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1. How does Anderson define a Throughline?
- Anderson defines a throughline as a connecting theme that ties together each narrative element.

2. What is one of the steps to finding your Throughline?
-One of the first steps to finding your throughline is to figure out as much as you can about your audience.

3. What elements must a Throughline contain?
-A throughline must contain a short intriguing statement connecting to your topic.
4. List two quotes or examples that stick out to you.

“Think of the througline as a loop that connects five different boxes, each represents one of the pieces of work” (Schwartz 40).

“Does it inspire curiosity” (Schwartz 42)?

5. According to Anderson, what should a Throughline be?

-A throughline should be a short impactful statement that connects all of your elements together.

6. How is a Throughline different than a "topic"?

-I think a throughline is much more short and sweet than a topic, but it's still impactful.

7. Take what you know and have heard about thesis statements and compare the two. Is a throughline the same as a thesis? How is different?

-Througlines and thesis are very similar, they both give brief statements about what you're going to talk about. However, I believe a throughline is much briefer than a thesis statement and holds power in the words not said.

8. What are the components of the "right way" to write a TED Talk?

Keep it brief. Talks that are too long will lose the audience's attention.

There is power in the words not said

9. What is the difference between an issue and an idea?

-Issues deal with ethics and someone's morals, whereas, ideas should inspire curiosity.

10. What comes after you have your Throughline?

-After your throughline then comes to the elements connected to your topic.

Work Cited

Anderson, Chris. TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking.  First Mariner, 2017.

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1huzTmfgFQWCLGU2fpNE0Oa_AolxtBOsGPwfrUIQRq8k/edit?usp=sharing

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After watching the video I learned how to properly cite different types of sources in MLA. Something I didn’t know before watching the video is if you are using a source with multiple authors, the first author's name is always inverted (last name, first name). However, a second author's name will not be inverted when cited, and if the source has more than three authors only the first author is listed followed by et al. In addition, I learned that when there is more than one version of a source, to cite the version of the source you used. Similarly, if the source does not include a publication year, you should include the date you accessed it.

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While watching the video and reading the article linked I learned some new tricks and my memory was refreshed. First, I learned by dragging the blue rectangle located at the top of the Google Docs page to half an inch, it will indent the first sentence of every paragraph. Next, I learned you must use a hanging indentation for citations that have more than one line of text. To apply a hanging indentation, you pull the blue arrow at the top of the document to half an inch and drag the rectangle back to zero. Finally, I learned how to properly cite images in your writing. Cite the image by including the author's name, the title of the image, and the publication years below the image. In addition, If your image includes the full source information and is not cited anywhere else in your text, it may be excluded from the works cited page.

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The term APA stands for American Psychological Association. Academic research papers typically follow the APA style.

Below is an APA citation of one of my sources:

Salon, D. S., & Conway, M. W. C. (2021, May 17). The potential stickiness of pandemic-induced behavior changes in the United States. The Potential Stickiness of Pandemic-Induced Behavior Changes in the United States. Retrieved April 3, 2022, from https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2106499118

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I started my research journey reflecting on the change in the way I behave after quarantine, which brought up the question has the pandemic had an impact on the way we behave and think? During my journey, there were a few articles that greatly helped influence my understanding of this topic. The article “How Lockdown May Have Changed Your Personality,” by Christian Jarrett informed me that personality traits are not easily changed. Whereas, behavioral traits can be easily influenced and changed by everyday events and certainly one as big as the pandemic. Additionally, the article “The potential stickiness of pandemic-induced behavior changes in the United States,” by multiple authors shaped my understanding of how behaviors react to changes in routine. Small changes in daily habits such as what we eat for breakfast can create long-term behavioral changes. I want others to believe that behaviors can change, and we can use the information we know about behaviors' reactions to change to better ourselves.

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Cross-Pollination:

Cross-pollination is two things making something new, that can give us new insights into our research.

Remixing is a type of cross-pollination, where you take one idea from an area and use it in another area.

Examples of Cross-Pollination:

There is a problem in hospitals doing high-speed hand off’s, so the hospital called in a car pit crew to give them advice.

A space suit designer wants to improve mobility in her suit design, so she calls a car race suit designer to get insight on how they incorporate safety and mobility.

How to Cross-Pollinate:

Think in themes

Look at the opposite

Jump kingdoms

Look for overlaps between hobbies and interests

Types of primary research/ field work

Observing: Taking notes, watching research being conducted to understand information

Survey: Creating a list of questions for people to answer to collect data

Interview: Asking people questions to gain their insight on the topic

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https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/how-to-break-bad-habits-and-change-behaviors

