I reviewed Rose and Chloe's drafts in this peer review. In this post, I will be reflecting on revision using some questions from Student's Guide.
O'Bryen, Rory. "Looking Back." 10/24/15 via flickr. All Rights Reserved.
1. Did you demonstrate an ability to think about your writing and yourself as a writer?
I thought about these two things in terms of growth. I shared that while my basic methodology (planning) may not have changed, I have definitely become a more effective writer. I shared my growth by pointing out a goal I had made for myself and how I ended up accomplishing it through the coursework.
2. Did you provide analysis of your experiences, writing assignments, or concepts you have learned?
Yes, I did this for several experiences that I had throughout the course. I especially analyzed my Project 3 Final, as it was the one that I was most proud of. I talked about the skilled that I learned and practiced in it's production, and what my outcomes were.
3. Did you provide concrete examples from your own writing?
Yes, I hyperlinked to many of my blog posts and summarized many of the thoughts I had shared in them. I probably could use some more direct quotation, however. It is hard to incorporate this because it sounds awkward mixed in with the rest of the language in my letter.
4. Did you explain why you made certain choices and why these choices were effective?
Yes, and I also described other choices I made that definitely weren't as effective. I detailed my struggle with new-found procrastination and shared why this made my time in the course more difficult than it should have been.
5. Did you use specific terms and concepts related to writing and the writing process?
Yes, I used terms like genre, time management, conventions, and peer review. These were all discussed in our last class session and all have to do with the writing process. I used these terms to pinpoint specific areas of both growth and decline in my writing process.
Well, it's been a pleasure everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful winter break :)
Tjorhom, Ann Emilie. "Victory Lap!" 12/11/15 via Android. Public Domain.
In this post, I will be hyperlinking my draft of Project 4.
Morris, Russ. "Thank You." 12/5/15 via flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
Dear peer reviewers, HERE is my draft for your reviewing pleasure.
Please keep the following in mind as you look it over.
Am I being too honest in some parts? I know that that is the tone we are going for with this piece, but I'm worried it comes off like overkill in some parts
Do I need more references to previous work? I'll do some direct quotation in the future to support my hyperlinking, but do I need more references in general? If so, where?
It's already pretty long at about 3 pgs. I think as I add more information I could easily get to 4-4 1/2 pgs.
Do I need a stronger send-off?
Thank you! You guys always provide such useful commentary to my work.
In this blog post, I will reply to the following questions, referencing specific moments during the course.
Bart."Reflective." 12/5/15 via flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
1. What were the biggest challenges you faced this semester, overall?
One of my biggest problems in the course initially was getting the blogwork done in a timely manner. I put too much thought and agony into the short blogs, which translated into long hours where I wasn't being very efficient. For example, the My Thoughts on Comments post took me ages, merely because I was too choosy with which comments I was picking and what exactly I wanted to say about them. I scrolled through pages of the comments section because I needed to find just the right comment that would fit the purpose. Looking back, I realize that this wasted valuable time that I could have spent on another blog post or other homework. While the time it takes me to finish a blog post has decreased significantly, that is not to say that the quality of my writing has gone down. Rather, I think that- through tons of practice- I have learned how to let loose and see where the act of writing takes me. I finished the Revisiting My Writing Process, which is by no means short, in record time just because I didn't revise as much along the way and because I wrote about exactly how I felt.
2. What did you learn this semester about your own time managment, writing and editorial skills?
As I mentioned in the previous post, my time management skills were worse than usual because I am currently unemployed. I has the luxury of too much time to get the coursework done, which lead me to put off things until "tomorrow." One time in particular, I rushed to finish a deadline because I wanted to go to the football game and I couldn't be late to meet my friend. If I had spread the deadline out over the week and planned for the game, I wouldn't have put myself through so much unnecessary stress. But, I have confidence that as I enter the workforce again, my regular diligence will return.
3. What do you know about the concept of 'genre'? Explain how understanding this concept is central to being a more effective writer.
The best skill that I have learned from this course is the ability to identify and write in the specific genre required. Writing the basic essay over and over in high school makes you begin to think that it is the only genre in the world that exists. Now I know that to produce a successful piece of writing, I must pay special attention to conventions and base my work off of very solid genre examples. When we produced a QRG for our first project, I relied heavily on strong genre examples to make my piece effective and compliant with the genre. Before we took a close look at the QRG, I was under the impression that most internet writing is the same. Now, I recognize QRGs everywhere (even if Bottai made up the word) and I can identify other specific types of articles that are structured that way to achieve a very specific purpose.
