Reflection on Open Draft Letter

Reflection on Open Draft Letter

McCoy, Shane. "Navy triathletes at the Finish Line".
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Navy_triathletes_at_the_Finish_Line.jpg. 10/3/2003 via Wikimedia. Public Domain

In this blog post I will be reflecting on my draft of the course final.

I reviewed the drafts of Jenny and Clayton.

Did you demonstrate an ability to think about your writing and yourself as a write?

I think that I did demonstrate the ability to think about my writing and myself as a writer. I did this by discussing how much I think that I have changed as a writer. I feel that this semester has helped me make great strides as a writer and I described why I think that in my letter.

Did you provide analysis of your experiences, writing assignments, or concepts you have learned?

I provide multiple examples of writing assignments and also go in depth into some of the different experiences that I have had over the course of the semester. I think that when I discuss my experiences I mostly talk about how I managed my time and the amount of work I had to do.

Did you provide concrete examples from your own writings?

I provided various hyperlinks but I think something that my letter could use more of is direct quotes. One of my main focuses when revising will be to add direct quotes.

Did you explain why you made certain choices and whether those choices were effective?

I explained why I included certain hyperlinks and what those hyperlinks meant in the course and in my growth as a writer. I also explained why I made choices regarding my time management.

Did you use specific terms and concepts related to writing and the writing process to writing and the writing process?

I used terms like "revising" and "planning" when discussing my writing process. I could add terms that are part of those steps of the writing process so that I can be more specific.

Draft of Open Letter

Draft of Open Letter

Milošević, Petar. "Writing a letter". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Writing_a_letter.jpg. 2/25/2012 via Wikimedia. Attribution-Share Alike. 

In this blog post I will be posting a link to the first draft of my final project.

I feel that my first draft is fairly strong. I think I could possibly go a little deeper into the analysis of my first semester. I also think I could possibly reflect a little more on different topics if it felt that my content is not strong enough to stand on its on.

Draft of Final Project

Reflecting More on My Writing Experiences

Reflecting More on My Writing Experiences

Littero, Antonio. "Stipula fountain pen". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stipula_fountain_pen.jpg. 5/26/2011 via Wikimedia. Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

In this blog post I will be reflection on the 109H course and how my semester has gone.

What were the biggest challenges you faced this, overall?

This biggest challenge that I faced was the work load and how I managed it. In the beginning of the year I was saving all of the weeks work until the end of the week. I would then have to spend hours trying to get it done and it was very stressful. I ended up learning to start the work earlier in the week and it made the rest of the semester much easier on me.

What did you learn this semester about your own time management, writing and editorial skills?

I learned that I am able to adapt to manage my time better. In the beginning of the semester I was not managing my time properly. I was able to realize this and adjust how I spend my time so that I could be much more efficient. I also learned that I could be a good editor when I choose to. I often haven't spent much time editing in the past but when forced to do it for a grade I could edit my papers effectively.

What do you know about the concept of 'genre'?

A genre is the form that a writer chooses to write in. For example, a writer may choose to write an article, or maybe instead share what they want to say in a podcast. The rules of each genre are different as is the audience and purpose. In order to be an effective writer one must understanding when using a certain genre will be most effective.

What skills from this course might you use and/or develop further in the next few years of college coursework?

A skill I will use throughout the rest of college is the revising skills that I learned in this course. Revising skills are applicable in all forms of writing and I will need to revise paper throughout the rest of my college work. I will also continue to use the planning skills that I learned in this course as it is very helpful to plan out what I am going to write.

What was your most effective moment from this semester in 109H?

My most effective moment of the semester was when I completely redid my final project. It was hard to completely start over but it was encouraging to see that I was able to do it. I think changing the direction of my paper really helped my project be what the prompt was asking for.

What was your least effective moment from this semester in 109H?

My least effective moment from this semester was the beginning of the semester when I did not handle my time as well as I could have. I became very overwhelmed early in the semester and it made for a difficult transition into college. Fortunately I was able to figure it out and be successful.

Revisiting My Writing Process

Revisiting My Writing Process

Sun Ladder. "2010-07-20 Black windup alarm clock face". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2010-07-20_Black_windup_alarm_clock_face.jpg. 6/20/2010 via Wikimedia. Attribution-Share Alike 3.0. 

In this blog post I will look back at my first two blog posts on my writing process and on time management.

Back in August when I wrote about my writing style I wrote that I considered myself to be a heavy planner and that I wanted to work on improving my revising skills. I still feel that I am a big planner as I like to map out all my ideas before I begin to write but I also feel that I have really improved as a reviser. I have felt that through peer reviewing the projects of others that I have seen a lot of improvement in my revising skills. While I still don't see myself as a heavy reviser, I have definitely improved in my revision skills.

My time management habits have not changed. I still put my school work as a priority. I have not been able to sleep as much or go to the gym to workout as much but that is because I did not realize in the beginning of the year how much time my school work would consume. Through prioritizing academic success, I have seen the success in school that I wanted to have.

I have seen myself work very hard through the semester of this class. This is probably the most time consuming course that I have ever taken. English has never been my strongest subject. But I have worked very hard and put in a lot of time to be successful in this course. My success in this course has shown me that even in a tough situation I can be successful. This is promising for my future as I have showed myself that by putting in the work I can succeed.

Reflection on Project 3

Reflection on Project 3

Tomwsulcer. "Reflection in car window glass Summit library in reflection". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reflection_in_car_window_glass_Summit_library_in_reflection.jpg. 11/16/2012 via Wikimedia. Public Domain

In this blog post I will be reflecting on the process creating of project 3.

What was specially revised from one draft to another?

My entire project changed as I lacked original content and insight on my debate. In the end, I evaluated the use of social media by Bud Light versus in the beginning when I gave reasons why social media was good for social media.

How did you reconsider your thesis or organization?

My whole project changed so these both changed.

