Question from SEEN

Research Question: What does the graffiti artists' composing process look like?

• Create your thesis (how would you answer that question in on sentence?)

Any project on this scale requires a graffiti artist to have a group of fellow artists with SEEN as a supervisor.

• Locate a moment, regather the data/evidence, and then describe what happened in detail.

SEEN is standing back from the wall and guiding others with a outline drawn on a separate piece of paper, which he holds. He is using language like, "Believe me" and pointing out where to start on the wall. He is also answering questions and concerns from co-artists.

• Interpret the data, make sense of it for readers. (what do you want us to notice?)
  

SEEN's physical use of the finger and the tone of his voice tells us what is and what is not important to the art overall. He intensives his tone when NICK questions the color scheme to demonstrate that he is in charge and that this is his project. It is also important to note that SEEN may not be this commanding or reserved when he is off camera. Regardless, the co-artists don't waste time arguing with SEEN for long because their body language he is in charge.

• IDing testimony that confirms or analysis your findings and why is it significant.

This kind of structure is common in the graffiti world. Richard Lachmann in an American Journal of Sociology study tells readers, "By accompanying a mentor, who points out his own work and that of other writers known to him, the novice learns that there is an audience for graffiti." The same is seen in SEEN's group. In our case the mentor is the supervisor. NICK questions the color and BOY questions the size, but SEEN feels that if both are done to his plan then it will be worthy enough to be shown on the video documentry. This is significant because it fights a sterotype that graffiti artisits are smiple punks with some sparypaint. SEEN is well organized with a plan and a vision which need mulitple artist to grow into a presentable piece of art.

ARCS p.230 1,2,6

Find a half dozen short pieces of professional writing. How do the authors establish ethos? How do they convince you that they are intelligent and well-informed?

Character is very important for a person to be influential. Text is not the only door for discovering a person character. This requires more than simply analyzing text, but is equally important all the same. It is a country's hope when electing a leader, he/she acts on what he/she says. This is how I have come to determine good character.

"I Have a Dream..." by Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the greatest Americans who ever lived was Martin Luther King Jr. He connected with people through his words of peace and unity. Being the figure head of the Civil Rights Movement meant have incredible character. This speech was meant to reflect on the hopes and dreams of the black community across America.

"And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights." King's ethos is established here. He knows that until the laws separating people by race are completely gone, then peace is only word without meaning. "The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people," This proves his intelligence, because he fully understands the core problem. Equality means co-existence with one another peacefully. Blacks and Whites can't gain equality by means of deterrence alone. Those ideals created the Cold War resulting in the Cuban Missile Crisis.

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'" King is spelling out his hopes as simple as possible during this part of his speech. His is addressing the whole nation by directly quoting the Declaration of Independence and speaking louder and clearer then before. He is reinforcing his character as a good American to express goodwill towards his audience—The USA.

"Moved to Cheer" by Hannah C. Feldman

This is an editor's note in the September 08 issue of Imbible, a magazine dedicated to beer. The editor is commenting on the attitude of the co-workers when selecting 100 best places to drink beer in america for the cover story by the same name. The editor is remembering an old bar saying, "Like an old friend, it becomes irreplaceable." By establishing the dedication of the magazine to treat beer as a friend, the editor reassures the reader that this top 100 was selected for the beer first and the bar second. Beer quality is the editor's ethos, which is confirmed by saying, "It's an exciting time to work a a magazine like Imbibe," due to the rise in quality microbreweries.

People tend to respect the opinion of a person they feel is dedicated to their job. Looking at the cover article, we see that the top 100 is divided into section with no particular order. They are not saying one beer bar is better than the other. I understand this strategy because is shows they respect the fact everyone has unique sense of taste. This furthers Feldman's character, because he understand his audience. Many of the bars in the main article include 'Reader Pick.' However, when the editor comments, "I still smetines miss Brewer's and its rich and potent Resurrection Ale," the editor risks lossing the attention of anyone who hates or never had that ale before. It's a small matter, because the article is more opinon based.