4. What skills from this course might you use and/or develop further in the next few years of college coursework?
I think that planning will always remain a big part of my writing process no matter what the contex, whether it's hobby writing, a job, or a method to communicate my opinions. I feel as though this course has given me many more tools and tips to consider when fleshing out my work. 109H has taught me that planning is much more than just making a simple outline. I think all of the planning steps that we accomplished through the blogs leading up to the projects made producing the final piece very easy and less stressful.
5. What was your most effective moment from this semester in 109H?
While it was not my highest scoring project, I feel as though my Project 3 video was really the highlight of this course. I branched out and worked in a genre/medium that I had never worked in before and turned out a great looking product. I familiarized myself with basic editing software, audio programs, public domain music, copyright law, and youtube. I feel that, if required in the future, I could easily make another video for my own purpose or at the request of a company.
6. What was your least effective moment from this semester in 109H?
I took a trip to La Jolla with my church group over Labor Day weekend. I had worked on the deadline prior to the trip but still had a few things to finish. Little did I know that those items on the deadline were big, time consuming pieces. I tried my best to carve out time to get the homework done. I stayed behind at the church where we were sleeping while the rest of the group went off to finish the deadline items, struggling as the internet cut in and out. We had an event that I could not miss so I had to leave one blog post to do when we got home. I ended up typing away until midnight and beyond because we came back really late. If I could change anything about my experience in 109H, this would definitely be it. I never want to go through that stress and miss out on things again because I have made a poor time management choice.
In this post, I will be reflecting on some of my first posts from this course. Since much has changed since I started blogging in August, I will share how I feel my writing process and time management habits have fared during this course.
While I had mentioned that I am not a procrastinator by nature, I felt as though I did just that at points during this course. Thinking through this change in myself, I feel like I can contribute it to being unemployed. When I was working hard to save up for college expenses along with participating in a musical theatre, I knew that I had to get things done in a timely manner so that I wouldn't get stressed out or have to squeeze things in at the last minute.
Having relatively more free time made me feel as though I could put off things "until tomorrow." While I did not procrastinate extremely when I fell into the habit (often I would start working Saturday morning and finish that afternoon), I feel as though I would have felt better about myself if I had diligently spread out the deadline over the week. I think that as I enter the workforce again, my normal, dedicated approach to out of class work will return.
My Writing Process
I feel as though the heavy planning aspect of my writing did not alter due to the structure of the course. All the prep work and blog posts leading up to the production of the projects really satisfied my need for order and copious brainstorming.
I mentioned that I wanted to work on writing spontaneously under a tighter deadline, and I feel that blogging has fit this need perfectly. I had to learn to produce a post quickly to stay on track and be efficient with the coursework. My blog writing naturally organized itself without too much stress or forethought.
With regards to peer review, I feel I have become far more receptive to constructive criticisms and more likely to use the suggestions of my peers in my work. Being a perfectionist, I had a very hard time with criticism in the past and approached it very defensively. Through the many opportunities to have others look at my work throughout the course, I have come to see comments as a way of making things that much better instead of an attack on my work.
My Writing in the Future
I think that planning will always remain a big part of my writing process no matter what the contex, whether it's hobby writing, a job, or a method to communicate my opinions. I feel as though this course has given me many more tools and tips to consider when fleshing out my work.
Before 109H, I rarely thought about audience or my personal purpose because I didn't have to. In high school writing, you assume that you're writing to the teacher and only think about answering the prompt. This course has moved me past this basic understanding of creating a piece of writing and has made me a more effective writer, in my opinion..
Working in my Field
The best skill that I have learned from this course is the ability to identify and write in the specific genre required. Writing the basic essay over and over in high school makes you begin to think that it is the only genre in the world that exists. Now I know that to produce a successful piece of writing, I must pay special attention to conventions and base my work off of very solid genre examples.
In this post, I will answer a few questions about my revision process from pg 520 of Writing Public Lives.
