FreeWrite: Observation Process

When I observed the three girls writing, there were many generalities and common trends that occured throughout the process. For instance, each girl had a specific role in the process. One girl would pose the questions to the group and wait for a response. The other two girls would be the ones to state their opinions on the proper answers and the first girl would repeat what they would say trying to refine their words. She would then type the groups answer on the computer while reading what she typed alloud. That way, if any of the other two girls disagreed with the final thought, she could alter it. In one instance there was an answer that one of the other two girls thought could be reworded. The typist repeated what the girl said to varify and made the alterations.
What I found pertininant in this process of observation is that it is important to pay close attention to detail- not only to ask myself what the are doing, but how and why are they doing it. Most people would think "duh, of course that's how it's done," but it is easier said than done while your are actually doing it. Small details like the efficiency of specialized tasks, repeating questions, or even thinking out loud are all important to someone who plays the role of observer.

9/8 Class Notes and Responses

Stasis Theory/Questions:

A) Clarifies a rhetor's understanding an issue before composing an argument

• audiences' opinions, assumptions, values
• areas where more research can be done
• possible proofs to support argument
• effective arrangement of these proofs

Exercise:

Topic: Voting/Political Participation

Question: Should young adults participate in the politcal process?

General vs. Specific: "young adults" = a little bit of both

Theoretical vs. Practical (abstract ideas vs. action/specific activities): More Practical

What is it?

Conjecture: Is there an act to be considered?

a) "purity" of the democratic process

b) lack of political participation

Examples: Is there a lack of political participation? What causes this lack? How can this lack be changed? Are political parties targeting them?

Definition: What kind of thing or event is it? To what larger class of things does it belong? What are its parts? How are they relating?

Examples: What kind of thing is voting? To what larger class of things does voting belong?

Quality: Is it a good or a bad thing? Should it be sought or avoided? is it right or wrong? Is it honorable or dishonorable?

Comparative Quality: is it more desirable than any alternatives? Or less desirable? is it more or less right than something else? Is it more base than something else?

Examples: Is it right to vote without knowing the issues and candidates vs. not voting at all? Is it honorable to vote for a candidate whose ideas you support but you know isn't going to win? Is it more base to pay attention to the political process when there is so much negativity, or is it more base to "tune off"? Is it honorable to vote? Is it a good thing to participate in the political process? Is it better for the youth to participate in the process or should the "experianced" make the decisions?

Status Update Due 9/16

Thus far, I feel like I have a good sense of how I want to proceed with my final project. Also, I am comprehending the material that is covered in class. Sometimes I get lost trying to follow Prof. Wible's train of thought, but I usually understand the main points that he covers. Something that I was really content with was the outline laid out for the Letter of Inquiry. Hopefully that will lead to a better grade. My exploratory essay was, to my surprise, lacking, so it would be nice to cushion my loss.

Analyzing the Analysis Memo 9/9/08 Class

The Analysis Memo

-Job Description
--This gives us a look at the surface of how the writer interpreted this part of the project, and why he responds the way he does.
--This also gives us a look at the surface of his thought process on how he goes about organizing his writing.

-Audience Analysis
--This part shows how the writer perceives his audience and what they expect from a writer like him.
--By understanding how he sees his audience, a reader can see what he feels is necessary to include or exclude in his writing.

-Rhetorical Analysis
--This final part of the memo shows what the writer included in his work and what he chose to overlook or exclude. By relating this to the Audience Analysis, you can see how well the writer was able to achieve his goals of including the right information.
-- It also shows each step he took throughout the whole writing process, and how he expects his audience to interpret his work.

Tracing My Exploratory Essay

Before I even started organizing my essay, I brainstormed on questions that I really wanted to ask someone in the business or legal field about professional writing. When it came to the point that I had a handle full of questions, I began my outline of main points that I wanted to discuss and explain. I usually don't go into detail until I am writing the paper, itself, because I feel that it is the best way to capture what I think about a specific subject. As I began to type my paper, I followed the outline that I had made. It really helped me stay focused and adhere to a linear train of thought. One by one, I would address each question, and explain my reasoning for choosing that question. As I was finishing up with my conclusion, I looked back at what I had already written. Summing up my thoughts, I ended the project. I read it through a couple of times, changed a few sentences, and finally turned the paper in.

What is Kairos?

To me, Kairos can be described as a physical fight. Imagine your topic of debate or your central theme of your argument as your opponent. Kairos is that split second when your opponent drops his guard and you are able to most effectively land a blow to the body of your opponent. If you are quick on your feet and are able to quickly adapt, you will be able to catch it, because the key moment is fleeting. Kairos is basically the opportune moment to strike or jump at a main point of an argument.

Rhetorical Activities 1 and 4 pp. 63-64

1)Don LaFontaine, a famous movie trailor voice, died this past Monday. While reading about this, I decided what better person to discuss and research then the man himself. While looking for various publications, I determined that FOX News and ETOnline were the best candidates, because they both have their arms deep in celebrity personal life. Both articles claim that this is a sad time in Hollywood, and that movies won't be the same without him. After appearing in over 5,000 movies, and approximately 350,000 commercials it's hard to see why not. Both articles definitely convinced me that the issue is urgent and pertinant to my personal life. Never more will I here his distinct voice when I go to the movies or watch television. Due to the nature of the situation, neither of the two articles were disrespectful in placing related arguments or facts.

4) We as a planet are such a diverse people. People of many different cultures, religions, ethnicities, and social statuses go about our lives as we best know how to. Day in and day out, we wake up to our world and survive under the conditions we have been given or the ones we have made for ourselves- but what if the world we think we know won't always be there the next day? Every day Earth's ozone layer is deteriorating at an alarming rate. If the peoples of this world do not unify to solve this problem there will be no Earth to wake up to.