Section from Paper 2:

I believe DFW’s views and ideas about how we think and our default setting is true. I strongly agree with his tactics of being mindful. David writes, “But most days, if you’re aware enough to give yourself a choice, you can choose to look differently at this fat, dead-eyed, over-made-up lady who just screamed at her kid in the checkout line. Maybe she’s not usually like this. Maybe she’s been up three straight nights holding the hand of a husband who is dying of bone cancer… Of course, none of this is likely, but it’s also not impossible.” (DFW 7.) This is an example of being mindful of the possibilities that others could be dealing with. You may know their name, but you don’t know their story, so be aware. I believe the characters in Paterniti’s piece could be taught DFW’s lesson, as well as myself. During times of road rage or even frustration with my daily life here at school leads me to, without even thinking about it, think about my own needs and how everyone is in my way. David’s explanation of our default setting is useful for trying to understand the interactions in “Eating Jack Hooker’s Cow”. The story reads, “Realized the Astro charged $28 for a single. Then, according to Jack and Bev Hooker, put that sign out. SINGLE, $26.95. See two signs now: one at the Holiday and one at the Thunderbird… Jack Hooker went right out and put up his own sign: AMERICAN OWNED. Donna retaliated by buying a bunch of American flags, put them up everywhere.” (Paterniti 10.) This shows the battle for business between two motel owners. Jack and Bev are both white Americans, they hate Donna. Donna is a Laotian-American, she hates Jack and Bev. They hate one another because they both “stand in the way” of each other in terms of business and success, but deep down it’s race and personal beliefs that stand in the way. It’s their default setting, their selfishness that stands in the way. 

This section of my paper is called a Barclay Paragraph. This paragraph helps me form a pattern for a paragraph and helps me connect and synthesize quotations from two different essays in support of my argument. It starts with a claim, any claim that I would like to make about my argument. I then make a brief introduction for the quote that I will use to support my claim. After I put the quote in, I give a brief explanation of how the quote relates to my argument. Then I insert a small transition to the next claim from the other essay. Then another intro, quote, and explanation. These paragraphs are great for helping me connect the two essays, which strengthens my essay. When it comes to writing claims, a quote, and an explanation for that quote, I am really good. I’ve been doing that type of writing since the 3rd grade for MCAS testing, so I’m really used to doing those types of paragraphs. Barclay paragraphs are not much different from the format of an MCAS open response answer. This prompt was particularly easier to make connections between the two essays, which was why it was my favorite paper to write. I understood both texts very well and could easily make connections between them in my head, this is why putting it onto paper came so easy for me.