KostEffective

"Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards." – Robert A. Heinlein

Papers, Writings, Rants, and various literary items.

Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth."

- V For Vendetta

Of note, since so many of these were actually submitted in class (and English papers look wonky on a blue-to-black gradient) these .docx items were just converted to .htm in Word and linked here.

The BACK button or ALT +   are your friends here.

Switch This!

Nothing like a little bit of on-air ranting and raving about current events. These are a sampling of some stream of consciousness activism and advice... live from Youngstown State University's Rookery Radio (well, live at one time... now immortalized here)

SwitchThis! - 2017 February 16 - "Weak"

Remember when that talking head at the podium (Spicer) was called "weak" by POTUS? Let us delve into this one a little bit...

SwitchThis! - 2017 September 14 - "Walls"

Right after a wall of water hit the islands and Florida, again a big push to build that "Big Beautiful Wall" somewhere else came up. Let us think about this a little bit...

SwitchThis! - 2017 September 28 - "Civic Lessons"

Free speech and ESPN... maybe some Football too. Let's take a trip back to 5th Grade Civics class, shall we?

SwitchThis! - 2017 Unknown Date - "Don't Be That Guy"

How about some proactive action and education instead of passive defense? No bad apples allowed.

Compositions - Class related

Between "Professional Ethics", "English Composition" I and II, and the assorted classes we take in our College careers... and since content is key, let's put up some graded materials.

Writing 2 - 2017 March 17 - "The Enemy of My Enemy is The Media. Wait, They're the Enemy?"

When POTUS calls the media "The Enemy of the People", people with some passing familiarity with history just might write a paper about it. [Citations and References removed]

Writing II - 2017 April 28 - "Non Traditional Students and Generation Z: Catalysts for College Change"

There are two collegiate demographics which, although disparate on paper, are actively looking for similar things out of the college environment. Non-traditional students (the adult learners) and Generation Z are approaching higher education from different life experiences, yet the underlying message is the same: financial solvency, diversity in teaching techniques, hands-on availability.

Writing I - 2016 September 13 - "Storytelling: Finding That Hook"

About writing and/or being a writer... and a bit more about identifying as a storyteller.

Writing I - 2016 October 20 - "The Sledgehammer and the Scalpel"

Stiglitz' "Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%" goes into the writing blender along with Penrod's "Anti-Intellectualism: Why We Hate the Smart Kids" - this is the result.

Ethics - 2017 April 7 - "The Lincoln Lawyer - Whose Side are you on Anyways?"

For those unfamiliar with the film The Lincoln Lawyer, released in 2011 by Lionsgate, that unfamiliarity can be a godsend upon watching this movie. For those who are jaded by the various interpretations and biases regarding our legal system – specifically the world of lawyers – becoming familiar with this movie would be highly encouraged.

Ethics - 2017 March 3 - "The Devil's in the Details" [Miss Evers' Boys - 1997]

Searching for truth, gaining knowledge and information for the betterment of man – these are noble causes, and some of the brightest points in human history regarding the advancement in science or medicine. Alas, this search has also cast some of the darkest and longest shadows in mankind’s history – the Devil is truly in the details.