BAD NEWS:
I thought I should start this blog entry with the bad news first. Unfortunately, this will be my last post on this blog.
Although I will no longer post, I wanted to sincerely say that I have had a great time writing my thoughts on different social issues, sports, and topics on here these past few months and I hope you readers enjoyed it. I find blogging enjoyable because it helps inform people about yourself. It's an easy way to speak out and make your voice be heard. I think that blogs have great power and are extremely significant in politics. It's just another way to put information on the web and hopefully it can help people become more educated.
I have taken blogging on here seriously since I first created it. I made sure to do my blog entries ahead of time and I wanted my blog to be interesting and look cool. It feels great knowing that your blog looks nice and people are interested in what you have to say. Also, I loved putting my thoughts on here to help my audience ultimately learn more.
Believe it or not, I have learned a lot about how to blog from this assignment. It helped me employ rhetoric and it helped me understand what most of the public are interested in. I found that my top post was easily the "Top 10 NBA Championship Contenders..." There are several sports fans out there that I knew loved it because that post got at least 80 more likes than any of my other posts.
Blogging is a great tool in English classes because it can help a student demonstrate his/her understanding of English. For me, this blog helped me realize how I can attract a wider range of viewers and how rhetoric can make your blog a big hit or a flop.
For ENG 102, I think some helpful tips for improving these blog assignments could be making the prompts more vague. The reason I say this is because sometimes when I have to write about certain entries it can be totally different from my other self-generated posts. I think this makes the blog seem less specific and at times, random. However, if the entry prompts were more vague, we may be able to connect what we already write about in our self-generated entries to the prompt and make it more similar.
GOOD NEWS:
Again, I want to end by saying that this will be my last blog entry. However, the good news is that there are still other ways you can contact me on the web!
Follow Me: http://i-love-phoenix.tumblr.com/
Follow Me: https://twitter.com/sameen_qureshi
Follow Me: http://instagram.com/sameen_qureshi
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
NBA Becoming Less Fun to Watch
As you look through the history of the NBA, there have been some really exciting moments. From Tracy McGrady scoring 13 points in 33 seconds to Michael Jordan's game winning jumper. It's always so much fun to watch those close games where the atmosphere is tense and a superstar must rise and win the game. Unfortunately, these close games that are so electrifying to watch are not as common as they once were due to modern "flopping". This term simply defines when a player acts hurt to try and get a foul call and in close games where the time is running out this is becoming more and more common. What happened to the days where superstars would shoot the clutch shot regardless of whether or not they were fouled? Those days when the crowd would erupt from joy? Those days when flopping did not exist and was not practiced as often? Let's show some examples of the modern-day flop:
In the first video the commentator says, "What kind of league are we becoming if that's a flagrant foul?" The commentator asks a brilliant question because honestly, it seems like this league is becoming a league that rewards actors. It saddens me to think about what will happen when Kobe retires. When he retires, the most dominant player and most popular player will be Lebron James. However, Lebron is just not that fun to watch. He doesn't take big shots in crunch time during close games and he flops quite a bit. Now don't quote me wrong, Lebron is definitely one of the most talented players in the game right now but he's just not that fun to watch. Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony have a great future for entertaining NBA viewers but they are not considered as popular and elite as Lebron James. Kobe Bryant has made a name for himself for making big shot after big shot and single-handedly taking over games. Kobe is absolutely unbelievable in crunch time and he knows how to get the crowd going. With the League's new officiating rules and superstars becoming less clutch, it seems as though the NBA will just not be as entertaining as it once was. Here's an example of what will be missed when Kobe Bryant retires from the NBA.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Entry #5: How I Perceive the Media
Ever since I read the book, 1984, by George Orwell last year, I have become more suspicious and skeptical of the government and how the media impacts our lives. In the novel, Orwell depicts a world where the media is controlled by the government and how the totalitarian government strips humans of their basic rights. Even kids are taught to betray their parents in school if they ever find out important information about their parents.
Although we are obviously not ruled by a totalitarian government in the United States, the media is still designed in a persuasive manner. For example, each news station has a different motive or purpose. Many news channels, like FOX, try to persuade their audience without appearing bias. This works on many people and it's scary to think that some people are brainwashed by whatever they see on T.V.
Since I have been thinking and writing about the media lately, I have begun to realize more about how the media influences us. Smartphones and social media websites are designed in a way that requires users to input information. When you play games on a smartphone, sometimes a message will pop up reading, "Tweet this" or "Connect to Facebook". Additionally, I noticed that after every time you lose in doodle jump it pops up with an advertisement. The objective of "doodle jump" creators is to make money and by sponsoring other corporations, they generate more money. When I watch different television shows, I find advertisements directly related to whatever it is I'm watching. Every application, website, and/or television program has its interior motives which can be displayed in several different forms.
My brother is a great example of how the media affects people. He watches programs like The Colbert Report, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Real Time with Bill Maher. This may explain why he's a democrat and why he so one-sidedly promotes Obama and the democratic party. There is not one policy that my brother could agree with a Republican on which is not necessarily bad but it does justify the impact of media. In fact, one of the ways presidents get elected is through their online and televised campaigning. Barack Obama has a Facebook page and so do various other successful politicians. And don't you just hate those advertisements that always end with, "Hi, I'm __________ and I approve this message." It is quite evident that the media impacts the people and how they view politics.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Entry #4: Capitalism: A Love Story Offers a Mixture of Emotions (Movie Review)
Film-maker Michael Moore produced the movie Capitalism: A Love Story in late 2009. In the movie, Moore focuses on the financial crisis in the United States and he centers his attention to corporate greed, wall street, unemployment, and foreclosures. Michael Moore does an excellent job of implementing rhetoric in this movie as he uses pathos to appeal to the audience.
