1 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
Dear David,
I am returning your exam because it requires further work. Please review the instructions in your study guide on pages 89-94.
The Assignment: 500442, Final Exam, is a research paper where the student needs to analyze the impact and influence a song has in a contemporary context based on its literary devices and cultural references. The exam requires a clear, opinionated thesis statement,including the song title and performer/author followed with clear, well- developed body paragraphs beginning with topic sentences that let the reader know the writer’s opinion, in support of the thesis, followed by well-developed ideas—both the writer’s and research based. Finally, making sure to properly use MLA citations, both internal and on the Works Cited is necessary to create an accurate, adequate final draft.
If you have any questions, please contact the school.
Sincerely,
Penn Foster
English Instructor
I'm Gonna Make A Change, For Once In My Life It's Gonna Feel Real Good, Gonna Make A Difference Gonna Make It Right . . .
As I, Turn Up The Collar On My Favourite Winter Coat This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind I See The Kids In The Street, With Not Enough To Eat Who Am I, To Be Blind? Pretending Not To See Their Needs A Summer's Disregard, A Broken Bottle Top 2 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
And A One Man's Soul They Follow Each Other On The Wind Ya' Know 'Cause They Got Nowhere To Go That's Why I Want You To Know
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change (Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change) (Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah)
I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love It's Time That I Realize That There Are Some With No Home, Not A Nickel To Loan Could It Be Really Me, Pretending That They're Not Alone?
A Widow Deeply Scarred, Somebody's Broken Heart And A Washed-Out Dream (Washed-Out Dream) They Follow The Pattern Of The Wind, Ya' See Cause They Got No Place To Be That's Why I'm Starting With 3 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
Me (Starting With Me!)
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror (Ooh!) I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways (Ooh!) And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change (Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change)
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror (Ooh!) I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways (Change His Ways-Ooh!) And No Message Could've Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make That . . . (Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make That . . .) Change!
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror, (Man In The Mirror-Oh Yeah!) I'm Asking Him To Change 4 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
His Ways (Better Change!) No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) (Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make The Change) (You Gotta Get It Right, While You Got The Time) ('Cause When You Close Your Heart) You Can't Close Your . . .Your Mind! (Then You Close Your . . . Mind!) That Man, That Man, That Man, That Man With That Man In The Mirror (Man In The Mirror, Oh Yeah!) That Man, That Man, That Man I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways (Better Change!) You Know . . .That Man No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change (Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change) Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah (Oh Yeah!) Gonna Feel Real Good Now! Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah! Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, 5 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
Na Nah (Ooooh . . .) Oh No, No No . . . I'm Gonna Make A Change It's Gonna Feel Real Good! Come On! (Change . . .) Just Lift Yourself You Know You've Got To Stop It. Yourself! (Yeah!-Make That Change!) I've Got To Make That Change, Today! Hoo! (Man In The Mirror) You Got To You Got To Not Let Yourself . . . Brother . . . Hoo! (Yeah!-Make That Change!) You Know-I've Got To Get That Man, That Man . . . (Man In The Mirror) You've Got To You've Got To Move! Come On! Come On! You Got To . . . Stand Up! Stand Up! Stand Up! (Yeah-Make That Change) Stand Up And Lift Yourself, Now! (Man In The Mirror) Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Aaow! (Yeah-Make That Change) Gonna Make That Change . . . Come On! (Man In The Mirror) You Know It! You Know It! You Know It! 6 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
You Know . . . (Change . . .) Make That Change.
Basest impulses of man are to do for yourself and step on anyone who gets in your way. The Darwinists call that survival of the fittest and then congratulate themselves for coming up with such a logical sounding statement. ‘Man in the Mirror’ is a raw uncut look at self and how selfish actions cause pain, suffering, and death to others. America is one of the nations of the world that has been truly blessed but at the same time it is extremely selfish. The ideas of individualism instead of collectivism reign supreme. ‘Man in the Mirror’ makes the listening think about his or her actions during the day and if those actions hurt or harmed someone. This song takes away the excuse “I’m only one person what can I do” or “the problem is too big” or “they will handle it”. The proverbial they must become we. We must take a stand by looking at what we are doing such as ignoring, consuming, and making excuses. This song spoke what everyone else was thinking but did not want to say because of embarrassment, discomfort, or disgust. It is time to make a change staring with myself and hopefully my example will influence others.