What lead you to these changes?

I made this change because I lacked the original content and by changing my project I was able to make my project "mine".

How do these changes affect your creditability as an author?

I think that these changes made me more creditable because I was just giving my opinion, I am also creditable because I am a business student so I am earning about advertising and other business ideas.

How did you reconsider sentence structure and style?

My sentence structure remained similar but my style got a little more informal. I was using more opinion versus actually statistics so I felt I could be a little more informal.

How did these changes assist your audience in understanding your purpose?

I felt my purpose was made much clearer. The purpose of my project was to evaluate the use of social media by Bud Light and I felt it is now easy for the audience to understand that.

Did you have to reconsider the conventions of the particular genre in which you are writing?

The changed the genre of my project but it was fairly similar so I could write in a similar way. The only change I noticed was that I included a creditability piece for myself at the end of my work.

How does the process of reflection help you reconsider your identity as a writer?

I have never completely changed a project before so that was something new for me. I like to keep the majority of my ideas through the revision process but I completely changed my project. I feel this shows my improvement in my confidence as a writer to be able to completely throw away one idea and go in a completely different direction.

Publishing Public Argument

Publishing Public Argument

Williams, Huw. "Newport Hill Climb finish line". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Newport_Hill_Climb_finish_line.png. 10/4/2009 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be publishing the final draft of project 3.

Information for Project 3

Due to changing the direction of my project completely, the genre of my project is now guest column for the Seattle Times.

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3

Project 3

Reflection on Project 3 Draft

Reflection on Project 3 Draft

Ekabhishek. "Barack Obama takes one last look in the mirror, before going out to take oath, Jan. 20, 2009". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barack_Obama_takes_one_last_look_in_the_mirror,_before_going_out_to_take_oath,_Jan._20,_2009.jpg. 1/20/2009 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be reflecting on the drafting process of project 3.

I reviewed the projects of Lauren and Katherine.

Who peer reviewed your draft?
As of 12:00 AM 11/16/2015 my draft had not been peer reviewed. My draft had been up and available for reviews as of 11/7/2015.

What did you think and/or feel about the feedback you received?
In my instructor meeting I was disappointed that I had to change the whole direction of my project but glad to know that the direction I would be taking would be the right one. I felt that hearing I need to add something that brings helped me in my own process but also in that I was able to have that in mind while I was peer reviewing.

What aspects of Projects 3 needs the most work going forward? How do you plan on addressing these areas?

The aspect that I need the most work on going forward is making the article my own and bringing something new to the debate. Instead of focusing on social media and its effect on businesses, I will instead be focusing on how a specific company has used social media. I will evaluate how these social media methods have been effective for the company. By doing this I will be adding my own personal touch to the debate.

How are you feeling overall about the direction of your project after peer review and/or instructor conferences this week?

After my instructor conference I have completely changed the direction of my project. I'm narrowing down the topic so at least I have an idea of what direction I will be taking my project. I do feel better that I know what direction to take my project in that most fulfills the rubric.

Draft of Public Argument

Draft of Public Argument

Linuxbeak. "w21-1a". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:W21-1a.svg. 5/14/2007 via Wikimedia. Public Domain

In this blog post I will be posting the first draft of my public argument.

To my peer editor:
My draft is pretty rough. I got down the basis for my ideas but I have more evidence I need to add. With this evidence I will be adding visual appeals as well. I would like to know how my argument sounds and what I could add/remove to improve that.

Public Argument

Considering Visual Elements

Considering Visual Elements

Whetle, Max. "Oil painting palette". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oil_painting_palette.jpg. 10/27/2007 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be answering questions about the visual elements of my projects.

Color Choices

If my project has a background, what color is the most appropriate for the project, the most visually engaging?

I would say that a white background is most appropriate because I am doing an article and I would not want the background color to take away from the content. If the background were a different color it would distract the reader from the content.

Thinking of my background color, what color should the font be in order to be readable and appropriate to the message of the project?

A black font is very readable over a white background. A colored text would take away from the message of the text as readers may not take the article as serious.

Font Choices

How might I vary the fonts used in my project for emphasis, such as in the title and body of my projects?

The font of my body paragraph will be the same through out. I will use a larger font for the title so that it stands out. The font will be a basic easy to read font.

Are the fonts appropriate to the visual-rhetorical tone of my project?

The fonts are appropriates for my project because I am trying to keep my project formal and focused on the statistics and evidence that backs up my claims. If my font was unprofessional than it would take away a use of an ethos appeal.

What color do fonts need to be in order to stand out against the backgrounds of my project?

Since I plan on using a white background nearly any color would work. However, since I plan on having my article look professional I will be using a black font which works perfectly on a white background.

Image Selection

Is the theme or association that the image produces relevant to the theme of my argument?

I plan on using an image that shows happy business owners from a business that used social media to become very successful. I feel that an image like this will help with emotional appeal.

Is the feeling or tone that the image invokes appropriate to the visual-rhetorical tone of my argument?

Creating a emotional feeling with an image is important to an article. A picture is worth a thousand words and an emotional picture can really help with the message that an author is trying to get across.

If the image is a graph or chart, does it clearly support a major point of my argument, or is it  superfluous?

If I included a graph it would support a point in my argument. It would also be very helpful for those who prefer statistics visually as they can be easier to take in.

Project 3 Outline

Project 3 Outline

Was a bee. "Inverted qualia of colour strawberry". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inverted_qualia_of_colour_strawberry.jpg. 4/21/2006 via Wikimedia. Attribution-Sharealike 2.5 Generic. 

In this blog post I will be providing an outline for my argument of this project.

Introduction (Think about your situation)

• This style of introduction fits my project well because I will discuss advertising and how people see it everyday. I will always discuss the world of social media and how it has taken over peoples lives. I will close my introduction by connecting those two ideas and then I will go into my body paragraph.

