"Do you have any advice for those of us just starting out?"
Ron Koertge advises us to "think outside of the box" when we are writing and go and use our life experiences to write. Our experiences should be our inspiration for what we write about. We should also be ready to write about anything at anytime, because an idea could come to use when we least expect it. He also advises us to not be so structured when we write, we should not be afraid to let our creativity show.
From my experience is WSC 001 I would advise new writers to not be afraid to write something that needs to be edited. I used to be a perfectionist and hated when I wrote anything that needed to be edited. Being in this class, I have learned that sometimes things need to be edited multiple times before they are the best that they could be. You can even write something that is completely unorganized at first and then use this to structure the next step of your writing. You should also write about topics that you are passionate about or that you are interested in. Throughout WSC 001 you are given a lot of freedom with the topics that you write about, so take advantage of it and write about things that you are passionate about. This will help your writing to be the best that it can be.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Blog 11 of 12
Are the four-letter word projects writing? (What is writing?)
Or, are they something else -- an argument? a composition? an inscription? something else?
The four-letter word projects are writing. If you just look at the projects without trying to understand the argument that is being made, it is very easy for one to just say that these projects are not writing. But if you take the time to understand the arguments you will realize that these pictures are doing the job of words. When we write we take the time to pick the perfect words to make our arguments as strong as they can be. When we made these projects we took the time to pick what we felt were the best images and sometimes songs to make our arguments as strong as we can. We also placed the images in the order we picked because it helped improve our arguments. Even though this project had no text or written words, the images spoke for themselves and were still a form of writing.
Or, are they something else -- an argument? a composition? an inscription? something else?
The four-letter word projects are writing. If you just look at the projects without trying to understand the argument that is being made, it is very easy for one to just say that these projects are not writing. But if you take the time to understand the arguments you will realize that these pictures are doing the job of words. When we write we take the time to pick the perfect words to make our arguments as strong as they can be. When we made these projects we took the time to pick what we felt were the best images and sometimes songs to make our arguments as strong as we can. We also placed the images in the order we picked because it helped improve our arguments. Even though this project had no text or written words, the images spoke for themselves and were still a form of writing.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Blog 6 of 12
Respond to the character's question as he enters the twittersphere: "Who are they talking to?" Do you wonder who your audience is when you post on twitter? Do you feel differently about your audience in online writing environments? Is your relationship to your online audience distinct? Who do you imagine is reading your tweets, for example?
This animation clearly doubts the viability of twitter as a valuable tool? What do you think? What is the purpose of microblogging?
When I tweet I am talking to my followers. I know that not all of my followers read or pay attention to what I post but I would like to think that most of them do, or they would not follow me. I do not feel differently about my audiences in online writing environments because if I did not want them to read what I wrote or I was worried about how they would react I would not have written it. My relationship with my online audience is pretty similar to my relationships with my friends and peers.
I think Twitter is a great way for people to get little bits of information out to an audience or just express their thoughts to people who may or may not listen. I think the purpose of microblogging is just another way to communicate with your friends and peers.
This animation clearly doubts the viability of twitter as a valuable tool? What do you think? What is the purpose of microblogging?
When I tweet I am talking to my followers. I know that not all of my followers read or pay attention to what I post but I would like to think that most of them do, or they would not follow me. I do not feel differently about my audiences in online writing environments because if I did not want them to read what I wrote or I was worried about how they would react I would not have written it. My relationship with my online audience is pretty similar to my relationships with my friends and peers.
I think Twitter is a great way for people to get little bits of information out to an audience or just express their thoughts to people who may or may not listen. I think the purpose of microblogging is just another way to communicate with your friends and peers.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Blog 5 of 12
To conclude her essay, Zadie Smith discloses: “In this lecture I have been seeking to tentatively suggest that the voice that speaks with such freedom, thus unburdened by dogma and personal bias, thus flooded with empathy, might make a good president” (192). However, she rejects this claim by advocating for the many-voiced role of the poet. What is the difference between the rhetoric of a president and that of a poet? Does Smith suggest there should be a difference?
When a president speaks they are hoping to convince a majority of the nation that the decisions they are making are for best. Or maybe to convince a majority of the nation to vote for them. They have to be careful with what they say not to offend anyone because it could result in less support for them. They have to worry about making people happy. They have to have a voice that reaches a large part of their population in a mostly positive way.
