Monthly Archives: May 2025

The last part of The House on Mango Street keeps digging into what it’s like to grow up as a young Latina girl dealing with tough situations. The story “Sally” really stands out, it shows how hard growing up can be, especially when family problems and feeling trapped come into play. Sandra Cisneros writes in a simple, poetic way that’s easy to understand but, still sophisticated. The chapters focus on everyday moments that show bigger feelings like hope, frustration, and wanting to get away from Mango Street. By the time you get to “Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes,” the mood is quiet but hopeful, hinting to the reader that change is possible, even if the connection to home is complicated. This part of the narrative, and the story overall, feels thoughtful and genuine.

I believe Essay 2 was my most successful assignment. I learned a lot from the feedback I received, which helped me improve both my writing and critical thinking skills. After applying that feedback, I earned a better grade, which showed me that I was making progress. This essay helped me become a better writer by teaching me how to better support my thesis and find strong, relevant evidence. It also made me more thoughtful in how I organize and develop my ideas. I feel like I could have done better on my first essay, especially in terms of clarity and detail. I think I could have explained my points more thoroughly, especially in areas where I was not as clear or specific. I should have connected my arguments back to the sources more often to help the reader better understand my points. Overall, I felt like some sections were too vague, and I could have been more concrete with my examples and explanations. One thing I learned this semester was how to dive deeper into my thoughts and opinions. This class really encouraged me to not just focus on writing academically, but also to incorporate my own insights into the essays. I appreciated how we were able to connect personal observations with the stories and poems we read. It made the writing process more engaging and helped me think more critically about the material.

This semester was a successful one and it sadden me already to see it all coming to an end, and I am so grateful for how much my professor had helped me improved. One of the most successful assignments for me were my last essay, which was the argument essay about fairy tales. Well, my first draft wasn’t the best, I also had a great instructor that was willing to help me correct my rebuttal part to make my essay more effective. the only works that I felt like I could’ve improved more was my very first essay. In this semester I can say I learned a lot but what stood out to me the most were how to read the poems the proper way and how to follow instruction while writing an essay and stay on track but most importantly make sure you use the source that was given to you while connecting everything to make it all makes sense if not you will sound like Chatgbt. Another one of my favorite projects were the poem flyer because I got to learn more about an old poet and monk named Rumi. I think the syllabus is perfect for someone who’s ready to learn and the grading system is perfect, and professor is very helpful and considered

  I thunk the most successful and equally enjoyable for me was essay three because i am a very creative person and creating that piece and putting it into words was a very enjoyable process for me, I even added it to my journal! I feel like I could’ve done better the entire class actually but if i had to pick one I’d say essay one because I didn’t really understand the assignment and by then it was to late, but I could’ve taken my time to read through everything and annotate also ask our professor for help with the assignment description and submitted an earlier draft. I learned to think deeper and explore my own creativity more and most of all learned I really need to learn to manage my time better and be ready for the expected especially because of my health, I had to constantly pick between classes and going to appointments. So definitely should take less classes so i can focus on them more and balance that dynamic instead of doing full time school next semester.  

1. The assignment I feel I did best on was Essay 3. I followed the instructions carefully and made sure things matched the requirements. I felt comfortable with the topic and how I organized my ideas. I put effort in this work and it turns out successful that I am so joyful. 2. I think I could have done better on Essay 1. At the beginning of the course, I was so confused with the instructions. Writing essays in English was hard for me and my brain was lack of ideas. Although I had a chance to edit it, I rushed the writing and didn’t spend enough time revising. If I had planned more and reviewed the feedback closely, I could have made the essay clearer and more focused. 3. One important thing I learned this semester is how to follow assignment instructions closely and organize my writing better. I now understand how important it is to connect my ideas clearly and support them with good examples.

I feel like assignment 3 was my best work because I was able to express myself freely and was able to read a lot of poems that interested me and picked out the one i resonated with the best. I really like being able to decorate and organize my work the way I thought looked the best.  I would say that in essay 1 I could have done much better if I had paid closer attention to the meaning and the directions given. I really liked the story but I didn’t really connect to the other material that had to be used in order to write the poem. If I had to do the assignment again I would pay more attention to the directions and make sure I read all the material closely.  something i learned in class was to not use words that i think make me sound more intellectual in order to make my essay sound better because in a lot of cases it is better to be more specific when writing so the essay can sound more natural. 