For my cross-pollination, I decided to dive into the article “How To Break Bad Habits and Change Behaviors'' by heart.org, in which the relationship between habits and behaviors is explored. To begin, the article explains why habits are very difficult to change. When we form a habit we strengthen the path in our brain associated with that habit. Similarly, habits are very difficult to change because the behavior has become easy, to change a habit we have to practice difficult behavior. However, habits can be changed more easily by replacing the habit with a new one, instead of trying to get rid of the habit altogether. Finally, the article concludes by explaining that by incorporating simple habit changes into daily routines, bigger habits can become easier to change. After reading this, I found myself agreeing with the writer that habits can be changed by disrupting the habit with simple behaviors. Although, I was surprised that habits are easier to change by replacing the habit with something else. When looking at my bad habits, too often I have tried to get rid of the habit altogether and failed. However, I have had success in changing habits by forming new ones over them, so I can agree with the author. This topic has helped me to understand why new behaviors are easier to form than getting rid of a behavior. When looking at my topic of how quarantine has affected behaviors, I now think about the process that goes into forming new habits. So, much like habits, behaviors can be difficult to change, unless you form new behaviors to mask old ones.

“How to Break Bad Habits and Change Behaviors.” www.heart.org, 25 Jan. 2021, https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/how-to-break-bad-habits-and-change-behaviors.

Questions

Do you think our behaviors can be compared to habits?

Do you agree with the author that habits are easier replaced than changed?

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How to Break Bad Habits and Change Behaviors

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Old habits can be hard to break, and new habits hard to make, but with these six basic steps you can develop new, healthy behaviors that stick. Mike wrote a list, and checked it twice.

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Deep Reading: Option 1 Reading in the Zones

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Deep Reading: Option 1 Reading in the Zones

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While completing this project, I found myself paying more attention to important information in my chosen article. This assignment encouraged me to ask more questions about my source and its relation to my question. In addition to this, I dove deeper into the credibility of my source and its author.

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TED talk:

Confirmation bias: We accept what we want to be true, and reject what we don't want to hear.

Belle’s story: A woman named Belle claimed that her diet and exercise cured her cancer. She wrote a book about nutrition advice and sold millions of copies. It was later found out that Belle never had cancer.

Ways to find credible sources:

1. Examine the author's credentials

2. Peer-reviewed sources are usually reliable

C.R.A.P

Currency: How recent is the information? When was the site last updated?

Reliability: Pay attention to who is publishing the article. Does the author support their claims with evidence like graphs or charts? Is the article opinion or factual based? What are the publisher's credentials?

Authority: Who is the author/ publisher/ sponsor?

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness of the context. Is the information supported by evidence?

Purpose: What is the purpose of the source? If there are ads, or the publisher is trying to convince you to buy something it is most likely not credible. Why is the author publishing the article?

Research Review:

When looking back over some of the sources I have used. Some of them aren’t reliable, I have some sources that are clearly based on the publisher's opinion and are not factually based.

I looked into a publisher of one of my sources, Christian Jarrett. I found that he is a reliable source, he is a registered psychologist and a well-known author. Additionally, his article I looked into includes research and statistics like graphs.

Lateral Reading:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHNprb2hgzU&t=122s

After watching the video above about lateral reading, I learned you can check a source's reliability by researching multiple sources. When you read literally you can have multiple tabs open for research, it is also important not to get too hung up on a source.

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Sort Fact from Fiction Online with Lateral Reading

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Option 3:

Joshua Bell is one of the greatest violinists in the world. He held his first performance at the Boston state symphony hall. Although Joshua played the same music on the same violin, during his second performance no one listened. Aristotle begins by explaining what went wrong in Bell’s performance, he refers to his book “Rhetoric.” Logos is an idea that appeals to people's judgment. Ethos is reputation, is the source credible, trustworthy, and has authority. Pathos is the emotional connection the audience has to the subject. Similarly, Bell’s second performance was not successful because he was missing ethos and pathos. Since the great concert hall that hosts Joshua’s concert is trustworthy, we now trust Joshua. However, if Joshua were to perform in a subway we would not find him credible, since the subway doesn’t have our trust for musical talent. In addition, the subway is loud, there's a lot going on so Joshua loses pathos with his audience. A concert hall, however, is designed for an emotional bond between the performer and their audience.

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What Aristotle and Joshua Bell can teach us about persuasion - Conor Neill

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If someone approached me at a party and asked me what I was learning in English I would start by sharing that this class is much different from the classes I am used to but in a good way! One of the biggest differences in this class is we practice the skills learned in class by posting on our own blog in Padlet. Posting on our blog has helped me stay engaged and excited in my English learning journey and it allows me to practice the writing skills I learn. I would also include how this is my very first all remote class in college and how the transition has taught me how to better manage my time. In addition, English lessons about run-on sentences, capitalization rules, and the use of commas in dialogue have helped in improving my grammar skills in my writing. I have learned how to properly write an academic summary and create MLA citations without using a citation generator too! Finally, I have learned how to check if sources are reliable using the C.R.A.P test.

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I have backed up my Padlet.
I am successfully completing the Gatekeepers in the course.
I have left comments for my research team.