"The Double Life of Christian Slater" by Marc Spitz

This article is a preview of a new NBC trill ride called 'My Own Worst Enemy.' Marc Spitz is examining why it is good for Christian Slater to play the role of a killer with a split personality. Spitz feels it is appropriate for Slater to play both good and bad due to his past run-ins with the law. The article examines closely the plot of the show and the life of Slater. By doing this the reader senses that Spitz is well-educated on both topics of the article.

Spitz ethos is not clearly stated. Spitz's analysis of Slater's life to the TV character implies that he supports NBC's choice, but never says anything along the lines of 'Christian Slater is perfect.' I feel not clearly stating this hurts his character. At least Feldman gave us an idea of his taste by stating a favored beer. I find the best way to develop character is being straight foward in one's opinion and elegant in his/her reasoning. It is as if Spitz is simply justifying NBC's choice of Slater for the role.

Now analyze the pieces in terms of the rhetorical distance created by their authors' voices. Do the authors assume they know readers will or do they establish a formal distance? How do they achieve this distance?

In the case of Dr. King's speech, he is able to keep an intimate distance to the audience. I feel this way when King uses the simile of the bank of injustice. Everyone goes to the bank. Also, King's past marches and demonstrations have been seen by wide margin of people who support his courage. In Feldman editor's note he too keeps and intimate distance. He opens the article with a story of him an a friend in a bar. He is lowering himself to an average level. He is not in the bar to judge it, but to enjoy it. It is also reflected in Feldman's tone. Spitz's article has a more formal distance to it. He is not talking about himself in anyway or giving his opinion. He is playing the middle man by stating why Slater was NBC's logical choice. When appealing to a persons logic, you must check emotions at the door. Spitz does this by sticking to the facts of the show and Slater's life.

Write a letter in the voice of soneone else. Before you can doe this successfully, you may have to watch and listen awhile to the persons whoes ethos you plan on imitating.

Nation... we are at a pinccinale moment in the election. Now John McCain may be down in the polls, but not to fear. This was his plan all along. You see, you can't captin the ship that is the free world with all these conservatives giving you navagation points. So McCain slowed the ship down and screamed ice berg. Now all those right-wing intelleicuals will swim to Barrack Obama's ship and overload it with advice and apologies. That leaves McCain at the helm to command the nation... at least until 6 o'clock because then it's time for his nap.

Now That you Have the Data...

• Analysis is making sense of your data from writing, observations, and interviews.

Ways to analysis:

• Compare and Contrast (intertextuality) (Bazerman/Selzer).
• +++++ direct/indirect quotation. mentioning another document. comments on another text. using recognizable phrasing.

• Perspective (social, textual) (Faigley).
• +++++ Coding data--teaching all the collected data, looking for patterns, themes, similarities/differences to emerge.

• "Tracing Writing Process" (Paul Prior).
• +++++ analyzing text. same as drafts (underline). slightly revised (double underline). ADDED. [deleted].
• +++++ Thinking aloud. Differentiating the various types of comments
  

• Influence of Workplace. Culture on writing. Editorial comments.
• +++++ Kleimann's four categories of revision comments

• Analyzing genres.
• +++++ Prominent linguistic features. using active verbs. presents concrete details. rhetorical features (argument). organizational features (time-line).
  

• Speaking/writing connection.

• Rhetorical theory.
• +++++Definition/concepts can serve as lenses to analyze what's happening in text.

Applying to my subject.

I have interviewed my subject to analysis how he/she has come to understand the client. When working outside of a normal understanding of a publisher, the level of interaction with an editor and author deals on a more personal level. In his/her case, the author is using their own funds to publish a book. This is a huge investment on behalf of the client and my subject must convince him/her is worth the investment. My subject will only edit to the extent the client/author pays for, but is willing to share information about other problematic areas of the text.
This interview was important to build a foundation of what shapes my subject's ethics.

Applying to SEEN.

Hierarchical relationship shapes decision-making because of language use between two. SEEN is also answering the questions and never asks. He is the only one with a clear idea of the outcome/interpretation.

