Question

MEDALS FOR HELP!!!!!!!!!! I am doing a speech for my English final tomorrow and I need as many people as possible to read it over and give me feedback. I failed the last one (midterm speech) so i really need the help here. we're supposed to be answering the question "what kind of knowledge changes our lives?'

Answer 1

this is the speech i have so far


Memories. It’s something everyone has, and cherishes. And knowledge is composed of memories. They’re something we gain constantly on a day to day basis. We’ve been asked the question, “What kind of knowledge changes our lives?” And well, I’m not exactly sure about it. Maybe to some, it’s a memory about learning of longitude as a little girl, or maybe it’s one of being called a ‘stinkpot and a thief’ on a subway in France. But to me, a memory that stands out in your mind is the kind of knowledge that changes our lives. Whether it’s a beating as a small child, or a social experiment, All that matters is that it has a lasting effect on your mind and possibly even the way you think and understand the world around you.
Susanna Kaysen was a troubled teenage girl. In her memoir ‘Girl, Interrupted’ She tells about a few events that changed her life entirely. After attempting suicide, she is sent off to Claymore Mental Hospital. Here, (of all places) she finally comes out of her shell and makes a few friends. She also learns that she has what is called borderline personality disorder. This is new information to her. And knowing it creates a difference her. It changes her outlook on life and makes her question what is real and what is not. She questions her ‘disease’ and if she is actually crazy or not. Susanna even goes as far as to question whether or not she has bones in her hand at one point and tries to rip her hand open to find out. This “little outburst” landed her in solitary confinement for the night. The other thing that she learns at this ‘interesting’ place, is that writing seems to help her ‘condition’. This then changed her life, yet again. She began writing her thoughts and some short stories in a journal which helped her to recover. Susanna later built the career she has today off of this realization. She has published 5 books in total, and her chronicle ‘Girl, Interrupted’ was adapted into a film in 1999 after the book became a bestseller when it was published in 1993. Learning her diagnosis and that writing could help her were pieces of knowledge that changed her life.
Another person who had an experience at a young age that shaped his life was Richard Wright. In his book, ‘Black Boy’ he tells of an event that happened to him as a small child. While living at his grandmother’s house, the woman that boarded there was reading on the porch. He begged her to read to him, and so she did. From this point on, he craved books. Richard would steal them from her room and read them in private. Just soaking it in. Coming to the realization that books, were in fact so amazing and powerful, he made a vow to himself that no matter what it took, he would have that taste of literature. He even withstood a violent beating in an attempt to salvage these books. When he was older, instead of reading, Mr. Wright became a very good writer, as well as a very influential figure in the world of African American literature as well. The one bit of knowledge of what books had the power to do, changed his life forever. And eventually became his career. He published 21 different books ranging from nonfiction to fiction, to drama. Wright also published 6 essays and 1 piece of poetry throughout his lifetime. He wanted to incite those same feelings that he had felt that day on the porch in others, and thats what he did.
A third person for whom knowledge has changed his life, is Jake Reilly. He did what he calls ‘The Amish Project” which is where one goes 90 days without any modern technological ‘conveniences’ such as a cell phone, email, and social media. In a telephone interview with Brad Sylvester, he tells about just some of the things he learned through this experience. He came to realize that what seemed to be technological advances, were really setbacks in the social atmosphere. He said that he would spend about an hour and a half per day. And for what? Absolutely nothing. Jake also learned that many people he considered to be friends, really weren’t. They never made any sort of effort to keep in contact with him, and the relationships just faded. Jake says that with this social experiment, he has learned a lot. He has become much more aware of how much time he and his friends are spending on the computer or their phones. Reilly has even decided to dump some of the social media websites and apps that had taken up so much of his time before. Overall, this experiment has changed his way of thinking and impacted his life and way of thinking greatly.
There are many forms of knowledge that could possibly change our lives. But, the ones that are the most pertinent are the bits and pieces of knowledge that stand out in our memory, makes us realize something about ourselves, and sticks with us. Something such as the first time a book makes you a part of that story, can influence you to become a great writer later on in life. Or being told you're insane can kickstart a plan for recovery and lead to a best selling book and a movie about that experience. Even something such as doing a small social experiment on your own can change who you’re friends with. As well as redefine the way you look at technology and life as a whole. Any of these sorts of experiences can spur memories and knowledge that changes your life just as it has done so for so many others before.