Garrett, Siedah. "Man In The Mirror." Bad. CD. Epic Records.1987. AZLyrics. Retrieved February 20, 2015 from www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/michaeljackson/maininthemirror.html
Facing Yourself “Man in the Mirror” Comment [WU1]: The writer’s title is not bold. When faced with a life threating situation, the majority of mankind would sacrifice another person so they could live another moment. What is done with that moment does not matter but having the moment becomes the most important thing. The song "Man in the Mirror" is a gritty and revealing account of human nature verses human suffering and the ability within all humans to help stop this tragedy. The impact and influence of a song needs to be amplified by the singer and not better choice could have 7 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected] been made than Michael Jackson. This is a song that was released in the 1980s which Comment [WU2]: This idea is not a strong ending to the introduction. A review of touched not only a generation but also the world. proper introduction organization can help.
Man in the Mirror Popularity Comment [WU3]: What is this? The exam should naturally flow from one idea to the Michael Jackson was a symbol of the American dream, who grabbed hold of the next. world with his talent and entertained them. In terms of “Man in the Mirror” he did not boast about prosperity instead he focused on hunger, poverty, and the pain of the forgotten. At this point in history Thriller has literally seized the world and all eyes are Comment [WU4]: This is a run-on: two or more complete sentences are punctuated as were on Michael (Zollo 1). He used his far reaching influence to simply say the world one. has problems and the only way it will change is when the 'people' decide it is time for a change. His notoriety helped him influence millions of people to look beyond themselves to help the hurting. Comment [WU5]: How does this paragraph support the thesis? All body paragraphs must Truly epic moments are born when a gifted song writer and a gift singer come DIRECTLY support the thesis. If the ideas do not directly support the thesis, than no matter how interesting they are, they must be together; this was the case with Siedah Garrett and Michael Jackson. Garrett, like excluded from the exam. Please review Chapter 8 on paragraph development for Michae,l had the ear of the public and opened them to the truth about hurting people by further information. Comment [WU6]: Run-on creating “Man in the Mirror”. “Man in the Mirror” was not simply a song it was an anthem to the suffering of the world (Zollo 1). It was a declaration to the well off in the Comment [WU7]: Run on world you can no longer hide and pretend everything is fine; it is time to face the truth Comment [WU8]: Avoid second person in formal writing. and make a change. Siedah Garrett was the writer of the song; nay she was the voice of those who had nothing crying out for someone to help them (Zollo 1). It was a command to the well-off to stop treating the less fortunate as if they were invisible. It was a demand that denial stop and the truth be accepted that everyone needs help, some more 8 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected] than others. The song symbolized the willful ignorance of the prosperous in the face of the poverty stricken. Comment [WU9]: This paragraph appears to be a summary of other people’s ideas/a Interestingly enough the birth of the song was not really something that others book you read rather than a properly developed paragraph for a research paper. Reviewing Chapter 8 of Successful College would find profound. The writer Garrett made a habit of writing down things that she Writing as well as Chapters 22-24 of the same textbook will help the writer learn to properly liked or that caught her attention (Zollo 1). From that habit came the title for one of the develop paragraphs and write strong paragraphs for research exams world's most profound messages “Man in the Mirror”. She confessed that once she had that phrase which ultimately became the title of the song that she had the purpose for the song as well (Zollo 1). Comment [WU10]: See comment 5.
Looking further into the development of the song there is a spiritual aspect to it.
The words and the formation of the song were given to Garrett by God because she specifically asked Him for it (Zollo 1). One might say that divinity exists and desires that humanity help itself one individual at a time. This is done by opening up the blinded Comment [WU11]: The ideas of this sentence are unclear and hard to follow. eyes of the fortunate and letting them see the misfortunes and horrors that lay right in front of them. Without enlightenment, without the truth man blindly goes about this life thinking everything is okay. The personal consensus is, if it is not happening to me than it is not happening or if it is not happening to me than I just do not care. The Christian message of love they neighbor as thyself would definitely apply here. The importance of the song is complex yet so very simple. Comment [WU12]: It is not clear how this paragraph supports the thesis. Man in the Mirror Importance
“Man in the Mirror” is important because it is a timeless message about the atrocities in the world and how one person truly can make a difference. It was symbolic of both self and humanity. The change begins with a single person and when that person 9 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected] helps to change a life than humanity itself slowly changes. In the 1980s poverty-hunger- homelessness were some of the major issues. In the 21st century those issues are still relevant along with human trafficking, child prostitution, slavery, and wars based on religious beliefs. This is a song that will last the test of time because anyone with a soul can feel compassion for another person. The true test of courage is taking that compassion and putting it into action by helping someone else in need. Comment [WU13]: You have some fair information in this paragraph, but it reads like a list. Remember to offer specific and relevant Another important focal point of the song is time. Within the lyrics there is an details to ALL ideas in a paragraph. Please review Chapter 8 in Successful College Writing implication that as a people the human race may not always have the time to change its for more information on paragraph development. ways and begin to help others. The first implication is that no one lives forever. If an opportunity presents itself to do good to someone else that opportunity must be taken immediately? To delay or make plans for tomorrow can have disastrous consequences. Comment [WU14]: Avoid questions in body paragraphs. The person may die, move, or become incarcerated.