When a poet speaks they have to have multiple voices to keep their poems interesting for the readers. They have to be able to please an audience in a similar way that the president does. Although poets have to be careful about what they say, they do not need to be as careful as the president because they do not have to reach as large of an audience as the president. Also the poet is read for entertainment but a president is not really an entertaining figure. I think Zadie Smith thinks there should be a difference because if the president spoke the way a poet does, he would most likely not be very successful and vice versa.
Blog 4 of 12
1. Smith talks about how "not all lettered people need be of the same class, nor speak identically." How are the ways people from different classes speak similar and different? Is this the same for how they write?
2. Do you change your voice when you are speaking to or writing for different audiences or purposes? Why is it hard for us to have one voice to use when addressing anyone?
3. Should it only be acceptable for artists to have multiple voices or even personalities? Why is it considered negative for someone like a politician to have more than once voice?
4. Is it possible to develop the ability to have more than one voice or is the creativity necessary for this something you are born with?
2. Do you change your voice when you are speaking to or writing for different audiences or purposes? Why is it hard for us to have one voice to use when addressing anyone?
3. Should it only be acceptable for artists to have multiple voices or even personalities? Why is it considered negative for someone like a politician to have more than once voice?
4. Is it possible to develop the ability to have more than one voice or is the creativity necessary for this something you are born with?
Blog 10 of 12
What is Rodney Jones arguing in this poem?
I think that Rodney Jones is arguing that words are very powerful, and that once you say them or write them you cannot take it back. Even once you think an idea, its hard to completely erase that idea from your mind even if you never shared it with anyone else. I think he is saying that because words are very powerful that they should not be wasted. When he says "when it came on me how sweet it had been, / then the idea I was not finished," he is comparing the power of words and language to his coconut milk and rum. Wishing he did not waste the coconut milk and rum by pouring it in to the water. He is saying that we should not waste our words the way that he wasted his drink.
I think that Rodney Jones is arguing that words are very powerful, and that once you say them or write them you cannot take it back. Even once you think an idea, its hard to completely erase that idea from your mind even if you never shared it with anyone else. I think he is saying that because words are very powerful that they should not be wasted. When he says "when it came on me how sweet it had been, / then the idea I was not finished," he is comparing the power of words and language to his coconut milk and rum. Wishing he did not waste the coconut milk and rum by pouring it in to the water. He is saying that we should not waste our words the way that he wasted his drink.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Blog 9 of 12
When you put on text (on your person- as clothing/textile, tattoo or jewelry), do you honestly anticipate readers?
When I put on text I do honestly anticipate some readers. I think there are some people who read the text what I am wearing but they will not actually absorb what the text says. They will just glance at me as they walk by and read what is on my shirt, but not actually think about what it says or what it means. I also think that some people will read whatever I am wearing and know something about me. For example, right now I am wearing a Hofstra Lacrosse sweatshirt, so it would be safe for someone who saw it so assume that I play lacrosse for Hofstra.
When I tweet, I also expect people to read it. Every time most people tweet they are usually hoping that someone will reply to their tweet or retweet it to their followers. Most of the time I tweet random, and useless things but sometimes I tweet quotes or inside jokes or retweet things that I think are funny. When I tweet something that I put a little more effort into thinking about I usually am more hopeful that someone will reply or retweet whatever I just tweeted. Most people who retweet or reply to my tweets are my peers that feel the same way about whatever I just said.
Also when I tweet, I have no way of knowing if someone even acknowledges my tweet unless they reply to me or retweet it, but I guess I just assume that people are actually reading what I write.
When I put on text I do honestly anticipate some readers. I think there are some people who read the text what I am wearing but they will not actually absorb what the text says. They will just glance at me as they walk by and read what is on my shirt, but not actually think about what it says or what it means. I also think that some people will read whatever I am wearing and know something about me. For example, right now I am wearing a Hofstra Lacrosse sweatshirt, so it would be safe for someone who saw it so assume that I play lacrosse for Hofstra.
When I tweet, I also expect people to read it. Every time most people tweet they are usually hoping that someone will reply to their tweet or retweet it to their followers. Most of the time I tweet random, and useless things but sometimes I tweet quotes or inside jokes or retweet things that I think are funny. When I tweet something that I put a little more effort into thinking about I usually am more hopeful that someone will reply or retweet whatever I just tweeted. Most people who retweet or reply to my tweets are my peers that feel the same way about whatever I just said.