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In the article “The potential stickiness of pandemic-induced behavior changes in the United States,” multiple authors explore whether the pandemic has the potential to affect personalities. The authors start exploring this question by comparing and contrasting several studies that test the nature of personality change. Their provided research suggests that personalities are usually fixed and usually experience little or no change. However, it does suggest that changes in habits create the opportunity for long-term behavior change. Finally, the authors reflect on this data by informing their readers that most of the population will experience behavioral changes as they are forced to adjust their habits accordingly.

After reading this article my first impressions are I feel like this post is very credible. The authors backed up all of their claims that the lockdown most likely permanently changed the way that people behave with evidence and research studies from credible sources. They state “Nearly every human on the planet has been forced to modify their habits to adjust to the pandemic, creating an opportunity for long-term change” (PNAS). I was surprised to hear that the cause of behavioral changes resulted from shifts in our habits and how small adjustments in our habits can have long-term effects.

How did your habits change during lockdown? Do you still have some of these habits?

The Potential Stickiness of Pandemic-Induced. PNAS. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2106499118.

Word Count: 204
Time Spent: 32 min

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In “How Lockdown May Have Changed Your Personality,” the author Christian Jarrett explores the question of could lockdown change major personality traits? To begin Jarrett explains to the audience the nature of personality traits, he claims they are relatively stable at all times but not so fixed they can’t experience change. Additionally, he informs his audience that personality traits respond the most to major life events. Jarrett shares his own experience during the lockdown and how his behaviors as an introvert shifted, one of the biggest changes he shares is he no longer wants to go out after the lockdown ended. Similarly, he reflects on his personality at the beginning and end of lockdown and found little to no change at all. To further solidify his argument that the pandemic could easily change behaviors, but not personalities he shares data conducted by Florida State University that proved personality traits to be difficult to change.

After reading this source, I am surprised that personality traits rarely change. This article was much different than the last article I responded to, where the author shared how she felt her personality drastically changed. Additionally, reading this felt very formal as the author-backed all of his claims up with evidence from research and studies. Jarrett says “many months of changes to our routines may have led to changes in our behavior that will stick long after the pandemic has finished” (Jarrett).  Overall, I feel this article and Jarretts insights greatly helped my understanding of my question and has informed me that personality traits generally don’t change but behaviors do.

When you reflect on your personality, do you feel it changed much? Do you agree with Jarrett's claim that personalities stay fixed for the most Part?

Jarrett, Christian. “How Lockdown May Have Changed Your Personality.” BBC Future, BBC, 28 July 2020, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200728-how-lockdown-may-have-changed-your-personality.

Word Count: 289
Time Spent: 36 min

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There wasn't just one lockdown - we all had our own experience. Some people were forced into months of unbroken solitude, others trapped for weeks on end with an estranged spouse. Some saw it as a positive experience - a welcome opportunity to slow down, go for walks and relax with a loving partner, or enjoy quality time with the children.

Whichever way the lockdown played out, there has been one near universal aspect to the past months - it abruptly disrupted our daily routines and living arrangements in ways that would not normally occur.

Will this strange time have left its mark on us, not just superficially, but deep down? As we venture out tentatively, do we do so with our personalities somehow altered? And if so, how will our new selves cope as we begin to mix and travel once again?
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For much of psychology's history, personality - the set of enduring habits of behaviour, emotion and thought that form each person's unique identity - was considered set in stone, at least beyond early adulthood. Research over the last few decades, however, has led to a consensus that, while personality traits are relatively stable, they are not completely fixed. Instead they continue to evolve through life and in response to major life events.

In other words, from a theoretical perspective, there is every possibility that at least some of us will have been left changed by lockdown.

Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest the same. Although conscious that I've been more fortunate than many in my experience of the pandemic so far, I also know that I've been feeling less stressed due to less rushing around, but also more withdrawn and introverted. Friends of mine (also not too adversely affected) agree they feel different - more reflective, perhaps, but also less sociable.

"It's likely that these unprecedented times shaped people's personality traits to a certain degree as people were forced to leave their comfort zone and their daily routine," says Mirjam Stieger of the Lifespan Developmental Psychology Laboratory at Brandeis University, in Massachusetts, where she's been working on an app to help people deliberately change their traits.

The many months of changes to our routines may have led to changes in our behaviour that will stick long after the pandemic has finished. It "may lead to new norms, which may over time also shape our personalities," says Wiebke Bleidorn at the Personality Change Laboratory at the University of California, Davis.

But while many of the experts I contacted agreed that the pandemic, and the accompanying lockdowns, likely have already changed our personalities, at least a little, they also noted that it's very difficult to say exactly how much people will have been changed and in what ways. This is partly due to the lack of longitudinal data, but also because people's experiences of lockdown were so different and would have interacted with their pre-pandemic traits.

"I don't think there will be an average effect ... a trend that the majority of people will show," says Rodica Damian, from the Personality Development and Success Laboratory at the University of Houston.

Some preliminary data back this up. Angelina Sutin, a psychologist at Florida State University, led an as yet unpublished study that looked for signs of personality change during the very early stage of the pandemic in the US. It showed that most traits showed no average-level change at all, and contrary to expectations, average neuroticism actually fell slightly for those not in isolation, perhaps because people attributed feelings of stress to what was going on in the world, rather than to their own personality. Similarly, the personality testing company Hogan Assessments released preliminary data from the US suggesting average personality test scores had not changed during the first weeks of lockdown, up until early May.

