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%.