Also when I tweet, I have no way of knowing if someone even acknowledges my tweet unless they reply to me or retweet it, but I guess I just assume that people are actually reading what I write.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Blog 8 of 12
I think "all things" is a statement that's a little too broad. I mean, I'm not a vocalist or anything, but I like to think that my voice is pretty flexible. And if that's true, the according to Zadie Smith I must be flexible in all things. This isn't the case, as I can barely touch my toes.
In all seriousness though, I don't find this statement to be true. Ever heard of a "text message break up?" Those usually occur when an individual doesn't feel comfortable doing so in person. They feel flexible enough to send the text, but not flexible enough to face the other party.
In all seriousness though, I don't find this statement to be true. Ever heard of a "text message break up?" Those usually occur when an individual doesn't feel comfortable doing so in person. They feel flexible enough to send the text, but not flexible enough to face the other party.
Blog 7 of 12
Consider the material nature of the crayon response you are reviewing-- this is not your own writing! Is the writer influenced by the writing implement s/he uses? Is the writer more expressive or less expressive as a result of the physical constraints of the crayoned page?
Is this writing any good? How do you know that it is good or not?
I do not feel like the writer is influenced by the writing implement being used or that the physical constraints of the crayoned page have an effect of the expressiveness of the writer. He switched between red and green for every sentence, but after reading other things he has written, I feel like this writer would have written the same thing if he had just a pen or a pencil. I actually feel like it would have been a little easier to read if he were able to just use a pen or pencil instead of alternating the colors. This writer is usually able to get their point across with out writing pages and pages. He is still able to do this, but it just appears as if he has written more than normal because it is hard to write small with a crayon.
I think this writing is good because the writer is able to make a strong argument against the broadness of the statement "all things." He takes the statement literally and states that although he is a flexible writer, he is not a flexible person. He also uses a text message flexibility to describe the flexibility of someone's courage when it comes to breaking up with another person.
Is this writing any good? How do you know that it is good or not?
I do not feel like the writer is influenced by the writing implement being used or that the physical constraints of the crayoned page have an effect of the expressiveness of the writer. He switched between red and green for every sentence, but after reading other things he has written, I feel like this writer would have written the same thing if he had just a pen or a pencil. I actually feel like it would have been a little easier to read if he were able to just use a pen or pencil instead of alternating the colors. This writer is usually able to get their point across with out writing pages and pages. He is still able to do this, but it just appears as if he has written more than normal because it is hard to write small with a crayon.
I think this writing is good because the writer is able to make a strong argument against the broadness of the statement "all things." He takes the statement literally and states that although he is a flexible writer, he is not a flexible person. He also uses a text message flexibility to describe the flexibility of someone's courage when it comes to breaking up with another person.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Blog 3 of 12
What I really think about the writing space that twitter affords is a good size because it is not meant for people to type paragraphs. Twitter is a place where people can express their thoughts or where things can be advertised. It can also be used by friends that want to keep up with each other. Tweets are meant to be short so that they can be read quickly and easily. If we were able to post paragraph long tweets, there is a good chance that they will not be read all the way through. I personally would not use Twitter as much as I do if it was full of long tweets. I look at Twitter for quick entertainment, and use it to post things about what I'm doing or what I am thinking about. The only time I think the writing space should be a little bigger it when I want to mention a lot of my friends in one tweet. Other than that, I think if you are looking for a place to write paragraphs or even pages, then you should find another website and not use Twitter.
Blog 2 of 12
I'm not sure why so many people wear texts on their clothing and on their skin. Perhaps they feel that such portable writing serves to display certain thing about themselves. For example, some texts can display someone's wealth, or hobbies and interests or even their sense of humor. A person's shirt could have a sports team's name or mascot or a players jersey, and this would imply that they like that team or sport. Or some people who wear brand name clothes with the brand or the brand's logo on the clothing item, are probably trying to let other people around them know that they are wealthy enough to afford these clothes.
I have a friend who plays lacrosse and has a tattoo of lacrosse sticks on his leg. Personally, I think this is kind of weird especially when half of the clothes he wears have something about lacrosse on them. I suppose it is more important to him than I thought it was.
In general, I think people wear texts on clothing or their skin because they are trying to express something about themselves. They might not realize it when they wear the clothes or get the tattoo but they are still expressing something about their own personality.
I have a friend who plays lacrosse and has a tattoo of lacrosse sticks on his leg. Personally, I think this is kind of weird especially when half of the clothes he wears have something about lacrosse on them. I suppose it is more important to him than I thought it was.