But while we may not have developed a collective "lockdown personality", at least not in the early stages, there are some prior findings that hint at ways we might have been changed idiosyncratically, dependent on our specific circumstances. For instance, the lockdown might have turbo-charged a phenomenon known as "The Michelangelo Effect", which refers to the way we are more likely to develop into the kind of person we want to be if we're with a close romantic partner who supports and encourages us to behave in line with our aspirations - akin to a sculptor helping to reveal our ideal self.

People in loving relationships might also have had the chance to grow closer and deepen their bonds, notes Bleindorn, and to reflect on life and their priorities.

"This time of reflection might lead to increases in 'self-concept clarity' - the degree to which people have coherent beliefs about themselves and their goals in life,' she says.

For people with a supportive partner, then the intense period of the lockdown might have offered a welcome opportunity for personal growth. By contrast, for people stuck indoors for months in an unhappy relationship or being harassed by their children, the effects on their personality are sure to be have been negative. "For example, there is some evidence that being in an unhappy marriage (independent of lockdown) is associated with declines in spouses' self-esteem and happiness," says Bleidorn.

People who score highly for neuroticism might have particularly struggled in this regard - this trait is associated with a tendency toward "negative emotions like anxiety, vulnerability, sadness, and irritability," explains Rebecca Shiner, a clinical psychologist at Colgate University. "People who struggle with high neuroticism also are prone to creating more stress for themselves, for example, by getting into conflict with other people or by avoiding situations that they find threatening."

What about those people who were left completely isolated on their own during lockdown? If this forced solitary confinement provoked intense loneliness, we might predict, based on earlier research into loneliness and personality, an adverse effect on people's traits, in terms of increased neuroticism and an enforced reduction in extroversion. Yet, the lockdown data available to date paints a picture of human resilience.

For instance, Thuy-vy Nguyen at the University of Durham and Netta Weinstein at the University of Reading monitored the loneliness and depression of 800 people in isolation through the first weeks of the lockdown and found no adverse effects. "What we've learned from our earlier research on solitude may explain why," the pair wrote in a commentary on their research. "We don't have to be lonely when alone, and solitude can be a positive space for reinvigorating, rather than depleting, our minds.'

Other preliminary findings by researchers at the University of British Columbia appear to back this up - their study of feelings of social connectedness during lockdown found few adverse effects. This is perhaps likely because modern technology now offers us so many ways to stay in touch with one another.

"Most people seem to be pretty good at finding environments that fit their extraversion or can dial it up or down when asked to," says Bleidorn. "Social media, communication technology and other technological developments have made it possible to socialise virtually. I imagine that extroverted people are more likely to take advantage of such opportunities."

It's also worth remembering that anyone with an outdoor space at home was still able to enjoy fresh air and sunlight during lockdown, as well as creature comforts like deliveries and streaming box sets. Such factors might help explain why the confinement of the past few months doesn't appear to have had some of the more adverse psychological effects observed in studies of people isolated in extreme environments. For instance, prolonged periods in Antarctic research bases and simulations of trips to Mars have been associated with significant detrimental effects on wellbeing, including heightened risk of depression.

It's notable that communication with the outside world is extremely difficult in these examples, and they present other challenges that didn't affect most people during lockdown, such as the cold and dark of Antarctica and the close proximity of strangers in the Mars simulation.

For a clearer idea of the ways the pandemic might have changed us, we must wait for the slow business of science to catch up with world events - Bleidorn and Damian are among those with high-quality, longitudinal personality change projects underway. For now, the initial signs are that the isolation aspect of lockdown might not in itself have changed our personalities in a profound way.

But of course the pandemic has involved much more than just the lockdown, and Damian suggests that some of the other consequences of Covid-19 might more be more relevant to personality change, such as people losing their jobs, falling ill or suffering bereavement. "Job loss has been associated with decreased conscientiousness," she says. "Illness has been associated with increased conscientiousness and neuroticism and lower extraversion." She cautions though that this remains merely informed speculation until more data is available.

If we have been changed somehow by lockdown then as restrictions around the world are eased, a natural next question is whether and how we can change back again? Can we return to our old selves? Do we even want to?

For my part, I'm definitely feeling less inclined than before to socialise, even at a safe distance.

The message from the broader scientific literature on personality change is a positive one. People are adaptive - for instance, people's conscientiousness tends to increase when they take on a demanding role, and their traits rebound in positive fashion after leaving a difficult relationship, suggesting that we'll find a way to cope with whatever the future has in store.

Shiner warns though that introverts like me might find it a particular challenge, at least at first. "While in lockdown, introverts have been able to avoid the social pressure for interaction that is so common in places like the United States, and this may make re-entry difficult," she says. Her advice is to spend time with "more familiar friends one-on-one or in very small groups - which is certainly more compatible with social distancing anyhow - as they navigate re-entry".

