Journal Reflection 1

1 Divya 

Mom. We’ve been over this. Don’t read the comments,” I say, sighing as my mother stares at me  with her fretful deep-set eyes. They’re dark green, just like mine, and stand out against her soft brown  skin. Wrinkle lines trail out from the corners like thin tree branches grown over a lifetime of worrying. 
I wish I could wash away all of her worries, but I only seem to be causing her more lately. 
“I’m just not comfortable with it anymore,” my mom counters. “I appreciate what you’re doing  with…you know, your earnings or however that sponsor stuff works, but I can’t stand seeing what  they’re saying about you on the Internet.” 
“So don’t read the comments!” I exclaim, reaching out and taking her hands in mine. Her palms  are weathered, like the pages of the books she moves around at the library, and I can feel the creases in  her skin as my fingers run over them. Bundles of multicolored bangles dangle from both of her wrists,  clinking about lightly. 
“How am I supposed to do that?” she asks, giving my hands a squeeze. “You’re my daughter.  And they say such awful things. They don’t even know you. Breaks my heart.” 
“What did I just say?” I ask, letting go of her hands, trying to give her my warmest it’s-going-to be-okay smile. I know she only reads the blogs, the articles covering this and that, so she just sees the  replies there, the sprawling comments—and not what people say on social media. Not what the trolls  say about her. Because moms are the easiest target for those online monsters. 


How does the advice “Don't read the comments” impact your engagement with online content, and do you find it beneficial or limiting? Explain your reasoning in a paragraph format (SEEC)

Consider the following prompts in your response:
Is not reading the comment section the most important rule of the internet as a society that is increasingly living in the digital age?
Does social media and streaming platforms negatively or positively impact people’s mental and physical wellbeing?
How does racism, sexism and online harassment contribute to the title of the novel? Consider the plot and characters within “Don't Read the Comments” so far. 
Consider doxxing in your response and Divya’s experience of this in the novel
Social media and online platforms are not always negative and limiting. Does the title of the novel act as a warning to society to be cautious of social media in this digital age?

Requirements:
Please write in paragraph format (TSEEC)


T-Topic sentence
S-Statement
E-Evidence (This is where you use a quote)
E-Explain (This is where you analyze your quote)
C-Concluding sentence

Writing Style Prompt * **Focus on clarity:** Make your message really easy to understand. * *Example:* "Please send the file by Monday." * **Be direct and concise:** Get to the point; remove unnecessary words. * *Example:* "We should meet tomorrow." * **Use simple language:** Write plainly with short sentences. * *Example:* "I need help with this issue." * **Stay away from fluff:** Avoid unnecessary adjectives and adverbs. * *Example:* "We finished the task." * **Avoid marketing language:** Don't use hype or promotional words. * *Avoid:* "This revolutionary product will transform your life." * *Use instead:* "This product can help you." * **Keep it real:** Be honest; don't force friendliness. * *Example:* "I don't think that's the best idea." * **Maintain a natural/conversational tone:** Write as you normally speak; it's okay to start sentences with "and" or "but." * *Example:* "And that's why it matters." * **Simplify grammar:** Don't stress about perfect grammar; it's fine not to capitalize "i" if that's your style. * *Example:* "i guess we can try that." * **Avoid AI-giveaway phrases:** Don't use clichés like "dive into," "unleash your potential," etc. * *Avoid:* "Let's dive into this game-changing solution." * *Use instead:* "Here's how it works." * **Vary sentence structures (short, medium, long) to create rhythm** * **Address readers directly with "you" and "your"** * Example: "This technique works best when you apply it consistently." * **Use active voice** * Instead of: "The report was submitted by the team." * Use: "The team submitted the report." # Avoid: * **Filler phrases** * Instead of: "It's important to note that the deadline is approaching." * Use: "The deadline is approaching." * **Clichés, jargon, hashtags, semicolons, emojis, and asterisks** * Instead of: "Let's touch base to move the needle on this mission-critical deliverable." * Use: "Let's meet to discuss how to improve this important project." * **Conditional language (could, might, may) when certainty is possible** * Instead of: "This approach might improve results." * Use: "This approach improves results." * **Redundancy and repetition (remove fluff!)** * **Forced keyword placement** that disrupts natural reading