My Writing Process and Zombie Apocalypse

Jessica Nelson

Professor Holly Guile

English 2010-035

18 October 2013

My Writing Process and Zombie Apocalypse

            The writing process I use, and have found to be the most efficient is based on many different things. The first step in my process is to determine what it is that I’ll be writing about. For this essay, and for reasons which are not my own, I will use the example of the apocalypse, and more specifically, the zombie apocalypse. Usually, when trying to identify a topic (and this is due to both what I have personally discovered works for me and due to what I have learned throughout this class) I think of three things. First, I take a look at the world around me and while doing so I try to be as unbiased as I can, or at least recognize the biases that I do have. I make a note of what problems I see in the world and specific behaviors that puzzle or challenge my beliefs and/or values. Next, I will ask questions. I ask why things are the way they are, how can things be different, and what would happen if they were different. These differences will lead into my third step for determining a topic as I examine alternatives and explore just what needs to happen in order for things to be changed for the better.

            Next, after I have discovered a topic that I would like writing about, I will move onto phase two of my process. This phase includes narrowing down my topic and taking a stance and firm opinion on what it is I’ll be talking about. Often, this stance/opinion is predetermined by either my conscious or unconscious beliefs and prejudices (which ties back in to step one of phase one). I examine why it is exactly I have these opinions and prejudices and determine if I would like to stay with my original opinion or broaden my horizons and alter my previous opinion. For instance, as I was looking at the three different topics I was given as examples to be used in this essay I thought to myself, “what do I already know about these three topics, and what would be the best way to represent my ideas and opinions.” These options were about the apocalypse and whether or not it would be due to zombies, robots, or aliens. I thought of what I already knew about each topic, I asked myself how I knew what I knew (where I have gotten my information from), and to be honest, I asked, “what would be the coolest topic & most fun to write about.” Therefore, I chose the zombie apocalypse.

            After I have discovered a topic to write about and determined the stance I will be taking on that subject It’s time to start gathering data and discover all I can about the subject, my stance, and also opposing standpoints that may arise contrary to my theses. As I begin to gather the data I need I will often do a Google search to become acquainted with my topic and to open my mind to the popular views of others. Although Google does not always provide the most accurate data, it is a great starting point for gathering the data you need and getting a general idea of opposing views. So, in order to start off my research of the zombie apocalypse I would simply put “Zombie Apocalypse” into Google and see what information would come up. Then I would begin reading what I find. You may find a scholarly article, or an entertaining website, but it is important to acclimate yourself to the different sources you will find and be wary not to take these sources at face value. For instance, if you search the zombie apocalypse on Google, one of the first sources you will find will be the TV series “The Walking Dead.” This will come up because of its extreme popularity in today’s society, and this is exactly what you will find on Google results-popular websites. Now, this is not to say that the TV series “The Walking Dead” isn’t a source you could use, but don’t use it as fact or scientific evidence. Use it as a popular TV series that may represent the views and opinions of others, because that’s what it is.

            After you have become well acquainted with your subject and have discovered the popular opinions of others it is time to find actual evidence on your topic. The ‘cold hard facts.’ These facts will act metaphorically as the bare bones of your paper. They are necessary in order to convey a knowledgeable and accredited standpoint and argument. In order to find these facts, there are many different ways to gather information. My favorite is the online UVU database, because you can generally rely on the validity of the information you find and often the knowledge you potentially gather is almost instantaneous. Although the UVU database can be relied on somewhat to provide valid information, it is important to know how to determine the validity of the sources you find. In order to do this you will look at three things: who the author is (what is their background and are they accredited), who is funding them, and what their main objective is. Once you find these three things, you will be able to determine the validity of the claims they are making.

            Once you have found the information you need and know all you need to know about your topic you will begin drafting your argument and paper. What is your standpoint? What are the claims that you want to make? What will be the purpose of writing your paper and what are the different points you want to get across to your audience? Once you are able to answer those questions, writing your first draft will be a breeze. Personally, I just answer those questions in my mind and have a rough draft of what I would like my final draft to look like in my head. I start writing and constructing just what I want my paper to be. As I write, I am constantly asking myself, what does this have to do with my topic and what information do I need to get across to my audience. For example, in my zombie apocalypse paper, I would have a general outline of how I would want my paper to go before I ever start writing. I would start out with a narrative, because that would grab my reader’s attention. Then I would go on in later paragraphs explaining what lead up to the narrative and what caused the zombie apocalypse. Once I have thoroughly explained what lead up to the apocalypse I would address what we, as a society, need to do in order to prevent such an apocalypse. As I go through this stream of creativity, I am in a constant state of revision. Usually, before I move on to my next paragraph, I have already read and reread my paper 5 or 6 times through. After I have finished my first draft, it is time to revise.