Supporting Paragraphs

Major Supporting Arguments

• Social media has increased sales
• Social media has changed businesses for the better
• Social media is really effective when used the right way
• So many people are on social media that advertising market is so huge

Major Criticisms

• Examples of social media having negative effects on business
• Complaints from users on social media can hurt business

Key Points

• Advertising over social media has led to an increase in sales
• Social media has pushed small businesses to the next level of success
• Social media has led to the downfall of some businesses

Topic sentences for support and rebuttals

• As multiple statistics show, the ability to advertise over social media has increased the amount of money that businesses make
• With the use of social media, small businesses have been able to become very successful.
• Many will point out examples in which businesses have hurt themselves using social media but this does not happen when businesses use social media the correct way.

Gather Evidence

From Social Media Examiner 2014 report

• "Have seen increase in sales after using social media"
• "95% gained business exposure"
• "gaining more traffic"

From Social Media Marketing -- How it Affects Your Business

• "95% of millennials have joined a social network"
• "850 million monthly active Facebook users"
• "two billion videos viewed each today on YouTube"

Success of Mase Beer

Evidence for opposition

Macy's relationship with Donald Trump

Map Of Argument

My Coggle

Conclusion

I think the style of conclusion that works for my project is the "Future of the Debate" style. I will explain that advertising over social media is not going away but that standards need to be set. I will also discuss how companies need to come up with ways to ensure that they do not make the crucial mistakes that are harmful to business.

Reflection:
I read the "Considering Visual Elements" blog posts of Addie and Jenny I thought that the visual elements they were considering would work well for their projects. I agreed with the ideas they had come up with for the visual elements of their projects. They both are planning on using a white background with a black font which I agreed was best for their projects.

Analyzing My Genre

Analyzing My Genre

Paraschivu.Florin. "Article 1" https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Article_1.png. 5/28/2015 via Wikimedia. Attribution-Share Alike 4.0. 

In tis blog post I will be analyzing my selected genre and providing 5 examples. My chosen genre is an article.

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5

Social Context

Where is the genre typically set?

This genre can be set on either a website or in a newspaper. In today's times it will most likely set on a website.

What is the subject of the genre?

The subject of this genre varies. It is almost always reporting on an issue but the subject of that issue is different.

Who uses this genre?

This genre is used by nearly everyone. Articles are read by people young and old, rich and poor. The content of what these people read will almost always be different as their are so many different topics.

When and Why is this genre used? What purpose does the genre serve for the people who used it?

The genre is used when the author wants to share information on a subject. It can be used in many situations be that breaking news, sharing an opinion, or explaining what has been going on for a certain topic. This genre serves the purpose of informing the audience. Articles are how most people get their news on the internet.

Rhetorical Patterns of the Genre

What type of content is usually included and excluded?

Usually lots of information on the topic is included along with quotations from people involved. Usually opinions are excluded but sometimes authors are bias and it is easy to see what way the author leans.

What rhetorical appeals are used most often? Do you notice any patterns in the appeals to logos, pathos, or ethos?

Pathos is used very often as articles, depending on the subject, as many subjects can evoke emotions. Logos can also be used as statistics are used in articles. When the article contains an opinion than usually the author will include a background on themselves which is ethos. The pattern I have noticed is certain topics use different appeals. If the topic is more controversial than more pathos will be used.

How are the texts organized? Do they generally open in similar ways? Conclude in similar ways? What common parts do the samples share?

The ways that the text is organized is based on the personal preference of the author. An article may open with details on the topic or possibly a quote for example. An article may end with a quote as well or the author may go the route of telling what the audience should look for regarding the topic in the future.

Do the sentences in the genre share a certain style? Are they mostly active, passive, simple, complex? Is there an abundance or lack of questions, exclamation points, or semi-colons?

The sentences for the most part are simple but this depends on the topic. A topic that easier to understand would have more simple sentences. There is a lack of exclamation points as the make the piece less formal.

What type of word choice is used? Do many of the words fit in particular category of jargon or slang? Is the overall effect of the word choice formal, informal, humorous, or academic?

The word choice depends on the topic of the article. If the article is reporting a major news story than it will have formal word choice. If the article were scientific than it would most likely have an academic word choice. An article reporting something not so serious will most likely be less formal but still professional.

Social Context

Who does the genre include and who does it exclude?

This genre included pretty much everyone because there are so many different topics an article can be written on. An article would exclude a person who prefers to learn visually because there are not many images used in articles.

What roles for writers and readers does the genre encourage?

The writers are encouraged to share the information they want to present in a way that the readers will understand. The readers are supposed to take in the information and develop an opinion based on the information given.

What values and beliefs are assumed about or encouraged from users of the genre?

The writers of this genre are assumed to prevent all the information available and not hold back any key information. They also are expected to not make up any information.

What content does the genre treat as most valuable? Least valuable?

The most valuable content would be the information shared because that is why people are reading the article. The least valuable content would be images because while they can be emotion provoking, there will only be one image used in most articles.

Reflection
I read the blogs of Tyler and Breanna and learned about their respective genres. Tyler has choose a blog which I have a lot of experience with because of this course so I was able to understand why a writer would choose the genre. Breanna chose a listicle and I agreed with what she said about it. She said that the audience is a younger one and I agreed with that 100%.

Considering Types

Considering Types

Stawig. "Argument logo". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Argument_logo.jpg. 10/3/2011 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be discussing types of argument I could use for project.

I think that either a position argument or evaluative argument would best fit my project. I get use a position argument to take a stand that social media is good for businesses. I would be able to effectively explain the benefits. The evaluative argument would be effective because I could evaluate why businesses are using social media to advertise. The refutation argument could be effective if I just discussed how social media is only bad when businesses are not smart about it. I do not think the causal or proposal argument type would work because there is not really a problem that needs to be solved. While I could suggest a solution I do not think it would be as effective as the other types.