Delarge. "Skills." 11/22/15 via flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
1. What was specifically revised from one draft to another?
I certainly cut out a lot from my initial footage. I think that my original length before started editing was around 14 minutes! After speeding some things up, cutting out bad takes, and mending some parts, I ended up at a much more reasonable 6:45ish. As I moved from script to actual filming, I adapted most of my lines to sound more natural and give my piece a more informal feeling. I also cut out some examples and explanations that were not necessarily useful to my argument.
2. Point to global changes: how did you reconsider your thesis or organization?
My organization generally stayed the same from script to final cut because I knew exactly how I wanted my video to be structured. My thesis, however, was adapted largely after having a meeting with Bottai. He suggested that I frame my argument around the idea that there are genres that are appropriate for diversity and other genres that may be ruined by forcing this aspect upon it. Thus he helped me focus in on this type of miscasting in certain contexts which strengthened my argument.
3. What led you to these changes? A reconsideration of audience? A shift in purpose?
Yes, as I mentioned earlier the desire to make my argument more specific and therefore solid motivated the changes in my thesis. I also think that the adaptation helped me connect better to some other points that I made in my video, such as: "there are genres where diversity works" and "solutions to make diversity work in our favor."
4. How do these changes affect your credibility as an author?
From my perspective- as the author, director, and editor all wrapped into one- the more solid my thesis was and the better it connected to other crucial parts of the video, the more authoritative and believable I became. I saw the best parts of my script and camera footage come together in my final cut, and that was a relief.
5. How will these changes better address the audience or venue?
I think that the shifting of the thesis was crucial to properly addressing my audience. I needed to be specific as possible so as to get those who may have been initially opposed on my side. I chose a tough audience, one that generally would fight against my position on the subject of debate, so it was imperative that I got this aspect right.
6. Point to local changes: how did you reconsider sentence structures and style?
I added a plethora of specific examples (in both my script and video) that helped me illustrate some of the points I was making. For example, I cited Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's with regards to white actors playing people of color. I also used an especially dramatic clip from Vikings to show that while there needs to be some semblance of reality, these historical adaptations should not be depended upon as fact.
7. How will these changes help assist your audience in understanding your purpose?
Without the examples, the audience is left with just my commentary. This is not interesting, compelling, or a strong tactic for my argument. The more examples I added, the more my argument seemed to come together. Giving visual examples is a major convention of my genre/platform as well, so it was important to make the most of this aspect of my argument.
8. Did you have to reconsider the conventions of the particular genre in which you are writing?
My lack of ability in animation and certain visual effects forced me to make do with what I had. Hell, I was proud that I found a way to run the audio track over still pictures and inserted videos given my simplistic video editing program. I think that I followed the major conventions with my backdrop, style of dress, organization, tone, etc. and this makes up for other details that I could not reproduce (specific branded intro, animations, floating images, title cards, etc).
9. Finally, how does the process of reflection help you to reconsider your identity as a writer?
Writing is something that I enjoy doing and also a skill I feel I am good at. Reflecting is always humbling to me, because it is when I realize that there is always room for improvement. I think that every time I go through the revision/reflection process I learn from my peer editors and my more seasoned instructors. While my style is consistent, my ability to get my thoughts across and the artistry with which I do it increases with every writing cycle.
3. Check one (and only one) of the argument types below for your public argument:
_______ My public argument etablishes an original pro position on an issue of debate.
_______ My public argument establishes an original con position on an issue of debate.
_______ My public argument clarifies the causes for a problem that is being debated.
_______ My public argument prooposes a solution for a problem that is being debated.
_______ My public argument positively evaluate a specific solution or policy under debate (and clearly identifies the idea I'm supporting).
__X__ My public argument openly refutes a specific solution or policy under debate (and clearly identifies the idea I'm refuting).
4. Briefly explain how your public argument doesn’t simply restate information from other sources, but provides original context and insight into the situation:
I'm taking a generally unpopular position on the issue and I'm trying to convince an audience that will likely be initially opposed to my beliefs
I'm sharing my thoughts through a medium (video) that has not been used very much through the course of my argument
My public argument has largely been a discussion of "this is racist/ this is not racist." I approach the debate by discussing the appropriateness of including diversity in certain genres
5. Identify the specific rhetorical appeals you believe you've employed in your public argument below:
Ethical or credibility-establishing appeals
__X_ Telling personal stories that establish a credible point-of-view
_____ Referring to credible sources (established journalism, credentialed experts, etc.)
_____ Employing carefully chosen key words or phrases that demonstrate you are credible (proper terminology, strong but clear vocabulary, etc.)