            Revising, for me, is the hardest part. I have a hard time looking at what I have already created and changing it. Because my writing process is such a stream of creativity, it is hard to put myself back into the emotion of when I was writing it in order to improve what I originally wrote. But alas, it is a big part of the writing process and is needed to allow my papers to shine.

            I do love writing, and enjoy the time spent sifting through my mind in order to construct my opinions just the way I want them to come across. This semester has given me deep insight into my own writing style and just what I need to do to take my writing to the next level. I have a long way to go, but have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in this class.

Researched Argument

Jessica Nelson

Professor Holly Guile

English 2010-035

16 October 2013

Graphic Explanation

            Upon first glance my painting may seem superficially insensitive, as it portrays a woman with her fingers to her head as if to hold a gun and red paint gushing out the other side (an obvious portrayal of suicide) that automatically induces emotion in many if not all of us. Whether we have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide, or have just heard of one, suicide (along with suicidal thoughts and attempts) will ultimately affect most if not all of us. This painting/collage that I decided to do portrays a lot more than just a suicide, but also the insecurities and imbalances of the mind that often lead to such a tragic ending.

            The most apparent and noticeable aspect of my painting is the bright red color. At first glance, you would just see this red to represent blood, and although in many ways it does, it also represents so much more. In my painting the color red represents confusion, anger, bad habits, and all those things suicidal people struggle with on a regular basis. It represents all of the demons inside a person that would cause them to think negatively about him or her and lose sight of that which is good and beautiful about life. The strong, forceful red I chose to use is also deliberately overlapping and overpowering the calming green. This green hue elicits feelings and emotion as well as the red, but these feelings are extremely different and contrary to that of the powerful red.

            The green that I chose to use is that of serenity. This green calms and refreshes the soul, mind, and body.  It also represents nature and the beauty and tranquility found within. The simple green is intentionally overlapped and overpowered by the red, which symbolized much about the suicidal mind. It suggests that those who complete suicide are not able to see all that which is good. It is said that “about 2/3 of people who complete suicide are depressed at the time of their deaths.” Victims of suicide can only manage to see their problems as if they are in a ten-foot hole with no way out. These victims “desperately want to live; they are just unable to see alternatives to their problems.” (Suicidology.org).  This illustrates how the depressed mind is unable to see the simplicity and goodness of life, and instead holds one view through a magnifying glass held close to their problems. These problems are specific and often many suicidal minds share the same few thoughts that seem to plague the depressed mind.

            These thoughts are represented in my painting as the words that are scratched and painted in bold letters on top of the red paint. These are words like “I can’t,” “self doubt,” “disappointment,” and “fear.” These are the most common thoughts of the suicidal mind. They share the same helplessness and insecurities that each person is faced with at one time or another, but someone who is clinically depressed won’t recognize these thoughts as maybe you or I would. An emotionally and mentally stable person is able to recognize these negative emotions along side positive emotions. They are able to take note of these emotions and take the necessary steps to rid themselves of these unwanted tendencies. On the other hand, someone who is clinically depressed is not able to distinguish the good from the bad and sees only negativity because depression plagues their mind in all facets of their life. We all may feel inadequate at times, but depression is “more than just a bout of the blues, it isn't a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply "snap out" of. Depression is a chronic illness that usually requires long-term treatment.” (mayoclinic.com) This treatment attempts to open the victims view and will allow them to see all the goodness that life has to offer.

            This positivity and goodness is represented by the decoupage of words on top of the green area of my painting. These are words like “opportunity,” “peace,” “beauty,” and “love.” Whether we recognize them or not, this positivity is all around us all the time and these feelings of love and happiness truly are available to all. The only difference is that someone who is depressed is unable to see the positivity surrounding him or her. Along with words that go along with positive feelings I chose to use pictures and symbols as well. Some of these pictures are butterflies, beautiful pieces of music, the words of a poem, and the beauty of a pressed flower. All of these things that elicit joy in our lives are perceived differently, depending on the eye of the beholder.

            The eye of the beholder, in this painting would be the woman in the bottom left corner. This woman is not the main aspect of the painting, but is a very important characteristic of it. Her expression is bleak and her gaze hopeless as she looks down and away from the viewer, as if to represent how distorted and “off-center” her views are. She views the world in a completely different way than most of us do.

            The color of this woman is blue and it is very symbolic because blue represents sadness and depression. She is obviously depressed and overwhelmed by her perceptions of how her life is at the moment. People that are depressed and/or suicidal do not necessarily want to die and end their life; they may just see no way out at that particular moment and erroneously convince themselves that suicide is the right answer.