Damian is upbeat about our collective ability to adjust as lockdown measures lift. "I don't think people need to worry about changing their traits back to pre-lockdown," she says. "I expect the change will happen gradually and naturally for most people, once the environmental pressures change. It will just take time."

If anything, her advice is that we don't rush back to old ways. In Texas, where Damian is based, hospitals are at capacity following a surge in new infections after lockdown was lifted. "I think that people have adjusted their pre-lockdown behaviours too quickly, so I wouldn't recommend the rest of the world follow suit right now," she says.

Dr Christian Jarrett is a senior editor at Aeon+Psyche. His next book, about personality change, will be published in 2021.

--
As an award-winning science site, BBC Future is committed to bringing you evidence-based analysis and myth-busting stories around the new coronavirus. You can read more of our . If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called "The Essential List". A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Worklife, and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday.
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How lockdown may have changed your personality

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There wasn't just one lockdown - we all had our own experience. Some people were forced into months of unbroken solitude, others trapped for weeks on end with an estranged spouse. Some saw it as a positive experience - a welcome opportunity to slow down, go for walks and relax with a loving partner, or enjoy quality time with the children.

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In the article “How Lockdown Changed My Personality,” by Good Magazine a reader shares personality changes the lockdown has caused. She begins by expressing her feelings of gratitude for the new hobbies and confidence the Coronavirus lockdown has brought her. The author begins by sharing with the readers what kind of person she was before lockdown, an extroverted and outgoing girl who was known by many for bringing people together. Then, she paints a picture for the readers of what kind of person she is now that the lockdown has ended, and the world is returning to normal. She expresses how she no longer finds joy in going out of her house, or spending time with old friends and the very thought of going out is anxiety-inducing. However, although the change in personality felt disappointing to the author, she shares how thankful she is for the lockdown, as it has given her newfound confidence.

After reading the source, I can make several connections with the author. Lockdown has changed my personality in many aspects, before lockdown I was very outgoing and could not stand to be at home every day. However, much like the author says “Although catching up with my kind and brilliant friends still uplifts my mood, I now seek peace in solitude,” I now enjoy my time alone too. Overall, this research has further added to my understanding that the pandemic has had a large enough impact to permanently change an individual's personality.

Do you think the pandemic has the power to permanently change someone's personality? Has the lockdown affected your personality?

Word Count: 248

Time Spent: 30 min

Source

Magazine, by: Good. “How Lockdown Changed My Personality.” Good Magazine, 18 Mar. 2021, https://goodmagazine.co.nz/how-lockdown-changed-my-personality/.

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A Good reader shares how lockdown allowed her to embrace her unknown inner introvert.

In March 2020, the first and second Covid-19 lockdowns changed many things. Grand plans like travelling overseas and celebrating thirtieth birthdays were dashed in the blink of the eye, then quickly forgotten while confined within my apartment's boundaries.

Although the lines between work and life blurred and the bags under my eyes deepened, looking back, the lockdown wasn't all that bad. I rediscovered my love for cooking nourishing meals, taking comfort in long naps and embracing my newfound confidence to leave the house (for the supermarket) without my signature eyeliner.

But lockdown also changed me, whether for the better or worse. Formerly the party planner and bringer-of-people-together, I now found myself slipping away, uninterested in Zoom drinks or chatting with friends via the House Party app. Throwing my all into work projects and taking long naps, although I craved the company of my bubble, I became less bothered by the outside world, as well as the relentless chatter inside my head.

By the second lockdown, it was as if the associated exhaustion from working long hours in a confined space, dealing with difficult colleagues virtually and the subconscious stress of living through yet another ordeal had dampened my desire to return to my previous levels of socialising. Returning to work and feeling miles away from colleagues in our loud and vibrant hub, I appreciated the ability to sit alone with my thoughts - or with no thoughts at all.

Before the lockdown, I barely mooched about the house for no reason or confined myself to my bedroom, but now that was all I wanted to do. I was happy for my friends to go out without me, living their best lives and snapping photos without me in the frame. I derived joy from skincare routines and consuming Netflix. The desire to go to a bar in the evening was almost anxiety-inducing. I became attuned to resting and sleeping when my body needed it the most. Was this related to the pandemic, or was it a sign I was getting older?

I wasn't sure what to make of it all; it was as if the enforced social distancing made me care less about being seen or invited to gatherings. I was more secure in the notion that I was loved without proving myself or posting on social media. Less became more.

I now feel comfortable knowing I can again disappear from the face of the earth without the fear of missing out. Although catching up with my kind and brilliant friends still uplifts my mood, I now seek peace in solitude.

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How lockdown changed my personality - Good Magazine

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A Good reader shares how lockdown allowed her to embrace her unknown inner introvert. In March 2020, the first and second Covid-19 lockdowns changed many things. Grand plans like travelling overseas and celebrating thirtieth birthdays were dashed in the blink of the eye, then quickly forgotten while confined within my apartment's boundaries.

