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