Activity 4 ARCS p. 153

Use Aristotle's common topics to analyze some issue that you want to understand better. Ask each of the questions listed in this chapter under conjecture, degree, and possibility. Take your time, and write down all of the answers that come to you. Remember, the point of heuristic is to help you find all of the available arguments. If you are thorough, systematic use of the topics should turn up more arguments than you need.

One issue that I want to understand better is the future of the economy. This is an issue that not only effects myself, but my family, friends, and nearly every American I have not personally met (which is a lot). My focus will be on Obama's plan.

Conjecture:

• What exists is a heavy drop in the stock market after banking firms pressured people to pay money they did not have. This caused many people's homes, stocks, and retirement plans to be lost or may be lost in the future. Now the banking companies are asking for $700 billion dollars from the government that will trickle down to every American tax payer. This is the largest bail-out since the depression of the 1930's.
• What doesn't exists is plans to withhold that money and let the American's practice of a free-market economy save people from the current crisis.
• In the past, during the 1930's, unemployment was higher then it has ever been thanks to a surge of WWI soldier's employers denying them their old jobs and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act enacted in 1930. The government responded with $140 billion dollars to buy failing businesses. What brought America out of its depression was the transition to a war-economy during WWII.
• The future is unclear at this point because this crisis and bail-out plan are still in its infant stages. It took three years after the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act for unemployment to reach its high of 25%. It is especially hard to predict how the economy will do now that we are at the end of an election season. We see two opinions; Obama and McCain.

Degree:

• These two political party representatives need their plans to be judged by goodness, justness, honor, and expediency. Obama wants to provide a $1,000 a year permanent tax relief and giving $500 tax credit for working families. This will increase government spending, but the focus will be with the middle to lower class and not the banking companies that caused the current crisis. Obama has also proposed similar flat taxes so Americans can quickly understand what is owed and why. Public services across America, such as hospital, police, and fire will be expediently divide $25 billion dollars to stay open.
• Who Benefits is the lower and middle class families who make less than six figures a year. Obama's plan will keep American's working and not spending needless hours on tax forms. That time is better spent with one's family.
• The time line Obama hopes to reach his goals in his first year in office, during tax time. I do respect the fact that we are STILL fighting a war and Obama wants our troops home and safe too. These two dominate issues in America may conflict with each other, but Obama understands this. He proposed a steady solution of troop withdrawal over time. This will bring our fighting men and women home and give Obama time to handle the current economy problem.

Possibility:

• What is possible is giving Americans tax relief without pushing the stock market further down into a hole. We can't so willing turn over $700 billion dollars to the companies causing homelessness and finance woos. It is possible that the free market will create mutual trust between companies and investors to bring faith back to the economy, including the banks.
• What is impossible is trusting the current greedy banking firms various CEOs to stop being greedy. Even if the government's money creates strong regulations, they are still leaving propriety spending of the $700 billion up to the CEOs. If these CEOs are anything like me, then they will cover their own losses before anyone else's.
  

The Commons and Aristotle

Common Topics:

• Set of questions we can ask and answer in order to begin generating arguments on any topic/any situation.
  
• If something has or has not happened.

Conjecture:

• What exists?
• What doesn't exists?
• How were things in the past?
• How will thing be in the future?

Degree (greater/lesser):

• Goodness, justness, honor, expediency.
• Who benefits?
• How much time do you need?

Possibility:

• What is possible?
• What is impossible?

*Examples*

1. Look at Dr. Wible's Blog.

(p.130) Common Places:

• Ideology = belidrs, attitudes, and values. Think back to your PR class.
• Bumpers Stickers:

• Obama vs. McCain.
  

Abstract of Proposal

Writing my 1st abstract draft

An editor is a like a second author. They make changes and suggestions that can make or break a manuscript. My ethnographic research project is going to focus how a relationship with an author can influence an editor. This research will help people understand how to become and effect editor when dealing with different kinds of authors. First I need to know how my subject understands the requirements of an editor. I feel it is important to note that my subject is co-owner of a publishing company. This divides my subject duties. I will also learn about how this added responsibility affects the editing process.