Reflection:
I read the blog posts of Thomas (Rhetorical Action Plan, Considering Types) and Lauren (Rhetorical Action Plan, Considering Types) and I felt both of them are well on their way to having a successful project. I felt that after reading theirs I felt good about the argument I planned on making for my project. While they chose different argument types than me, I felt that seeing what argument types that would use based on their rhetorical plans helped me with choosing my own.

My Rhetorical Action Plan

My Rhetorical Action Plan

Tartufo, Zack. "Simple Plan Foundation". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Simple_Plan_Foundation.jpg. 10/14/2012 via Wikimedia. Public Domain. 

In this blog post I will describe my plan for the audience, genre, and responses of argument for my project.

Audience:

• Knowledge: The audience does not know much on the topic. They know the ads that they see on their social media platforms but they don't know much beyond that. They don't know what businesses are giving up to advertise on these platforms or what they are gaining. They may have an opinion against advertising on social media because it may annoy them.
• Values: The world of social media has so much diversity that the values vary greatly among the audience. The audience may view the advertisements as annoying but may be interested in the statistics behind social media advertisements.
• Standards of Argument: I think the use of statistics that show the effectiveness of social media will aid in my argument because they are strong evidence. I could also potentially use the story of a small business who has thrived with the use of social media, because the generation of social media users loves a success story they can share.
• Visual Elements: I could potentially use a chart displaying the statistics I am using that could be easily shared on social media. I could also potentially show a picture of the small business owners being happy and that would draw a emotional response.
• Purpose: The purpose of my argument is to show that there is a reason behind the advertisements that show up on peoples social media feeds and that these advertisements are not going to stop any time soon. While they may not like it, social media advertising is huge for businesses and I will be showing my audience why and how businesses utilize this. With some explanation for why businesses do this, users of the platform may have some understanding next time an advertisement shows up on their feed.

Genre:

Podcast: Example 1 Example 2

• The function of a podcast is to provide an audio recording that is available for downloading an listening. Podcast are used to give the host a space to talk about whatever they want. It is designed to allow me to discuss my subject in a less formal way while still sharing the information that I want.
• This would usually be posted on a specific website for podcasts.
• I would share statistics which would be logos and the tone of my voice would be pathos.
• Visual elements are not used in this genre.
• If I were to use this genre I would most likely use an informal style but still factual. The audience would not be a formal audience so I would want it to be something entertaining. 

Article: Example 1 Example 2

• The function of an article is to provide the information you intend on sharing through a platform that is read. Where the article is published often is based on the intended audience.
• The setting of my genre is on the web. It would have to be intended for a site that the younger generation of social media users frequents.
• I would be using logos when sharing statistics and pathos when deciding what tone to write in. I get also use an emotion invoking image. I could also use ethos and give a background on myself to build some credibility.
• I would use an image to display statistics. I would also consider using an image of happy business owners to evoke emotions.
• If I were to use this genre I would write it formal enough to be taken seriously but informal enough that I keep the attention of my audience.

Responses/Actions

Positive Reactions

• Readers respect the research I've done and the statistics that I share and think about what these statistics mean.
• Readers see the reason behind businesses advertising so heavily on social media platforms.
• Reader, agree or disagree, will be more knowledgeable about the subject and be able to actively participate in a debate.

Negative Rebuttals

• Readers say that the statistics prove nothing.
• Readers are persuaded by the saddening stories of businesses being ruined by social media.
• Readers say they still don't see the value of advertising over social media.
• My response to these rebuttals would be to further explain the statistics and show how much the profitability of businesses has increased due to being able to advertise on social media. I would also give examples of little known businesses the exploded due to social media.

Analyzing Purpose

Analyzing Purpose

godserv. "Got Purpose?". https://www.flickr.com/photos/godserv/4517248920. 4/13/2010 via flickr. Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic

In this blog post I will be writing about the purpose of my public argument.

Free write on goal of argument:

I would like people to feel more educated as a result of more article. My argument will be including a lot of statistics so I would like that my audience to recognize the hard evidence that backs my argument and what these statistics mean. I also want the readers to be able to look past the examples of when social media has gone wrong due to the statistics I provide. These examples will be used o try to trigger an emotional reaction from readers. If readers see that social media has ruined some businesses it could potentially draw an emotional reaction.

Plausible Reactions:

• People will see the value of social media for businesses
• People will have a emotional reaction due to the examples
• People will learn how businesses are using social media
• People will ponder what the best way to use social media is
• People will form their own opinion after seeing arguments for both sides

Not Plausible Reactions:

• People will be emotionally moved by statistics
• People will be inspired to take a stand
• People will see no value in social media for businesses

Cause and Effect

• Reaction: People will learn how businesses are using social media
• Accomplish: If people learn how businesses are using social media then they will be able to participate in the debate more actively.
• Then: There will be more people with knowledge on the topic which will improve the debate overall. If more opinions are being heard then the debate will be much better.

Audience:

The audience that I am leaning toward is the people who are constantly using social media. I feel that this audience knows little on the topic so it would be very informational for them. I think they would be very interested in seeing how businesses use social media to reach them on the platforms they are checking hourly. I am also considering an audience of advertisers/businesses owners/ and those who study social media. This would become a debate where those participating in the debate would have much more knowledge on the subject. The advertisers and business owners would mostly likely aid me in advancing my cause.

Analyzing Context

Analyzing Context

Lumu. "ConTeXt Logo". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ConTeXt_Logo.svg. 4/22/2009 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will analyzing the context surrounding my controversy.

What are the key perspectives or schools of thought on the debate that you are studying?

The key perspectives in my debate are that social media is good for business or that social media is bad for business. Inside how the good for business perspective is the discussion for how social media should be utilized by businesses.

What are the major points of contention or major disagreements among these perspectives?

The major disagreement is whether or not social media is good or bad for business.

What are the possible points of agreement, or the possible common ground between these perspectives?

