New Criticism When I Heard a LearnD Astronomer free essay sample

Jason Wilson claims â€Å"the structure of a story can relate its author and the ideological system† of the story itself (33). Evaluating the structure of â€Å"When I Heard a Learn’d Astronomer† this is demonstrated. The poem can be broken down into two sections splitting directly down the middle; the first four lines and the last four lines. These sections can be categorized just as Linda Wagner-Martin labeled two sections of the poem â€Å"Laying the Dust. † She called the first section a â€Å"simple happening† while the latter is a result of the happening being called â€Å"from this experience, the poet concludes† (45). To begin the speaker of the poem describes the instruction he is receiving from the â€Å"learn’d astronomer† simply and with minimal interest. The word â€Å"When† introducing the first line of every line in the first section unifies the idea of boredom the speaker has throughout that entire section. Parallel structure is applied while describing the learn’d astronomer’s visual aids such as: the proofs, the figures, the charts, the diagrams and so on. We will write a custom essay sample on New Criticism When I Heard a LearnD Astronomer or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This type of structure is used to lengthen the time of the lecture and quantify the amount of visual aids the learned astronomer has with him. Action words, as a result of the first half of the poem, are evident throughout the second section of the poem such as: the speaker rises, glides, wanders and so forth. The structure of the poem helps to present the message of knowledge comes by experience and initiative. Constant contrast are unmistakable in the poem convince the reader of the difference between the lecture and the evening with nature. Richard S. Calhoun describes paradoxes as the â€Å"central argument in poetry† (pars. 15). Reflecting back on the beginning of the poem the speaker states that he is being lectured by a learn’d astronomer. Calhoun’s description is validated concerning the speaker who does not gain knowledge of astronomy from the learn’d astronomer. When describing the atmosphere of the speaker’s learning environment Whitman states the learn’d astronomer lectured in the lecture-room. Other words such as â€Å"instruct† or even â€Å"teach† indicate the same as lecture but repetition, prolonging the moment, suggests the lecture’s monotony. In the next line of the poem it states, â€Å"How soon unaccountable I became,† as a product of the lecture (line 5). The learning experience and how the speaker felt contrasts heavily with the atmosphere the speaker experienced being outdoors. Wagner-Martin states â€Å"silence can go beyond the effectiveness of sound† (56). Outdoors there was not a person talking let alone lecturing but there was â€Å"perfect silence† (8). Lastly, the speaker sharply contrasts the description of the lecture-room to the outdoors. With all of the items mentioned with the lecturer, the lecture-room may be imagined cluttered or busy by the reader but the speaker outside in the primitive world signifies room and space. Throughout the poem, word choice is significant using denotation and connotation to fully understand the rationale behind why those words were chosen. Beginning with the title â€Å"When I Heard a Learn’d Astronomer,† the word â€Å"Heard† does not denote understanding or knowledge but merely as it is defined â€Å"to perceive by ear. † The next word in the title is â€Å"Learn’d. † A person who is learned indicates a highly educated person but the speaker uses slang or not the grammatically correct version of the word to describe someone as learned. Calhoun states â€Å"form and content are regarded as inseparable† by varying the word learned to â€Å"Learn’d† it changes the quality of knowledge from the â€Å"Learn’d Astronomer. † In the poem, during the lecture, the speaker becomes â€Å"tired and sick† (5). Although â€Å"tired† is commonly used to express someone who is over taken by boredom, the word â€Å"sick† illustrates the level of abhorrence the speaker was experiencing. After the speaker leaves the classroom, the tone of the poem shifts from dreadful to dreamy as he wanders off by himself in the â€Å"mystical† night air from â€Å"time to time† (7). Ending the poem,†Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars† implies the speaker is content and full of wisdom from just looking at the stars (8). Wagner-Martin suggests â€Å"silence surrounds the facts† and â€Å"it can permit people to truly know what they are seeing† (56). Once the speaker left the lecture-room and went outdoors, he became aware to all of the knowledge that was around him. The advantage of New Criticism allows literary works to be analyzed separately without common influences so that readers can determine their own meaning of the literary work.