I hope to learn the similarities and differences in the editing process when dealing with an author. In order to do this, I will need to examine my subject's comments and learn about the author's goals for their work. I am relying on my subject for the author's goals, because I will not have any contact with the author personally. In my conclusion, I will state the major similarities and differences of my subjects editing process with the various influences and responsibilities my subject faces.

Interviewing

3 Types of Interviews:

• Don't put them on the defensive.
• Stress positive things.
• Understanding, not telling.
  

1. Semi-Structured interview

• Purpose = Gaining insight on writer's thinking/problem solving strategies.
• More of a conversation.
• Learning about writer's decision making.
  
• "What do you add to the education of a client?"
• "How do you stay motivated?"
  

2. Stimulated Elicitation ("Prop")

• Prop could be a draft.
• Used for more specific details.
• Exact comments.
• "Why did you include/exclude/elaborate on X?"
  

3. Discourse-Based Interview

• Have the text and presenting alternatives.
• Mary Beth Debs: "What do you favor and why?"
  

Subject Matter

Noting the similarities and differences in the Progress reports by other students two years ago can be helpful in my own research. They help create a professional tone while still creating a level ground between reader and writer.

Susan Kleimann Readin

How does she describe the setting, what kinds of details does she provide?

1. The General Accounting Office (GAO) is located in Washington D.C.
2. GAO is providing research reports for members of Congress (testimonials, offered legal opinions, etc.)
3. 5000 employees in 14 regions (2 overseas)
4. Primarily educated in accounting.
5. GAO is broken down into multiple departments. Each one reading and revising drafts of the others.
6. Speak as the voice of the agency who hires them.

The section entitled "Setting" in Kleimann's report is to educate the reader about the background, organization, codependency, and nature of the work done by the GAO. Kleimann wants readers to know these kinds of details to let the reader know what the GAO is. Many people never heard of the GAO before (I know i hadn't). This is important because the GAO works with Government agencies and wants people to feel the GAO work is important for the organization and stability of the Government and Country. It is like when I do a report on a novel. I give background information on the author and the time they lived in so people will know about the inspiration behind the novel. If I was not to do that then the reader of my report will have a harder time connecting with the topics I discussed.

Why break things down?

Sorting through 3000 or so suggestions is important to Kleimann because organization is important and lets her know how to approach and clarify the weakness and strength of the project. It is structured a similar way to the GAO structure.

Detail from observation

Types of Details we observed were:

1. Roles, how each was performed
2. Specific embodied activities - typing, reading, etc.
3. Speech - tone, topics, etc.
4. Other Activities - drinking, sitting, standing, smoking, etc.
5. Clothing
6. Arrangement of work area



Notes from the NY graffiti circa of 1983:




Observational:

+ One person in charge like a foreman.
+ Explaining process to camera and co-workers, but foreman focus is on one guy.
+ NY accent with slang terms and gestures
+ Casual dress (jeans and coats)
+ Some spontaneity

Theoretical:

+ Legal graffiti (Paid/influenced)
+ Pre-planned (may have been OKed by 3rd party)

Methodological:

+ What difference did it make where the bottom of the piece started?

Reflect on your data recording practices. How did your placement affect the data you collected? How would your positioning somewhere else have affected the data you collect? How did you data collection shift as the activity evolved.

The first thing I would note was the scale I would need to observe. I was watching two of my classmates type a letter for a few minutes before I reflect on it. This amount of time for both them and me meant that I would not need to take any notes. The information was still fresh in my mind. If the project was going to be lone, like the Ethnographic project, I would have had notes.

In-Class Observation and Writing

What I saw

When the two were writing to the fake high-school senior, I saw:

1. No Research.
2. Formal sentence structure, paragraph structure, and vocabulary.
3. Talked about their individual experiences and future projects.

How I write

To Mr. High school senior,

(Personal Experiences with classes, class mates, and teachers.)