In general, I think people wear texts on clothing or their skin because they are trying to express something about themselves. They might not realize it when they wear the clothes or get the tattoo but they are still expressing something about their own personality.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Blog 1 of 12
The Problem of Describing Trees
The argument of this poem is that it is very challenging to describe trees and that words are not the most successful way to describe them. Hass even says "There are limts to saying,/ In language, what the tree did. Although he begins his poem by attempting to describe the trees by saying the "aspen glitters in the wind" and "the leaf flutters, turning" towards the end of the poem he starts to say that the words are unable to do a sufficient job of describing the tree. At the end of the poem he describes the tree very vaguely by saying "the aspen doing something in the wind" to demonstrate how it is difficult to find the right words to accurately describe the trees.
Dance with me, dancer. Oh, I will.
Who is the speaker, and who is he addressing?
The speaker is the poet, and he is addressing the tree that he is trying to describe. I'm not done this...
The argument of this poem is that it is very challenging to describe trees and that words are not the most successful way to describe them. Hass even says "There are limts to saying,/ In language, what the tree did. Although he begins his poem by attempting to describe the trees by saying the "aspen glitters in the wind" and "the leaf flutters, turning" towards the end of the poem he starts to say that the words are unable to do a sufficient job of describing the tree. At the end of the poem he describes the tree very vaguely by saying "the aspen doing something in the wind" to demonstrate how it is difficult to find the right words to accurately describe the trees.
Dance with me, dancer. Oh, I will.
Who is the speaker, and who is he addressing?
The speaker is the poet, and he is addressing the tree that he is trying to describe. I'm not done this...
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Quiz 4
Question:
What is truth value? (Remember that J. Anthony Blair explains that an expression has truth value if it can be affirmed or rejected.)
In The Possibility and Actuality of Visual Arguments J. Anthony Blair says that if a statement can be affirmed or rejected then it has truth value. He also says that the truth value is determined by the "propositional content." At first when I was reading this I thought that Blair was saying that truth value was simply whether a statement was true or false, therefore I thought the statement had to be more of a fact than an opinion. Now I realize that if a statement has truth value it does not necessarily mean the statement is a fact, it could be someone's opinion. If I were to say "This hot chocolate is too rich", another person could either agree with me and affirm my statement or they could disagree and reject. This means that a statements truth value could be different for two people. Truth value could apply to a fact. If it does, then everyone should have the same reaction to the statement whether it is rejection or affirmation. But the statement could also be an opinion that can be agreed with or not. In this situation, the truth value differs from person to person.
What is truth value? (Remember that J. Anthony Blair explains that an expression has truth value if it can be affirmed or rejected.)
In The Possibility and Actuality of Visual Arguments J. Anthony Blair says that if a statement can be affirmed or rejected then it has truth value. He also says that the truth value is determined by the "propositional content." At first when I was reading this I thought that Blair was saying that truth value was simply whether a statement was true or false, therefore I thought the statement had to be more of a fact than an opinion. Now I realize that if a statement has truth value it does not necessarily mean the statement is a fact, it could be someone's opinion. If I were to say "This hot chocolate is too rich", another person could either agree with me and affirm my statement or they could disagree and reject. This means that a statements truth value could be different for two people. Truth value could apply to a fact. If it does, then everyone should have the same reaction to the statement whether it is rejection or affirmation. But the statement could also be an opinion that can be agreed with or not. In this situation, the truth value differs from person to person.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
A sentence is like...
To me a sentence is almost like a cake. It starts out with random ideas, and words, and meaning; like a cake starts out with many ingredients that add certain textures or tastes to the cake. The sentence/cake starts out in a raw, unpolished form. But once all of the ingredients or ideas have been brought together and baked, or put together in the form of a sentence you get a wonderfully delicious end product.
Are you ever afraid to write?
Am I ever afraid to write? I am not afraid of the act of writing, it is not like it is going to harm me. I usually write what comes to my mind, in a simple way. I'm not afraid to write essays for school, even though they usually bore me to tears. I guess I am afraid to write creatively sometimes. I get nervous that what I think is good, creative, maybe funny, or maybe meaningful writing will not be perceived this way. I usually shy away from creative writing because I don't think of myself as a very creative person and I guess you could say that I am scared to take a risk with my writing. The judgement that would be received after someone read my creative reading is enough to make me shy away from trying to add some more personality to certain things that I write.