__X__ Adopting a tone that is inviting and trustworthy rather than distancing or alienating
__X__ Establishing your own public image in an inviting way (using an appropriate images of yourself, if you appear on camera dressing in a warm or friendly or professional manner, appearing against a background that’s welcoming or credibility-establishing)
_____ Sharing any personal expertise you may possess about the subject (your identity as a student in your discipline affords you some authority here)
__X__ Openly acknowledging counterarguments and refuting them intelligently
__X___ Appealing openly to the values and beliefs shared by the audience (remember that the website/platform/YouTube channel your argument is designed for helps determine the kind of audience who will encounter your piece)
_____ Other:
Emotional appeals
___X__ Telling personal stories that create an appropriate emotional impact for the debate
__X__ Telling emotionally compelling narratives drawn from history and/or the current culture
_____ Employing the repetition of key words or phrases that create an appropriate emotional impact
__X___ Employing an appropriate level of formality for the subject matter (through appearance, formatting, style of language, etc.)
_____ Appropriate use of humor for subject matter, platform/website, audience
__X__ Use of “shocking” statistics in order to underline a specific point
__X__ Use of imagery to create an appropriate emotional impact for the debate
__X__ Employing an attractive color palette that sets an appropriate emotional tone (no clashing or ‘ugly’ colors, no overuse of too many variant colors, etc.)
___X__ Use of music to create an appropriate emotional impact for the debate
_____ Use of sound effects to create an appropriate emotional impact for the debate
__X__ Employing an engaging and appropriate tone of voice for the debate
_____ Other:
Logical or rational appeals
_____ Using historical records from credible sources in order to establish precedents, trends, or patterns
__X___ Using statistics from credible sources in order to establish precedents, trends, or patterns
_____ Using interviews from stakeholders that help affirm your stance or position
_____ Using expert opinions that help affirm your stance or position
_____ Effective organization of elements, images, text, etc.
_____ Clear transitions between different sections of the argument (by using title cards, interstitial music, voiceover, etc.)
__X__ Crafted sequencing of images/text/content in order to make linear arguments
__X__ Intentional emphasis on specific images/text/content in order to strengthen argument
_____ Careful design of size/color relationships between objects to effectively direct the viewer’s attention/gaze (for visual arguments)
__X__ Other: Relevant examples and evidence
6. Below, provide us with working hyperlinks to THREE good examples of the genre you've chosen to write in. These examples can come from Blog Post 11.3 or they can be new examples. But they should all come from the same specific website/platform and should demonstrate the conventions for your piece:
2. What did you think and/or feel about the feedback you received? Be explicit and clear. Tell me what helped or what confused you about the feedback you got.
Well, I did put up my video but most of my reviewers only looked at my script, which made things a bit difficult. They thought certain things were missing that I could only convey with the video aspect.
One of my peer reviewers did not understand my references to certain and misconstrued what I said, so those comments were not very helpful. Also, there was one statement made that I used mainly emotional appeal with only a little bit of logic. I found this somewhat confusing because the bulk of my video is photos, video, and stats that support the assertions I'm making.
Another comment I found confusing was suggesting that I add "umph" from my thoughts instead of facts. I felt that I addressed this aspect several times in my project, but maybe I'm mistaken.
I really appreciated the commentary about how I was addressing the camera. It made me feel secure knowing that I wasn't coming off in a way that was negative to the audience or offensive.
3. What aspects of Project 3 need to most work going forward [Audience, Purpose, Argumentation, or Genre]? How do you plan on addressing these areas?
While some of my scores differed greatly from reviewer to reviewer, my score was consistently low in genre because the girls did not see my edited video. I think once my use of pictures, video, stats, and music comes together with the commentary they have read/watched, my project will fit more squarely into my genre.
4. How are you feeling overall about the direction of your project after peer review and/or instructor conferences this week?
I'm really proud of my video because I have never attempted anything like it before. I am excited to polish it up and then show it off to everyone! I think that the most helpful feedback came from talking to Sean Bottai, because he worked with my script and talked with me before I put everything on film. There's not much I can do filming-wise from here on out, but I feel really good about my project!
