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.