The second implication is that something will happen to the person who thought to do a good deed and did nothing. He or she could be in the same position as the hurting person; dead, moved away or incarcerated. The sense of urgency must be heard, felt, understood and acted upon before it is too late. Love or the misconception of love is one of the last compelling points. The phrase "a victim of a selfish kind of love" is ironic because the well-off and the self-absorbed do not see themselves as victims but as victors in the game of life. They enjoy themselves while Michael is pointing out that they are victims and need to realize the devastating poverty that others endure.
There is a connection between the poverty of the 1980s and today. Research showed that in 2001 there was 1.1 billion who were poor (Chen & Ravallion 1). This 10 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected] figure was calculated by the $1 per day standard which in some countries is all that a person is paid for a day’s work. As depressing as this may sound or as unbelievable as this may sound this is good news. This number represents 400 million fewer individuals in poverty than 20 years prior (Chen & Ravallion 1).
There were specific countries sited in the study such as China and Sub-Saharan
African with significant decreases in poverty levels. The number of poor that declined in
China was over 400 million (Chen & Ravallion 1). This is both positive and depressing news because this great decline occurred mostly at the beginning of the 1980s. There has not been much movement since then. There were regions outside China that actually experienced an increase in the poverty levels. The wage that people were paid began to fluctuate between the typical $1 a day to $2 a day (Chen & Ravallion 1). Unfortunately the people who lived on $1 a day began to outnumber the people who were living on $2.
Extreme poverty has found its home in Sub-Saharan Africa. Extreme poverty could be categorized as those individuals who are making less than $1 a day. It could even be calculated that they make $1 but the timeframe may differ. It could be anywhere from a $1 every few days to a $1 a week. The research estimations showed that if this poverty is not dealt with the numbers previously stated could be reduced by half (Chen &
Ravallion 1). The estimated timeframe for this was 2015, now.
Poverty and homelessness are often a combined problem. Poverty is a deficient that can cause homelessness as well as hunger and additional problems. Homelessness or displacement is the state of being without a traditionally defined dwelling by modern society. In other words people are considered homeless if they live in their cars, in 11 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected] shelters, on the street, or in parks. This state of being can occur due to unemployment, reduced wages or eviction due to reconstruction of the area. In any event this is a problem in the United States. In the 1980s there was a problem with homelessness that was blamed on the current present Ronald Reagan. The controversy was over his increase of federal spending through the military while at the same time decreasing funding for domestic programs (Dreier 1).
This was another way of saying that he took away programs that were helping the poor or at the very least reduced their effectiveness. The Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) at that time was gaining a reputation for corruption (Dreier
1). The scandals that surrounded this department were practically ignored by the president until indictments showed up. This was not the end of the bad news it was only the beginning. “Reagan eliminated general revenue sharing to cities, slashed funding for public service jobs and job training, almost dismantled federally funded legal services for the poor, cut the anti-poverty Community Development Block Grant program and reduced funds for public transit (Dreier 1).” In order to Jan to help Paul she either needs to relate to his problem or she needs understand his problem.
Man in the Mirror Personal Connection Comment [WU15]: How is this idea relevant to the thesis and topic? It has been stated more than once that people only care about themselves. This is evident in the way that the well-off tend to ignore or treat as invisible those who are destitute. No one is born with the distinction between rich and poor they are taught this. Comment [WU16]: Run-on
People are trained to put on blinders and not to see the ugliness of the world they live in.
If that does not work they are convinced that their efforts are too small to make a 12 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected] different and the mysterious “they” should be called upon to fix the problem. Detaching from the situation and the people who are hurting makes it harder for those who can act to act. Change begins in the heart while it still beats and feels. The daily grind of society or the perception that helping is too difficult can cause it to become callous and cold.
The more well-off humanity can connect with hurting humanity the better. Change begins when a person makes a decision, profound change occurs when that decision is turned into an action.
Conclusion
“Man in the Mirror” is a time sensitive call to action. The call is meant for the people in power to help someone in need and the size of the help is irrelevant. Big or small the important thing is that something is done. Mortality brings death and with it a missed opportunity to change so no moment should be wasted. It is time for the well-off to remember the sacrifices made by the poor to help them get elevated. The time for action is now and society is mandated to think of a plan to help turn the tide of poverty and homelessness. Do not let this opportunity go by, consider, plan, and then take action.