The assignment I feel was most successful was my reflection and analysis of Maya Angelou’s poem “Phenomenal Woman.” I say this because I actually really liked and enjoyed this assignment. This highly relatable assignment was my favorite since it allowed me to fully show my creativity and personal voice. Designing the two-page presentation on Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman” allowed me to select a poem that really represents who I am. I could have done better on Essay 1, which included investigating a student paper in regard to Gabriel García Márquez’s primary source story and Rader’s secondary piece. Looking back, I notice I failed to follow the outline closely, particularly in the introduction. I failed to clearly identify the title and author of both main and secondary sources, as well as describe what the task required of the student. One thing I learned this semester is the importance of carefully following assignment directions and properly comprehending the contents before writing about them. This taught me to slow down and read more carefully.

1.I’m really proud of Essay Three. I found it fun and creative, and I really enjoyed the poem I chose. I also loved learning more about the author. It made the assignment even more interesting. 2.I believe I could have done much better on Essay Four. I struggled with writing it at the time, but looking back, it was actually pretty simple. I definitely over complicated things and ended up confusing myself. 3.One thing I learned is to read the assignment requirements more than once, maybe even three times. I also realized I need to stop overthinking simple tasks. And to enjoy the readings more, because looking back, the stories were really good but I was stressed out about the assignments. 

The article about Oedipus the King from Week 7 was, in my opinion, the most successful assignment. I was able to express my ideas in an understandable way and comprehend the concepts of fate and free will with clarity. I think that my work on Essay 1 may have been improved. I had trouble structuring my ideas and coming up with a clear thesis. The essay would have been stronger and more targeted if I had given it more thought during the preparation and editing stages.This semester, I learned how crucial it is to back up your claims with textual proof. Simply expressing your viewpoint is not enough in college-level English; you also need to provide convincing evidence for it and maintain organization in your writing.

This semester in class I feel my most successfull assignment was a essay I wrote in which my letter grade was 85%. I feel as though I captured the instructions properly and was very organized in the assignment. I included mostly correct formatting and all that was asked and my grammer was correct. In general I feel I could have done better on my exams and essays. I tend to struggle on essays as I second guess myself and should have always went with the first answer I thought was correct. I learned the hard way time and time again until eventually having a few decent exams. I learned this semester the importance of keeeping balance and not giving up. There were times I felt as if I would never get through class or get my work done. I learned more about formatting although I am having some issues with my files and uploading. I am still learning to correct that before going into my next set of classes. I have learned to keep trying and going even when I think I will fail. I am grateful that I have done so. Things are not always perfect and can be acheivable.

I think this was a fun semester. Here are my thoughts of the work.   1. Which assignment did I feel comfortable working? I think I did a good job on Essay 1. It was my mistake thinking that the topic was for something else when I first submitted.

Which assignment do you feel was most successful and why? I believe that essay 3 was the most successful. In high school I had a love/hate relationship with poems. I struggled with complex word poems and the vocabulary. My teachers were always great and have always tried to help me with definition but I would still feel frustrated. But I would love to create poems. It was a way for me to be able to express my feelings in that time and reading poems in class brought that back to me. After Highschool I stopped reading poems and stopped writing. Making the flyer was extremely fun and it brought back that spark I had.  On what work do you feel you could have done better and how? I believe I could have done a better job in Quizzes and discussions. I should have reread many of the readings instead of just trying to remember, this would have definitely helped. In the discussions post I didn’t respond to peers because I didn’t read all the instructions. I read the questions and just answered them without reading the whole thing.  If there was one thing you learned this semester, what was it? I learned that I need to read the instructions carefully and that if they give you an outline for an essay you need to follow it. This is important because it has everything that needs to be done and it is very simple and straightforward. It also helps to keep the essay more organized and easy for the teacher to understand. 

