Here are the links to the documents for my final portfolio:
Portfolio Cover Letter
Reflective Essay
Job Cover Letter
Resume
Genre Analysis
Writing Guide
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Swales & Kantz: Research
I liked the article by Swales because it was very short and right to the point. Swales proposes and outlines a three move process he calls CARS. The first move is to establish a territory. This is where the author sets the tone and context for the article and provides the background info necessary to understanding the rest of the document. It is important to address the discourse community and use current sources and documentation to establish authority and to gain acceptance. This is a good place to provide relevant quotes and citations that affirm your point. The next move is to establish a niche in one of four ways : using a counter claim challenging previously mentioned research, indicating a gap where research has failed to elaborate upon, questioning previous research elements and suggesting what more can be done, and continuing a tradition by extending existing research. The third move is to occupy that niche as a research space with which the author will elaborate further the preexisting claims. In occupying the niche the first step is to outline your purpose for writing or continuing research. Next you must discuss current research and its findings. Then finally the author must structure the article and explain the organization and reasonings.
The next reading was by Kantz, which I did not like because of the length of the article and my lack of time to read everything. In short the article discusses ways in which students can use written sources persuasively. It was a very long article that didnt seem to have any well defined points to me. She suggests that we must interact with the text, rather than just reading and responding or writing. I think this is an interesting notion because I believe that reading and writing is a very apparent interaction and didnt need someone to tell me that. I think ultimately what she is trying to articulate is that students dont always properly use existing research or source material, and therefore dont always provide what the teacher or authority is looking or asking for. It is important to use citations effectively and not over aggressively, and one of the best ways to effectively use a citation is to frame it within your article and use it to sublimate a point or as a contradiction to your current thoughts. Then you must rationalize your reason for its use.
The next reading was by Kantz, which I did not like because of the length of the article and my lack of time to read everything. In short the article discusses ways in which students can use written sources persuasively. It was a very long article that didnt seem to have any well defined points to me. She suggests that we must interact with the text, rather than just reading and responding or writing. I think this is an interesting notion because I believe that reading and writing is a very apparent interaction and didnt need someone to tell me that. I think ultimately what she is trying to articulate is that students dont always properly use existing research or source material, and therefore dont always provide what the teacher or authority is looking or asking for. It is important to use citations effectively and not over aggressively, and one of the best ways to effectively use a citation is to frame it within your article and use it to sublimate a point or as a contradiction to your current thoughts. Then you must rationalize your reason for its use.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Bawarshi; Allen; Magee: Genre Continued
The first article about genre was by Bawarshi regarding the ecology of genre. The authors opening paragraphs are quite interesting where he describes the relation of the writer and his environment as being symbiotic, much like the inhabitants of an ecosystem. The problem he states is that we perceive our selves and our social environments as being separate from one another, two different entities engaging with one another and overlapping. I really like where he states that the writer and their environment constantly reproduce one another, and that the environment becomes a critical part of the writers actions. As writers there is a give and take relationship between what we write and where we are writing or what we are writing for. As writers we construct new environments with our practices, but at the same time we are shaped by the pre-existing environments in which we belong. Our individual discourses and reality are not necessarily separate, but we take on new identities as we assimilate to new ecologies or discourses that often overlap or interact with our other existing identities.
The next article was by Allen and was about rhetorical situations and the 'appearance' of objectivity. The author looks at the writing of scientific papers as engaging in a rhetorical situation, though many people would argue that there is little place for rhetoric in science. His argument is that the writer persuades the audience by the appearance of objectivity. The point of scientific writing is supposed to be about providing unbiased truths or info, he argues that in actuality the 'writer creates an exigence and addresses it through rhetorical strategies that lead to the appearance of objectivity. I found this interesting because scientific writings are meant to provide the public with unbiased scientific data, but it would logically follow that whoever wrote the article is a subjective being. As humans we are unable to entirely separate from our subjectivity when trying to appear objective. I like the quote he uses that says "There is no such thing as unprejudiced observation. Every act of observation we make is biased. What we see or otherwise sense is a function of what we have seen or sensed in the past." I found this to be a very accurate statement. As humans we base everything we encounter on what we know or have previously experienced. When discovering or articulating new findings or data we use our preexisting knowledge of things, our biases, to make sense of it. I think the main point that the author makes in the article is that scientific writings are based on individual interpretation and not necessarily unbiased objective findings.