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To find the answer to my question, how has Covid changed behaviors I began searching for TED talks related to my topic. The first friendly source I came upon is a TED talk by Matt Walker, “4 Ways the Pandemic Changed the Way We Sleep.” The TED talk begins with Walker explaining a study he conducted to test how the pandemic has changed sleeping patterns. He concluded the biggest effect people reported was that they now go to bed later and wake up later in the evening. Similarly, many people reported they were sleeping longer and having a significantly larger amount of dreams. The speaker then begins to explain that this newly formed sleeping habit had a positive impact on the body's health, he explains that this sleeping pattern can strengthen our immune system. To end his presentation, Walker raises an interesting question. Does the amount of sleep we get before covid vaccinations affect the effectiveness of the vaccine like it does other vaccines?

After listening to my first source, I have begun to wonder what other impacts our quarantine habits have had on our body's health. In Walker's TED talk he informed his audience that most of our dreams are happen later in the morning when we choose to sleep in longer. Much to my surprise, I was also informed that “dreaming helps us deal with emotional trauma” (Walker). Further adding to his argument, a new common sleeping habit among individuals has impacted them for the better. Overall, my first research source has added to my understanding of the effects the pandemic has had on behavior. It has led me to wonder what other effects our quarantine habits still have today?

Questions:
Has the pandemic had an impact on your sleep schedule? If so, was the impact positive or negative?

Word Count: 282
Time Spent: 35 min

Source

Walker, Matt. “4 Ways the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the Way We Sleep.” Matt Walker: 4 Ways the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the Way We Sleep TED Talk, https://www.ted.com/talks/matt_walker_4_ways_the_covid_19_pandemic_changed_the_way_we_sleep.

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Matt Walker: 4 ways the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we sleep

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Have you been having weird dreams lately? For many people, that's just one of the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has altered their sleeping habits, says sleep scientist Matt Walker. From when to how much to how well we're sleeping, this pandemic may have shaken up bedtime for good.

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Stop #2: How Has the Pandemic Affected Behaviors Today

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Stop #2: How Has the Pandemic Affected Behaviors Today

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I was curious, about how the pandemic has affected the way people behave today. While researching my question, I came across a survey conducted by the American Psychology Association to discover how people spent their time before and after covid. To my surprise, their study ultimately concluded that a large majority of people were much more socially active before the pandemic. In addition, I found it interesting, that even today when the pandemic has calmed down a lot, much more people would rather stay in their homes than go out. During the pandemic, it was common to hear of people longing to leave their homes and return to normal life; however, now that life has started to become normal again most would still prefer to stay in than go out. Overall, the study led researchers to believe a majority stay in their homes out of habit.

Word Count: 155

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The origin story that interests me the most is my origin story about covid. This story was about how Covid has impacted me and changed me as a person. In this story, I talked a lot about how the event of Covid has taught me and changed my mindset for the better that now I am able to look at the positive. To start my research journey, I will start with the question of how has this virus impacted people's mental health and the way they behave now?

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Here is proof of my submission of my academic summary to the writing center.

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There are three parts of a quote sandwich. They are the meat, the bread on top, and the bread on the bottom. The first part of a quote sandwich is the meat, the meat is the quote that best supports your thoughts. Second, the bread on top is where you will introduce the quote to your writing. The bread includes the who, what, and when of the quote. Finally, the bread on the bottom is where you will analyze the quote and explain how your quote supports your idea.

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When two or more independent clauses are connected together with just a comma, we call this a comma splice. This sentence is a comma splice “the fans in the soccer stadium pushed forward, people started to panic.” This sentence is incorrect because the comma is inappropriately joining the independent clauses. The comma splice in this sentence can be resolved by separating the clauses with a coordinating conjunction and a comma, connecting the two with a semicolon or the two clauses can simply be separated with a period.

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A run-on sentence is when two or more independent clauses are put together in one sentence, without any punctuation or conjunctions. This is an example run-on sentence used in the Khan Academy video, “we bought nails we bought a hammer.” This sentence is incorrect because it contains two independent clauses that are not separated with any punctuation or conjunctions. The run-on can be fixed by first, separating the two independent clauses with a comma. Second, add a comma and conjunction like and, or you can separate the two independent clauses with a period.

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Link to TED talk:
https://www.ted.com/talks/daphne_bavelier_your_brain_on_video_games/transcript?langage=en

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I discussed the main takeaways and points from my chosen TED talk with my two siblings. First, I pulled up a document of my notes on my computer and reread the article to get a general idea of what to talk about. I started a conversation with my sister about how I found my chosen TED talk very interesting. I explained to her that I thought it was a video she would enjoy since she is also involved in the video gaming world, something that the TED talk discussed. The main point that I presented to her was that video gaming has positive effects on your health when used in moderate doses. In addition to this, I shared with her examples the speaker used to prove her argument. Last, I called my brother on the phone and explained to him what the TED talk was about. I found that the second time I discussed the video, I kept my conversation much shorter and it was easier to pick out unnecessary details that didn’t add to the main idea of the story.

