Introduction to Primary Research (Discoll)

        

       This article brought to my attention many things I did not know. Driscoll talks about how primary research is actually based of the scientific method, which is a theory of investigation. The scientific method varies from field to field and this method actually enables the researchers to learn more about the world and observable phenomena. Personally I didn’t think of the scientific method as relating to any other subject besides science. Here Driscoll talks about the use of the scientific method.  Specifically, with using the scientific method, researchers are then about to create research questions or hypotheses, collect data on events, objects, or even people that they find measurable, replicable, and observable. Driscoll states, “The ultimate goal in conducting primary research is to learn about something new that can be confirmed by others and to eliminate our own biases in the process.” (pg. 154).

       Driscoll gave some good pointers in regards to the final step in working with a hypothesis or research question. You have to determine what key terms you are going to use and you have to decide how you will use them.

       He continues to talk about observations and strongly notes that “Observations have lead to some of the most important scientific discoveries in human history” (pg. 160). Based off of my favorite, Charles Darwin, Driscoll uses this extraordinary figure as an example to his use of observations on the Galapagos Islands in order to help him form his theory of evolution, which he describes in his novel On the Origin of Species. Such good examples and information from this article I will find very useful throughout my writing in the future. 

How To Read Like a Writer

            

     After reading this article, I too came to realize that all writing does in fact consist of a series of choices. Mike strongly opens the article with a bold stance that I couldn’t agree with more. Of how fascinating it is if you think about it how authors are able to pull words together to make phrases, which those phrases end up making an entire novel.

    For me, reading never came easy and it still doesn’t. But I feel as though the fact that I hate watching movies without subtitles must say something. I think for me I love to visualize things as well read them to have a more concrete and absolute understanding of the material. This class especially, never sparked my interest because of all of the reading and writer. The two subjects I hate most in the entire world.

    I find it interesting how the author states that, “When you Read Like a Writer you work to identity some of the choices the author made so that you can better understand how such choices might arise in your own writing” (pg. 72).  He continues to state that the whole idea behind that is to examine what you read while directly looking at the writing techniques so you can see if you would like to adopt the same style writing. That I can completely relate to, because the very few books that I have read, the one that stood out to me the most was one that was written as if it were a casual conversation. I believe it was the Judy Blume books I read in middle school. The way Judy Blume would casually, yet simply talk about the hardships as a teen growing up made it comfortable for me to read and to better understand. That was a writing technique that I was looking to adopt, yet was halted when going to my college preparatory high school. Writing for me personally was always very strict and expected to be a certain way. Thus explains why I never really enjoyed it. My theory is that, those people who grew up writing in diaries were the ones who enjoyed writing and felt comfortable with it. I was definitely not one of those people.

    Just as Mike states, “You are already an author, and that means you have a built-in advantage when reading like a writer/ All previous writing experiences- inside the classroom and out- can contribute to your success with RLW” (pg. 75). For me, Mike is a positive reinforce that anyone is an author, if you have written anything maybe even just a sentence you are a writer. That right there gives me hope for improvement and future success.

Finding Evidence ch.17

   The article goes into depth of the different forms of evidence. Such as journals, scholarly books, records from archives, personal observations, field work, and also surveys. In addition to evidence, the quality is important too. Questions that need to be asked to ensure the quality of the evidence are how it was collected, the purpose of what is collected, and who was it collected by.

  As stated, it is important to consider the rhetorical situation and to understand that quantitative data can be observed as well as counted. What is observed and counted, also needs to be appropriate for the situation. They also suggest to use library resources such as printed works and databases. Then after gathering your evidence its important to get some feedback and discuss with a professor or librarian about your argument.

  Additionally, it is vital to determine the kind of sources needed for the project. The different types of resources include online, interviews, self collected data, questionnaires, and also resources. Specifically in regards to self collected data, experiments must have control as well as an argument. When making observations it is also key to determine what you want as an outcome. You have to ask yourself what you want to see and also what you want to expect. In regards to observations, they directly need to relate to your claim. It is also strongly states to not let your own biases interfere with your collected data. Now when it comes to interviewing, you first need to determine your purpose of the interview and how the results relate to your claim. Important necessities before conducting your interview include a written list of both factual and open ended questions. While at the interview it is also important to record the full name and title, the date, time, and place in which the interview is being conducted. Also, without hesitation you should thank your interviewee for their time. Now, when it comes to questionnaires and surveys, they need to be easy to understand, Make sure your interview or survey directly relate to your specific purpose. Also prior you should have brainstormed your questions and determine if they relate to the purpose of the interview or survey you conducted. You have to take into consideration the demographics and determine the size of survey as well as the amount of people you will be surveying. The most important thing is to free any biases of the survey you are conducting. The strongly state that proof reading is key to a successful outcome and to make sure it all relates to your purpose. To include your personal experiences will help you relate to your own personal claim.

Understanding Rhetoric~ "Writing Identities"

         This article in particular, contained a lot of important messages. In particular they state, "Writing means always changing", specifically changing to meet the needs of different audiences. It is important as they describe to try out a lot of different aspects of who I am because different communities will find certain identities more or less credible or even reliable. It is also interesting how the article describes professional clothing as a kind of armor, because it gives it wearer authority and they feel less vulnerable.

          Another fascinating point is that they boldly state, assuming an identity does not mean impersonating someone. I was shocked to find out that several publishing scandals have involved people pretending to be someone they are not. In cases as such, it blows my mind that publishers even refunded some of the customers their money.