This semester has been quite a journey, and I feel particularly proud of my work on Essays 3 and 4. Initially, I struggled to understand exactly what the professor was looking for in our assignments, but by the time I reached these essays, things started to clear. I began to understand the importance of following instructions closely and adapting my writing to meet the expectations set out for us. Although both essays required some revisions, the process taught me valuable lessons about improving my ideas and expressing them clearly. Completing these essays gave me a sense of accomplishment and boosted my confidence in my writing abilities. Looking back at my earlier assignments, I see that I could have done better, especially with Assignments 1 and 2. I had trouble with Essay 1 because I didn’t fully understand what was needed. Even though Essay 2 was easier, I should have used better quotes and written stronger paragraphs to support my main idea. 3. One big thing I learned this semester is how important it is to follow the assignment instructions and keep a good work ethic in school. As the class ends, I’m happy with the progress I’ve made and what I’ve learned.

1.     Which assignment do you feel was most successful and why? The assignment I believe was the most successful and the most enjoyable honestly was the poetry assignment. I enjoyed the creativity of the assignment as well as the poetry that was presented to the class in preparation. I also really enjoyed learning about Maya Angelou and her contributions to the arts. 2.     On what work do you feel you could have done better and how? I believe I could have done better on essay 1. I do not believe I was critical enough. However, I enjoyed being “the Professor” for this assignment. Comparing the essay to the criteria also taught me to be more vigilant in following instructions. 3. If there was one thing you learned this semester, what was it? This semester I learned that I need to provide more detail in my writing. I am a very straight forward, straight to the point person and I learned that I write the same way. I enjoyed reading stories that allowed me to think outside of the box.

1. Which assignment do you feel was most successful and why? I Feel I had the most success with the poetry flyer due to my experience making content for social media using Canva for my business . It was literally second hand nature to me as well as my interest in my subject Edgar Allan Poe . The poem was written about the virgin Mary who I also have a decent amount of knowledge and connection to . 2. On what work do you feel you could have done better and how?My essay 4 was my lowest grade , I have been trying this semester to not become discouraged and use the critique to fuel my motivation for my next semester in English . I feel I could have done better with my own tenacity and drive because I know I am capable of putting out better essays . Paying attention to your professors expectations on the assignments and continuing to thrive beyond initial failures is one thing I feel I could of done better . 3. If there was one thing you learned this semester, what was it?One thing I learned this semester is you will FAIL if you do not follow directions !

1. Which assignment do you feel was most successful and why? For me, the assignment where I was most successful was Essay 3, because we also had to create a flyer. That allowed me to show a bit of what I love, which is art. I really enjoyed the idea of choosing our own poem.I also have to mention Essay 4, which was about fairy tales. I connected a lot with that topic because I’ve loved fairy tales since I was a child, especially the Brothers Grimm stories. In Colombia, they used to show them on TV in the mornings, and I always watched them. I believe that when you really enjoy or are interested in a topic, you’re more likely to do a better job,  which is exactly what happened to me with these two assignments. 2. On what work do you feel you could have done better and how? I think I would have done better in the discussions if I had followed the instructions from the beginning, because I completely forgot that we also had to reply to a classmate. That really affected my grade. Next time, I need to work on following the instructions more carefully, since they were actually very clear. 3. If there was one thing you learned this semester, what was it? One thing I learned this semester is how important it is to pay close attention to instructions and deadlines. I realized that even small details, like replying to a classmate in a discussion, can have a big impact on your grade. I also learned that when I’m interested in a topic, I put in more effort and enjoy the process more

1. Which assignment do you feel was most successful and why? The most successful assignment was essay 3 because we were allowed to unlock our creative freedom. I like that we were able to choose a poem of our choice and give a reason why we chose that poet. I also like that we had to write a little biographical information, I feel like that gave a chance to know more about the poet’s personal life, or the reason for writing the poem. The assignment was the easiest for me because it wasn’t the traditional essay we get, and didn’t require much formatting. 2. On what work do you feel you could have done better and how? The work I feel like I could have done better was essay 1. Since it was my first essay in the class, I was putting a lot of pressure on myself and did miss the requirements needed for the essay. Also, didn’t know how to quote an author when stating evidence, so that allowed me to work on it in future essays. 3. If there was one thing you learned this semester, what was it? One thing I learned this semester is learning how to add quotes to my sentences that work grammatically. I also learned that you don’t have to start with “In the text it states” to provide evidence.  