The last article was by Magee and was about young scholars and college essays. Her focus is on gender and masculinity in college admission essays. Her goal was to examine differences in gender as they correlate to differences in writing. What she found upon examining her and other females admission essays was that the genre of the admission essay seems to be more masculine, even for female writers. It seems that the genre in which we are writing will affect or determine our intended writing style. While gender is an important part of writing, social environment is equally if not more important. She examines the presumption that female writers tend to write about emotions and connections with people while men tend to write about self accomplishments and strengths. She found thought that the essays written by women werent like that at all, they were more 'masculine' in appearance. She claims that this is because the point of the essay is to show why an individual is a good candidate for college and that we individuals know what the college expects of us. So it seems that gender can play an important role in individuality, but when it comes to writing in particular genres we are able to put aside gender differences and create what is neutrally expected of us.
The next article was by Allen and was about rhetorical situations and the 'appearance' of objectivity. The author looks at the writing of scientific papers as engaging in a rhetorical situation, though many people would argue that there is little place for rhetoric in science. His argument is that the writer persuades the audience by the appearance of objectivity. The point of scientific writing is supposed to be about providing unbiased truths or info, he argues that in actuality the 'writer creates an exigence and addresses it through rhetorical strategies that lead to the appearance of objectivity. I found this interesting because scientific writings are meant to provide the public with unbiased scientific data, but it would logically follow that whoever wrote the article is a subjective being. As humans we are unable to entirely separate from our subjectivity when trying to appear objective. I like the quote he uses that says "There is no such thing as unprejudiced observation. Every act of observation we make is biased. What we see or otherwise sense is a function of what we have seen or sensed in the past." I found this to be a very accurate statement. As humans we base everything we encounter on what we know or have previously experienced. When discovering or articulating new findings or data we use our preexisting knowledge of things, our biases, to make sense of it. I think the main point that the author makes in the article is that scientific writings are based on individual interpretation and not necessarily unbiased objective findings.
The last article was by Magee and was about young scholars and college essays. Her focus is on gender and masculinity in college admission essays. Her goal was to examine differences in gender as they correlate to differences in writing. What she found upon examining her and other females admission essays was that the genre of the admission essay seems to be more masculine, even for female writers. It seems that the genre in which we are writing will affect or determine our intended writing style. While gender is an important part of writing, social environment is equally if not more important. She examines the presumption that female writers tend to write about emotions and connections with people while men tend to write about self accomplishments and strengths. She found thought that the essays written by women werent like that at all, they were more 'masculine' in appearance. She claims that this is because the point of the essay is to show why an individual is a good candidate for college and that we individuals know what the college expects of us. So it seems that gender can play an important role in individuality, but when it comes to writing in particular genres we are able to put aside gender differences and create what is neutrally expected of us.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Dirk; Devitt: Genre
The first article was by Dirk and was about approaching or 'navigating' genres. Genre used to refer to a formulaic notion of method, by which someone would creating something that follows a basic template, a rubric for design. The problem with that is genre is much more complex than that, and is in no way completely formulaic. While genres may have specific guidelines and conventions that must be adhered to in order to classify them as a specific genre, not everything is written exactly the same. Genres are designed to effectively make communication more efficient, but communication is unique and often spontaneous therefore cant be exactly the same each time. Genres are designed by their respective users, the people utilizing them, and can change to meet the changing needs and expectations of the community.
Dirk also points out that genres help people accomplish goals, but that they are more of a suggestion and not an assured formula for success. As users of multiple genres we experience overlap between them, where there are even more similarities but nothing is exact or perfect. I liked this article because it made an important distinction that genres act as a framework, not necessarily a strict guideline. They shape our social actions while allowing us to effectively communicate new ideas and conventions.
The other article we read was by Devitt and was also about genre, but more specifically about teaching/learning about critical genre awareness.
Dirk also points out that genres help people accomplish goals, but that they are more of a suggestion and not an assured formula for success. As users of multiple genres we experience overlap between them, where there are even more similarities but nothing is exact or perfect. I liked this article because it made an important distinction that genres act as a framework, not necessarily a strict guideline. They shape our social actions while allowing us to effectively communicate new ideas and conventions.
