Assignment 14

I am having a really hard time getting my paper started. I know where I stand in the issue, but I don't know how to put it in words. I know that raising the minimum wage will require a higher skill level, a cutback on hiring employers, and a higher tax pay. I thought that this topic was going to be easy to write about, however, now I am finding it very difficult to finish, and at that start it. I also had a very hard time finding resources that could be used towards my topic; the ones I did find have weird titles and Prof. Spencer says it will be difficult to fit into my paper, which made me freak out more than I was already. I hope that I do figure this out before it's too late and I get a good enough grade to pass the class. I have been wanting to switch topics but I know that's impossible, so I have to deal with it. I have to have a rough draft done by Monday morning and I honestly do not know if it will be done. I am going to try my best to do my best. I hate writing papers that are longer than two pages! I know what's the point of this class but I don't know why it is necessary for me. I want to be a better writer but I don't know how to start, or the process in order to be a good writer.

My Errors

Here are my mistakes:
1. My thesis statements are weak and irrelevant to my whole essay. Since my thesis statement fails to clearly state the purpose of my essay, my whole essay doesn't make sense to the reader. I never know what to put in my thesis statement, so I pretend to do so, but never accomplish in succeeding a good thesis. I hope to improve in writing my thesis statement by first getting an idea/or writing my whole essay, and then my thesis statement.
2. My second mistake would be understanding and clearly writing about the topic. I am confident about what I am writing when I am writing about, but when I get my graded paper back, reality hits me, and I did not understand the topic; therefore, my essay is weak. I honestly don't know how to improve in this. When I read something I understand it in my own way, but apperantly not the way it should be. I do know one way is asking others what they captured from the reading, but that's all I think that can help me.
3. Tying it all together is another big thing. My paper lacks consistency through out it. I just write and write without looking if the writing is connected, which makes my paper sloppy. I also never know how to end my paper and tie it back to the beginning. The conclusion is another thing that I have a hard time doing. A way I can improve in this is actually spending more time on it than I do now.

research topic

For my research topic on minimum wage and the impact on the economy, I used terms such as "minimum wage" and "economy impact." I realize it was pretty obvious but those were two key terms and they actually gave me the most results. I used other words such as "labor market" but it was just too broad and some of the articles weren't even about my topic. I really couldn't think of other terms, so i stuck with those, well at least for now. Hopefully, I am able to think of other terms that can help me get better results. Thinking about my topic while researching I realized that majority of people think about this topic the same way. If we increase the minimum wage it declines the economy, but if we leave it as is, nothing happens. I feel like with this topic there is a middle ground; however I am pulled towards increasing the minimum wage, because in the long run it will better the economy. Finding articles that support my topic is really hard and frustrating; some of the reulsts talk about my topic but I am having a hard time actually making use of them. I don't have a clear head about how I want to start my thesis or what I want it to contain. I am thinking  I can build on this: Raising the minimum wage seems like a bad idea, but the impact of raising the minimum wag on the economy is smaller than what it seems. Increasing the minimum wage increases productivity and interest in workers. It shortens the income gap and creates oppurtunities for low wage workers, such as social class.

topic of choice

I come from a family of seven and both my parents have no college education. When I was little, around the ages of 7-13, my dad used to work three jobs and my mom used to work one in order for us to get by. My parents were never really around to see my siblings or me grow up. My aunt always took care of us and raised us like her own. I honestly never had a childhood, because I had responsibilities: wathicng my sibblings when my parents weren't around, and doing all the chores in the house. As soon as I hit thirteen I started working and took on more responsibility. I loved working. School of course, was still my main priority, because my parents insisted on wanting a better life for me. They didn't want me to work for the rest of my life, and have nothing to show for it. Once I got to high school, I pretty much got A's and B's, and continued to work. I worked in order to help my parents with expenses. It sucked going to school in the morning and then work. I never got to join clubs or hang out with friends after school. But I never really saw it that way then; back then I thought it was cool, and it didn't bother me, but now I see that it took away a lot from me. Once I graduated from h.s I planned on just working, no college. However, my parents did not agree with that and they made sure I applied and got accepted to a college. So, Northeastern was my first, and last option. I hated and still hate the fact that I have to be in school another four years. I hate the idea of school, but once I am there I enjoy it. I do not know why, but that is how it is for me. I have had various times where I just want to stop going, but my parents keep pushing me to go. Here I am a sophomore, and I still want to stop. Working and going to school is getting harder for me to handle. I can't stop working because I need money to pay to go to school. I can't stop going to school because I am half way done and I am being pressured. I pre-declared my major, about a month ago and I am excited to get my bachelor's degree, but at the same time I don't know if I really want it. I do know I want to own my own restaurant, and that is my main focus after I graduate. As hard as it is, and will be I do plan on finishing these two following years, then opening my own place. In a way my parents pressuring me helped me figure out what I want to do with my life, and without them being on my case I wouldn't be able to be this far, and close to accomplishing my goals.

research topic

The research topic I'm considering is about minimum wage and the impact on the economy. I want to know if there can be a maximum wage, or no wage basis at all. Why does minimum wage vary with state? Is there a specific reason for this? The observation assignment did help me find my topic, but Professor Spencer helped me narrow it down. Minimum wage isn't enough for people to live off by. I think it should be raised or be based on how a person performs.

my writing :)

I honestly feel like I have not improved my writing since the beginning. I have gained some confidence in writing, but I still am not able to start a paper. I do hope that I am able to do this by the end of the semester. I have been able to stay focus throughout the paper, but I still don't get the concept, or point of the assingment to follow through in the paper. I think peer review has somewhat helped, but not very effectively for me. Discussing the readings in class does help me a lot, because it lets me see other people's perspectives; which lets me see points that I didn't see on my own. It also helps me understand the readings better. I think if more than one person reviews a paper it is more effective because that way you get more feedback. I think my writing process has improved, because before I used write in scattered pieces and now I am able to focus on a part of the essay, rather than being all over the place. Overall, my writing has not improved that much, but I do feel a little more confident and I will gradually improve through time. I am no where near perfection but with will power and interest I can write great papers.

joining the conversation...

A point that I find important is whether a B.A is or isn't worth it. The three articles we read all agreed that it was worth it; even if some had if's or buts. Not everyone should pursue a B.A, everyone has different beliefs and desires. Some people are pursuing this degree in order to earn more money--this is the biggest reason why not to pursue it. Those who are not interested or do not have the academic ability are just going to college in order to make money. However, are they benefiting themselves by having the wrong "motivation?" Those that decide to get a B.A., have the right reasons, and have the academic ability make it a goal to go to the college of their dreams...leaving them with debt that could either be another payment, or a whole new lifestyle. Tuituion cost are going up every year, not everyone can afford to go to college; some that are capable of going aren't because of money problems--it's not fair.