Which assignment do you feel was most successful and why? The assignment I felt was the most successful was the second essay. By the time I worked on it, I had a better understanding of the expectations and how to structure my ideas clearly. I also took more time to plan, revise, and apply the feedback I received from the first essay. As a result, I was more confident in my writing, and the final product reflected much stronger organization and argument development. On what work do you feel you could have done better and how? I think I could have done better on the first essay. I was still getting used to the writing style expected in this class, and I didn’t spend enough time revising or seeking feedback before submitting it. If I had outlined my points more carefully and focused on making a clear argument, the essay would have been more effective. Now that I’ve learned from that experience, I know how important it is to go through multiple drafts and use the resources available to improve. If there was one thing you learned this semester, what was it? One big thing I learned this semester is how important it is to take your time with writing—especially planning and revising. It really makes a difference, and I’ve seen how much my writing can improve when I actually go through the process.

1. Which assignment do you feel was most successful and why? I think all of my essays were success. When I took ENG 101 Professor didn’t care to teach us anything about essay structure or how to write the essay. The Outlines that were provided for each Essay were like instructions how to write. I really liked how simple and straightforward everything was. 2. On what work do you feel you could have done better and how? I think I could have done better job at Quizzes. I did download all the provided information, but If I had separate document where I wrote down notes from those downloads I would have done better on Quizzes. 3. If there was one thing you learned this semester, what was it? Read the instructions carefully, maybe even few times. I got ahead of myself few times with that. Thankfully instructions provided were clear for 99.99% of the time.  

The assignment that I feel was the most successful was Essay 1. This assignment was an analysis a sample student essay. I found this to be an incredibly helpful exercise because it pointed out the things that I should be aware of when writing my essays, and pushed me to refer back to the class guidelines more than I likely would have without this assignment. I definitely could have done better on Quiz 3: Format and Insertion of Quotations. Even though I had the materials to review to answer the questions – I didn’t take notes on those materials so trying to find the exact answer I needed was difficult in the moment. Something I learned this semester is to try not to rush through any assignments. Having ADHD it’s easy for me to want to just speed through something and get it done quickly, which causes anxiety for me. It’s more beneficial for me to set up a little time here and there to work on an assignment rather than trying to do it all in one sitting!

1. Which assignment do you feel was most successful and why? The assignment I felt more proud of myself was Essay 4 because I was really focused on the way how to improve my writing plus I felt connection between fairytales. Also for essay 1 was a growth within my writing because my professor how to write a well written essay. 2. On what work do you feel you could have done better and how? I feel I could have done better on the quiz because I received low grade in my part. What I could done better rereading the reading. When I reread the reading I understand better. One thing to share that rereading makes it better to understand. This part I had hard time I would read it quickly but not fully understand the reading, so some days I would get stuck on what I’m reading. Now I take my time to reading the directions and reading.   3. If there was one thing you learned this semester, what was it? One thing I learned from this semester is to read the directions carefully because I would confuse myself and not understand the directions. That I would remain  myself for 30 minutes still thinking what is the next step I should, so my advice for myself is reading it and not being afraid to ask.

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 13o challenges idealized portrayals of love, favoring honesty over exaggerated praise. Similarly, Raymonnd Carver’s stories, such as those in “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”, strip relationships down to their raw and realistic elements. Both writers reject romantic illusions. Shakespeare describes his plainly, “if hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head”. While Carver writes, “It ought to make us feel ashamed when we talk like we know what we’re talking about when we talk about love”. I admire this sonnet because it values sincerity over superficial beauty. Shakespeare’s speaker loves his mistress despite her flaws or perhaps because of them. Reminding us that true affection doesn’t need poetic exaggeration. This honest approach resonates with Carver’s worldview, where love is messy, grounded, and uncertain. Both artists suggest that love, in it’s most authentic form, is not about perfection but about acceptance and depth.

Raymond Carver’s idea that ordinary things can hold great power with simple language is shown well in A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O’Connor. The story seems to be like it’s just about a family trip, but the grandmother’s simple comments reveal a lot about her character. For example, when she says, “In my time, children were more respectful of their native states and their parents and everything else,” she’s just talking about the past, but it shows her judgmental attitude and how she feels disconnected from the present. This quote stood out to me because it shows how the grandmother thinks she’s better than others. The simple words don’t need anything fancy to show her superiority. O’Connor uses everyday moments, like the grandmother talking about respect, to show something deeper about who she is. It made me realize that simple language can have a strong impact by revealing character and emotion clearly.