The other article we read was by Devitt and was also about genre, but more specifically about teaching/learning about critical genre awareness.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Wardle; Johnson, Clark and Burton; Windsor.
The first article by Wardle is about establishing and recognizing identity and authority in the workplace. "Wardle is interested in how people learn to write, not as children but as adults moving among different discourse communities." Her article is about a new employee in the workplace that is trying to establish communication and failing miserably. The importance of establishing identity when in a new workplace stems from the need to establish ones credentials and to begin to sublimate into the conforms of the workplaces conventions. As a person takes on the responsibilities and practices of the particular work community they will also take on a new identity showing that they belong. "Joining a new workplace community is not simply a matter of learning new skills but also fielding new calls for identity construction." Establishing strong relations in the work place is essential, and one of the ways we do that is with our writing and communication.
The establishment of authority is also crucial in the workplace, and is best understood as " the effect of a posited, perceived or institutionally prescribed asymmetry between speaker and audience that permits certain speakers to command not just the attention but the confidence respect and trust of their audience..." Authority is essential in all forms of communication and is especially important in the work environment. Authority allows us to communicate effectively our ideas and goals and see that they are understood and met. Sometimes however our identity that we have created outside of the workplace may conflict with the needs of authority, but in order to 'get along' we have to conform to the established identity of the workplace and submit to the demands of the authority.
These roles of identity and authority are very important to writing in our respective discourse communities. When establishing an identity with our writing it is important to mold that identity to conform with the needs of the workplace. We must often take on a new identity in the workplace, separate from our social identity. When writing we must know what authority we are able to command, and know what is appropriate.
The next article by Johnson, Clark and Burton is about writing in the field of engineering. The article is written by students and is study of the role of writing in engineering with the goal of bridging the gap between engineering and writing. As students their paper is very approachable and easy to read. It is clearly defined and informative with their authority made present from the beginning. "To analyze how consultants interact with engineering and English students we recorded and transcribed four half-hour consultations." Their points are clearly outlined and addressed and they constantly reaffirm their authority on the experience by saying 'we' referring directly to the fact that the article is written by the three individuals who performed the study.
The other article about writing in engineering is by Windsor, and is substantially more academic. The paper starts with a rather profound quote to quickly establish the authors identity as a knowledgeable authority in the field. The author uses the very general term 'we' and 'our' referring to other respective authorities in the field. The author than continues to establish authority on the subject by prescribing formulaic outlines for writing. The information that is presented throughout the article is presented as fact based on the authority of the author and other scholars like her.
The establishment of authority is also crucial in the workplace, and is best understood as " the effect of a posited, perceived or institutionally prescribed asymmetry between speaker and audience that permits certain speakers to command not just the attention but the confidence respect and trust of their audience..." Authority is essential in all forms of communication and is especially important in the work environment. Authority allows us to communicate effectively our ideas and goals and see that they are understood and met. Sometimes however our identity that we have created outside of the workplace may conflict with the needs of authority, but in order to 'get along' we have to conform to the established identity of the workplace and submit to the demands of the authority.
These roles of identity and authority are very important to writing in our respective discourse communities. When establishing an identity with our writing it is important to mold that identity to conform with the needs of the workplace. We must often take on a new identity in the workplace, separate from our social identity. When writing we must know what authority we are able to command, and know what is appropriate.
The next article by Johnson, Clark and Burton is about writing in the field of engineering. The article is written by students and is study of the role of writing in engineering with the goal of bridging the gap between engineering and writing. As students their paper is very approachable and easy to read. It is clearly defined and informative with their authority made present from the beginning. "To analyze how consultants interact with engineering and English students we recorded and transcribed four half-hour consultations." Their points are clearly outlined and addressed and they constantly reaffirm their authority on the experience by saying 'we' referring directly to the fact that the article is written by the three individuals who performed the study.