I think that a common ground could be reached on social media that if used correctly then it could be useful for businesses. The problem is that not all businesses use it correctly.

What are the ideological difference, if any, between the perspectives?

Those who believe that social media is good for businesses have an ideology that if used in the right way social media can be good for businesses while those in opposition have more of a glass half empty ideology of that the negatives outweigh the positives.

What specific actions do their perspectives or texts ask their audiences to take?

The audience is supposed to realize how businesses are using the platform of social media to their advantage. Their is not really a specific action that an audience can take for this debate.

What perspectives are useful in supporting your own arguments about the issue? Why did you choose these?

The perspectives that provide statistics and good insight on ways social media can be utilized are going to be useful in supporting my argument because they back the idea that social media is useful.

What perspectives do you think will be greatest threat to your argument? Why so?

The opposing perspective will be a great threat by providing examples of times that social media use has gone wrong and really hurt a business.

Reflection:
I read the blog posts of Addie and Tom and they both had some very interesting ideas. Tom brought forth the idea of using the oppositions views to his advantage which I thought was a very interesting idea. Addie did a really good job of giving enough information that I feel like I can see where she plans on taking her project.

Audience and Genre

Audience and Genre

Special Collections. "Audience Frontier Fiesta". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Audience_Frontier_Fiesta.jpg. 1950 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be discussing the two different audiences I could be writing for. I will be including potential genres that I could display my information.

Big social media users

Social media has exploded since Facebook. Hundreds of millions of people use some form of social media everyday. Be it Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or any of the many other social media platforms, people young and old use social media everyday. These people may be interested in how and why businesses utilize social media to reach the hundreds of millions of users.

• Article

I could write an article on the subject that includes how businesses are using social media to reach these average users and give the statistics why. I would want to write this article on a place that these social media users would go. Potentially writing it for a well known publication, like CNN or Forbes for example and then share it on Facebook or Reddit or another popular social media site.

• Example one
• Example two

• YouTube Video

Another potentially genre would be to make a YouTube video explaining how businesses utilize social media and the pros and cons behind it. This would be effective because YouTube is a social media site so the video would be placed where these social media users constantly are.

• Example one
• Example two

Those involved in the business world

This could be businesses owners, those involved in advertising, or even those who are just interested in how businesses operate. This audience is fairly large because social media is huge and so is being able to advertise using it. These people interested in business will want to see the effect social media has had business.

• Op-Ed for business publication

I could write an Op-Ed for a business publication. Something like Businessweek for Bloomburg. I would write about how social media has changed the whole landscape of the business world. I would discuss the pros and cons of social media for businesses and I would be able to use more business related terms because it would be geared towards a business crowd.

• Example one
• Example two\

• Business Podcast

I could make a business podcast which I would discuss the topic of advertising in social media. I would share statistics and discuss the pros and cons of it. I could bring up various examples of how social media has affected a certain business. I could also discuss how social media advertising is growing and how it has changed the business world.

• Example one
• Example two

Extended Annotated Bibliography

Extended Annotated Bibliography

LaunchGuru. "SocialMedia Marketing". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SocialMedia_Marketing.jpg. 3/11/2015 via Wikimedia. Attribution-Share Alike 4.0.

In this blog post I will be posting my annotated bibliography for project 3. My project 3 focus on social media and its affect on businesses.

Link to my Bibliography

Narrowing My Focus

Narrowing My Focus

Vssun. "Amber Fort - Narrow path for vehicles to reach the entry of fort". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amber_Fort_-_Narrow_path_for_vehicles_to_reach_the_entry_of_fort.JPG. 10/23/2010 via Wikimedia. Attribution-Share Alike 3.0. 

In this blog post I will be choosing my favorite questions from my last blog post in order to narrow down my topic.

How has social media advertising affected businesses?

What is the general populations opinion on businesses advertising on social media?

Are there any business ethics about the use of social media for advertising?

I choose these three questions because I felt that they would best allow me to explore my topic. I really want to see the benefits or disadvantages that advertising on social media gives to businesses. I also want to see if it is an effective tactic. It is always important for any topic to examine how people are reacting to it, and I know there has been some outcry over how certain ads are pushed at people based on their internet history.

Questions About Controversy

Questions About Controversy

Penubag. "Ambox blue question". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ambox_blue_question.svg. 11/12/2008 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In project 3 I have decided I will focus on the topic of the benefits or disadvantages that social media brings.

Questions about WHO is involved?

• Has social media caused harm to companies?
• Has social media affected the jobs of people?
• What do social media companies think of advertisers?
• Does the government have any say in the use of social media in business?
• What is the general populations opinion on businesses advertising on social media?

Questions about WHAT is involved?

• How much has social media helped businesses?
• How much has social media hurt businesses?
• What do people think of ads that are geared towards what they look up?
• How much money are companies spending on social media advertising?
• Are there any business ethics about the use of social media for advertising?

Questions about WHEN this begin?

• When did companies begin to use social media to advertise?
• When did Facebook begin gearing ads towards what you look up or where you live?
• Have any laws or policies changed since when social media began allowing ads?
• Did one social media platform allow ads before others did?
• How many users were on social media when advertising began?

Questions about WHERE the controversy has happened?

• Where are most people discussing these issues?
• Do social media sites allow complaints on their platforms?
• Do all social media platforms allow advertising?
• Have there been any protests around the world?
• Is there anywhere on the internet to go to voice complaints to the companies or the platform?

Questions about HOW this is displayed in the media?

• What are major media outlets saying about advertising over social media?
• How do big time social media users view advertising?
• Are there reports on the effect of social media advertisers on consumers?
• How have social media companies responded to negative feedback?
• Has social media advertising been covered by major news outlets?

Reflection on Project 2

Reflection on Project 2

D'Auria, Daniel. "Fountain Reflection Mission San Juan Capistrano". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fountain_Reflection_Mission_San_Juan_Capistrano.jpg. 10/28/2009 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

I have just recently turned in the final draft of Project 2. In this blog post I will be reflecting on the process.