I believe Raymond Carver’s concept of “commonplace but precise language” is a great example of how you don’t need complex vocabulary to communicate clearly. Sometimes, the message gets lost because we focus too much on sounding sophisticated with “big words.” A story that reflects this idea well is The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara. She writes from the perspective of her younger self, which makes the language easier to follow. For example, she says, “So we heading down the street and she’s boring us silly about what things cost and what our parents make and how much goes for rent” (Bambara). Even though the writing has a Southern tone, the language stays simple and straightforward. Bambara gets her point across while making it feel like a child is narrating the story. We often try too hard to sound smart by using dictionary-level words, but simple language can be just as powerful.

I have always thought that an author’s best friend was the thesaurus so they could find the best words to make a story come to life. The readings we have done from Raymond Carver have changed my mind, as his simple writing still painted a picture of the character’s psyche and their surrounding environment. I realized it doesn’t take illustrious and fancy words to captivate the audience or to get a point across. I appreciated that his reading did not involve the work of having to search various definitions and rereading the same line to understand how the word was used. This realization reminds me of the recent story “The Five-Forty-Eight” by John Cheever, particularly the lines ” When she was out for lunch, he called personnel and asked them to fire her. Then he took the afternoon off”(505). The author did not use any adjectives or descriptive language but revealed more about Blake through these simple sentences. Through simple words, it is revealed how much of a coward Blake is when he did not fire her personally. On the contrary, he chose to leave early to further avoid any confrontation.

Raymond Carver’s idea of commonplace language is a great one. I believe that using precise vocabulary is amazing and it makes everyone feel included. Sometimes, when writers use complicated words and sentences, I get confused and can’t figure out what they’re trying to say. I am sure there’s someone out here aside of me who feel the same way, English is not everyone first language so they will always be a language barrier to majority of readers and by using simple wording I think everyone would fit in a lot faster. One of my favorite story throughout this course was “a good man is hard to find”. I really liked that story because it was straightforward and honest, even if some people might find the words a bit harsh. according to the story “In my time,” said the grandmother, folding her thin veined fingers, “children were more respectful of their native states and their parents and everything else. It was clear how she felt, and the author described her in a way that made her feel like a real grandmother. I think it’s important for stories to be easy for everyone to understand, and this author did that well. I also appreciated how the story showed that the grandmother wasn’t perfect, which felt very realistic, even if it might be surprising to some readers. Using simple words to describe normal things helped me understand and enjoy all the little details.

I agree with Raymond Carver because I believe that simple and honest words can make something feel powerful. You don’t always need big or poetic language to make a strong point. When writers use regular words to describe regular things, it can feel more real and sometimes even more emotional. It helps the reader connect to the poem or story in a true and human way. I think this is what Shakespeare does in his poem “My Mistress’s Eyes Are Nothing like the Sun.” In this poem, he doesn’t try to make his mistress sound like a goddess. He doesn’t say her eyes shine like the sun or that her lips are as red as coral. Instead, he speaks very plainly about her. One line that shows this is: “If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.” This line is simple and maybe even a little harsh, but that’s what makes it feel honest. He’s not trying to make her perfect—he’s describing her as she really is. That kind of truth can be more beautiful than any perfect image. By using normal words to describe normal things, Shakespeare makes his love feel more real, just like Carver said writing should do

A quote from the story or poem “commonplace but precise language”  that strikes me as “common but precise language is , in the story Raymond carver talks about how he doesn’t understand poetry this is a common thing that I can relate to because I often don’t understand the meaning of certain poetry unless I reread the poem 2 or 3 times. And most people won’t understand the meaning behind poetry without rereading the poem more than once or finding a method that works for them to better understand it. On page 210 , it says “ In the poem , she talked about what went through her mind when the blind man touched her nose and lips . I can remember I didn’t tell her that maybe I just don’t understand poetry. I admit it’s not the first thing I reach for when I pick up something to read.” In the story little Snow White by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm , common but precise language is used when Snow White was being deceived by the witch even though the dwarfs warned her not to speak to the witch. People are often deceived when they are nice or don’t understand or see someone’s true intentions. I can relate to this because when I was younger I often would not see everyone’s true intentions because i was a very nice person and most people took advantage of that. Also reading this story as a kid taught me a lesson about real life , strangers & why you shouldn’t trust everything someone says. In the story “ Snow White “ it says ,“ Snow-White looked out and said, “Go on your way. I am not allowed to let anyone in.”You surely may take a look,” said the old woman, pulling out the […]