Ipad v. Magazines
In this video a baby is looking at an Ipad and is able to control and therefore in the child's mind the Ipad "works." When she looks at the magazines, and points to things and turns pages and nothing happens. she declares that the magazines do not work. This is relevant to a composition class because it shows how writing spaces are changing and have more or less importance depending on the generation you were raised in. For this baby and many others, magazines will be viewed as pointless and unnecessary when devices like Ipads are available. The creator of the video uses text on the screen, a newer writing space (compared to magazines), for the viewer to even better understand the purpose of this video.
CAN IMAGES DO WHAT WORDS CAN?
Can images make an effective argument or get a certain point across they way one can state their opinion or support their arguments with words? Images can definitely make an effective argument if the person looking at them is intelligent to understand what is being displayed. Similarly words can make a strong argument if the listener understands the meaning of the words in the way they are being used.
I think that images can do what words do, and even do a better job of it in certain situations. It depends on what they are trying to argue or convince someone of. Some people are impacted more by being able to actually see pictures of whatever someone is trying to convince them of, where as some understand the argument just as well with words. I think that the combination of words and images makes the strongest argument and reaches a larger audience than an argument of just words or just images. The two together can be used to better explain each other.
I think that images can do what words do, and even do a better job of it in certain situations. It depends on what they are trying to argue or convince someone of. Some people are impacted more by being able to actually see pictures of whatever someone is trying to convince them of, where as some understand the argument just as well with words. I think that the combination of words and images makes the strongest argument and reaches a larger audience than an argument of just words or just images. The two together can be used to better explain each other.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
FIRST THOUGHTS
I keep thinking about my project 3 and I would tell you what my next rhetorical move would be if I knew. I am having a hard time making myself sit down and concentrate on writing this paper. I keep changing my mind on the place I want to write about and how I feel about this place. I really need to make up my mind so that I can start making these rhetorical moves.
Monday, October 31, 2011
first thoughts
I've been thinking about my own draft for project 3 and I have to tell you that I was having a very hard time deciding where to write about. I have been to a lot of different places, and had many different feelings about the places I've visited. Eventually I decided that I was either going to write about my old home in Maryland or the Outerbanks of North Carolina. I chose to write about my old home in Maryland because I love it there but at the same time I was extremely excited to move to a new place in Albany. I still need to write my paper but I know what I want to say in it, and I know the feelings I want to express.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Ocean City Might Be
Ocean City might be somewhat of a ghost town during the winter
It might also be boring in the winter
But in the summer...
It might be one of the most lively places I've been
It might have the most delicious, fresh steamed crabs
It might have a boardwalk with arcades and rides for everyone and anyone
It might also be a parent's nightmare after going every year for 15 years in a row
Ocean City might get old after a while
Or it might be a new experience every visit.
It might also be boring in the winter
But in the summer...
It might be one of the most lively places I've been
It might have the most delicious, fresh steamed crabs
It might have a boardwalk with arcades and rides for everyone and anyone
It might also be a parent's nightmare after going every year for 15 years in a row
Ocean City might get old after a while
Or it might be a new experience every visit.
Ocean City is not
Ocean City, Maryland is not like the beaches most fantasize about
It is not relaxing, like the Outer Banks
It is also not clean like the Outer Banks or those beaches that most fantasize about
It definitely is not a boring ghost town in the summer
Ocean City is not a private place
It is definitely not an exclusive vacationing spot
It does not lack hundreds of completely unhealthy, yet delicious diners and dives
It is not a place for those who want to relax and be undisturbed by the hustle of those around them.
It is not relaxing, like the Outer Banks
It is also not clean like the Outer Banks or those beaches that most fantasize about
It definitely is not a boring ghost town in the summer
Ocean City is not a private place
It is definitely not an exclusive vacationing spot
It does not lack hundreds of completely unhealthy, yet delicious diners and dives
It is not a place for those who want to relax and be undisturbed by the hustle of those around them.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
What is your relationship with your reader?
My relationship with my reader is simple. My reader does not have a hard time trying to figure out the meaning behind my writing. They do not have to be a mind reader. It's not like I am trying to keep secrets from my reader. I tell my reader exactly what is on my mind, or how I feel about a certain topic. I tell them what I'm thinking but not too harshly. I don't try to force my opinions on them. Our relationship is like one between two friends that aren't afraid to tell each other that the jeans they are wearing might make their butt look too big. My relationship with my reader is an honest one.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Home is like...
