Journal 10

Rhetoric and Composition – Looking at the historical development of English as a field and the disciplines involved.

English Education – American studies was a twentieth-century addition to the English Studies curriculum

Cultural Studies – Germany was the leading way in establishing modern universities

Discourse Analysis – English studies is used to look and describe a language in which greater reference is based on the common purpose.

5 Topics I Could Research and Write On
Discourse Analysis: critical thinking that is applicable to every situation and every subject.

1. General preparation for speeches
2. Does “favoritism” often affect a teachers analysis of their students work
3. Are social cues more or less important than the words or written material being expressed?
4. Can over thinking the task at hand lead to a greater downfall than the idea of “going with the flow”?
5. The idea that differences between individuals makes discourse analysis an area that cannot be generalized.

Journal 9

The research conducted focuses on how students decide the various genres they come in contact with; a close analysis of a small, religious-affiliated, liberal arts college to examine how the concept of “self” are reflected through their various activities. Through the combination of theory and “theories of self-representation and performance a framework is created to explore how genres expand your horizons and can also keep you close minded and how these students come to terms with “tension” in the areas they may face. An example of genres I see my peers using as forms of “self representation” selecting a major, which breaks down the overall view or aspect of school.

Journal 8

Pattie is trying to rearticulate the idea that the central theme in both public performance and “reception of rock music” and the persona of a rock star; between the planners and the unpremeditated, and both rely on the music to perform their language. Throughout this article Pattie uses influential musicians from various eras of time. Authenticity is described in this article through the artist audience and how “real” the musician is perceived. If the concept between the performer and the audience or listeners is mutual then you have understanding therefore conveying what is “your” idea of rock. I see people around me including myself everyday expressing there “authenticity” through several different ways, photographs, their clothes, art, etc. There are a vast number of ways to express your own authenticity.

Journal 7

Bisaillon conducted research to determine what defines revision in a professional context, what approach is taken by those who make their living revising (professional editors), are there resemblances between their strategies, how much the revision process influenced their conception of revision and their experience. This data was collected using six editors and placed them into two categories “lest experienced” and “most experienced”, and also placing them into the category of normal versus communicational perspective. A procedure of protocol analysis was then initiated in which the editors would record a two hour video in the home while revising in which each reader was told to describe each edit made, a set of a “semi-structured” interview is then initiated (the overall purpose was to get an overview of the editor). There were several discoveries the first being that none of the editors read the text to get a full grasp of the material, comprehension. Double checking revisions was an important also another common noted observation. The overall observation was the editors did not rely only on their “sure” knowledge. I feel professional editing is similar to students revising their own work in the sense that a lot of the same grammar rules and techniques are used. Depending on the student and if that student is revising their own work or that of a peer determines if when they revise the material if they choose to comprehend the work.

Journal 6

Bitzer believes the idea of rhetorical theory is one brought about that either gets ignored or thrown on the backburner and the idea of situation is discussed indirectly. He believes generally theories of rhetoric focus upon “orator’s” method rather than the situation that could have brings this method (creation of discourse) about. Bitzer goes on to continue that he believes there have been times when this idea has been apparent but not necessarily fully recognized and discussed and if discussed done so indirectly. Bitzer refers to rhetorical situation as “the nature of those contexts in which speakers or writers create rhetorical discourse”. It is important that the discourse you are exuberating comes from a specific condition or situation which invites “utterance”. As a formal definition rhetorical situation is described as “a complex of persons, events, objects, and relations presenting an actual or potential exigence which can be completely or partially removed if discourse, introduced into the situation, can so constrain human decision or action as to bring about the significant modification of the exigence. Exigence is then further described as an imperfection marked by urgency. I feel in writing exigency can be exhibited when you have waited to the deadline to write a due task, therefore unable to give your best effort, although this idea brings about many other ideas such as if you were to have done the assignment early would you have allotted more time or rushed to get the final product.

Journal 5

One of the debates I found most prevalent in the English Studies book was the idea that specialization plays a part in the scholarship you receive. “The more specialized our scholarship is the more divorced it comes from the non academic world” (McComiskey, 32). In other words it makes one more exclusive on a particular subject in their field rather than the field as a whole. There are ideas brought about by forces that can not necessarily be placed in a particular category. In fact Easton proposes the idea that these undefined ideas or subjects may be a summary of all the components (of political, philosophical, linguistic, and economic). The forces between each specialization should be joined in order for more material, and ideas to be brought about and studied. Gunther Kress interestingly puts it as “[T]here is no aspect of practice in the English classroom that is not laden with social significance”. Kress’s quote impresses the idea that every idea is sprouted from another thought or idea.

Journal 4

COMP 2000 – Journal Entry 4
Veronica Blunt

Template
In the Introduction to They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein provide templates designed to make people better academic writers. Specifically, Graff and Birkenstein argue that the types of writing templates they offer will enhance creativity rather than stifle it. As the authors themselves put it, “even the most creative forms of expression depend on established patterns and structures.” Although some people believe that using templates is elementary, Graff and Birkenstein insist that it is the basis of sophisticated thinking and writing. In sum, hen, their view is by entering a discussion with a structure, you are able to create more meaningful debate.