I think Raymond Carver’s idea makes sense. Everyday things, like a chair or a quilt, can have a lot of meaning when described simply. It shows that you don’t need big words or dramatic moments for something to feel powerful often, it’s the small details that stick with you the most. One example of this is In Langston Hughes’s “Salvation,” it’s a great example of commonplace but precise language when he says, “I buried my head under the quilts.” A quilt is such an ordinary object we often don’t think twice about, but here it holds so much emotional weight. That small moment captures his need to hide, to escape the guilt and sadness he’s feeling after pretending to be saved. Hughes doesn’t  use dramatic language; he keeps it simple, which makes it hit even harder. It’s a quiet detail, but it speaks volumes about what he’s going through inside.

I think Raymond Carver idea of “commonplace but precise language” perfectly describes what it is to not use complex wording and still get your point across. There are times when the meaning can be lost because we get too caught up on using “big words”. One reading that I think expresses this idea is “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara. She tells the story in the perspective of her younger self so the language is more easy to understand. “So we heading down the street and she’s boring us silly about what things cost and what our parents make and how much goes for rent.” (Bambara). Even though the author is applying a Southern accent to their work, they don’t use complicated wording. The author was able to show the message in the story, but also made it look like a little girl wrote it. Sometimes we get caught up using Dictionary words to sounds smart, but in all reality we can still make our point by using simple wording.

One of the stories we read in class that I noticed used “commonplace but precise language” was the story by Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” The part that most stood out to me was when the simple image of the horse shaking its harness bells questioning the actions of the man riding him. “He gives his harness bells a shake / To ask if there is some mistake.” The line is using common words and yet I felt it was overwhelmingly charged. That one moment, the horse is inquiring about stillness, brings animation to the hushed woods and underscores the pause of the speaker between action and reflection. This moment seems to be peaceful in a way but also a little heavy, like the quiet could pull someone in too deep if they’re not careful. The horse shaking its bells feels almost like a nudge back to reality, back to responsibilities. It’s a small action, described in a straightforward way, but it carries so much meaning.

In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, there is use of commonplace objects being described in a way that makes them quite impactful. There are two quotes from the story that stood out to me in this way, the first being “They must have been familiar sights, walking around the shopping plaza in their shorts and flat ballerina slippers that always scuffed the sidewalk, with charm bracelets jingling on their thin wrists; they would lean together to whisper and laugh secretly if someone passed who amused or interested them.” The use of “charm bracelets” combined with the visual image of them in a shopping plaza, their outfits, and the way they are behaving, transports me back to my younger years and I connect with it greatly. Identifying the noises that the charm bracelets are making is incredibly additive to the experience as a reader. The second quote that stands out to me is “Everything about her had two sides to it, one for home and one for anywhere that was not home… her laugh, which was cynical and drawling at home—”Ha, ha, very funny,”—but highpitched and nervous anywhere else, like the jingling of the charms on her bracelet.” The use of the sound of the charm bracelet to connect to the character’s laugh is very auditorily descriptive. Comparing the two quotes that both mention the charm bracelet, the first paints a picture of a time and place, and the second paints a picture of an energy coming from the character.