Collins, Jen. "Thank you." 11/7/15 via flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
Esteemed peer editors,
While my project is a video project, I can only present to you a finalized script at this time. I am doing the filming in the next couple of days as I have just received my camera from home. Please look over my lines to see if everything is coherent, point out any weak spots and maybe give me some general advice as to where you would like to see me go with the script moving forward. I will have a completed video soon, and if you felt so inclined as to return to my project at a later date,watch it, and give some small comments I would greatly appreciate it :)
***UPDATE!*** I have removed my draft so as not to have two copies on my channel :) To see the finalized video, check out my blog post titled "Publishing Public Argument"
In this post, I will be answering questions about design choices from Writing Public Lives.
Taylor, Nic. "Paul Smith Designs."11/7/15 via flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
What color choices best reflect the visual-rhetorical tone of my project?
I am going to design most of my project in blue because it is a calming, neutral color. This is the same effect that I am going for with the presentation information, so everything should work hand in hand. All my other colors must match with my main blue to not be visually distracting to viewers. I will likely wear some shade of blue in my parts of the video.
What color is most appropriate for the background, or the most visually engaging?
For the background of my shots, I am going to film with my back to a window so that the scene is somewhat more appealing than just a single color. Also, I want my shots to be full of light so as to convey lightness and hope.
Are the fonts that I am planning to use complementary?
I plan on using normal fonts not unlike Arial or Cambria so that the text does not distract from the information. I need to make sure that if I am switching fonts at any point that the two look good together.
Do the images I am planning to use inform or emphasize my argument in an important way?
I plan to use images from the movies I reference to remind my audience of the actors involved and provide some context. They will be just enough support for my argument, as people need to have a clue which films I am talking about.
Are the scenes ordered correctly?
First, I will start with an intro graphic/greeting. Then, I will move on to introducing my topic and making it relevant to the audience. Then comes my support, along with pictures and graphics. I will address the rebuttals next then transition into the conclusion. The video will end with an outro/send-off.
Do headings create clear transitions from each major point in my argument?
I think I will use headings at the bottom of my different support points/rebuttals in order to give a visual organization to my piece. This will keep my video from appearing like a rant, something I want to avoid at all costs.
In this post, I will share the foundations and supports that will come together to create my public argument.
Ingrid0804, "Golden Outline." 11/7/15 via flickr. All Rights Reserved.
Intro
"Connecting the issue to my audience's world" is the best fit for my argument because its such a visible part of society. Everyone watches movies, knows some stars/starlets, and is affected by race relations. I think it is the most effective manner with which to connect to my audience and convince them of the importance of my video.
Developing Strong Supporting Paragraphs
1. Major Supporting Arguments
- We need to tell the truth where it matters (ie not forgetting history, getting a clear picture, building on the impact of the film)
- There have been calls for accuracy in casting (the other way around) consistently for a while
- Roles where race is negligible can still be cast blindly
- Maybe an indicator that more stories from different perspectives need to be told
- Percentages of different ethnicities in film and census data is fairly close, so Hollywood is decently representing reality
2. Major Criticism
- Enforcing negative stereotypes
- Not allowing actors of color to advance
- Excuse to allow writers/directors to tell stories that exclude certain ethnic groups
- Its harder for people of color to get work than white actors
3. Key Support and Rebuttal Points (Highlighted)
I chose these points because I felt that they were the most compelling and important to the debate. Also, I feel as though they have not been touched on as much. I will include some of the other points in my conclusion.
4. Tentative Topic Sentences
While white actors are the majority in film, the diversity represented in film is surprisingly close to American reality.
When Ridley Scott's Exodus: Gods and Kings premiered, the public had a field day with the fact that a nearly all white cast was chosen to play Egyptians.
The simple fact is that some semblance of historical accuracy is required when constructing a film. Belief can only be suspended so far.
Some have said that historically accurate casting gives directors the liberty to discriminate all in the name of the film.
Another argument I have heard is that directors just don't want people of color to advance in the film industry.