I agree/disagree/have mixed feelings. In my view, the types of templates that the authors recommend help a writer focus on meaningful debate. For instance, specifically considering objections to your viewpoint will protect against over generalization. In addition, your own views will be better fleshed out when challenged by opposing views. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that templates are very straightforward and they have problems recognizing that they enhance rather than diminish creativity. Yet I would argue that creativity will abound in an environment where thoughts are tested. Overall, then, I believe the structure imposed by templates will encourage thoughtful discussion —an important point to make given that a primary purpose of academic writing is to provoke thought and debate.

Library

Student's name:
Veronica
Email:
vblunt@nova.edu
Instructor's Name:
Professor Mason
Topic:
Music
Resource #1

Database Used:
NetLibrary

Title of Periodica or Book:
Sweet Anticipation: Music and the Psychology of Expectation

Title of Article (for periodicals only):

Author of Article or Book:
David Huron

Did you find the full text of this resource?
yes

Is there a bibliography?
yes

If yes, provide a citation to one source from the bibliography:
Aarden, B. (2001). An empirical study of chord-tone doubling in common era music. Masters’ thesis. School of Music, Ohio State University.

Viriginity

Dear Mom and Dad,
Although there is much contraversy of beliefs dictating how young women should behave, I take issue with one specific topic of interest. I want you to hear this first from me as a demonstration of my respect for the both of you. I am selling my virginity in an online auction. I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to give of myself this sacred gift, I should have the right to benefit from this.
http://www.scandalist.com/2008-10-13/exclusive-girl-selling-her-virginity-will-get-up-to-38-million/

Journal 3

When Bartholomae states that students must “invent the university” he is referring to the idea that they must speak the same language as the community and the various discourses that come along with it. The student must in a sense put themselves in the audiences “shoes”, as individuals and as a whole. This must be done with a certain poise and ease and in a sense look effortless. In order to help with this process Bartholomae suggests set phrases, rituals, gestures, habits of mind, tricks of persuasion, obligatory conclusions, and necessary connections.
In the first example of student writing, in which a student followed the prompt of describing a creative time and to draw some general conclusions about creativity, the student referred back to a time in which at a football game he decided to switch up the uniform by wearing white socks and white shoes instead of black shoes and the traditional team socks. His idea of creativity was once you come up with something in your head it will be “original and unique” because it came about from your own “imagination”. He continues on to state how he believes if anyone tries to copy the idea it wouldn’t matter because it was your own original first thought. My translation of what he says is no idea can necessarily be copied because they all come from each individuals mind and can be perceived as something completely different as how the “first” perceived it.
The second student chosen wrote about her love for music and how it continued on until she began to start creating music of her own. She stated that at the time she felt her ideas were original but as time continued she began to feel as if her songs were oversimplified versions of songs she listened to at the time. But she then continues to bring about the idea that since she did not purposely copy these songs, she was effectively originating these ideas from her own “process of creativity”, she referenced the more highly equipped songs as her ideas for “inspiration”.
Bartholomae’s opinion of the first writer was not a fond one stating that his paper did not seem tidy but yet the discourse seemed natural and smooth. He also goes on to state that he believes some students are able to enter this discourse with more “stylistic maneuvers” as the second writer did. Bartholomae not only complements the vocabulary but the way she refers to her own language and that of others as well. The first writers sentences were ones of less control.

Journal 2

The claim is that the 401(k) is not as effective as a retirement method as it is expected to be. Date is explained through forces beyond individual control, values of 401(k)’s have plummeted. People near or in retirement will not have the money they expected and in many cases won’t have the money they need. Even for people further away from retirement there is no guarantee that their 401(k)’s will recover. The conclusion is that because of this we need a new form of retirement plan or at least more options which protect investors from forces beyond their control. Since the 401(k) is not providing the retirement funds expected then new forms of retirement plans need to be considered. Grounds for the article are alerting people that we need to be taking a new look at retirement vehicles. As backing for the claim that owners of 401(k)’s are losing more than just value the writer points to several companies who have cut back or illuminated matching funds. He qualifies his conclusion by saying that instead of abandoning or tossing out 401(k)’s perhaps changes can be made to make them more effective. The author recognized that claims were made during the campaign that if pursued would help with this problem. But he points out that these conditions of rebuttal are primarily limited to low income workers and the concepts need to be expanded beyond that group to solve the problem.

Journal 1

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/opinion/26mon1.html

401(k)’s have proven to be an ineffective way of saving for retirement, even though the federal government and employers have encouraged workers to use them. Everyone who has a 401(k) saw it shrink in the recent economic downturn, and many are in effect getting a pay cut as employers are stopping 401(k) matching funds. This is essentially a claim of fact but it is being used to make a claim about policy changes that are needed. The writer doesn’t use specific evidence but rather relies on the general notion that stock market values have plummeted.

List

Interest and Expertiese

• Music
  
• Thinking outside of the box


• Writing
  
• Fashion


• Tea


• Health
  
• Photography


• Understanding (not one to judge, listening and willing to give advice if wanted)