Home is like a place where I can walk around in a big comfy t shirt and not feel like I'm being judged by my appearance. Home is like a place where I can be my self because it is where I am most comfortable. It is like a getaway from the outside world. It is also a getaway that I share with the people that I love the most, my family.
Monday, October 17, 2011
CHAPTER 3 PREZI ARGUMENTS
GROUP 1
hypertexts can connect things that you wouldn't think are connected right away. connects many different works to each other. hypertext is also much more interactive than conventional writing. hypertext also allows our writing process to be more like our natural thought process.
GROUP 2
hypertext makes reading more natural. similar to group 1, hypertext allows our writing/reading process to be more like our natural thought process. more personalized to our own needs.
hypertexts can connect things that you wouldn't think are connected right away. connects many different works to each other. hypertext is also much more interactive than conventional writing. hypertext also allows our writing process to be more like our natural thought process.
GROUP 2
hypertext makes reading more natural. similar to group 1, hypertext allows our writing/reading process to be more like our natural thought process. more personalized to our own needs.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
BOLTER CHAPTER ONE GROUP- The Endless Possibilties of Digital Text
GROUPS ARGUMENT: The group was very supportive of using technology for writing. They believe that eventually all text and writing will be digital.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Taylor Mali
How does the poem differ in its two recensions? What reading does spoken word (orality) privilege? What does the textual writing space (unconventional as it is) play in the transmission of meaning?
The first reading of Taylor Mali's poem that we experienced was his original on-stage performance. Next we viewed a Wordle interpretation of his performance. I felt his on stage performance was more effective in displaying his attitude towards how we speak today because you could see his body language and facial expressions change as he spoke. When he was making fun of how we speak today you could see how he put emphasis on certain words, or phrases that he was saying by watching how he moved his body as he said them. Through his facial expressions and body language, spoken word helps him to easily express his feelings about this subject to his audience.
In the Wordle presentation you could only hear his voice, but every word he said was on the screen. Certain words were bigger than others, or in different font styles. For example, the word "like" was always italicized. Other words that he clearly spoke louder than other were BIGGER than others. The text was edited and displayed to give the viewer a better understanding of the message that the creator of the video got as he listened/viewed Mali's original on stage performance. The writing spaces can be edited in order to emphasize certain words through things like font, size of the text, color, bold, italicize, underline and even more.
The first reading of Taylor Mali's poem that we experienced was his original on-stage performance. Next we viewed a Wordle interpretation of his performance. I felt his on stage performance was more effective in displaying his attitude towards how we speak today because you could see his body language and facial expressions change as he spoke. When he was making fun of how we speak today you could see how he put emphasis on certain words, or phrases that he was saying by watching how he moved his body as he said them. Through his facial expressions and body language, spoken word helps him to easily express his feelings about this subject to his audience.
In the Wordle presentation you could only hear his voice, but every word he said was on the screen. Certain words were bigger than others, or in different font styles. For example, the word "like" was always italicized. Other words that he clearly spoke louder than other were BIGGER than others. The text was edited and displayed to give the viewer a better understanding of the message that the creator of the video got as he listened/viewed Mali's original on stage performance. The writing spaces can be edited in order to emphasize certain words through things like font, size of the text, color, bold, italicize, underline and even more.
Monday, September 26, 2011
"True Confessions"
In ch. 6 "Diction," Trimble exhorts writers to pay attention to several qualities of word choice. Which advice felt familiar (or perhaps necessary) for you to apply to your own writing?
The advice that I felt was familiar for me to apply to my writing is to use vigorous verbs. As a writer I am aware that I need to make more of a conscious effort to include more vigorous verbs. The use of more powerful verbs will give my writing an edge that it needs in order to keep the writer captivated. I want to be able to use more vigorous verbs but I hope that I still appear to know what I am talking about and that I use the words correctly. I do not want my readers to think that I am using these verbs simply to give my writing more fluff. I want the verbs to get my point across succesfully.