5. Evidence
February 4, 1794: Slavery abolished in French Colonies
Les Mis takes place from 1789-1832
Kyle Jean Baptiste in Les Miserables and my own personal experience
Just over a quarter (25.9%) of the 3,932 speaking characters evaluated were from
underrepresented racial/ethnic groups. A full 74.1% were White, 14.1% Black, 4.9% Hispanic,
4.4% Asian, 1.1% Middle Eastern, <1% American Indian or Alaskan Native, and 1.2% were
from "other" races/ethnicities. (Annenberg doc pg. 1)
US Census Data 2010
Movies such as: Lone Ranger, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Memoirs of a Geisha, Prince of Persia
6. Map of My Argument
Concluding Strategies
I am going to attempt a "common ground" conclusion, because I think it will nicely wrap up my topic. There are a lot of people that will not agree with me, so I think it would be diplomatic and rhetorically effective way to end things. My proposed actions going forward would benefit both sides of the debate.
Setting- This type of public argument is generally made for a video-sharing website then shared through social media and other outlets like Buzzfeed, Upworthy, etc.
Subject- The subject varies widely, but the general concensus is that the subject matter is relevant to the target audience and probably centers around some point of contention in society
Who uses the genre- Bloggers, vloggers, and celebrities utilize this medium to get their message across in a fun and engaging way.
When and why- This genre is used constantly- the number of videos on YouTube in this genre grows every single day. Youtubers feel the push to create new content for their avid subscribers. These stars use their videos to make a name for themselves and market their "brand."
Rhetorical Patterns of the Genre
Content to include- Music is utilized as a background element, popups guide the reader to new information, filler video is used to emphasize points.
Content to avoid- To much dry research without interesting or concise commentary, visuals with text that are hard to read
Rhetorical appeals- Pathos is used more often in non-business centered videos, because the star wants to connect to viewers as almost a friend type. Logos and ethos are used more in business produced videos because they want to make viewers believe the information and perspective they are giving.
Organization- They usually open with a greeting or intro sequence. The video then dives into a captivating hook, discussion and analysis mixed with visual support, then ends with a send off or "outro" sequence.
Sentence structure- The phrases used by video stars are generally active and are filled with exclamatory feeling because they want to convey intense interest in the topic.
Word choice- The language is generally informal and can contain slang because it attempts to relate to the more casual side of the viewer.
What Do the Patterns Reveal about the Genre's Social Context?
Who does the genre include- tech-savvy adults, teens, college students, and young kids.
Genre excludes- the technologically illiterate, those without access to tech, older adults
Role of writers- The videosphere encourages vloggers to act as though they are the expert in something and that their opinions are all interesting and valid.
Role of readers- The existence of a comment section allows viewers to be an active, participatory audience
Values and beliefs of users- Viewers value the ability to get their information quickly and believe that if someone took the time to make a video, its worth watching- or at least previewing.
Most valuable content- Visual examples, animation, good lighting and backdrops, good editing, appropriate music
Least valuable content- Information that is too wordy or too complex, bad quality filming, bad music
I responded to Charles and Bre's blog posts about their genres, which happened to be the same. Charles and I hold the same view that articles on the internet have transformed the audience into a more involved, responsive entity. This is something that we have to both prepare and provide for in our pieces. Bre discussed the lack of coverage with regards to counterarguments in her genre, and I think this is relevant to my genre as well. I need to remember to address possible points of contention in a way that supports my own argument.
In this post, I will share my thoughts about the "Five Basic Types of Public Argument" as defined by Writing Public Lives.
Eye-..."Type." 10/31/15 via flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
I am interested in taking the following positions on my topic based on uniqueness from my perspective and level of appropriateness for my topic: refutation, evaluation, and position. I think that these perspectives would be the best options for my project because I intend to take the unpopular side of the argument. This means I need a style that will help me effectively make my argument. I feel that the causal and proposal arguments would not be appropriate choices for my subject matter because I might end up in some way supporting the other side. The other three choices will make my position stronger than those formerly mentioned because they allow me to do some development for the unpopular side in order to argue successfully.
Mark's posts reminded me that sometimes our personal passion for a topic might work against us as we try to make an argument. I had not considered this in my original action plan, but now I will definitely keep it in mind as I draft my project.
Tyler's posts emphasized the harm that certain approaches could do to your argument in the wrong context. I realized that I must be careful and constantly examine whether or not I am addressing my intended audience in the right manner.