Humanizing that which seems to be inhuman causes a change and then the inhuman can become human again.
13 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
Works Cited
Chen, Shaohua and Ravallion, Martin. "How Have the World's Poorest Fared since the
early 1980s?" World Bank Research Observer 19.2 (2004): 141-170. Web. 20
Feb. 2015.
Dreier, Peter. Reagan's Legacy: Homelessness in America. National Housing Institute.
June 2004. Web. 20 February 2015.
Zollo, Paul. Siedah Garrett: Behind the Man In The Mirror* Working with Michael
Jackson. Web. 20 February 2015. 14 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
David,
Thank you for your attempt at this exam. Please make sure you are utilizing the feedback on the prewrite, as well as the feedback on this exam before rewriting this exam. Additionally, make sure that the ideas reflect the ideas of the exam. For instance, this exam should be an analysis of the song’s cultural impact via its literary devices. While you do mention literary devices, few of your ideas reflect the impact that these have on the song’s cultural context. All exams must fully develop the ideas as described in the assignment directions.
15 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
I. INTRODUCTION - The song "Man in the Mirror" is a gritty and revealing
account of human nature verse human suffering and the ability within all
humans to help stop this tragedy. “Man in the Mirror” sung by Michael Jackson
reaches into the hearts of many people through its theme, imagery, and
symbolism.
II. BODY – Michael Jackson's influence and the symbolic lyrics of "Man in the
Mirror" cause it to be popular in the hearts and minds of the public worldwide.
A. “Man In the Mirror” Popularity.
1. Michael Jackson’s Influence.
2. Garrett’s Message.
III. BODY – The importance of "Man in the Mirror" is illustrated by the symbols of
poverty such as "kids in the street without enough to eat" which coincided with
the crushing poverty taking place nationally and worldwide.
A. “Man in the Mirror” Importance.
1. Raw look at poverty.
2. World poverty since 1980s.
3. Homelessness in America 1980s.
IV. BODY – Siedah Garrett crafted the imagery of "Man in the Mirror" with
personal messages concerning: asking the man in the mirror to change his ways,
emphasizing the feeling of goodness that comes from positive change in the
face of past negative choices.
A. “Man in the Mirror” Personal Connection. 16 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
1. The reality of personal selfishness.
2. Social-psychological influences for change.
B. CONCLUSION
A. The basest of human nature can be changed by the simple words of a song
such as “Man In the Mirror” to make someone else’s life better.
B. The human spirit is powerful and can be awakened to goodness through
the simple words of a profound song which helps compassion grow.
17 David Dawidowicz Student ID: 21993147 Exam #: 50044200 2119 Barley Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 [email protected]
Annotated Bibliography
Chen, Shaohua and Ravallion, Martin. "How Have the World's Poorest Fared since the early 1980s?" World Bank Research Observer 19.2 (2004): 141-170. Web. 20 Feb. 2015. This article makes a comparison of world poverty from the 1980s with poverty today. Some of the locations mentioned in the article are China and Africa. The article helps give an illustration of how much or how little the poverty situation worldwide has changed and the factors that instigated those changes.
Dreier, Peter. Reagan's Legacy: Homelessness in America. National Housing Institute. June 2004. Web. 20 February 2015. In the time of Ronald Reagan America was changing. Federal spending was high and he was given the task of reducing it. Another task he tackled dealt with the homeless. The article looks at HUD under Reagan’s control and the problems that emerged from it.
McLeod, Saul. Social Facilitation. (2011). Web. 20 February 2015. This article looks at the way that psychology has a way of influencing people’s lives. The significance of a single person’s presence or the presence of others that causes changes to occur is the focal point. Behaviors can change for the better or the worse concerning organic and other factors.
Prislin, Radmila; Wood, Wendy. “Social Influence in Attitudes and Attitudes Change.” Thehandbook of attitude. (2005): 671-705. Web. 20 Feb. 2015. This article focuses on the ability of society to make an individual influential and vice versa. Issues such as social consensus are discussed and how it helps to make the popularity and pull of an individual stronger over time. It is possible for one person to enact major change either positive or negative.
Zollo, Paul. Siedah Garrett: Behind the Man In The Mirror* Working with Michael Jackson. Web. 20 February 2015. The late Michael Jackson’s earlier work “Man In The Mirror” touch the hearts and souls of America and people worldwide. This song made people think about helping those less fortunate than themselves. This article discusses Siedah Garrett, the songwriter behind the song. It literally walks the reader through her inspiration for the song, how Michael was introduced to the song, and how her decision to release the song changed her life.