Grayson’s American lit

 Completing the annotated bibliography has given me a lot more direction of where I wanna go with my project. It has allowed me to see different sides, different views, different effects and overall just many many different stories. However, many seem to have the same goal. I’ve also learned throughout my sources that terrorism comes in more forms than I would’ve thought.

 For me, the hardest part of the annotated bibliography was honestly the summaries. It can be difficult to read such a long source and have to put it into so little words. It is also difficult sometimes to choose what exactly is linking it to your topic and how you’re gonna use the source to create a paper. 

   As you gathered sources, you were expected to find multiple perspectives on your topic. What differences did you notice between your sources? Explain how these differences helped you better understand the complexity of your issue. Prompt Response:  I have spent alot of time trying to find different perspectives on the war on terrorism and found many. Of course the common agreement is against terrorism its just that everyone seems to differ on how we should approach it. The differences between perspectives really shows why it is so hard and complex to fix the problem that threathens many. Summary: Everyone thinks we should handle ending terrorism differently. Reflection:  I need to continue finding more sources to expand my understanding.

  Think about your experience using GALILEO to find sources. How was this different from how you have searched for information in the past? Explain how using specific search strategies and evaluating sources impacted the quality of what you found. Prompt Response:  Galileo feels a lot different then google because of the sources being a lot more accurate and relative to the search prompt. Using strategies and key words improved the quality of my sources. I think Galileo and my new research strategies will help my project more thorough. Summary: Galileo and searching using key words has changed my research quality by a lot. Reflection:  I need to continue to learn more about researching more accuratlet and properly.

  Political cartoons often use exaggeration and symbolism to make a point, and they can also serve as important visual sources for analysis. What is being criticized in this image? What does this source suggest about the issue, and what does the cartoonist want the audience to question or reconsider?  This cartoon is basically saying that Trump is pointing at wars in other countries just to distract us from what he's doing at home. It shows that while we're looking away, the government is getting "cut up" by things like DOGE and ICE. The artist wants people to stop falling for the distractions and notice how the country is being changed behind their backs.

  Think about how you have searched for information in the past compared to what you practiced today. How is creating specific search phrases different from just “Googling” a topic? Explain how this strategy will improve the quality of your research. Prompt Response:  In the past, I usually just typed words into a search bar and hoped the right answer would pop up in the first couple links. Switching to specific search phrases is different because it uses targeted words and filters to filter through the useless information rather than just skimming basic results. This strategy will improve my research by connecting me to credible,  sources and save me time that I used to waste scrolling through irrelevant and innacurate websites.

  Your research question is designed to explore a complex issue. What makes this topic difficult to answer or solve? Identify at least two different perspectives or factors related to your topic and explain why understanding multiple viewpoints is important. Prompt Response:  My topic is difficult because it is the war on terrorism, and fighting terrorism is complex because it touches on immigration and biases. Some people believe sealing off borders and going to war with terrorist organizations, while others believe remaining neutral and will cause it to slow down. Understanding multiple viewpoints helps to form an opinion that is educated and valid. Summary: The war on terrorism is very controversial to understand. Reflection:  Going into this project I need to focus on all sides and understand diffrent opinions.

   Reflect on your past experiences with research in school. What challenges have you faced when working independently or in a group, and how did you handle them? Explain how those experiences will influence the way you approach this current research project. Prompt Response:   I feel like research has always been fun and challenging for me, I often can go to deep into one direction of a topic or start to form a bias. I think researching from smaller stories and resources can actually be very good for pulling together the bigger picture rather then just focusing on the head lines. I plan to approach this project avoiding any bias and focusing on gathering good information to help develop a clear understanding. Summary: I think research can be challenging but also fun when done right. Reflection:  I need to focus on not forming a bias when researching my topic.

If you could plan the perfect spring break with no limitation, money, time, or responsibilities—what would it look like? Where would you go, who would you bring, and what would you do?  Prompt Response:  If I had total freedom to do what I wanted for a spring break I would start with being in the caribean with a nice house, on the water with a nice fishing boat. I would spend my week fishing in shore and deep sea. I would bring my friends and girlfriend with me and eat local food and what I catch. I would do this for about a month and spend most the time fishing. Summary: I would go to the caribean and fish. Reflection:  Dreaming is a great way to see things youd like to do one day.

 McCandless set out to live independently in the wilderness, but his death reveals the harsh reality of nature and survival. In your blog post, analyze how his desire for independence contributed to his death. Then, connect this idea to your own life by explaining a time when you wanted complete independence or control over a situation. Did things go as planned, or did you face unexpected challenges?  Prompt Response:   Chris's desire for freedom through nature is taken to an extreme by going out with a lack of supplies and training that results in him dying. I have wanted complete independence from school before so I stopped showing up, this led to my grades going terribly low and made me realize that I attend school for my future and not because im told to so I returned and fixed my grades. Summary: Chris was unprepared for what he was going to face, and I just didn't realize the importance of my education. Reflection:  Freedom is nice but if not done right can tak...

  How does watching the film version of  Into the Wild  change or deepen your understanding of Chris McCandless compared to reading the book? In your response, explain one key difference in how his character or experiences are presented, and connect this to a time when seeing something visually changed your understanding of a situation. Prompt Response:  watching the film of Chris McCandless has allowed me to see his feelings and understand his strive for the freedom of nature. The film builds, better, understanding and suspense, and also touches more on His emotions and values. Mesa easier to understand why he did What he did . Summary: The film helps put Chris’s actions into perspective and why he did what he did. Reflection:  a film makes it much easier to visualize and understand a story.

  Chris and his sister  Carine McCandless  had a very close relationship, even when he struggled to connect with others. Write about a relationship in your life where you feel truly understood. Explain what makes that relationship strong and how it compares to the connection between Chris and Carine in  Into the Wild . Prompt Response: Me and my best friend and girlfriend have a very close relationship where we understand each other. I think the relationship is strong because we are honest with each other and are very similar people. I think it can be compared to Chris in into the wild because of his opposite values of everyone else but still maintains close relationship with someone. For me I often prefer going outside and doing things while my girlfriend likes to stay in, but we are still able to understand each other. Summary: Me and my girlfriend are extremely close similar to the bond of Chris and his sister with the understanding of one another. Reflection: ...

 Reflect on an experience where you felt confident in your abilities. How did that confidence influence your choices or effort? Prompt Response:  I have felt confidently in my abilities to find and maintain a Job. Every job I have gotten I have showed up on time well dressed and learned quickly. I also feel comfortable in my ability to save and invest my money into long-term goals. Summary: I feel confident in working and managing/Investing my own money. Reflection:  Learning to invest and save my money as one of my biggest goals and I strive to do better at it every day.