            Suicide is never the right answer. No matter how dismal your situation may be, never think that suicide is the best way out of it. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has said that, “every 40 seconds someone in the world dies by suicide. And every 41 seconds someone is left to make sense of it.” I have personally seen the effects of suicide in my life as I have had a dear cousin of mine take his life at the young age of sixteen. After seeing all that his death has done to my family, never would I want anyone to ever go through a similar experience, and still, as I have finished writing this sentence there has been another person who had intentionally ended their life.

            The numbers and statistics surrounding suicide are astonishing. An average of 402 Utahns die from suicide and 4,152 Utahns attempt suicide each year. More Utahns are treated in an emergency department or hospitalized due to suicide attempts than are fatally injured. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Utah youth ages 10-17 and Utah young adults ages 18-24. Suicide is also the 4th leading cause of death for Utah adults ages 24-64 (Health.Utah.gov).

            Along with depression, drug abuse plays a huge role in the suicidal deaths of so many of our loved ones. Prior to I960 the most frequent means of committing suicide in the United States were firearms, hanging, and exhaust gases; between 1953 and 1963 the incidence of suicide due to these causes did not change significantly. However, during the same ten-year period, the number of suicides by drugs tripled, and by 1962 ranked third among the methods used; barbiturates were the drug most frequently used. (Eugene 1058) By use of a standard reporting form, extensive data were gathered on 651 deaths involving psychotropic drugs and recorded with the Coroner's or Medical Examiner's Office in each of four major U.S. cities. Thirty-six per cent of these deaths were listed as "Definitely Suicide" and 44 per cent were listed as "Non-Suicide". (Eugene 1058)

            In the October ARCHIVES OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY, the UCSD researchers present their analysis of 283 suicide victims from 1981-83. They found: 53 percent of those under 30 were posthumously diagnosed as drug abusers, compared with 17 percent of the general population of that age. These victims tended to abuse several substances at the same time. 9 percent of the under-30 suicide victims suffered depression and 12 percent suffered psychosis. This group also showed a higher incidence of both depression and drug and alcohol abuse than seen in the past 30 years. Only one-third of suicide victims had received mental health treatment during the last year of life, and only half had ever received treatment at all. (Science News 15)

            Upon reading these last two paragraphs it becomes evident that drug abuse and depression play an extreme role in suicide. It is also made clear that the treatment of these hindrances plays an extreme role in preventing suicide. With more and more deaths by suicide each year, it is our responsibility to take an active role in the prevention of such a tragic statistic that leaves thousands of families left without a loved one each year. There are many suicide prevention and suicide awareness programs whose aim is bring awareness and to educate the general public and put an end to the tragedy of suicide. It is our duty as friends and family to educate ourselves and find help for those at risk who are silently begging for our help. Help put an end to suicide! Never let depression slip silently towards suicide and always be kind to others, you never know just what struggles a person may be dealing with.

           

Works Cited

"Age, Depression, Drugs Linked To Suicide." Science News 15 (1986): 228. JSTOR Life Sciences. Web. 29 September 2013.

Eugene C. Dinovo, et al. "A Comparison Of Suicide And Non-Suicide Deaths Involving Psychotropic Drugs In Four Major U.S. Cities." American Journal Of Public Health 66.11 (1976): 1058-1061. Business Source Premier. Web. 29 Sept. 2013.

Mayoclinic.com. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Depression        (major depression). 10 February, 10. Website. 16 October, 13.

Suicidology.org. American Association Of Suicidology. “Some Facts About Suicide And Depression.” 29 June 2010. Website. 26 Sept. 2013.

Welcome Page

The topic I have chosen to dedicate this semester to studying and writing about is suicide. When I say the word suicide, you automatically feel a certain way, as everyone does, and rightly so. You already have your prejudices and feel what you feel--and are definitely entitled to those opinions. What I desire to do throughout this semester is to pull back the curtains on suicide and look into the causes and effects of such a tragedy. I hope to be able to shed some light on the subject and inform those who maybe do not understand the subject or wish to know more about it. The reason I have chosen such a topic to spend my time learning more about is extremely personal and deeply routed. I have dealt with suicide and the effects of it in many different ways throughout my life. When I was a little girl, at the age of ten, my best friend's father committed suicide. I have see the many adverse effects that she and her family has had to deal with because of his passing. Another experience I have had in my life regarding suicide happened just six short months ago as my dear cousin took his life at the young age of 16. This has been such a harrowing experience. Every assumption I previously had surrounding suicide changed. I no longer judged those that struggled with depression or suicidal thoughts because I now knew how real it actually was, and how anyone, no matter their situation could struggle with such a disease. Depression is not something you can just snap out of. It is more than that, it is a chemical imbalance and is as real as high blood pressure or asthma, and needs to be recognized as so. That is why I have dedicated my time to such a topic as this.

My family & I at my cousins funeral.