Although Moore's opinions and bias are evident he does a great job of trying to convey his thoughts. He uses examples of people losing their jobs and falling victim to corporations like Walmart. The victims of these situations are all interviewed by Moore as they solemnly state their depressing anecdotes. He also shows how corporations gain money from the lives of people and how they profit off of those that die. Near the end of the movie, Moore shows a protest of people who refuse to leave their work space after being laid off. Eventually, they succeed. Michael Moore uses this to end the movie in order to try and convince the audience that if we organize ourselves we can fix the economy. He also starts off the movie by showing a series of armed robberies and then compares the U.S. to the ancient Roman Empire. This immediately grabs the audience's attention. Overall, Michael Moore does a great job employing pathos into his film.
Mr. Moore utilizes logos efficiently as well by logically drawing conclusions. For example, Moore starts by not knowing what the term "derivative" means in banking because most of his audience probably does not know what it means. So by going through the process of figuring out what it means, the audience is also going through the journey. By the end, he shows us logically what derivatives mean and how they affect us.
Finally, Moore's ethos is the one aspect he seems to fail a bit in. He does bring much evidence to his opinions but all of his sources are democratic like the people he interviewed in congress. Also, he uses too much satire in his movie and although it's humorous, it makes him seem less credible. He depicts the world falling apart as President Bush speaks which is clear attack at President Bush and was simply unnecessary. He also concludes the movie by supporting Obama and praising his motives for change. Because of this, Michael Moore's bias is clear and his credibility is hurt.
Despite this one area for improvement, Moore still interests the audience with his typical humor and nonchalant sarcasm. There are times in the movie where you feel sad, angry, hopeful, and happy. Michael Moore's emotional roller coaster, Capitalism: A Love Story, receives in 8/10 from me and is sure to please you.
Although Moore's opinions and bias are evident he does a great job of trying to convey his thoughts. He uses examples of people losing their jobs and falling victim to corporations like Walmart. The victims of these situations are all interviewed by Moore as they solemnly state their depressing anecdotes. He also shows how corporations gain money from the lives of people and how they profit off of those that die. Near the end of the movie, Moore shows a protest of people who refuse to leave their work space after being laid off. Eventually, they succeed. Michael Moore uses this to end the movie in order to try and convince the audience that if we organize ourselves we can fix the economy. He also starts off the movie by showing a series of armed robberies and then compares the U.S. to the ancient Roman Empire. This immediately grabs the audience's attention. Overall, Michael Moore does a great job employing pathos into his film.
Mr. Moore utilizes logos efficiently as well by logically drawing conclusions. For example, Moore starts by not knowing what the term "derivative" means in banking because most of his audience probably does not know what it means. So by going through the process of figuring out what it means, the audience is also going through the journey. By the end, he shows us logically what derivatives mean and how they affect us.
Finally, Moore's ethos is the one aspect he seems to fail a bit in. He does bring much evidence to his opinions but all of his sources are democratic like the people he interviewed in congress. Also, he uses too much satire in his movie and although it's humorous, it makes him seem less credible. He depicts the world falling apart as President Bush speaks which is clear attack at President Bush and was simply unnecessary. He also concludes the movie by supporting Obama and praising his motives for change. Because of this, Michael Moore's bias is clear and his credibility is hurt.
Despite this one area for improvement, Moore still interests the audience with his typical humor and nonchalant sarcasm. There are times in the movie where you feel sad, angry, hopeful, and happy. Michael Moore's emotional roller coaster, Capitalism: A Love Story, receives in 8/10 from me and is sure to please you.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Miami Heat's 24+ Winning Streak (Best Ever?)
As of March 21, 2013, the Miami Heat are changing history. Miami is on a 24 game winning streak, only trailing behind the Lakers' record set in 1972 of 33 games won. Miami extended their winning streak after a close victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday night. The Heat, led by superstar Lebron James, came back from a 27 point deficit to ultimately win the game. In this post, I want to address whether or not the Miami Heat will beat the Lakers' record and what this streak means to them. Although many people think this 27 point deficit is a sign that the Heat cannot continue their streak, it is entirely possible that the Miami Heat will continue their winning streak and possibly surpass the Lakers in history. The 27 point deficit shows just how amazing they really are and how determined they are to win. If anything, their comeback has made them even more intimidating to the rest of the NBA which brings me to my conclusion that this streak is a great thing for Miami. I personally do not think the Miami Heat will surpass the Lakers' record but I will admit that it is entirely possible. Their games up ahead are against teams with poor records and the only two teams in the remainder of the season that they really need to look out for are the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs. With that being said, the Miami Heat are truly a force to be reckoned with right now and it seems as though no team is able to stop them. This streak is definitely a positive goal for the defending champions. After already winning the championship last year, they want a new challenge and this winning streak is a great goal to try and achieve. Regardless of whether or not the Miami Heat win more than 33 games, it is evident that they have the greatest chance of winning this year's championship.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Assassin's Creed IV is Coming!