What was specifically revised from one draft to another?

• The biggest change from one draft to another was from my first draft to my second. I completely threw out the introduction and conclusion of my first draft and added completely new ones for my second. I felt that my new intro and conclusion were huge improvements. I also added lots of evidence.

Point to global changes: how you did you reconsider your thesis or organization?

• I completely changed my thesis because in the beginning I did not understand the purpose of the essay. I thought we were arguing a side of the topic. Once I realized we were analyzing rhetorical choices I changed my thesis completely.

What lead you to these changes?

• See above.. Mostly a change in the audience.

How do these changes affect your creditability as an author?

• These changes made me more creditable because it made it so I was responding to the right prompt and writing for the correct audience. If I were to write on the wrong thing that would not look very good to my peers.

How will these changes better address the audience or venue?

• These changes better address the audience because I am now writing for the correct audience. If I had stayed with my previous thesis then the correct audience would have had no idea what I was talking about and they would not learn to analyze rhetorical devices like they are supposed to.

Point to any local changes: how did you reconsider sentence structure and style?

• I did not really reconsider sentence structure and style. I added sentences of longer length when I redid my introduction. I have variety in my sentences with some being long, some short, and some at middle length. I some sentences I was able to eliminate wordiness.

How will these changes assist your audience in understanding your purpose?

• The changes to sentence length helps my audience understand my purpose because I switch sentence length and its always is nice for readers to not feel like they are reading the same thing over and over. By eliminating wordiness I was able to make the point of my sentences clear which assist the reader because they understand quicker.

Did you have to reconsider the conventions of the particular genre in which you are writing?

• I have written essays before so I was pretty used to the genre. I did reconsider the conventions of my conclusions however, writing it in a way that answers the "so what".

How does the process of reflection help you reconsider your identity as a writer?

• When reflecting on this paper I realized that I was comfortable removing a whole paragraph from my writing and completely starting over. I have never wanted to do that and this time I did and it took me out of my comfort zone as a writer. I was able to completely redo both my introduction and conclusion, and I now realize I am comfortable and able to do this.

Reflection

I read the reflections of Addie and Lauren and we all agreed on certain things. We all agreed that we did not understand who we were writing for at the beginning. This made the project very confusing until we figured it out. We all agreed that the class discussion where we discussed who the audience should be was very useful and was a turning point for the project.

Project 2 Final

Project 2 Final

Bach, Eviatar. "Celebration of Light Brazil 2012". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Celebration_of_Light_Brazil_2012_16.JPG. 8/1/2012 via Wikimedia. Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported.

In this blog post I will be posting the final draft of project 2.

Final Draft

Punctuation, Part 2

Punctuation, Part 2

Neutrality. "Question mark (black on white)". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_mark_(black_on_white).png. 6/13/2005 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will continue to write about different forms of punctuation as described in Rules For Writers and then revise my draft looking for the punctuation that I wrote about. 

Parentheses: ()

Parentheses are used when the writer wants to give additional information but it does not fit into the sentence. The writer may be including supplemental material or afterthoughts. Parentheses are also used when a writer wants to enclose numbers or letters that being used with a series of items. The main use of parentheses for me is when using a direct quote from a source. I surround the information necessary to properly cite a source with parentheses. I will also use parentheses when I want to feel information that I believe to be necessary but I could not fit it into a sentence.

Ellipsis: (. . .)

An ellipsis occurs when a writer makes three spaced periods (. . .) and is used when a writer uses a direct quote but does not want to use the whole quote. Ellipsis are used in the place of those words deemed unnecessary. An ellipsis is only used in the middle of a quote, never at the beginning or end. Ellipsis can also be used to show hesitation or interruption in speech, a useful tactic for writers.

Period: (.)

A period is used to close every sentence unless it is a question or an exclamation. A period is also used in abbreviations for example, Mr. or Mrs.. The period is easily the most used form of punctuation as it would be impossible to write without it. Without using a period a writer would never be able to signal to their audience that the sentence has ended and there would be nothing to keep ideas separate.

After reading through my draft, specifically looking for these three chosen topics of punctuation, I learned that I don't often use ellipsis or parentheses. I did not feel the need to include additional information with the use of parentheses or the need to remove words from a quote by using an ellipsis. I do use parentheses when using a direct quote, “The ability to access information is much better because it's easier to get to it”, regarding how the amount of people using social media has affected information (Mullaney, T). I used the less common use of the period when using "U.S." as the abbreviation of United States.

Paragraph Analysis 2

Paragraph Analysis 2

RRZEicons. "Inspector-hat". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inspector-hat.svg. 9/7/2009 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be posting a copy of my draft in which I analyze the paragraphs in my draft. I will also be reflecting on how this activity helped me look at the strengths and weaknesses of my draft.

After doing this activity I found some very strong point in my essay but also some points that could use improvement. I found my introduction to be very strong in introducing the topic of my article and the topic of my essay. Also each one of paragraphs develops upon the main idea of the essay. An area I need to improve in is that I need to add direct quotes to my second and third paragraphs to give my audience examples from the text.

Paragraph Analysis 2

Revised Conclusion

Revised Conclusion

Warner Brothers. "Merrie Melodies ending sequence". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Merrie_Melodies_ending_sequence.png. 7/6/2012 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will completely redoing the conclusion of my rhetorical analysis essay. I will be doing this using tips from the Student's Guide.

I feel that my new conclusion is more effective than the original because I feel it wraps up my essay more effectively. I answer the "so what" of why it is important to be able to effectively analyze rhetorical devices. I feel that this new conclusion relates better to the question of the prompt versus the purpose of Mullaney's article, which I focused on in my old conclusion.