In order to be a PWE major here at WVU the class you will want to take consider are:

1. Technical Writing classes
+ Rhetorical analysis
+ Editing
+ Mulit-media and business

2. Litureate classes
+ American litureate
+ World liturate
+ Hitory of English
+ Study of the English Language

3. Electives
+ Journalism
+ Advertising
+ intermediate swimming

The skills that you will need and can develop thourgh our formal education are:

1. Observation (onsight and class room)
2. Attention to detail
3. Analysising ideas using various sources (both academic and literary)
4. Proper formatting in busniess and professional writing (including citation)
5. Modern technological abilities in a class room.


The future you can gain with a degree from the PWE program at WVU include:

1. Publishing
2. Editor
3. Lawyer
4. Doctor
5. Free-lance
6. Article writer (News, magazine, etc.)

(We would format this information in a more formal letter with paragraphs, as well as list).

Sincerely,
Mallory and Jesse

The Power of Observation

Observation and Field Notes

Attention to detail and asking questions using that information is key. While viewing this picture on eCampus,

I observed:

+ They are about the same age as me.
+ They are using computers, books, notebooks, and a white board.
+ They are meeting in a public place, like our Mt. Lair.
+ Semi-circle seating.
+ Non-professional dress.

I can inference:
+ It is a school project.
+ They are being tutored.
+ It is best they meet during the daytime.
+ One member is currently leading a thought.
+ Eye contact and focus.

I can concluded:
+ There is a one person in charge, for now.
+ People have different tasks.

Question I can ask:
+ "Hey guys, what are you up to?"
+ "Why did you seat in a semi-circle?"
+ "Whats the division of labor here?"

Alyson Murphy Article

Stasis Theory with Alyson Murphy

Everyone in this country is entitled to voice their opinion. When dealing with an audience, you must examine their opinions, assumptions, attitudes, values, and beliefs. Alyson Murphy's topic of her article is getting young people more political participation. She used ROCKtheVOTE.com as and example of how politicians use music and pop culture to increase voter turn out. She is asks if young adults should participate in the political process. This is valued because young people may or may not understand the full issues at stake.

It is a more specific argument because she is targeting the young people. She wonders if they are qualified to vote in this historical election, spanning race and gender. This is kind of argument has theoretical and practical elements. Theoretical argument has an abstract idea and asks "can." Practical argument wonders "should" a person do the action or specific activities.

Theoretical:
+ Should youth participate in politics?
+ Is voting the right way to decide a communities direction?

Practical:
+ Should youth voe in the 2008 election?

What is IT and does this article have IT?

Asking questions about the purpose of the subject is important to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of an argument:

(p. 88-89)

Conjecture Q's:
+ Why do you think political parties are targeting young voters?
+ Is it because they care about their opinion or do they just want their numbers?
+ Are they participating at the right time?

Definition Q's:
+ Does ROCKtheVOTE.com inform the youth about the the important issues?
+ Will ROCKtheVOTE.com still care two years from now?
+ What does it mean to vote and participate? Privilege or responsibility.

Quality Q's:
+ Should we still support the winning candidate if we did not vote for him?
+ Should you still vote even if you don't know the issues?

Policy Q's:

ARCS p, 113 activity 3

The Increasing American Waist

While searching online, I came across an editorial in the Daily Athenaeum about the obesity problem in America (http://www.da.wvu.edu/archives/990411/news/990411,05,01.html). The argument this person is getting at is at Americans should be happy with the way they look and not worry about all the studies people put on the news to make you loose weight. The writer of this editorial claims that the 18% of people in America who are 30% overweight can live normal and healthy lives.

This is the writers opinion and not based on any true fact. Weight gain is a slippery slope and extra weight can lead to high blood pressure. High blood pressure, caused by obesity, is the number one killer in the United States. However, the writer is not arguing against the fact that obesity can lead to health risks. What the writer really is arguing is that all the articles and studies about fat just lower our self-esteem. The writer is also attacking modern medicines non-ability to solve this problem.