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In this TED talk, Daphne Bavelier uses many techniques to share her thoughts on how video games impact the brain. Bavelier uses common stereotypes associated with the health of those who play video games and debunks each one. For instance, she shares a common myth “video games lead to attention problems and greater distractibility.” Bavelier then proceeds to debunk this myth by giving examples of scientific studies that prove the statement to be false. Additionally, she gives multiple examples of brain functions that are improved in gamers and backs each one up with evidence.

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Activating Schema (Active Reading Activity)

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Activating Schema (Active Reading Activity)

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1. To activate my schema for my chosen TED talk, I thought about what I knew about the impact video games have on the body. In addition to this, I made guesses about what the speaker would talk about and whether she would focus on the positive or negative effects video gaming has on the brain.

2. Before this week's lesson about activating schema I had no idea what schema meant or what it was. However, after learning about schema I realized that I have been unconsciously using schema already. Three ways you can activate schema before your reading are to make predictions, research, and make connections. You can make predictions about what you think the thing will be about. Research the author, year of publication. Etc. to learn about what was happening at the time which can help you make connections of what the thing reminds you of.

TED talk link:
https://www.ted.com/talks/daphne_bavelier_your_brain_on_video_games/transcript?langage=en

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Transcript of "Your brain on video games"

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TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: How do fast-paced video games affect the brain? Step into the lab with cognitive researcher Daphne Bavelier to hear surprising news about how video games, even action-packed shooter games, can help us learn, focus and, fascinatingly, multitask.

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After watching the video about misspellings and how to navigate Grammarly, I learned A spell checker is not enough to review your sentences because it often misses simple mistakes in your writing. Instead, you should run your sentences or write through Grammarly which will pick up the possessives and make a suggested list of corrections to better your writing. To check your writing with Grammarly simply select the add text tab, or drag and drop your text into the browser. Grammarly is a really helpful writing tool, as it will thoroughly check your sentences for errors and give helpful feedback.

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When watching the Capitalization Rules video, I was refreshed of the rules of capitalization and I learned a new acronym to help. The word MINTS can help you capitalize correctly. MINTS stands for the following which should be capitalized: M (Months), I (the word I), N (names of people places, and official names of things), T (titles), S starting words of sentences). Here's an example, if I say “Peter Pan is my favorite movie” I should capitalize the word Peter Pan since it is the title of a movie.

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Perspective

By Ellie Lemberger

January 21st, 2020, I anxiously stared at the television along with the rest of my family. We sat in silence as we listened to the news reporter speak about the Coronavirus and how the United States has issued a national emergency. I brushed the news of the coronavirus off my shoulder, “how bad could this really be?” I thought. Surely, the Coronavirus could be no worse than the flu. However, my opinion of the Coronavirus was soon changed. Slowly, every day I watched things get worse along with the rest of the world. First, grocery stores ran out of essentials like toilet paper. Then, schools shut down and my classes were pushed online. In just a couple of weeks, the life I knew was unrecognizable, I felt as if my world had been turned upside down as I sat confined to my home. I patiently waited for the news of the coronavirus to be over, but it never happened. Coronavirus, that word to me means missed opportunities. This virus had taken my life and flipped it upside down, I felt powerless as my grades slipped, social events like prom were canceled, and college visits were not happening. “No fair,” I thought to myself over and over as months passed by with no good news. The Coronavirus has taken a lot from the rest of the world and myself, but I believe that the Coronavirus has also brought blessings too. For an entire year, I was so focused on the opportunities the virus stole from me, like a grade-schooler who missed the bus I was at a loss for what to do. Forced to go deeper than the viral fear, I found my passion for art, forged new cherished friendships, and learned to look at the good still left in life.  I have come to appreciate that perspective is everything. Our world will always have its challenges but I learned I can see the roses in the weeds. How have has the virus changed your perspective?

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Hustle

By: Ellie Lemberger

Snap, snap, I snapped the last buckle on my ski boots and climbed into a crayon yellow school bus that reeked of old tennis shoes. Silverton Mountain, the ultimate backcountry skiers paradise beckoned those willing to take its risks. My dad and ornery siblings were all glancing at their phones seemingly unfazed by the loss of warmth as the bus neared the looming mountainside.  Determined to not let fear overtake me, I climbed out of the bus and placed my skis into my backpack, and started to inch my way up the hill. “Do we really have to hike up there,” I said as my weakness was revealed. Dad, hiding his disappointment, chuckling as he continued on. Pinching and biting into my calves I garnered the strength I would need to finish the day and forged on despite my boots. I shed my jacket and continued up the steep hill re-adjusting the backpack and skis which by this point felt more like a bag of bricks than needed equipment. Brick-laden I carefully chose my footing making sure to avoid a misstep that would hurl me back down toward the shrinking crayon bus below. My lungs heaved like a train engine as I forced my tired legs to continue moving one after the other. Eventually summiting,  I finally managed to take control over my ragged breaths and started to mentally prepare myself for the challenge ahead. I took a moment to appreciate the steep snow below untouched and glistening in the sun's golden light. I released my backpack and skis and gave a knowing smile to my dad who responded with a smile and approving nod. Good things come to those who hustle.