Raymond Carver’s idea about using “commonplace but precise language” to give everyday objects or moments immense power reminds me of James Joyce’s “Araby.” I chose this story because it’s the one I relate to the most. When we read it in class, I shared how much it reminded me of my own teenage years. Just like the boy in the story, I had a crush when I was younger, and the emotions he describes felt so real to me. One example of “commonplace but precise language” in “Araby” is the line: “Her name was like a summons to all my foolish blood.” This quote takes something as simple as a name and turns it into something powerful and emotional. It’s not overly dramatic. t’s just honest and precise, which makes it even more relatable. For me, it perfectly captures how overwhelming and exciting it feels to have a crush as a teenager. I remember feeling exactly like this about someone back then, where just hearing his name would  make my heart beat faster. What makes this story match Carver’s idea is how Joyce uses simple details to show deeper meaning. For example, the street where the boy lives is described as “The other houses of the street, conscious of decent lives within them, gazed at one another with brown imperturbable faces.” This description is simple but gives a clear picture of the boring, quiet world the boy wants to leave. Even the market scene, with its “jostling drunken men” and “bargaining women,” feels busy and messy, showing how the boy’s romantic feelings don’t fit in such an ordinary place. This combination of precise descriptions and everyday objects—like a name, a street, or a marketplace—makes the story feel so real and relatable. That’s why I chose “Araby” for this assignment. It’s not just […]

In my opinion, Raymond Carver pointed out how powerful the ordinary language can be when it is used clearly and with emotions. One story that got me thinking was “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” by Gabriel García Márquez which we learned at the first week of semester.  What I found powerful was how the author described an extraordinary presence using very simple and familiar words. There’s one moment where the narrator says “Not only was he the tallest, strongest, most virile, and best built man they had ever seen, but even though they were looking at him there was no room for him in their imagination.” None of the words are fancy nor complicated however the way they’re combined together reflects how Esteban feel huge, mysterious, and unforgettable, short to the point.. I felt like I could see him with my eyes.

The idea expressed by Raymond Carver was extremely interesting. I believe common place can be a wonderful way to communicate with the audience using simple words while ensuring the meaning is not lost. The punctuation of a writing is also particularly important for the writer to properly convey their message but also for the reader, allowing for a better understanding of the text. In Joyce Carol Oates’s ‘Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?’ the sentence ‘So they went out to his car, and on the way, Connie couldn’t help but let her eyes wander over the windshields and faces all around her’ embodies commonplace language. It describes a simple action in a natural way, allowing the reader to absorb the text without distraction.” While all writers have their own way of writing, story’s written in common place language I find more enjoyable.

In Langston Hughes’ “Salvation,” the quote says, “I began to be ashamed of myself, holding everything up so long,”  which shows Raymond Carver’s idea of using commonplace but precise language. This short quote expresses the tremendous burden and anxiety that the teenager experiences throughout the church meeting. The term “holding everything up” is commonly used, but in this context, it specifies the tension of social expectation as well as the boy’s increasing guilt over not experiencing the experience of God that others claim to have. Hughes’ straightforward delivery helps readers to sense the boy’s nervousness and solitude, making the scene emotionally real. This is consistent with Raymond Carver’s claim that commonplace words can have a huge psychological impact when utilized carefully. The simple language of this one statement allows us to comprehend his emotions precisely. It provides an instance that some of the most genuine and heartbreaking writing needs no detailing; it simply needs to be authentic and straightforward.

I think that the idea expressed by Raymond Carve about commonplace is interesting. Every author has a different way to write and express their stories. I think commonplace and precise language can be helpful for many people but if is only commonplace and not imagery or something to get the readers attention then it can be to simple and for many people that can be boring. A story that I really like is “the Handsomest Drowned Man In the World” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.  This story has words and phrase that is easy to read and understand. “where the wind is so peaceful now that it’s gone to sleep beneath the beds, over there, where the sun’s so bright that the sunflowers don’t know which way to turn, yes, over there, that’s Esteban’s village.” This is an example of commonplace because the words are easy to read but the message was so clear and beautiful told in a way that I was able to imagine it.      

I think Raymond Carver’s idea of using “commonplace but precise language” really shows in Gwendolyn Brooks’s poem “We Real Cool”  The words are super simple and easy to understand, but it still tells a deeper story. The poem is short, direct, and full of an attitude that sticks with you. You can feel the rebellious vibe just by how it’s written. Even though the poem doesn’t go into a lot of detail, it gets the point across in a strong way. The way Brooks breaks the lines, like ending each with “We,” makes it feel like these teens are trying to prove something, but also unsure of themselves. And then the line “We Die soon” really hits, it’s so short, but powerful. It shows how fast their lives could end, and it leaves you thinking. I get what Carver means now: you don’t need big words to create big emotions. Simple words can still be deep if they’re used the right way.