Blog #8

 
Two articles that I have viewed and believe students - that be high school or college, should read are, “It’s Not All About You”, from the writer David Brooks, published by The New York Times, as well as, “Confessions Of a Quit Addict”, by Barbara Graham. Where Brook’s talks about graduated college students, while Graham discusses her life as a quitting addict.   
     In Graham’s article, “Confessions Of a Quit Addict”, she describes how she went about quitting and the journey of it. She uses references like; “it didn't matter that we weren't happy anywhere, because the rush of heading off into the unknown and starting over was more potent and trippy than anything we smoked” as well as “ the first time I felt the rush of quitting, the instant high of cutting loose, the biochemical buzz burning my bridges.” Graham says that quitting is like a drug to her.  At the end of her story she settles down, even though she misses “the rush of cutting loose,”, but realizes that settling down in one place gives you many of the same effects as if she were to still be traveling. “You can learn a great deal about yourself from quitting and failure.” That is the message she wants to get across.
    In the article, “It’s Not All About You”, Brooks uses very strong opinionated language  towards the saying we have all heard before “follow your dreams”. He believes a college student should not be “sent off into this world with that baby-boomer theology ringing in their ears.” and “ Follow your passion..., march the beat to your own drummer,”. The elders are  the ones to blame for this, Brooks says. He argues that college graduates should not follow their dreams and passions. He uses subjective language to tell the reader what is wrong. “Yet upon graduation they will enter a world that is unprecedentedly wide open and unstructured.”

   Overall, I think both articles are a worthy reads. Though if I were to choose one over another, I would definitely pick Barbara Graham’s story about “Confessions Of a Quit Addict”. She uses a real life story that some readers may be able to relate to, while Brook’s just states his opinion. However , someone else may disagree with me and choose Brook’s article over Graham’s because he is more of a persuasive writer.

Comments

  1. Heather GreenDecember 6, 2017 at 9:23 PM

    I would have to agree that Barbara Graham's article was much more interesting to read since it told a life story.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AntonioDecember 6, 2017 at 9:51 PM

    I like your last paragraph because not only did you give the article that you would prefer, but you also gave a understanding statement on how someone would disagree with you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. matisse zamoraDecember 10, 2017 at 7:09 PM

    I agree with you when you state your liking to Graham's article more. That article just feels more personal and has a relatable tone to it. Although, Brooks' did have a strong and persuasive tone and is also some-what inspiring.

    ReplyDelete

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