Positives:
Above is the new leaked first trailer of Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag. If you watch the trailer several aspects of this new game are revealed. First of all, it seems like we are going to see more naval warfare. In Assassin's Creed III, naval warfare was briefly introduced but the gameplay aboard a ship on the sea was unbelievable. It was by far one of the best components of Assassin's Creed III. The graphics of sailing on the seas were astonishing and the on-board warfare was a thing of beauty for Assassin's Creed fans. In this new game, it appears that the assassin will be placed in a pirate-themed setting which is another plus. The trailer is dark and gloomy which definitely excited me because I am a big pirate fan. If you love the series, Pirates of the Caribbean, I am sure this video game will please you. Additionally, the main character, Edward, seems to be some what of a ladies' man and appears to have some sort of personal background that was not revealed in the trailer. The fact that "Black Beard" stated that even he would not want to know his story makes me want to know Edward's story. It seems intriguing and if Assassin's Creed IV plays its cards right, Edward may just be one of the coolest Assassin's Creed characters.
Negatives:
From the trailer, there was no indication as to whether or not the climbing of huge buildings was going to be in the game. If it's not, there is a big negative. Assassin's Creed has built popularity for having some of the greatest climbing visuals and gameplay mechanics. Also, the Animus was not mentioned in the trailer which causes me to wonder whether or not the Animus is going to play a role in the game. Assassin's Creed is known for its background story of the Animus and it pleased all fans as it symbolized an ultimate objective.
Conclusion:
To conclude this post I would just like to remind the audience that this review is just based off of the trailer. There has not been much information released yet about Assassin's Creed IV but this review was created as a "first thoughts" type of article. With that being said, Assassin's Creed IV's trailer looked awesome and if Ubisoft works hard to please its audience in this game, this could potentially be the game of the year.
Entry #3: Change of Semesters?
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/02/22/20110222arizona-state-university-shorter-classes.html?nclick_check=1
The Arizona Republic published an interesting article (link above) recently discussing the beginning of shorter classes at Arizona State University. It is made clear that normal classes that schedule in the normal semester will still exist. However, the addition is now half-semester classes with longer individual classes per week. This ensures that all of the same information is learned and is just finished quicker. Students will still have the option of choosing whether or not they want to take shorter classes but the options will remain. One of the reasons ASU recommends taking shorter classes is because if you take shorter classes, it is possible to graduate in three years instead of four.
The author of this article, Anne Ryman did a great job in constructing the article. The research was correct and her use of rhetoric was effective. She made sure to present why shorter classes would not be recommended and why it would be recommended while quoting her sources rather than revealing her own opinion. This shows non-bias and trustworthy reporting.
As for the actual topic, many comments listed below in the comment selection are negative while others are positive. Personally, I believe that ASU is doing a great job by introducing shorter semester classes. This allows for students and faculty to have flexible options and consider different time frames. Also, the same amount of material is learned regardless of which type of class is chosen by the student. Because of this, ASU's move to open half-semester classes can definitely be positive and efficient for students and staff.
The Arizona Republic published an interesting article (link above) recently discussing the beginning of shorter classes at Arizona State University. It is made clear that normal classes that schedule in the normal semester will still exist. However, the addition is now half-semester classes with longer individual classes per week. This ensures that all of the same information is learned and is just finished quicker. Students will still have the option of choosing whether or not they want to take shorter classes but the options will remain. One of the reasons ASU recommends taking shorter classes is because if you take shorter classes, it is possible to graduate in three years instead of four.
The author of this article, Anne Ryman did a great job in constructing the article. The research was correct and her use of rhetoric was effective. She made sure to present why shorter classes would not be recommended and why it would be recommended while quoting her sources rather than revealing her own opinion. This shows non-bias and trustworthy reporting.
As for the actual topic, many comments listed below in the comment selection are negative while others are positive. Personally, I believe that ASU is doing a great job by introducing shorter semester classes. This allows for students and faculty to have flexible options and consider different time frames. Also, the same amount of material is learned regardless of which type of class is chosen by the student. Because of this, ASU's move to open half-semester classes can definitely be positive and efficient for students and staff.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Entry #2: Beware of Slanted Reporting
So often, we find ourselves watching the news and believing every word they speak. However, many news sources have a bias on certain subjects such as politics that they will not state directly. Instead, these news sources will try to hide the bias under the surface so as to indirectly state their opinion. In this post, I will show you an example of slanted reporting and how to know whether or not it is bias.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/17/report-bill-would-set-8-year-path-to-residency/
Go ahead and take a look at the above article. It is from Fox News. It seems as though this article was just written to inform the audience about Obama's new immigration plan. But notice that almost all of the opinions of Obama's immigration bill that they source, are from Republicans.
The one quote that somewhat supports Obama's immigration plan is from Ali Noorani. Although, Fox News even goes on to say that Noorani believes that Obama is not paying enough attention to future immigration systems.
Another piece of evidence of slanted reporting, is there attack on Obama. They cite one of Obama's quotes and announce that he will get the bill past regardless of Congress' opinion on it. This makes the President look selfish and not willing to work as a team. However, on several occasions President Barack Obama has tried to receive Congress' approval and has announced in many speeches that he wants to work with Republicans and Congress. He even signed the NDAA act saying that Congress wanted it passed, so in order to work as a team and receive their approval when he needs it, he signed it. The NDAA act was completely against his beliefs as President but he still wanted there to be mutual respect and teamwork between him and the rest of the government.
Additionally, there are only two small paragraphs about Noorani's belief. The rest of the article is based off of Paul and other Repulicans' beliefs. The composition of the article is designed in a way that it mostly contains Republicans' opinions on the immigration plan. Also, Fox News adds Noorani's argument as a way of showing that even some democrats are skeptical of Obama's plan.