Understanding Highway Hypnosis

Understanding Highway Hypnosis Have you ever driven home and arrived at your destination without remembering how you got there? No, you werent abducted by aliens or taken over by your alternate persona. You simply experienced highway hypnosis. Highway hypnosis or white line fever is a trance-like state under which a person drives a motor vehicle in a normal, safe manner yet has no recollection of having done so. Drivers experiencing highway hypnosis may zone out for short distances or hundreds of miles. The idea of highway hypnosis was first introduced in an 1921 article as road hypnotism, while the term highway hypnosis was introduced in 1963 by G.W. Williams. In the 1920s, researchers observed motorists appeared to fall asleep with their eyes open and continue to steer vehicles normally. In the 1950s, some psychologists suggested otherwise unexplained automobile accidents might be due to highway hypnosis. However, modern studies suggest there is a difference between driving while tired and automatic driving. Key Takeaways: Highway Hypnosis Highway hypnosis occurs when a person zones out while driving a motor vehicle, often driving a significant distance with no memory of having done so.Highway hypnosis is also known as automatic driving. It is not the same as fatigued driving, as a person may engage in automatic driving safely. Safety and reaction times are negatively affected by driving when tired.Ways to avoid highway hypnosis include driving during daytime, drinking a caffeinated beverage, keeping the interior of the vehicle cool, and engaging in conversation with a passenger. Highway Hypnosis Versus Fatigued Driving Highway hypnosis is an example of the phenomenon of automaticity. Automaticity is the ability to perform actions without consciously thinking about them. People perform daily activities automatically all the time, such as walking, riding a bike, or performing a learned and practiced skill, such as knitting. Once a skill is mastered, its possible to perform it while focusing on other tasks. For example, a person skilled at driving a car can plan a grocery list while driving. Because the stream of consciousness is directed at the other task, partial or complete amnesia of the time spent driving can occur. While driving on automatic may seem hazardous, automaticity may actually be superior to conscious driving for professional or skilled drivers. This is called the centipede effect after the fable of the centipedes dilemma or Humphreys law after psychologist George Humphrey. In the fable, a centipede was walking along as usual until another animal asked it how it moved with so many feet . When the centipede thought about walking, its feet became entangled. Humphrey described the phenomenon another way, No man skilled at a trade needs to put his constant attention on the routine work. If he does, the job is apt to be spoiled. In the context of driving, thinking too hard about the actions being performed may worsen the skill. For most drivers, the dull trance state they experience is really falling asleep at the wheel rather than hypnosis. While a person experiencing true highway hypnosis automatically scans the environment for threats and alerts the brain of danger, a tired driver starts to experience tunnel vision and reduced awareness of other drivers and obstacles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatigued driving accounts for over 100,000 collisions per year and about 1550 deaths. Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous, as it increases reaction time and impairs coordination, judgement, and memory. Numerous studies have shown sleep-deprived driving is more dangerous than driving under the influence of a 0.05% blood alcohol level. The distinction between highway hypnosis and fatigue driving is that its possible to experience automaticity while being wide awake. Driving when tired, on the other hand, can lead to falling asleep at the wheel. How to Stay Awake at the Wheel Whether youre freaked out by the idea of driving on autopilot (highway hypnosis) or are tired and trying to stay awake at the wheel, there are steps you can take to improve your focus and wakefulness. Drive in Daylight:  Driving during daylight hours helps prevent fatigue driving because people are naturally more alert under lighted conditions. Also, the scenery is more interesting/less monotonous, so its easier to remain aware of surroundings. Drink Coffee:  Drinking coffee or another caffeinated beverage helps keep you awake a few different ways. First, the caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, which fights sleepiness. The stimulant increases metabolism and directs the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream, which feeds your brain. Caffeine also acts as a diuretic, meaning youll have to stop for a bathroom break more often if you drink a lot while driving. Finally, consuming either a very hot or very cold drink will command your attention. If you prefer not to take more bathroom breaks, caffeine pills are available over the counter to provide the benefits without the additional liquid. Eat Something:  Munching on a snack gives you immediate energy and requires just enough attention to keep you on task. Have Good Posture:  Good posture maximizes blood flow throughout the body, helping to keep you in top form. Crank the A/C:  Its harder to fall asleep or into a trance if youre uncomfortable. One way to achieve this is to make the inside of the vehicle uncomfortably cold. During warm months, you can turn the air conditioner down to some arctic setting. In the winter, cracking a window helps. Listen to Music You Hate:  Music you enjoy may lull you into a relaxed state, while tunes you loathe cause irritation. Think of it as a sort of audio thumbtack, preventing you from getting too comfortable to doze off. Listen to People Talking:  Engaging in a conversation or listening to talk radio requires more concentration than listening to music. For most people, its a pleasant way to pass the time while remaining clear-headed. For drivers who seek to get into the zone, the sound may be an unwanted distraction. Stop and Take a Break:  If youre driving tired, youre dangerous to yourself and others. Sometimes the best course of action is to get off the road and get some rest! Prevent Problems:  If you know youll be driving a long distance, at night, or in poor weather, you can prevent a lot of problems by making certain youre well-rested before starting the trip. Catch a nap before trips that start later in the day. Avoid taking medications that make you drowsy, such as antihistamines or sedatives. References Peters, Robert D. Effects of Partial and Total Sleep Deprivation on Driving Performance, US Department of Transportation, February 1999.Underwood, Geoffrey D. M. (2005). Traffic and transport psychology: theory and application: proceedings of the ICTTP 2004. Elsevier. pp. 455–456.Weiten, Wayne.  Psychology Themes and Variations  (6th ed.). Belmont, California: Wadsworth/Thomas Learning. p.  200Williams, G. W. (1963). Highway Hypnosis.  International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis  (103): 143–151.

Revising and Editing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Revising and Editing - Essay Example When revising a paper, one needs to focus beyond the simple grammar issues such as punctuation, spellings, and vocabulary use. Instead, revision must involve revisiting the paper and working on the weaknesses in the paper. First, one should ensure that the structure and organization of the paper is correct, with no component missing. The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion must all be in place. Bearing the assignment topic in mind, one must read the paper to ensure the content of the writing marries the assignment topic. This is important to avoid irrelevance. The flow of ideas from topic to topic in the paper is also paramount during revision. One may also focus on the transitioning between paragraphs as an aspect that enhances flow of work. In addition, one must check that their ideas in the paper, as well as their arguments are in line with their thesis statement. Since revision is an involving process, one may need to re-write paragraphs to bring them to right desired standards.Revising mainly serves the function of ensuring that the presentation of the writing to the audience is effective. This is why revision focuses on the readability of the writing, the clarity of the work, as well as the logic of the paper. Failure to focus on these during revision may lead to misrepresentation and misinterpretation of the ideas, irrelevance in the work, and generally a poor quality paper. Editing, on the other hand takes a different focus on the paper. It mainly entails proofreading the work.