Old Conclusion:
Overall, Mullaney’s chosen rhetorical tactics prove very effective in getting his argument across. Mullaney’s article is persuasive because he provides more than enough evidence to prove his naysayers wrong without attacking them. He uses his statistics to prove that social media is valuable to businesses. A business owner that had not implemented a social media aspect into their business would be more than likely inclined to look into adding one.

New Conclusion:
The value of being able to understand the reasons behind an author’s choice of rhetorical devices should not be understated. The ability to do this makes it so much easier for a reader to evaluate the arguments made by an author and what the intended effect of these devices are. Through my analysis of Mullaney’s article readers in my field of business are able to see an example of how to analyze an article in our field. Through my analyze I explained how Mullaney effectively utilizes statistics, builds his credibility through various tactics, and preserves formality throughout his article.

Revised Introduction

Revised Introduction

Kayua. "Flowchart start symbol". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flowchart_start_symbol.svg. 3/21/2013 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be posting my draft with my completely new introduction. I used the Tips for Writing Introduction in Student Guide for guidance on writing this new introduction.

I feel that my new introduction does a much better job of introducing my essay. In my new intro I forecasted my essay so much better. I had little to know forecasting in my first introduction and this one I explained to the reader the purpose of rhetorical analysis. I also explained why being able to evaluate rhetorical analysis' is an useful skill to have.

Old Introduction:
Social media has taken over people's lives. With over a “billion” people on Facebook, social media has become something that is part of nearly everyone's life. It was only a matter of time before businesses would begin to realize the benefits offered by utilizing the technology of social media. In Social media is reinventing how business is done, an article authored by Tim Mullaney, a writer for the USA Today, brings insight on how social media can be effectively utilized by businesses to further their success. Mullaney employs uses of statistics, building his credibility, and keeping his article formal in order to effectively express the importance of social media in the business world.

New Introduction:
Unless you live in an isolated cabin in the woods, you most likely see something relating social media the majority of your day. Social media is everywhere and is integrated into almost everything in daily life, for example getting deals based of liking a company on Facebook. Businesses have begun to see the benefits and have been using social media, but internal arguments may occur regarding the use of social media. When making an argument one must convince those listening that they are right. Authors have to do this when writing about certain topics. Authors do this through the use of rhetorical devices which allows them to add evidence to back their argument or to make a reader feel a certain way emotionally. In this essay i will be demonstrating how to analyze the effectiveness of rhetorical devices by analyzing the devices used by Tim Mullaney. Being able to evaluate rhetorical devices in a text is an important skill because it allows you to read article better and not be manipulated by the author as well as it gives you the skill to evaluate arguments more effectively in the future. In Social media is reinventing how business is done, an article authored by Tim Mullaney, a writer for the USA Today, brings insight on how social media can be effectively utilized by businesses to further their success. Mullaney employs the uses of statistics, builds his credibility, and keeps his article formal in order to effectively express the importance of social media in the business world.

Reflection on Project 2 Draft

Reflection on Project 2 Draft

Superhasn. "Sky Mirror, Nottingham". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sky_Mirror,_Nottingham.jpg. 8/7/2010 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be reflecting on the project 2 draft by answering the question provided in Student's Guide.
I reviewed the rough drafts of Mark and Tyler.

Do you have an identifiable thesis? Does it point to the specific rhetorical strategies you analyze in your essay, or are you merely using vague terms like ethos, pathos, and logos.

• My thesis is identifiable because I mention the authors name and the article title and then get into the specific rhetorical strategies that he uses.\

How have you decide to organize your essay? Does each paragraph have a central point that is supported with evidence from the text and in-depth analysis?

• I have set up my essay so that each body paragraph has a specific central point. I feel that my analysis of the text is good but in my second and third paragraphs my evidence is lacking so I need to add evidence there.

Did you clearly identify and analyze several important elements of the text's rhetorical situation and/or structure?

• I identify and analyze the use of statistics, the ways Mullaney builds his credibility, and the way that Mullaney keeps his article formal. I do not mention the structure of the text and I could add that upon my future revisions.

Did you explain how and why certain rhetorical strategies were employed? Did you discuss what effects these strategies have on the indented audience and overall effectiveness of the text?

• I explain the reasoning behind every chosen rhetorical device chosen by Mullaney and what their intended effect on the audience is. In my conclusion I discuss how I believed that the use of the rhetorical strategies was effective was able to have it's intended effect on the audience.

Are you thoughtfully using evidence in each paragraph? Do you mention specific examples from the text and explain why they are relevant?

• I need to add direct quotes from the text to my paragraphs. While I refer to examples, I need to add quotes to show the reader exactly what evidence Mullaney uses. My first body paragraph has two direct quotes but my second and third have zero so I need to add quotes to those paragraphs.

Do you leave the reader wanting more? Do you answer the "so what" question in your conclusion?

• I think that I leave my readers wanting more in terms of direct quotes. Other than that I think that I discuss what rhetorical devices he uses and for what reasons he uses them to the readers content. I think that I kind of answer the "so what" question with my last sentence but I could improve.

Punctuation, Part 1

Punctuation, Part 1

Jelte, "Semicolon".https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Semicolon.png. 5/12/2008 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be writing about three different types of punctuation as described in Rules For Writers. 

Semicolon: (;)

The semicolon is used to connect to equal parts of sentence of the same grammatical rank. A semicolon can be used when a writer wants to omit a coordinating clause. When using a transitional phrase like "after all", the writer will use a semicolon then the transitional phrase then a comma. Sometimes a semicolon is used emphasize a contrast or distinction. I have never really been a huge user of semicolons but they add nice variety to sentences and can break up a run-on so I may use them more often in the future.

Colon: (:)

The colon is used to bring attention to the words that come after it. The most common use of a colon is using it before a list but it can be used before an appositive, a quotation, or a summary. Colons can also be used after a salutation in a letter, between hours and minutes when stating a time (7:30), when stating a ratio (5:2) and between a title and subtitle. A colon must always follow a full independent clause.

