Short Writing Assignment #1

Topic Proposal:

1.) The text I have chosen is "Ducks on a Pond."

2.) I believe the texts main point is that no matter what happens in the past, you need to enjoy everything, even the little things in the present.

3.) Pg. 256, the bottom of the page. "I wanted to steer the converstion back to baseball but it was difficult to keep Mixson on track. The park offered too many distrations. He soon turned his attention away from the family of ducks to a woodpecker fixated on an oak. Once more the diversion halted our progress. While the old man speculated on the number of times the bird could drill the tree in one minute.."

4.) The way it said the park offered to many distractions. For me it symbolized how the majority of the popultion today is in way to much of a hurry. This elderly gentleman likes to stop and notice every little thing around him. Also, they way he speculated about the woodpecker. Whens the last time that anyone stopped and was in awe of what a woodpecker can do rather then just being annoyed by the sound it makes. Finally in the first sentece when he says he was trying to steer the conversation one way but it was difficult to keep him on track. This is like a metaphor for how the old man feels about life. The narrator wants to steer him back to the old days, but Mixson just wants to keep driving forward.

5.) My passage doesnt have significant rhyme, rhythm, or alliteration.

6.) It contributes greatly to the message, because the author gives us a living example of how everyone should be.

Thesis: This paper will argue that, no matter previous experience, live and enjoy the now.