The writer is almost claiming that having unhealthy weight is better then feeling bad about it. You can feel good about your weight all you want, but it will not save you from a heart attack. That is the responsibility for modern medicine. Both my parents suffered heart attacks in the same month and now they eat healthy and exercise regularly. I would have much rather had TIME magazine scare my parents into losing weight than surviving a heart attack.

I am sure that stasis can be reached with the author of this article. It never accrues to the author that it may be the fat that is lower the populations self-esteem and not TIME. Americans are eating better and working out to be healthy. The article claims people are trying to look like Kate Moss do to some unrealistic Hollywood image, but contradicts him/herself by stating Cindy Crawford is a successful model. This is just not a well developed argument and requires more research.

Q's

How can I present myself and the project as being beneficial to my subject?

Will I need to get in front of the class and teach for a day?

Can we see examples of completed Ethnographic projects?

Where does the rhetoric come in to play with the project and interview? The subject may not like hearing the word rhetoric. Our class has a different understand of rhetoric then regular people.

How can I make the subject understand that I am not just a shadow for a day?

What if the subject will not give me the time for a visit to their office to observe the workspace?

My subject published a book about the editing and publishing process. What if my subject tells me to simply buy the book?

What should I do if the subject wants to meet before I complete my research proposal?

Paul Prior Process

Why Study the Writing Process?

You want to know what is and what is not a successful text. Its important to know what it looks like, how it is arranged, and what goals that the text meet. How to interpret the assignment is important for knowing how to move along in the process.

We want to be able to answer questions like: How do the writers establish ethos and/or karios?

What Kind of Information can we take from the Thrasher Inc. Handout?

One thing we can take away from the handout is the proper formatting. The assignment requirements helps writers know how to order the information and what to make more prevalent. Including the advertisement for the internship lets the writer know what the company and not just what the teacher is looking for. Including multiple drafts lets us know how the authors choose to edit.

On pages 19 to 21 learn about the strengthens the author feels he/she has, how they have applied it, and how they can apply them for the future. This lead into the writers psyche and choice of tone. Writers looking for a job must be eager, but not desperate; confident, but not arrogant. Including the comments by the teacher tells us how writers can change opinions and work with authority. This also tells us about how the writer views his/her audience and deals with general criticism.

Other general information that we can take from the whole packet include the writers ability to conduct research, present him/her self in a professional setting, and choice in vocabulary.

Tracing Process (WWD p 197 act. 1)

Consider a paper you have recently written. Make a drawing that represents the key concrete activities you engaged in as part of this writing process. Be sure to include activities involved in invention (like reading, talking to others, coming up with ideas about the paper-wherever that might happen) as well as inscription (like the actual production of the text, your drafts and notes). Then draw another visual representation in which you create a visual metaphor (or metaphors) that represents key elements of your process of writing the paper. Compare the two representations. Do they tell you different things about the process? What does each include? What does each exclude?

The work I picked was a paper analysing a Samuel Adams commercial from the Super Bowl of my Advertising class. The first picture I drew was me sitting at my desk with my textbook, notes, and computer. On the computer is Microsoft Word and my research from the Internet. I am asking my "why?" The metaphor for the writing process I choice was shooting free throws Dr. J style.

Each one is designed to represent how ideas come to me for writing. I generate as many ideas as i can and then try them out. Some work, some don't, and some I don't use. Its like shooting basketball. Some times the ball will go in and other times I'll miss (Just like ideas). They differ in the writing process because I can take an idea that does not really work or I don't fully understand and still fit in somewhere somehow. Each drawing includes me trying to work out a way my many ideas can fit into my writing. Sometime I just go with my first idea and develop it all the way. This is because too many ideas can lead to confusion and lack of focus. They differ in the fact that the computer can help. Using the internet, I can look up articles, interviews, and fellow students opinions to help change and develop an idea. On the basketball court I am alone.