This insight has made me hyper-aware of my rhetorical situation, and I intend to stay that way so that my argument hits home with my intended audience. I really want to convince them of my position in a really compelling way, and I think remaining aware is the best way to do so.
In this post, I will develop a rhetorical action plan. I will be answering several questions from Writing Public Lives pg. 412-3.
Lee, Chris. "No Plan B." 10/31/15 via flickr. All Rights Reserved.
Audience (College Students)
Knowledge: Unless this is an area of extreme interest for them, it is unlikely that my audience knows very much about my topic. It was covered very briefly during the start of the year, and though they are generally very involved in race discussion it was not in a very visible area for them. Most college students get their information from social media and quick news websites like Buzzfeed.
Values: Generally, my audience is very interested in social justice. They makeup the generation that is passionate about inspiring change and challenging social norms. Their general principle is to stand up and defend the oppressed and the underdogs.
Standards of Argument:I think that my evidence needs to be accessible, understandable, and relevant to the big picture ideas. Since my target is undergrads, they have not quite yet gotten into the intensive research work that grad students do, so they would not respond positively to dense and complicated research.
Visual Elements:With social media holding the position that it does in this generation, visuals are KEY! I think that college students would rather respond to something visual than a paragraph of text.
Purpose:My audience would be paying attention to my argument because they are interested in social change and entertainment as well. I am challenging the current viewpoint and hoping to get them interested in the topic in a new and more informed way.
Function:Give information in a brief and digestible manner so that the article maintains interest until the
Setting: This genre is often used on student-centered websites like Buzzfeed, Sparknotes, and College Magazine.
Rhetorical Appeals: All the strategies can be used effectively, but emphasis is placed mainly on emotional and logical appeals. The college student rarely cares about the credibility of the author.
Visual Elements: GIFS, photos, simple graphs are perfect for this genre because they break up text and catch the eye of the reader.
Style:I will use a fairly informal style to seem relatable to my audience. I think it will appear too stuffy and boring if not.
Function:Providing new insight in a more appealing and quick way than text, and with more visual interest
Setting:This genre is often found on social media as it is easy to share, interesting to click on, and captures attention better than text.
Rhetorical Appeals:The visual component of this genre means that emotional appeals are key, but I would need to back up my argument with enough logical appeals so that the video is not a rant or complaint but actually a provider of new information.
Visual Elements: Completely visual. Most videos combine filmed shots with graphics, text, and overlaid audio.
Style: My style would be informal and conversational, because-again- I want to be able to connect well with my audience so they care about my argument.
Responses/Actions
Positive Reactions:
-My article is shared with others
-People use their consumer power to make a statement
-Other people write about this topic as well
Negative Rebuttals:
-People might write contradicting me -----> I would respect their opinion but provide more evidence.
-People might call me a racist/race denier--------> I would respectfully respond to their accusations/ignore them so as not to fan the flames
-People might not listen to a word I have to say-------> I would try to appeal to them with interesting and thought provoking information.
In this post, I will be looking at the big-picture ideas of my controversy. Below, I have provided my answers to the questions posed in Writing Public Lives "Reading in Context..." section, pg. 340.
1. What are the key perspectives or schools of thought on the debate that you are studying?
The two main perspectives duking it out in my public controversy are those that feel Hollywood is exclusionary and those that feel Hollywood is fairly inclusive.
2. What are the major points of contention or major disagreements among these perspectives?
The major point of contention is whether or not the entertainment industry is systematically shutting out non-white/non-male performers and that they are not given the same opportunities as their white/male peers. Also, the distribution of awards and recognition is a major disagreement as well.
3. What are the possible points of agreement or common ground between the two perspectives?
The two perspectives do agree that acting talent should be held to a high standard and that contextual accuracy is important in film and television.
4. What are the ideological differences, if any, between the perspectives?
Progressive, social justice types are more inclined to agree that there is a problem with the system, while conservative, laissez faire types generally like to think the industry is doing fine on its own.
5. What specific actions do their perspectives or texts ask their audience to take?
Those who think there needs to be more diversity ask audiences to demand it from film executives, patronize more diverse film, and spread awareness of the problem. The opposing side wants audiences to look at the data available, support films that they like, and not perpetuate an idea of unfairness in the industry.