As you can see, this article is a clear example of slanted reporting due to its one-sided reporting. The source is not credible due to its indirect bias. Fox News uses these hidden methods to impact and persuade their audience in a certain direction.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/17/report-bill-would-set-8-year-path-to-residency/
Go ahead and take a look at the above article. It is from Fox News. It seems as though this article was just written to inform the audience about Obama's new immigration plan. But notice that almost all of the opinions of Obama's immigration bill that they source, are from Republicans.
The one quote that somewhat supports Obama's immigration plan is from Ali Noorani. Although, Fox News even goes on to say that Noorani believes that Obama is not paying enough attention to future immigration systems.
Another piece of evidence of slanted reporting, is there attack on Obama. They cite one of Obama's quotes and announce that he will get the bill past regardless of Congress' opinion on it. This makes the President look selfish and not willing to work as a team. However, on several occasions President Barack Obama has tried to receive Congress' approval and has announced in many speeches that he wants to work with Republicans and Congress. He even signed the NDAA act saying that Congress wanted it passed, so in order to work as a team and receive their approval when he needs it, he signed it. The NDAA act was completely against his beliefs as President but he still wanted there to be mutual respect and teamwork between him and the rest of the government.
Additionally, there are only two small paragraphs about Noorani's belief. The rest of the article is based off of Paul and other Repulicans' beliefs. The composition of the article is designed in a way that it mostly contains Republicans' opinions on the immigration plan. Also, Fox News adds Noorani's argument as a way of showing that even some democrats are skeptical of Obama's plan.
As you can see, this article is a clear example of slanted reporting due to its one-sided reporting. The source is not credible due to its indirect bias. Fox News uses these hidden methods to impact and persuade their audience in a certain direction.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Top 10: NBA Championship Contenders (2/16/13) (Top 2 Get Videos)
This list is a list of predictions for the NBA championship if the playoffs were to begin right now. This list may change as the NBA season goes on.
The Brooklyn Nets currently stand as the fourth best team in the Eastern Conference. They have worked wonders this year as last year there team was performing terribly. In the summer preceding this NBA season, the Nets made several trades and got many valuable players like Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace. Because of there hard work and expected turn-around, the Brooklyn Nets have won many of their past games and have made it to the top five teams in the Eastern Conference. Deron Williams is still doing a great job as their point guard and Brooke Lopez has done a terrific job as their center. He's been able to hit some difficult shots inside the paint.
9. Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have had a fantastic first half of their season. They are ranked as the number 5 team right now in the Western Conference. This is another team that has been doing well due to their valuable trades. Last summer they picked up point guard, Andre Iguodala, who has proven to be a critical factor in how they play. Their power forward (second from the left in the picture), Kenneth Faried, has definitely been their biggest prize possession this year. He has been able to finish near the basket in many tough situations and just in his last game he scored an unbelievable 40 points. It is only a matter of time until he becomes an all-star.
8. Indiana Pacers
Indiana has shocked everyone with there many wins this season so far. Led by Paul George (as seen above), the Indiana Pacers have dominated several teams. There young players have all developed good trust and teamwork between one another. They have not had many trades which is what has made there teamwork and communication so strong. Right now, the Pacers are playing like championship contenders.
7. Golden State Warriors
Although they are ranked less than the Denver Nuggets right now in the West (6th in the West), I am still more confident that this team is a championship contending team than Denver. This is because of their teamwork and connection with one another. They also have a star on the rise named Harrison Barnes. His tenacity on the court has been evident this year as he has been putting up points in bunches. And of course, they still have their best player, Stephen Curry. The three-point marksman is still hitting long shots and leading his team to yet another great season.
6. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are having another amazing season. The most shocking fact about this season is that they are doing so well even without their superstar Derrick Rose (second from the right in the picture). The former MVP has has a torn ACL and still has not played a game in this 2012-2013 NBA season. With Derrick Rose, the Bulls were ranked as the number 1 team in the East in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Derrick Rose is planning on making a return in about 2-3 weeks and just think about how much better they will be. The Bulls without him are already ranked as number 5 in the East. Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah have all done a terrific job of helping their team even in Rose's absence.
5. New York Knicks
Empire State! Yes, they have had the biggest turn-around this year than any other team by far. Last year they were ranked as number 7 in the East and now they are ranked as number 2 in the East. Led by Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks have been dominating almost any team that crosses their path. They also have the addition of Jason Kidd this year as their point guard who will go down in history as one of the best point guards of all time. With Stoudemire and Chandler as their post players, their front court and back court game has improved drastically. Another big factor has been their sixth man off the bench, J.R. Smith, who has been scoring non-stop.
4. L.A. Clippers
Lob City! The L.A. Clippers are ranked as the number 3 best team in the West right now. Led by star players Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, they have shock and awed their crowd these past two years. The two are a dynamic duo and are referred to as "Lob City" due to the amount of alley-oops and dunks they throw in their games. They are easily one of the most entertaining teams to watch and their fast-paced offense has made them serious championship contenders this year. They are a very young team which only makes them more dangerous. Their center, DeAndre Jordan has done a great job this year and Caron Butler, Grant Hill, and Jamal Crawford have only added to their already impressive offensive arsenal.
3. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have been the most consistent team of the decade. They have ranked in the top eight list in the West for at least the past ten years! It makes sense considering they still have many of the same players and that is what makes their teamwork so strong. They all know what the other teammate wants. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are still putting up some of the best numbers in the league despite their old age. Right now, the Spurs are ranked as the number 1 team in the West. They are one of the oldest teams in the NBA but that clearly does not hold them back.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder shocked everyone when they made it to the NBA finals last year. Although they lost, it seems like its making them only hungrier for a championship as their teamwork and on-point connections on court are only growing stronger. Superstar, Kevin Durant, averages the most points in the game right now and a very high field-goal percentage. Their point guard, Russel Westbrook, is also having a terrific year. The young Thunder are playing with confidence every game and they are currently ranked as number 2 in the West. Without a doubt, the Thunder are quite likely to win the championship this year.
1. Miami Heat
Last year's championship winners, the Miami Heat are ready for a back-to-back championship. Led by 2012 MVP, Lebron James, the Heat have been more dominant than ever and the wins are coming too easy for them. There has been no team in the league able to stop them recently and just a few days ago they dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Wade as their shooting guard and Bosh at power forward, it's become a struggle for any team in the league to figure out how to stop them. If you double team James, Wade will be open and if you double team Wade, Bosh will be open. The scoring possibilities for this team go on forever. The most you can do is play the best defense you can and hope they miss. Lebron has also made history these past few weeks by recording six straight games of averaging 30 points or more on 60% or higher field-goal percentage. It is possible that Lebron may receive another MVP award. So far this year, it seems like the number 1 ranking Eastern team is going to win another championship.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Top 10: Superheroes (Top 2 Get Videos)
10. Captain America
Captain America gained popularity throughout the Marvel Universe due to his patriotism. His inspiration and work ethic is admirable. Despite not having the coolest superpowers, he has still proven that he's not a force to be reckoned with. His expertise with his shield allows him to be an offensive threat to any villain and his leadership is astounding. Because of his talents, it's no wonder he was chosen to be affiliated with the Avengers.
Matt Murdock a.k.a. "The Man Without Fear" comes in at number 9. Daredevil is one of the most engaging and darkest superheroes in superhero history. One of the attributes that makes a superhero so interesting is his/her background. Daredevil story originates in New York City, the city that never sleeps. One day, Murdock was blinded by a vehicle's obnoxious light which contained a radioactive substance. Although he lost his sight, the rest of his senses were strengthened immensely. His father, a boxer who supported him since he was a child, was assaulted and killed by gangsters after he refused to fight with them. Daredevil's first task as a superhero was to get his revenge on them and so his story began. Lurking in the shadows, keen senses, athletic...not even a ten page essay could completely describe just how awesome this guy really is.
I really wish I could rank her higher but there are just too many amazing super heroes out there. However, without a doubt, Wonder Woman is definitely the best female super hero there is. (Sorry Catwoman) Wonder Woman not only promotes female empowerment, but does it in a killer manner. Don't underestimate her physical abilities because she can fight just as well as most other male superheroes. She is part of the Justice League Trinity with two other fantastic superheroes. This character was definitely a big win for DC comics. Not only is she strong, but she also promotes good qualities. Her most common themes are peace, justice, and love. While standing for what's right, she still intrigues the audience with her stellar combat.
It seems like every superhero is just another jack-of-all-trades and that there just good at everything. This is what makes Flash so popular. He isolates himself from the rest of the superheroes because he is not good at everything. He is excellent at one thing, and that's his ability to run. Of course, while maintaining a pretty good ability to fight, he is most often noted for his supernatural speed. Imagine being a villain and trying to stop him. It would be difficult to even see him. Flash's main technique against enemies is to tire them out and defeat them which proves to be a very successful strategy. Flash has also been depicted as a vital component of the Justice league. Because of his unique qualities, "Scarlet Speeder" is undoubtedly ranked as number 7.
Professor X is by far one of the physically weakest superheros ever but this doesn't hold him back from defeating his villains. As evident from the image above, Professor Charles Xavier uses his mind to defeat his opponents. He is definitely a great addition to the already powerful X-Men. His telepathic abilities allow him to infiltrate his opponents' minds which makes any villain who goes against him an easy target. Some people can defeat villains physically, and others mentally. Professor X is one of the few who mentally manipulates him opponents which gives him an unfair advantage over any criminal who crosses his path.
I know the fact that he is ranked number 5 is definitely a shocker for many of you superhero fans out there, but I can explain. It's honestly a pity that I couldn't rank him higher but once again there are just so many awesome superheroes out there. Many people think that Superman is the best superhero out there, which is a valid argument. So a message to all of you Superman fans, please do not be offended. My reasoning behind his ranking at number 5 is that he's just not that exciting. He is a patriot and role model like Captain America but there is nothing too interesting about their personalities. Superman is just an ideal man with extraordinary superpowers but the lack of an interesting personality is why his ranking is so low. However, his physical ability is also what makes him a part of this top ten list. The "Man of Steel" definitely still deserves respect for his superpowers. His ability to fly and distinct hand-to-hand combat make him almost impossible to beat. He is also one of the most important members in the Justice League. Despite my disinterest in his personality, his background is interesting to some. Rocketed from Krypton to planet Earth, Superman's story began in Smallville, Kansas where he was raised. When he grew up, the responsibility of being a superhero automatically was assigned to him as he saved his city time and time again. My only criticism of Superman is that he is too perfect. He is the ideal man and sometimes the story of a perfect superhero bores me and feels quite repetitive. Despite this flaw, Superman remains in the top ten list due to his brute strength and somewhat interesting background.