Discourse Community

Examining my Community

One community I belong to is the WVU English department. Through this community I have learned to read, write, and critically examine different workers from the western world through formal instruction. The language I use changes, especially about rhetoric, from the language I use with my friends. A few of my friends are psychology majors and we find ourselves studying and reviewing the same topics. We talked about androgyny the other day and they studied it scientifically while I examined it in 19th and 20th century British literature. And we both ended up engaging in the old "Nature vs. Nurture" debate in our final paper we submitted to our teachers.

The only way to be part of a discourse comment is if there is at least one other type of discourse community. Otherwise everyone would the same.

To be part of the WVU English department, focusing on editing, I need to know if what the writer means is what the writer has writing, if its the best way to have written it, and if it will reach the target audience. This means it is more appropriate to talk about the writers style, than the writers feelings about his writing.

How does the social perspective apply to my work as a professional writer?

1) The m0st important suggestion for a professional writer in the social perspective, using the suggestion proposed by Faigley, is how to make the meaning of the writers text match the meaning the social community will take from it. I like to think back to Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" and how Nazis used to show early versions in Nazi Germany to bring anti-Jewish feelings to the community. The writer can inspire action within the community, such as Karl Marx, but the community can bring in their own interpretation, like how the USSR did. The audience is in more control of what is and is not approprate than the writer.

Understanding Kairos

Survey a variety of magazines and newspapers and select a handful of articles on a given issue. How does each article draw on or create "kairos?" Is the issue so pertinent or urgent that little needs to be done to establish the article's relevance? Do some writers or speakers use an opportune moment to "change the subject" and argue about a separate but related set of issues?

Kairos is a term roughly meaning a situation in time which can sway a rhetorical argument. I looked over several articles about the approach of hurricane Gustav. As you know, New Orleans was devastated by hurricane Katrina about three years ago. The hurricane incident opened a large number of issues about the incompetence and inability of the US Government to help its citizens in such a crisis. Even today, three years later, progress in the repair of the city is slow at best.

Now there is a new threat; hurricane Gustav. Instead of waiting and issuing voluntary evacuations, the city has gone through an mandatory evacuation. People have reported that Gustav is every bit as powerful as Katrina was back in 2005. The ancient Greeks would have considers this a moment of kairos, because it is bringing up issues and memories of the poor response from the Government. This is a wake up call for a time most Americans would like to forget. The threat of Gustav has gotten the ball rolling to address the same issues from the 2005 Katrina fumble. However, the issues will not be fully addressed until after the hurricane has passed.

The fact that a hurricane that has already crushed Cuba and is heading for New Orleans creates a important sense or urgency in the various articles I read. Right now the focus is on the power of the storm and the safety of the people, but that will quickly change after the storm. The issues will change from the storm, to reconstruction, to the blame game from the time of Katrina.

Choose an issue and compose an opening paragraph that shows how the issue matters for people you may

be addressing.

"No matter how hard we shut our eyes and cover are ears the crisis in Darfur will continue. Omar al-Bashir has committed one of the worst violations of humanitarianism since Adolf Hitler. Tens of thousands of men, women, and children have either fled or been executed. This is not a civil war of a national identity, this is a slaughter to maintain control. The International Criminal Court, or ICC, has declared Omar al-Bashir a war criminal, but yet he is still free. I do not want to wait until Hollywood makes this travesty into a movie before the American people get involved. It must stop here. It must stop now."

The weekend chew

What I know and What I need to understand.

I know that the audience, the writer, and the writers choice of words and vocabulary is connected together with each one depending on the other for a clear understand of the information, argument, or proposal of the writer. Without considering each of the angles in this triangle, the writer will fail.

What I have some questions on is how to find the difference between the audience and the discourse community. How can I make sure who I am writing for?

Communication for PWE

What does a professional writer need to know and be able to do in order to participate effectively in this process?

Lester Faigley's article entitled Nonacademic Writing: The Social Perspective takes a look at how people have changed their style of writing and communication outside of the academic setting. Faigley explains that writer have three different perspectives for their job; textual, individual, and social. I find his logic to be pretty accurate and takes into consideration the order a writers piece develops.