The advice that I felt was familiar for me to apply to my writing is to use vigorous verbs. As a writer I am aware that I need to make more of a conscious effort to include more vigorous verbs. The use of more powerful verbs will give my writing an edge that it needs in order to keep the writer captivated. I want to be able to use more vigorous verbs but I hope that I still appear to know what I am talking about and that I use the words correctly. I do not want my readers to think that I am using these verbs simply to give my writing more fluff. I want the verbs to get my point across succesfully.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Bing Commercial-Steven H
This commercial for the search engine Bing starts off with a man deciding whether to by salsa or guacamole. His friend that he is shopping with then begins to spit out information about the origin of guacamole as if he were a computer. As the commercial progresses other shoppers in the supermarket begin hearing random words and mechanically shouting irrelevant information to the original salsa versus guacamole debate. With each new term shouted more and more people begin shouting and the supermarket grows more and more hectic. The shouting then turns into a food fight where people are throwing food at each other throughout the entire grocery store.
The commercial uses the people shouting random terms and information to show how other search engines are in finding the information we are actually looking for. Although the commercial may take this to an extreme (searching for salsa online would not lead to common farm animals on most search engines, if any), it is very effective in making Bing seem like a superior search engine.
The commercial uses the people shouting random terms and information to show how other search engines are in finding the information we are actually looking for. Although the commercial may take this to an extreme (searching for salsa online would not lead to common farm animals on most search engines, if any), it is very effective in making Bing seem like a superior search engine.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Writing Process FFW response 9/16
After watching this video I feel like I have a better understanding of how difficult the writing process actually is for any writer. I know from my experiences that I have gone through writer's block, or just not been able to find the words to express my ideas. This video allowed me to see how many writers go through certain routines in order to find the words that they want to use to express what is on their mind or to find an idea of something to write about.
The style of the video and the tone and speed of the narrator's voice created a tense mood while watching the video. It was almost increasing my stress level as I watched the video. It helped me to understand the stress that writers experience when they struggle to come up with an idea or to find the right words. The images used on the screen to depict what the narrator was saying also helped me understand the stress involved in the writing process because they were choppy and changed quickly as the narrator continued to speak.
The style of the video and the tone and speed of the narrator's voice created a tense mood while watching the video. It was almost increasing my stress level as I watched the video. It helped me to understand the stress that writers experience when they struggle to come up with an idea or to find the right words. The images used on the screen to depict what the narrator was saying also helped me understand the stress involved in the writing process because they were choppy and changed quickly as the narrator continued to speak.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
AT&T Commercial
In the AT&T commercial two young children who portray Hansel and Gretel from the popular children's story get lost in a big city. When they realize they are lost and need to get to the cottage they use their GPS- able AT&T cell phone. With the help of their GPS they are able to find the cottage.
Throughout the commercial there is music playing that matches the speed that the two children are walking. The music is also used to set the mood of the commercial. Throughout the day, while they are dropping their useless breadcrumbs, they are walking at an average pace. Then they realize they are lost, and its dark out. The music slows down, and saddens and eventually stops completely. Once they realize they have their cell phone with a GPS, and are able to get to the cottage, they begin skipping in the direction they are sent and the music starts up again and at a faster pace than it was earlier in the commercial. The music is very effective in setting the mood and going along with the plot.
Throughout the commercial there is music playing that matches the speed that the two children are walking. The music is also used to set the mood of the commercial. Throughout the day, while they are dropping their useless breadcrumbs, they are walking at an average pace. Then they realize they are lost, and its dark out. The music slows down, and saddens and eventually stops completely. Once they realize they have their cell phone with a GPS, and are able to get to the cottage, they begin skipping in the direction they are sent and the music starts up again and at a faster pace than it was earlier in the commercial. The music is very effective in setting the mood and going along with the plot.
Heineken Commercial
In the Heineken commercial there is a group of women being lead around a living space by one of their friends. The owner of the living space shows them some rooms and finally a huge walk in closet with nice clothes, purses and shoes. The women are all extremely excited by the clothes and start screaming. As they are screaming, they hear the men that are also being shown around the living space have a similar reaction. Instead of reacting this way to a walk in closet, they are screaming over a walk in fridge filled with cold Heineken beers. The reaction of the men mimics the reaction of them women, and is even greater than the reaction of the women.
This commercial is a big stereotype of men and women. It stereotypes men by implying that all men would get excited by a walk in fridge filled with beer, and it stereotypes women by implying that all women would get excited by a walk in closet filled with nice clothes, purses and shoes. Although not all men get excited by beer and not all women get excited by clothes, the audience that this commercial reaches would be able to relate to the commercial. This commercial was played on ESPN, and many men who watch ESPN for big sports games, usually have a beer while their watching. Therefore this commercial, although stereotypical, applies to many people who will view it.