The other article about writing in engineering is by Windsor, and is substantially more academic. The paper starts with a rather profound quote to quickly establish the authors identity as a knowledgeable authority in the field. The author uses the very general term 'we' and 'our' referring to other respective authorities in the field. The author than continues to establish authority on the subject by prescribing formulaic outlines for writing. The information that is presented throughout the article is presented as fact based on the authority of the author and other scholars like her.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Rhetoric and Discourse readings
For this class period we had to read a couple articles regarding rhetoric and discourse. I liked the article by Gee about discourse because it mainly had to do with language and linguistics, a field that I am very interested in. Unfortunately this is a very old article that we had to read and many of the ideas or hopes that Gee had have are ready come about and are explicitly known. In the beginning of the article Gee suggests a new field of applied linguistics which he calls “literacy studies” but we know it today as psycholinguistics; the study of human and non-human languages from an interactive psychological and social approach. When Gee finally gets around to discussing discourses he makes a lot of comparisons with second language acquisition. Gee’s idea is that a discourse can’t simply be joined or understood, it is a process of assimilation that is practiced and naturally acquired over a great period of time. Gee then goes on to attempt to distinguish between ‘discourse’ and ‘Discourse’ which I found to be irritatingly superfluous, like most of his article which is overly pedantic. But he does eventually get to say that “discourses are a way of being in the world...integrating words, acts, values, beliefs, attitudes and social identities as well as gestures, glances, body positions and clothes.” He claims that a ‘Discourse’ is a sort of “identity kit” which I found to be an amusing analogy. What I think he is actually describing is a particular facet of a certain culture and their sub-cultures. I feel that all of the things he explains to be a ‘Discourse’ are actually the things that make up human cultures, groups of similar people that are intrinsically connected.
The second article which was by Boyd was about rhetoric. I think one of the most important things she says is right in the beginning of the article, “choosing how to express your meaning is every bit as important as the message itself.” This really stuck out to me because the obvious point of rhetoric is to make effective and persuasive communication, utilizing figures of speech, metaphors, euphemisms, colloquialisms and other compositional techniques. The idea behind rhetoric is persuasion, and more importantly being able to impress your audience enough to make them take your side on matter. She rather thoroughly explains that the effective use of rhetoric will enable a speaker, or writer, to be able to appeal to an audience on any level whether its logical reason, an appeal to their beliefs, or effectively speaking to their emotions.
I think the importance of reading these articles together is that in order to become a part of Gee’s ‘Discourse’, or as I prefer to call it ‘culture’ or ‘community’, is an effective use of rhetoric along with the facade that you are indeed a member of that group. Effective use of rhetoric can appeal to all sorts of communities, thereby making the orator an accepted member. I don’t think that these communities are as hard to join as Gee would have readers believe. What it really takes is knowledge and experience, passion and dedication, networking and respect. If you can prove that you have these qualities to the particular community of interest they will gladly accept you. People like being with like-minded people, and I don’t think that rhetoric is necessary to appeal to all people or to be a part of their community. I think appropriate manners and a good understanding of the society is the best way to join a community, not rhetoric.
The second article which was by Boyd was about rhetoric. I think one of the most important things she says is right in the beginning of the article, “choosing how to express your meaning is every bit as important as the message itself.” This really stuck out to me because the obvious point of rhetoric is to make effective and persuasive communication, utilizing figures of speech, metaphors, euphemisms, colloquialisms and other compositional techniques. The idea behind rhetoric is persuasion, and more importantly being able to impress your audience enough to make them take your side on matter. She rather thoroughly explains that the effective use of rhetoric will enable a speaker, or writer, to be able to appeal to an audience on any level whether its logical reason, an appeal to their beliefs, or effectively speaking to their emotions.
I think the importance of reading these articles together is that in order to become a part of Gee’s ‘Discourse’, or as I prefer to call it ‘culture’ or ‘community’, is an effective use of rhetoric along with the facade that you are indeed a member of that group. Effective use of rhetoric can appeal to all sorts of communities, thereby making the orator an accepted member. I don’t think that these communities are as hard to join as Gee would have readers believe. What it really takes is knowledge and experience, passion and dedication, networking and respect. If you can prove that you have these qualities to the particular community of interest they will gladly accept you. People like being with like-minded people, and I don’t think that rhetoric is necessary to appeal to all people or to be a part of their community. I think appropriate manners and a good understanding of the society is the best way to join a community, not rhetoric.
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