Answer 2

@dan815 could you help?

Answer 3

What can i do for you?

Answer 4

just read it and tell me what you think and if i've answered the question or not

Answer 5

@hugsnotughs could you read it too please?

Answer 6

Yes I can. :) I actually won a speech award one time. :P I'm sure it's awesome. :3

Answer 7

awesome. thank you guys so much. you're literally saving me from summer school right now.

Answer 8

Time to get critical... (❁￣ω￣;)

Okay, I read half of it. I just want to say...it's a bit confusing and mixed up. First you seem to be talking about how knowledge is composed of memories and give examples of...memories. In the second paragraph you say how memories effect someone's life...by using the "Girl, Interrupted" example. Then you start a paragraph with "Another person who had an experience at a young age that shaped his life " which confuses the reader into thinking that this is now about how difficulties in early life shapes a persons future life. Before we start any suggestions...I want you to please tell me in one sentence what kind of knowledge changes our lives?

Answer 9

something that causes a prominent memory or realization that stands out in your head

Answer 10

Okay so basically a memory that makes you realize or WONDER? <--??I think you should instead say wonder, because some people don't realize so quickly, and like you said in the "Girl, Interrupted" example, the girl finds out she has a condition and she is wondering and questioning.

So let's keep moving. So this memory that stands out in your head...why is it a kind of knowledge that can change our lives? And why do you think memories are knowledge? (that last one is so you can make the unbelievers believe)

Answer 11

well. when you do sometihing that is important and that changes your life, you gain knowledge and create a memory of it

Answer 12

Okay...so then why do you think these memories that stand out change our lives? Oh wait, you said this in the examples...they make you wonder and think and effect your future and your choices...right? :)

Answer 13

somethin like that i think.

Answer 14

You think or you know? Why do YOU think these memories change our lives?

Answer 15

well, with each of the people, the experience or realization became something bigger and changed their way of thinking

Answer 16

I think I am going to start correcting and adding/subtracting some things to the speech, if that's okay. :)

Answer 17

go for it. i've been doing a little editing as well. it has to be betwen 3 and 4 minutes and it was amlost 6 before so yeah. :P

Answer 18

Okay. I'll do what I can! I have to go soon, but I will try to do as much as I can! ^_^

Answer 19

okay. thank you so much. you have no idea how much this is helping me.
(/).(\) i feel so bad thatthis thing is due tomorrow and it's not done tho.

Answer 20

i've gotten it down to 4;18.2

Answer 21

i also think you have to restructure a little better, your ideas are not very clear, and your arguments dont support your thesis too well

Answer 22

harsh criticism :)

