Exercise 2-

Kurt Backhus

Left Side

         -Favorite line or passage:

"the police seem bored, indifferent, not even remotely interested in the sudden flight their slow passage through the square inspires."

         -Copied passage(s) that use outside research, one I liked and one I did not like:

"Pigeon racers in the Bronx tenderly kiss the beaks of their birds, finally home after flying 500 miles to their lofts after a remarkable feat of solar navigation." (Blechman).

"Meanwhile, pigeon haters host websites like pigeonsmakemesick.com and propose plans for ridding cities of the "vermin", including the tactical use of tennis racket and loaves of bread." (Thorne)

         -Main idea/ thesis in your own words:

 I think that the main idea or thesis of this essay is to inform the audience about the good and bad of pigeons. The central question seemed to be whether you like or dislike pigeons, and what it means to be on either side.I think you were trying to understand how you could possibly like pigeons, and you had to write about the ups and downs of pigeons in order to make your decision. You came to understand that you actually like and enjoy pigeons even though they continue to poop on your head and flock in big cities.

Right Side

 When I write my research paper, I can use certain techniques or methods such as my own experiences and stories and articles from popular magazines to keep the essay interesting to the readers even if it is fact based.

The Bothersome Beauty of Pigeons was unlike what I understood to be a research paper because it was actually fun and interesting to read. Yes it does challenge me to look at these types of papers differently because now I know that a research paper does not have to be boring, but it can be exciting and entertaining. This essay makes me wonder why professors and instructors act like research papers must be boring, when they can be written like this. 

I could definitely relate to some of the things said in the essay such as the part about not liking pigeons and the essay did change my views because it showed me that pigeons can be both useful and pretty.