There are so many characteristics of Iron Man that are impressive, I simply just don't know where to start. How about we start with my favorite attribute, his attitude. You gotta love the character Tony Stark. Although he talks so much trash, his speeches are all true and he is able to back it up. A lot of times in both the comics and movies (i.e. Avengers), you find that Iron Man's sarcastic comments are actually true. Some people love him for this comedic attribute but others just cannot bear it. Well regardless, the guy's gotta unique personality, that's for sure. Secondly, look at his suit! No, he has no natural power or radioactive accident, but he was able to create his own superpowers by his ingenious design. Third, Iron Man has an awesome story which still relates to his suit. In his story, Tony Stark was kidnapped and received a chest injury from the incident. The kidnappers ordered him to create a weapon of mass destruction but Stark refused an used his brilliant skills to create his powerful suit of armor that contains some stunningly advanced military technology. Iron Man's team affiliation is with the Avengers. Many think that Captain America or the Incredible Hulk were the leaders of the group but let's not forget that Iron Man is the one who saved them in the movie, The Avengers. He was also quick to help out his teammates even though there was clearly some tension in the air between them all. Iron Man's powerful suit, interesting story background, and cocky attitude land him at number four.
"I'm the best there is at what I do, but what I do best isn't very nice." Wolverine is definitely the X-Men's most valuable superhero. Just look at him! Without a doubt, he is one of the physically strongest superheroes of all time. His astonishing brute force and animal-keen senses allow him to fight unthinkably. Wolverine also possesses the ability to heal automatically from a wound with some time only adding to his physical strengths. Additionally, he possesses retractable bone claws and canines. His noticeable physical trait is his signature three blades on each hand. Wolverine is known for his slashing and stabbing which makes him so entertaining. Wolverine also plays a very interesting character. His character is funny and witty just like Iron Man which is yet another engaging attribute of his. Wolverine's past mistakes motivate him to be the best man he can be. His unnatural strength and animal-like characteristics make him one heck of a superhero.
Personally, I believe this superhero is Marvel's greatest bragging right. He easily has one of the most appealing story background and his web-slinging action is too addicting. If this were a story-telling contest, folks you have your number 1. Peter Parker, your typical high school nerd, gets bitten by a radioactive spider and little did he know that the event would change his life forever. Before the incident, Parker has several problems both with his family life and school life. His characterization is so interesting to follow as he experiences so many different internal and external conflicts. He experiences girl problems, bullies, the death of his Uncle, and growing up without his real parents. Once he gets bitten by the spider, he realizes his physical abilities have changed drastically and is now a much stronger man that he was. He also gains spider-like qualities such as being able to climb walls. The death of his Uncle is what motivates him to become a superhero. Not only is his story super cool, but just watching him action is a delight you cannot miss. The villains in his comics/movies are also awesome which only adds to the already satisfying entertainment. His fighting techniques are based off spider-movements. He is very agile and quick with his flips and moves. Another contest where Spider-Man would finish number 1 is with the best ending scene of a movie. Watching Spider-Man web-sling his way through New York city is simply a thing of beauty. If you have not seen the movie The Amazing Spider-Man, I cannot stress how much you need to see it without sounding like a complete fan-girl.
Captain America gained popularity throughout the Marvel Universe due to his patriotism. His inspiration and work ethic is admirable. Despite not having the coolest superpowers, he has still proven that he's not a force to be reckoned with. His expertise with his shield allows him to be an offensive threat to any villain and his leadership is astounding. Because of his talents, it's no wonder he was chosen to be affiliated with the Avengers.
9. Daredevil
Matt Murdock a.k.a. "The Man Without Fear" comes in at number 9. Daredevil is one of the most engaging and darkest superheroes in superhero history. One of the attributes that makes a superhero so interesting is his/her background. Daredevil story originates in New York City, the city that never sleeps. One day, Murdock was blinded by a vehicle's obnoxious light which contained a radioactive substance. Although he lost his sight, the rest of his senses were strengthened immensely. His father, a boxer who supported him since he was a child, was assaulted and killed by gangsters after he refused to fight with them. Daredevil's first task as a superhero was to get his revenge on them and so his story began. Lurking in the shadows, keen senses, athletic...not even a ten page essay could completely describe just how awesome this guy really is.
8. Wonder Woman
I really wish I could rank her higher but there are just too many amazing super heroes out there. However, without a doubt, Wonder Woman is definitely the best female super hero there is. (Sorry Catwoman) Wonder Woman not only promotes female empowerment, but does it in a killer manner. Don't underestimate her physical abilities because she can fight just as well as most other male superheroes. She is part of the Justice League Trinity with two other fantastic superheroes. This character was definitely a big win for DC comics. Not only is she strong, but she also promotes good qualities. Her most common themes are peace, justice, and love. While standing for what's right, she still intrigues the audience with her stellar combat.
7. Flash
It seems like every superhero is just another jack-of-all-trades and that there just good at everything. This is what makes Flash so popular. He isolates himself from the rest of the superheroes because he is not good at everything. He is excellent at one thing, and that's his ability to run. Of course, while maintaining a pretty good ability to fight, he is most often noted for his supernatural speed. Imagine being a villain and trying to stop him. It would be difficult to even see him. Flash's main technique against enemies is to tire them out and defeat them which proves to be a very successful strategy. Flash has also been depicted as a vital component of the Justice league. Because of his unique qualities, "Scarlet Speeder" is undoubtedly ranked as number 7.