Answer 23

Memories. It’s something everyone has, and cherishes. And knowledge is composed of memories. We’ve been asked the question, “What kind of knowledge changes our lives?” And well, I’m not exactly sure about it. Maybe to some, it’s a memory about learning of longitude as a little girl, or maybe it’s one of being called a ‘stinkpot and a thief’ on a subway in France. But to me, the kind of knowledge that changes our lives is a memory that stands out in your mind. Whether it’s a beating as a small child, or a social experiment, All that matters is that it has a lasting effect on your mind and possibly even the way you think and understand the world around you.
Susanna Kaysen was a troubled teenage girl. In her memoir ‘Girl, Interrupted’ She tells about a few events that changed her life entirely. After attempting suicide, she is sent off to Claymore Mental Hospital. Here, she learns that she has what is called borderline personality disorder. This is new information to her. It changes her outlook on life and makes her question what is real and what is not. She questions her ‘disease’ and if she is actually crazy or not. Susanna even goes as far as to question whether or not she has bones in her hand at one point and tries to rip her hand open to find out. This “little outburst” landed her in solitary confinement for the night. The other thing that she learns at this ‘interesting’ place, is that writing seems to help her ‘condition’. This then changed her life, yet again. She began writing her thoughts and some short stories in a journal which helped her to recover. Susanna later built the career she has today off of this realization. She has published 5 books in total, and her chronicle ‘Girl, Interrupted’ was adapted into a film in 1999 after the book became a bestseller when it was published in 1993. Learning her diagnosis and that writing could help her were pieces of knowledge that changed her life.
Another person who had an experience at a young age that shaped his life was Richard Wright. In his book, ‘Black Boy’ he tells of an event that happened to him as a small child. A woman that boarded at his grandmother’s house was reading on the porch. He begged her to read to him, and so she did. From this point on, he craved books. Richard would steal them from her room and read them in private. Coming to the realization that books, were in fact so amazing and powerful, he made a vow to himself that no matter what it took, he would have that taste of literature. He even withstood a violent beating in an attempt to salvage these books. Later on, instead of reading, Mr. Wright became an author. He published 21 different books ranging from nonfiction to fiction, to drama. Wright also published 6 essays and 1 piece of poetry throughout his lifetime. The one bit of knowledge of what books had the power to do, changed his life forever.
A third person for whom knowledge has changed his life, is Jake Reilly. He did what he calls ‘The Amish Project” which is where one goes 90 days without any modern technological ‘conveniences’ such as a cell phone, and computer. In a telephone interview with Brad Sylvester, he tells about just some of the things he learned through this experience. He came to realize that what seemed to be technological advances, were really setbacks in the social atmosphere. He said that he would spend about an hour and a half per day on facebook. And for what? Absolutely nothing. Jake also learned that many people he considered to be friends, really weren’t. They never made any sort of effort to keep in contact with him without technology, and the relationships just faded. Jake has become much more aware of how much time he and his friends are spending on technology. Reilly has even decided to dump some of the social media websites and apps that had taken up so much of his time before. Overall, this experiment has changed his way of thinking and impacted his life greatly.
There are many forms of knowledge that could possibly change our lives. But, the ones that are the most pertinent are the bits and pieces of knowledge that stand out in our memory, makes us realize something about ourselves, and sticks with us. Something such as the first time a book makes you a part of that story, can influence you to become a great writer later on in life. Or being told you're insane can kickstart a plan for recovery and lead to a best selling book and a movie about that experience. Even something such as doing a small social experiment on your own can change who you’re friends with and redefine the way you look at technology. Any of these sorts of experiences can spur memories and knowledge that changes your life just as it has done so for so many others before.

Answer 24

is this better?

Answer 25

Memories. It’s something everyone has and cherishes. We’ve been asked the question, “What kind of knowledge changes our lives?” And I believe that the kind of knowledge that changes our lives are memories..(memories that stand out). You may be thinking "Whoa, memories aren't the same thing as knowledge" But knowledge is composed of memories. This memory that "stands out" can be something like a child finding our her mother has passed away, or a person finding out he or she has cancer. The memory of these events make you think and wonder about your future and literally change your life.

The words in (parenthesis) i am unsure of.

I'm not a great writer btw. xD

Answer 26

Oh let me read that, didnt see ur reply. :3

Answer 27

holy bananas that's beautiful. 0.0 i don't wanna take it tho...

Answer 28

I basically mixed your stuff around, took some stuff away, and (accidentally) put my own examples. It's fine. :P But let me finish reading urs. :)

Answer 29

I am going to have to be back later. :|

Answer 30

okie

Answer 31

alright. i think i'm just gonna settle with what i have at this point.

Answer 32

@dan815 can you give @hugsnotughs a medal please? i can only give one. :/