beef, but I knew in my heart she would never take a handout from a stranger. She probably wouldn't even take one from her own family. It was clear she was proud and struggling as she gathered her brood together and headed for the check stands."
Examines the relationship between the act of writing and the process of transformation which the speaker undergoes in Wroth's sonnet sequence Pamphilia to Amphilanthus.
Abstract This essay discusses: the redemptive effects of writing poetry in Pamphilia's seemingly entrapped predicament; the particular usefulness of the sonnet form and sequence in relation to Wroth's subject matter; and the limitations of art as offering resolution but no "cure" for love's pain.
From the Paper "Pamphilia, as a character to whom Wroth designates the role of writer as well as speaker of poetry, gives a powerful account of both the limitations and empowerment involved in the process of creating art. The peculiar mix of the confrontation of distressing emotion and the gaining of artistic fulfilment has been described by Quilligan as characteristic of the entire sonnet genre: she writes about Wroth's image of blood drops as perhaps constituting "an image for sadomasochistic sonneteering itself" . The majority of explicit references to writing within the sonnet sequence, as with the title quotation, express Pamphilia's frustration about the usefulness of producing poetry. Despite the lucid exposition, "grief is not cured by art" , which comes early in the sequence, there is still a creative force which lures the poet-persona to keep on writing. Seamus Heaney has famously posited the power of poetry in terms of redress and its therapeutic potential: "poetry can be as potentially redemptive and possibly as illusory as love" . This essay will discuss: the redemptive effects of writing poetry in Pamphilia's seemingly entrapped predicament; the particular usefulness of the sonnet form and sequence in relation to Wroth's subject matter; and the limitations of art as offering resolution but no "cure" for love's pain."
Abstract This paper examines examples of various tokens, which represented as pre-writing symbols. The author points out what tokens indicate about early civilizations. The paper relates the emergence of new systems of record keeping.
From the Paper "Numerous scholars have presented evidence indicating that tokens often made of clay and presented in various significant sizes markings and shapes were used to keep accounts of financial and other transactions or accounts of grain jars of oil or units of land. These tokens, which appeared in such cultures as that of the Sumerians and other Near Eastern peoples, represented a first step toward the development of a written language as well as a system of numerical record-keeping of ..."