        In addition to identity, the article states that adopting an identity can be about doing real research because your not just putting on a costume. To sum it up with my favorite quote from the article, "Pretending can be an important part of invention" (pg.126). I enjoyed that quote the most because it is a general statement that is not specifically ties to writing, yet it can relate to it and all other aspects of life.

Backpacks vs. Briefcases

   The main message from this article is about the importance of rhetoric in regards to media. Rhetoric as described by Carroll, is the way we use language and the images we use to persuade. That is what Carroll claims makes media work. Carroll states that, "Understanding rhetorical messages is essential to help us to become informed consumers, but it also helps evaluate the ethics of messages, how they affect us personally, and how they affect society" (pg... 46). This statement is by far my favorite. Most importantly because I feel as though people are constantly brainwashed by advertisement and media. People don't stop and think about the messages those advertisements use in order for you to buy or consume what they are offering or advertising. This is a serious matter especially because our society today everyone is so self conscious and are constantly thinking they have a problem and work aimlessly in order to perfect their image. The saddest part about this article for me was when Carroll stated the statistic that based off research conducted, only 2% of women consider themselves beautiful, which has been linked to the way that the fashion industry defines beauty. As sad as it is, our world today is full of different kinds of social influence.

In addition, Carroll continues to note that even choosing our clothing depending on where we are going or what we are going is context. Even the placement of a billboard in a specific part of the community is considered context as well. If we are able to just take a step back and analyze the use of such advertisements etc. and its given location we will be able to identify the types of reasons used to make by the "rhetor" itself.

 Lastly, Carroll talks about the use of constraints supported by her statement that constraints are the last piece of the rhetorical situation are those things that have the power to, "...Constrain decision and action needed to modify the exigence"(pg...49). In other words, constraints can be attitudes, beliefs, facts, documents, images, traditions, as well as motives. Yet ultimately, constraints limit the way the discourse is delivered or even communicated. Carroll continues to describe it as possible something as simple as your instructor limiting your proposal to one thousand words, or to make it more complex it could even be the kinds of language you need to use in order to persuade a certain community. All in all the most important, yet informational notion Carroll provides is her statement that, "It is important to understand what a piece of rhetoric is asking of you, how it tries to persuade you, and whether that persuasion fits within the context you encounter it in" (pg...56). This is the message that I will continue to pass on from here on out. Specifically, to understand the carefully thought-out persuasion that is used by media today.

Redrum!

       This article was by far the most informational out of the rest thus far. Specifically, the lesson being that it is important to conform to your audience. Not just as a writer, but also as a speaker. The article goes into detail on explaining what the term "jargon" means. As described, it identifies the terminology that is used by those of a specific profession in order to facilitate precise communication. As quoted in the article, "When you write an academic paper, you are practicing how to use the jargon you have internalized through studying that discipline as you write for professors and students within that field" (pg. 89). I completely understands this because constantly I feel as though I am constantly adjusting my way of writing to best fit my professor.

     In addition, the author continues to talk about the issues of being able to write about what you already know and putting them into words. I can specifically relate to Boyd when she states, "Chances are you found yourself knowing exactly what content to include, but were frustrated at not having the exact words you desired at your disposal"(pg.94). For me, writing does not come easy. Everything for me is better said then written. With that being said, Boyd gives good insight and pointers on how to change what you are used to saying into a more relatable context that can better fit your audience. The word "colloquial" as she describes, refers to language that is informal and usually spoken, but not written. Boyd notes that, "When people replace a word that can be considered offensive, discomforting, or controversial with another term to make it seem less so, they have chosen a euphemism"(pg. 95). She related that statement with the example of writing obituaries, you can never come off too harsh or insensitive, which explains why you continuously hear phrases like "passed on" instead of "they're dead".

    In regards to rhetoric, Boyd describes the word as "The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively/ [and]...is what allows you to write and speak appropriately for a given situation, one that is determined by the expectation of your audience, implied or acknowledges.."(pg.100). This again, supports the notion that when you write you might not always be as actively aware of your audience as you think. It is extremely important to keep that in mind in order for your message to be perceived and acknowledged in the right manner.  

ME Me mE

Blogggin’ Blurb

   Ahoy!

            I am Lindsey Hokulani Serrano. I am currently twenty-two years of age and I am turning twenty three December third. That makes me a Sagittarius. The best sign in the zodiac many besides myself would say. Astrology helped me understand the way I am and I took that on as a hobby quite a few years ago.

Life is great here down in Santa Barbara; I have lived here for five years now. After I graduated high school at eighteen I decided to start at Santa Barbara City College. I am from a small, yet beautiful town called Campbell. Campbell is part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Although, I miss home dearly I do refer to Santa Barbara as my new home.

My family’s ethnicity has quite the variety. My mother is native Hawaiian as well as Irish, German, French, and Cherokee. My father however, is Mexican, but my grandmother has pale skin and light eyes. Not to mention she is from northern Mexico, where fascinating enough, the French invaded and took over for years. I love history, because with just that small piece of information, I was able to figure out that my father is most likely Mexican and French.

All in all, I absolutely love to learn. My favorite class that I have ever taken has to be Medical Microbiology. I learned so much that it became addicting and made me love school even more. That is why I believe I have the drive that I need to get me through medical school to become a Naturopathic Doctor. Interesting enough, I knew I was going to become a doctor since the age of seven. Slowly but surely the road to accomplishing my dreams is getting smaller and smaller and I couldn’t be anymore excited.