6. Professor X
Professor X is by far one of the physically weakest superheros ever but this doesn't hold him back from defeating his villains. As evident from the image above, Professor Charles Xavier uses his mind to defeat his opponents. He is definitely a great addition to the already powerful X-Men. His telepathic abilities allow him to infiltrate his opponents' minds which makes any villain who goes against him an easy target. Some people can defeat villains physically, and others mentally. Professor X is one of the few who mentally manipulates him opponents which gives him an unfair advantage over any criminal who crosses his path.
5. Superman
I know the fact that he is ranked number 5 is definitely a shocker for many of you superhero fans out there, but I can explain. It's honestly a pity that I couldn't rank him higher but once again there are just so many awesome superheroes out there. Many people think that Superman is the best superhero out there, which is a valid argument. So a message to all of you Superman fans, please do not be offended. My reasoning behind his ranking at number 5 is that he's just not that exciting. He is a patriot and role model like Captain America but there is nothing too interesting about their personalities. Superman is just an ideal man with extraordinary superpowers but the lack of an interesting personality is why his ranking is so low. However, his physical ability is also what makes him a part of this top ten list. The "Man of Steel" definitely still deserves respect for his superpowers. His ability to fly and distinct hand-to-hand combat make him almost impossible to beat. He is also one of the most important members in the Justice League. Despite my disinterest in his personality, his background is interesting to some. Rocketed from Krypton to planet Earth, Superman's story began in Smallville, Kansas where he was raised. When he grew up, the responsibility of being a superhero automatically was assigned to him as he saved his city time and time again. My only criticism of Superman is that he is too perfect. He is the ideal man and sometimes the story of a perfect superhero bores me and feels quite repetitive. Despite this flaw, Superman remains in the top ten list due to his brute strength and somewhat interesting background.
4. Iron Man
There are so many characteristics of Iron Man that are impressive, I simply just don't know where to start. How about we start with my favorite attribute, his attitude. You gotta love the character Tony Stark. Although he talks so much trash, his speeches are all true and he is able to back it up. A lot of times in both the comics and movies (i.e. Avengers), you find that Iron Man's sarcastic comments are actually true. Some people love him for this comedic attribute but others just cannot bear it. Well regardless, the guy's gotta unique personality, that's for sure. Secondly, look at his suit! No, he has no natural power or radioactive accident, but he was able to create his own superpowers by his ingenious design. Third, Iron Man has an awesome story which still relates to his suit. In his story, Tony Stark was kidnapped and received a chest injury from the incident. The kidnappers ordered him to create a weapon of mass destruction but Stark refused an used his brilliant skills to create his powerful suit of armor that contains some stunningly advanced military technology. Iron Man's team affiliation is with the Avengers. Many think that Captain America or the Incredible Hulk were the leaders of the group but let's not forget that Iron Man is the one who saved them in the movie, The Avengers. He was also quick to help out his teammates even though there was clearly some tension in the air between them all. Iron Man's powerful suit, interesting story background, and cocky attitude land him at number four.
3. Wolverine
"I'm the best there is at what I do, but what I do best isn't very nice." Wolverine is definitely the X-Men's most valuable superhero. Just look at him! Without a doubt, he is one of the physically strongest superheroes of all time. His astonishing brute force and animal-keen senses allow him to fight unthinkably. Wolverine also possesses the ability to heal automatically from a wound with some time only adding to his physical strengths. Additionally, he possesses retractable bone claws and canines. His noticeable physical trait is his signature three blades on each hand. Wolverine is known for his slashing and stabbing which makes him so entertaining. Wolverine also plays a very interesting character. His character is funny and witty just like Iron Man which is yet another engaging attribute of his. Wolverine's past mistakes motivate him to be the best man he can be. His unnatural strength and animal-like characteristics make him one heck of a superhero.
2. Spider-Man
Personally, I believe this superhero is Marvel's greatest bragging right. He easily has one of the most appealing story background and his web-slinging action is too addicting. If this were a story-telling contest, folks you have your number 1. Peter Parker, your typical high school nerd, gets bitten by a radioactive spider and little did he know that the event would change his life forever. Before the incident, Parker has several problems both with his family life and school life. His characterization is so interesting to follow as he experiences so many different internal and external conflicts. He experiences girl problems, bullies, the death of his Uncle, and growing up without his real parents. Once he gets bitten by the spider, he realizes his physical abilities have changed drastically and is now a much stronger man that he was. He also gains spider-like qualities such as being able to climb walls. The death of his Uncle is what motivates him to become a superhero. Not only is his story super cool, but just watching him action is a delight you cannot miss. The villains in his comics/movies are also awesome which only adds to the already satisfying entertainment. His fighting techniques are based off spider-movements. He is very agile and quick with his flips and moves. Another contest where Spider-Man would finish number 1 is with the best ending scene of a movie. Watching Spider-Man web-sling his way through New York city is simply a thing of beauty. If you have not seen the movie The Amazing Spider-Man, I cannot stress how much you need to see it without sounding like a complete fan-girl.