Apostrophe: (')

The apostrophe is used to show that a noun is possessive meaning that it shows ownership. If a noun does not end in "s" then when using an apostrophe a writer adds "('s)". If the noun is plural and ends with "s" than a writer adds the apostrophe after the "s". An apostrophe can also indicate that an indefinite pronoun is possessive. By adding a "('s)" to a word like "someone" it implies that somebody owns something. Numbers do not use apostrophes. I often use apostrophes in my writing.

Reflection:
I peer edited the essays of Mark and Tyler and looked out for the three items of punctuation that I wrote about. In Mark's essay he used a colon that occurred in this sentence, "This distinction may seem innocuous, but it serves a key point in Bouie's agenda: it offers two sides to the issues, and helps him build into wider narrative describing a conflict between competing wings of the GOP quite effectively". Mark uses the colon because he wanted to draw attention to what he was saying after it. In Tyler's essay he did not use an apostrophe when he should have. He writes, "Schliefers argument", but Schliefer should have an apostrophe after the "s" because it is Schliefer's argument.

Draft of Rhetorical Analysis

Draft of Rhetorical Analysis

Palmer, Alfred. "PalmercarpenterA". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PalmercarpenterA.jpg. 1/9/2008 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be posting the first draft of my rhetorical analysis essay. To those who are going to be reviewing my draft: it is very rough. I am going to need to add more evidence and I need to improve my introduction and conclusion. I would ask those who edit it to look closely and give me advice on my thesis and my conclusion.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15L9TacP-6XCEWoit8ATM1kFvDZ_E0SXHp7XivCLbFVE/edit?usp=sharing

Practicing Summary & Paraphrase

Practicing Summary & Paraphrase

Lord, Carrot. "Example-of-Article-Plagiarism-Diagram". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Example-of-Article-Plagiarism-Diagram.png. 1/18/2013 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be paraphrasing a quote from my article.

Original
"Innovation is a two-way street," said Chris Laping, Red Robin's senior vice president for business transformation. "When people see things, they feel things. And when they feel things, they change." (Mullaney)

Paraphrased
Mullaney uses a quote from Chris Laping, who is the senior vice president for business transformation at the very popular chain of Red Robin. Laping discusses the idea of innovation, saying that innovation goes both ways and when people view things it leaves an impression on them causing a change in their mind state.

Summary
Chris Laping of Red Robin is quoted by Mullaney, saying that innovation changes the way people look at things.

Project 2 Outline

Project 2 Outline

MithrandirMage. "Thought bubble". https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thought_bubble.svg. 6/21/2012 via Wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be composing my outline for my rhetorical analysis essay. I will also be sharing my thoughts

Through reading about the introduction I discovered that there is no set way to start an introduction in the rhetorical analysis genre. It gives the writer a variety of options in that they get to start their essay how they choose. The thesis is the what do we understand about the ways it tries to persuade the audience but that is not how it should be read. The analytical claim explains the argument while being debatable and supportable. The analytical claim needs evidence quotes to back it up. Body paragraphs focus on a specific aspect of the text and serve as support to the point of the argument. The conclusion is there to analyze what makes the paper persuasive and whether or not it was persuasive.

Outline:
Introduction:
I will explain what rhetorical situations and strategies are and how a writer uses that to appeal to different audiences. I will always give background information on the topic of social media in business. I will finish the introduction with my thesis.

Thesis:
In the article Social media is reinventing how business is done, author Tim Mullaney, a writer for the USA Today, employs uses of statistics, relevant quotes, and strong organization in order to display the value of social media in the world of business. He uses his background to build his credibility on the topic in order to sway the audience towards his opinion.

Body Paragraph 1: Statistics
Mullaney uses statistics to back up his argument and to sway his audience towards his side. He does this by presenting statistics that show the value of utilizing aspects of social media. He provides many statistics to disprove naysayers or to convince those that are not so sure. The effects these statistics have on the reader is that they are able to see the evidence that backs what the author is trying to say.

• Examples of Statistics
• Billion people use Facebook
• Use of internal social media networks up 50%
• Two thirds of big companies utilize social media

Body Paragraph 2: Establishes creditability

Mullaney builds his credibility in order to get the readers to know he is a reliable source. The fact that he is writing for USA Today, well known publication, helps his case. As does that he is writing about his specialty. He quotes other sources in order to show the readers that he is not making things up. By using this appeal readers will trust what he is saying.

• He writes for a credible source
• He specializes in technology and economics
• He links to other articles through keywords
• He quotes other sources

Body Paragraph 3: Keeps his work formal

Mullaney keeps the topic from becoming emotional and keeps his work formal to cause a stir with his readers. He does not try to put those whose opinion does not much his down. He keeps a formal tone in order to keep the focus on the details he provided. This keeps the reader focus on what Mullaney is trying to say.

• Formal word tone keeps Mullaney from sounding bias
• Topic is not emotional so it is important to keep it from becoming that.
• He doesn't try to focus on making the reader feel a certain rather providing them with many statistics.

Analytic Claims:

Mullaney provides a variety of different statistics in order to provide real evidence for his readers. He uses outside sources and his background in order to build his creditability. He keeps the article formal in order to focus on the details he is describing versus trying to evoke emotions about a topic that is not very emotional.

Conclusion:

In my conclusion I will wrap up my essay. I believe that Mullaney's chosen rhetorical strategies were effective. It is persuasive because it provides more than enough evidence in order to convince naysayers that social media is valuable in the business world. A business owner who read this article and had not implemented a social media system in to their own business would be very interested into looking into one.

Reflection:
I read the outlines of Ann and Lauren and I felt they both made great outlines. Their outlines allowed me to see where they plan on taking their essay. Their outlines very also organized well, which I appreciate as a reader. I feel that if they can turn their outline in a full essay they will do great jobs with their essays.