6. What perspective are useful in supporting your own argument about the issue? Why did you choose these?
I will be using the not as vocal perspective that the industry is fair for my argument because I thought it would be more interesting to delve into this further. The other side has some strong supporters and rhetoric, so I considered this perspective in need of some more analysis and support.
7. What perspectives do you think will be the biggest threat to your argument, why?
I think the opposing side is a real looming threat to me, because I think the majority of my generation is the social justice type. Hollywood itself and those who work in it are very mindful and vocal about inequality, so my opposition to these norms will come with large obstacles.
---------------------------------- Reflection
Jenny and Rachel's posts delved into the questions much like mine did, which was reassuring. By looking over the information that they had gathered, I could spot some weaknesses that were also in my own work. I recommended to Jenny that she explore an aspect of the opposition a little bit more to find subtleties in the argument, and realized that I should do the same. Having a better grasp of the other perspective will help me strengthen my argument against it.
In this post, I will discuss which groups might be interested in my topic and therefore the target audience. I will ponder why these people would be interested, where I would publish my research, and provide examples.
JJ. "Captive Audience." 10/24/15 via flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
Audience #1: The Social Justice Minded College Student
This group would be interested in my research because it is a problem relevant to them. They are forced to group up and navigate in this new racial and cultural climate, and they may want to know what steps are being taken in Hollywood to make things more inclusive.
Publication Location #1: Social Media (Facebook in Specific)
For this location, it would be most effective to produce a short informative and creative video that quickly gives the pertinent information and can easily be shared by others
Not necessarily a listicle, because my information does not lend to that genre, but a short and punctuated article giving my opinon and research would easily reach this tech-savvy and brief audience
Film professionals, like higher ups in any industry, want to cater to supply and demand. If I can convince them that my topic will help them produce more effectively and make more money, they will listen. They also sometimes have hearts, and to see plainly the opinion of the masses might make them rethink some of their processes.
Publication Location #1: Business Journal
This location would give me the needed credibility and allow me to structure my information and argument in a way that is conducive to agreement
Publication Location #2: News Site or Paper for Business Professionals
This location would allow me to have a little more creative freedom but still be taken seriously as the author. It would structure my information in a fairly digestible way, and perhaps a little more appealing than the journal option.
In this post, I will choose a few of my previously shared questions about my public debate to further explore and explain my choices as well.
Berkeley, Xanthe. "Focus." 10/24/15 via flickr. All Rights Reserved.
1. What information could each side tell the other that could possibly change perceptions?
2.When will this controversy-- or something similar --spring up again?
3.Who would benefit from more public discourse about this controversy?
I picked these questions out of the bunch because I felt as though they had not been touched on at all in my initial project. I also thought that the concept of looking forward and making informed assertions would be an interesting angle for my project.
This post will detail which public argument I am planning on participating in for Project 3. I decided that the most dynamic and interesting controversy that I could participate in was the debate of "diversity in the Oscars," which I detailed in my Project 1 QRG.
Smith, Ana. "Looking for Banksy." 10/24/15 via flickr. All Rights Reserved.
Things I still need to learn about about WHO is involved in the controversy
-Who are the key players that are still driving this debate long after the initial excitement died down?
-Which professional actors are vocal about this topic and which are on the less-popular side?
-Who would benefit from more public discourse about this controversy?
Things I still need to learn about about WHAT is up for debate in this controversy
-What is the root issue or overarching theme that drove the debate?
-What information could each side tell the other that could possibly change perceptions?
-What did each side want to be done about the controversy?
Things I still need to learn about about WHEN this controversy has unfolded (and the larger contextual details of that time period that may be relevant)
-When will this controversy-- or something similar --spring up again?
-When was this debate at its peak?
-When would have been the best time for both sides to make their arguments?
Things I still need to learn about about WHERE this controversy has unfolded - and I mean both physical spaces and cultural spaces
-Where was the debate most heatedly discussed?
-Where were the actual face to face conversations about this debate taking place?
-Which cultural spaces had the most at stake in the debate?
Things I still need to learn about about HOW this controversy has unfolded in the media (including general popular media, scholarly media and social media)
-How did this debate catch fire with the masses on Twitter?
-How did the offending side directly respond to complaints?
-How has this debate been covered by both impartial sources and partial ones?