1. Batman
Genius, mixed-martial artist, tactician, user of advanced weaponry, container of stealth, millionaire, philanthropist, escape artist...Bruce Wayne does it all. Batman is the number 1 superhero of all time and this is no surprise. Not only are the comics entertaining, but the Dark Knight movie series, produced by Christopher Nolan, are rated as some of the best movies in recent times. I mentioned earlier with Daredevil that he was a dark superhero which made him much cooler. Well using that logic, Batman is the coolest. Trained in the League of Shadows, Batman is one of few superheros who knows how to use darkness to his advantage. Batman also contains high-tech devices such as bat-arang or high-tech vehicles such as his bat-mobile. But wait, Batman's physical ability does not stop there. Although he has no superpower, he still obtains the ability to fly/glide using his cape and bat-rope. Another big advantage is his capability to fight. He is one of the best fighters in strict hand-to-hand combat and his power his unbeatable. Batman's knowledge and wisdom also allows him to win his fights. His strategies often work to perfection as he ingeniously prepare how he is going to defeat his opponent before fighting with them. Batman's story is also quite engaging. Although Spider-Man got number 1 in the story contest, Batman wins number 2 in that category. Batman faces many problems such as his love life, his belief on heroism, the police trying to catch him, and his fights with criminals. In the movie, The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent says, "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.". This quote always sticks in Batman's mind as he does not know what he should do. The plot in Batman comics/movies are very engaging and the villains are just terrifying. The setting is also amazing. Gotham City is a dark gloomy city known for its crime.Watching some of the villains in the city is sure to thrill you. Conclusively, Batman is and always will be the best superhero because of his superiority in all categories of heroism.
Genius, mixed-martial artist, tactician, user of advanced weaponry, container of stealth, millionaire, philanthropist, escape artist...Bruce Wayne does it all. Batman is the number 1 superhero of all time and this is no surprise. Not only are the comics entertaining, but the Dark Knight movie series, produced by Christopher Nolan, are rated as some of the best movies in recent times. I mentioned earlier with Daredevil that he was a dark superhero which made him much cooler. Well using that logic, Batman is the coolest. Trained in the League of Shadows, Batman is one of few superheros who knows how to use darkness to his advantage. Batman also contains high-tech devices such as bat-arang or high-tech vehicles such as his bat-mobile. But wait, Batman's physical ability does not stop there. Although he has no superpower, he still obtains the ability to fly/glide using his cape and bat-rope. Another big advantage is his capability to fight. He is one of the best fighters in strict hand-to-hand combat and his power his unbeatable. Batman's knowledge and wisdom also allows him to win his fights. His strategies often work to perfection as he ingeniously prepare how he is going to defeat his opponent before fighting with them. Batman's story is also quite engaging. Although Spider-Man got number 1 in the story contest, Batman wins number 2 in that category. Batman faces many problems such as his love life, his belief on heroism, the police trying to catch him, and his fights with criminals. In the movie, The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent says, "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.". This quote always sticks in Batman's mind as he does not know what he should do. The plot in Batman comics/movies are very engaging and the villains are just terrifying. The setting is also amazing. Gotham City is a dark gloomy city known for its crime.Watching some of the villains in the city is sure to thrill you. Conclusively, Batman is and always will be the best superhero because of his superiority in all categories of heroism.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Entry #1: Blogging - Do's & Don'ts
Blogs are simply records of an individual or group designed for a purpose. People always question why some blogs are successful and other blogs are not. Personally, I believe any blog can be successful as long as the blogger knows his/her purpose, audience, and tone. Each blog attracts a certain audience. In this post, I will be telling you how to expand your audience with what to do and what not to do.

The official Whole Foods Market blog is an extremely well constructed blog. Although it professional and gets it point it across, it still attracts the audience by connecting with them through holidays or question posts. Despite not being a cook myself, I might read this blog just because some of its posts are so interesting. For example the "Tell Us Your Recipe for Romance" questions viewers what foods can win an individual's heart. Even by blogging about something you love (food), your audience can still consist of other viewers who are not cooks just as long as you find ways to interest them.

Another great blog is The Everywhereist. The blog was created by a woman who travels around the world blogging all the great places she visits with her husband. The blog engages the reader at instant site as it includes personal background. The tone of this blog is happy and funny which also helps keep the audience involved.

Believe it or not, a blog that did not particularly interest me was Google's official blog. It is a successful blog because of its successful business. The main purpose of the blog is to inform the audience about the latest Google products and technology. My problem with this blog is that it does not interest the reader at first sight. It mainly supplies technological help but I am already pretty good with technology. It has no other features of direct interest and therefore its audience is only intended for people intrigued by technology or need help with how to use technology. Because of this, the official blog of Google cannot expand to a larger audience.
In order to write a good blog, there must be a target audience. You also definitely want to find ways to engage the reader and interest them into further reading. One thing all three of these blogs did well, was designing. You definitely want your blog to look good at first sight. Even if your blog is narrowed to a certain topic (basketball, music, traveling), you can still find ways to attract a larger audience. Another important aspect is tone. One of the things The Everywhereist did was use tone quite effectively. The narrator often made subtle but humorous jokes that wanted to keep me reading. Tone is just one of the many ways you can expand your audience. In conclusion, to make a successful blog, the blogger must efficiently use rhetoric to construct and organize it.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Introduction
Hello everyone! My name is Sameen and I'm from Phoenix, Arizona. I lived in Southern California for a brief amount of time. Believe it or not, I am actually a sophomore in high school at the moment. I attend Mountain Ridge High School and take classes at Glendale Community College as part of its wonderful high school dual enrollment program. I greatly enjoy both watching and playing sports. Some of my favorite sports include basketball, boxing, and American football. As you may imagine, I am a big fan of the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, and the San Francisco 49ers (hopefully the Super Bowl winners!). I also love to listen to music. I listen to a lot of the rap/hip-hop genre. I listen to artists as early as Tupac Shakur to modern-day Meek Mill. So long-story short, I would like to end by welcoming you to my blog and sending you my many thanks for reading!
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