A professional writer needs to know and do different genres, including readable vocabulary if he/she wants to make the ideas of the text clear to the audience. The text is then infused with the individuality of the writer which results in the choice of vocabulary and genre. Finally the text will reach the social perspective, or the the audience the writer had in mind. Depending on the textual and individual perspectives of the writer, the social perspective will be defined and organized. Most importantly for a writer, he/she wants the social perspective to be maintainable for continued relationships.

Each one of these steps are important to the strength of a writer. Textual, individual, and social consideration forms a triangle, similar to academic triangle of ethos, pathos, and logos. Every part is important for clear communication between a writer and his/her audience. This is reinforced by how writers do their research and how accurate their data is.

It is important to note that a writer may have to reach multiple audiences. For example, you are with a group of writers trying to make a memorable SNL skit. You pitch an idea to your audience of fellow writers and they all start to die laughing. Just because they start laughing does not mean that the FCC will start laughing. In order for your idea to be aired, you are forced alter it for a new audience by using a new textual perspective. The individual perspective will change to because it places keeping the job before creative integrity.

Jon Stewart on the rhetoric of Crossfire

What is rhetoric? What is not? What is debate? What is not debate?

When Jon Stewart was on CNN's Crossfire, in 2004, talking about how bad the show is and how good it can be, I feel he was pointing out the bad rhetoric of TV debate. When a political figure goes on a show like Crossfire they know what to say, how to say it, and what will be asked of him or her. That is not a debate, that is planed confusion. John Stewart used the term, "theatrical" to describe Crossfire. I always felt a debate is not one person defending his or her stand, but to reach a compromise opinion. Crossfire is more of a win, lose position.

Selzer Handout

Why did Jack Selzer want to study the composting processes of an engineer?

When talking about writing to academic setting normally comes to mind. I see a older man with tweed blazer with leather patches writing about something deep and personally moving. This is one one image of a writer.

When Selzer was studying Kenneth E. Nelson he wanted to see a writer outside of an academic setting. An engineer works outside and with his hands. They need to type up a progress report to submit to multiple audiences.

Selzer wanted to learn how engineers do the writing that they do. Not so much about what they write.

What did you find to be unique?

One of the most suprising things I learned about a writer for engineering was Nelson's ability to reuse and reinvent the same information for a different audience. It is easy to lose sight of your audience because they are not in front of to give you notes.

Nelson also had a small amount of revising and only make minor edit after his secretary edits it.

Nelson spends a great deal of research on understanding his audience. (80% of his time)

Nelson had stylistic rules that he followed with every document, including short sentences, a topic sentence in every paragraph, and uses simple grammar.

How did Selzer prove he was correct?

Selzer wanted to understand a better way to prepare his students for a career in writing. He felt that studying Nelson would teach his students to re-use previously written material. Nelson helped prove Selzer right because of he was able to do his job quickly and effectually.

Selzer tape recorded the before and after Nelson would write. Not during because it was an unnatural feeling.

Selzer did physically observe and interview Nelson of a few occasions and looked at all his drafts, notes, and edits written by other people.

Why did Selzer use multiple data collection methods?

If Selzer was to just do a face-to-face interview with Nelson then he would be unable to see what Nelson does without thinking. When you are being interviewed, you think before you say, even if you don't mean to. Selzer outsourced to people that edit Nelson to understand what he does consistently.

Types of writing that professional writers do and the types of job titles they hold

There are a great number of different types of professional writing. The are academic, technical, scientific, and numerical to name just a few. Any job you many hold in the future will most likely have at least one professional writer on staff.

Some job titles include Journalist, Editor, Webmaster, Author, Student, Screenwriters, Lawyers, and Politicians. These are general job titles, but each one can break up into a vast number of sub-categories. This would take up a multiple blogs.

Because communication is the key to understanding, I wish to hear about your experience with writing. Whether it is for fun or a job. Wrote a good paper, but got a bad grade? Tell me about it. I want to read about anything and everything you wish to post about professional writing.

welcome

To my fellow students of English 301,

This is just an simple intro.

I look foward to working with all of you and hope for a productive class.

Sincerely,
Jesse Irons