This commercial is a big stereotype of men and women. It stereotypes men by implying that all men would get excited by a walk in fridge filled with beer, and it stereotypes women by implying that all women would get excited by a walk in closet filled with nice clothes, purses and shoes. Although not all men get excited by beer and not all women get excited by clothes, the audience that this commercial reaches would be able to relate to the commercial. This commercial was played on ESPN, and many men who watch ESPN for big sports games, usually have a beer while their watching. Therefore this commercial, although stereotypical, applies to many people who will view it.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Pantene Commercial
In the Pantene commercial the story's main character is a young musician who happens to be deaf yet she is inspired to her master the violin. Unfortunately at school she is bullied by one of her rival classmates who is also a musician. Her rival is a pianist, who is also inspired to master her instrument.
The rival musician, like most bullies has her own insecurities that she is unsure how to deal with. Instead of trying to improve herself she tries to bring the deaf girl down. She knocks her lunch tray out of her hands and even attempts to prevent the deaf girl from participating in a classical music contest by destroying her violin. Despite all of the efforts to bring her down, the pianist is unable to stop the deaf girl from performing in the contest.
The rival musician, like most bullies has her own insecurities that she is unsure how to deal with. Instead of trying to improve herself she tries to bring the deaf girl down. She knocks her lunch tray out of her hands and even attempts to prevent the deaf girl from participating in a classical music contest by destroying her violin. Despite all of the efforts to bring her down, the pianist is unable to stop the deaf girl from performing in the contest.
Monday, September 12, 2011
FFW 9/12
John Trimble makes the case that all writers are like warriors, defending claims and fortifying arguments. How do you respond to the trope, this figurative turn?
I agree that writers are like warriors because in most writing they are picking an opinion and then supporting ("defending") their opinion with facts and research that they have done pertaining to their topic. Most writers are using their writing to express their own personal ideas and beliefs to their audience.
I do not agree that ALL writers are like warriors though. Some writers do not need to support or defend anything because they are retelling a story or making one up as they write. They are not using facts or known research to back up their stories because what they are writing is coming from their mind. I believe that not all writing makes an argument therefore not all writing is defending claims either.
I agree that writers are like warriors because in most writing they are picking an opinion and then supporting ("defending") their opinion with facts and research that they have done pertaining to their topic. Most writers are using their writing to express their own personal ideas and beliefs to their audience.
I do not agree that ALL writers are like warriors though. Some writers do not need to support or defend anything because they are retelling a story or making one up as they write. They are not using facts or known research to back up their stories because what they are writing is coming from their mind. I believe that not all writing makes an argument therefore not all writing is defending claims either.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
So Here I Am At Hofstra...
So here I am at Hofstra and I am blogging. Writing online makes me feel nervous, and excited at the same time. I'm nervous because I don't want people to think what I am writing is dumb or pointless. Or just think that my writing in general is not verry interesting. I want anyone who reads what I have to say to at least be intrigued and maybe even respond with their own opinions. I hope that my future posts are able to inspire people to think about whatever I am writing about. I hope that my posts challenge people to express their ideas, especially if they differ from my own. Writing online also makes me excited because anyone who wants to has the ability to look at what I write because it is a public site. It is cool to think that some person across the the world, country or even another town can what I have to write about. Another reason that I am nervous about writing online is because I do not have a lot of experience writing, especially freewriting and I am noticing that I feel like I am just rambling. I also am not very confident in my writing skills. I hope that this writing class will help me become more creative and expressive in my writing. I am used to just writing bland essays for classes but this class seems like it will challenge me creatively but also help me to improve my diction, and other writing skills in general. I still have to free write for five more minutes but I do not know what else to say. Free writing is hard because there are so many thoughts just coming to my head its hard to make sure I write them all. Also its hard because I want to keep going back to fix m mistakes and sometimes i do because I forget that we aren't supposewd too. This is really challenging. In the beginning of writing this i definitely did too much baackspacing because it is just a habit. This writing online is stressing me out a little, at least for this assifgntment. All of the red lines i see on my screen are just SCREAMING at me to go back and fix them but i am trting my best not too. These last few sentences have been the worst ones. How else does writing online make me feel?! Well I'm eager to post my next blog that hopefully will be able to make people think about what I am saying and hopefully i do not feel like i am rambling as much as I do now. Well my twelve minutes are up.
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