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Serotonin

By: Ellie Lemberger

Thump, thump my heartbeat pounded into my throat and I could feel its rising rate. My trusty steed Apollo flinched as if he could feel the anxiety rising in my body. Mounted riders were steadying outside the arena gates awaiting the release of the equine adrenaline that would soon receive its applause reward.

Gates flung, each rider bolted into the arena as plumes of dust rose from the pounding of galloping hooves. Cheers erupted as each rider waved and took their place in line at the end of the arena. I am nervous and my mind is racing with thoughts of my costume I painstakingly stitched together and I am hoping it will hold in all my anxieties and fears. In my mind, I masterfully pull off the toe-drag trick without a hitch but my wild thoughts can remember the last trick I fudged. One-by-one rider and horse are announced and are soon spiriting around the arena performing well-practiced tricks. My horse danced anxiously awaiting his chance to sprint and exhaust his pent-up energy. I secretly think he likes the exhilarating and erupting cheers like a child upon hearing the familiar chime of an approaching ice cream truck.  Suddenly, my name is called, I froze like a barn mouse spied by a cat and desperately gripped my reins to gather my composure before urging Apollo out of line. I flew around the corner as Apollo loped quickly, thrusting my foot deep into my stirrup. The audience roared as I gripped my saddle horn as if my life depended on it and twisted my body onto the side of my horse. I could feel his sweat as my body bounced and dangled against his. White-knuckled I tighten my hold as we neared completion. Apollo, nostrils flared, gives a forced exhale as he rides back to his place knowing his resting spot.

I conclude another successful trick by knowing that as a riding team together we successfully evade all anxieties and take with us a sense of pairing that can only come from years of riding together. I give Apollo a congratulatory pat as we exit the arena and take with us the serotonin of the day. I wonder if my equine companion gets the same type of serotonin I do when I perform.

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Apostrophes have three main uses, the first is to indicate that there are missing letters in a sentence. For example instead of saying I am you can use I’m, which will indicate there's a missing “a” in that word. The second use is after the “s” in a plural noun to show possession of something. Lastly, apostrophes are usually used in special plurals, like in a word with two of the same letters.

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After reviewing the video about commas, I was refreshed on how to use commas in dialogue. The video had an interesting point of view that “commas function as a runway, they can ramp you up for an utterance or take you down.” When using commas with dialogue, you should use a comma to divide an utterance and the dialogue tag. An example of this is “I fed the dogs today,” Jordan said.

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While watching the Khan Academy comma lessons, and testing my skills with the mini-quiz. I learned and was reminded that commas can be used to separate lots of sentence elements. Such as Lists, dates and times, etc. Additionally, I learned about the Appositive comma. An Appositive comma is a noun phrase that redefines or clarifies an antecedent. An example the Khan video used is "They stopped selling my favorite snack, the cookie cat." I learned that in this example the cookie cat is the Appositive, and the snack is what is being redefined or clarified by the cookie. I also learned that Appositive commas can go on either side of the Apposition, or before it!

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I have had my horse Apollo for two years now and I love him very much!

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This is a picture of me and my sister at the Meow Wolf exhibit in Denver. I love my family very much and they are super important in my life.

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This picture shows me and my best friend Jordyne. She brings out the best in me and she has always been there for me to lift me up. Plus she's the best roadtrip buddy:)

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"What do you think it takes to have a great idea?"

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"What do you think it takes to have a great idea?"

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For me having a great idea starts with an open and positive mindset. I feel like you need to let your own creativity take the reins, inspire you and bring you an idea. I know the process of brainstorming a great idea can take a lot of time, it can be a frustrating process so its important to keep your spirits high.

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Things I know to be true when it comes to school and learning...

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Things I know to be true when it comes to school and learning...

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-Learning is like riding a rollercoaster. You could be flying high one minute or sinking low the next, maybe you just finished all your homework before a break or maybe you failed a test. But, I know it's important not to get discouraged. There are a lot of resources for students, it's ok to ask for help.
-I really like this quote Babe Ruth once said "every strike brings me closer to the next home run." English can be a really challenging subject at times, and for me, it's easy to get discouraged when I don't see myself improving in the ways I hoped for. However, your failures can teach you and help you grow so that in the future you can "hit a home run."
-Staying organized is important! It's easy to get caught up in school and not keep track of your assignments. When I make a list every day of the school work I'm going to do, it helps me stay calm and not get overwhelmed trying to figure out what I have to do.
-Manage your time. Planning out how much time you spend on studying or doing homework can help you get things done more efficiently, and make your workload easier.
-Take a break. It's important not to overdo it! School can be overwhelming at times so it's important that you learn when you need a break from learning.

A question for your classmates...
What's your favorite band or artist?