Advice- blog 12/12

Ron Koertge advises us to venture out and play with our words. We need not to write the same way we've been taught, but we can take a risk.  Writing is not over in one go. When you're done with it, you need it start over and just keep working at it. 

Here's my advice to all those starting out :

Think outside the box. Don't write from the cookie cutter way that you were taught in before. 

Dont keep your words within. Disperse them all over the page. Be creative, be honest.

Write it all out on hot pink paper. Keep re-writing over and over again. 

What what you feel. There is no right or wrong.

Take that risk, you know you want to.

Be true to who you are.

Dont limit yourself.

& take it easy.

 WSC 1

Four letter project- Blog 11 of 12

The four letter word projects aren't really a form of writing. To be literal, writing is "the activity or skill marking coherent words on paper and composing text".  Although the definition may be a bit old school, the emphasis is for a type of medium. There has to be text.  In most presentations, text was a tool which aided to the whole message. The main media that was the background music and images. Individual pictures strung together to form one big message. The main point of this entire project was to see if images could do the same thing as text could. Some were more successful than others, some didn't need text as a tool but it needed to be the main source for the message. While for others, pictures were enough to say a thousand words. The four letter word project is really a composition. Different elements combined to make one project.

Rodney JOnes poem- Blog 10 of 12

On the surface of the poem, the author is painting a picture how he dropped his alcohol, and then he wanted it back. On a deeper note, the author is actually on about words. Once we say somethings, its been heard. We cant take it back. The same thing can go for writing. We publish writing, its already out there. We may want to take it back sometimes but its not possible. In some forms of media, we may actually be able to delete it, but that still doesn't means somebody hasn't read it yet. In today's world, there is a greater emphasis of technology, and this technology can be good, it can also be bad. We need to watch out more and more what we say and what we write,. What we can can always be published through a video and what we write can always be shown on the internet. Since everybody has access to technology, people around the world can read what you wrote and see the videos. When its up there , you just cant take it back.

Text and other things- Blog 9 of 12

When I wake up in the morning and put a shirt with text on, I don't wear text for others to read. They can read if they want to, but it's not for them.. The text is for me. The text is associate with that I like and I express that through different mediums. Sometimes i might like to wear a shirt, other days ill have a necklace and then one day i might just put one of those peel off tattoos. As I have not made the text, I have obviously not created it, but I have adopted it.
     
Now jumping into twitter, those that do tweet anticipate readership because they are putting it up for people to read. I admit, there might be few that actually tweet for themselves, but the majority tweet for others. Although, I do not use twitter- most people i know use twitter to get a response. Many tweets have either statements or they pose questions for others. Obviously , the second one has to anticipate an audience. The question is out there and the response is bound to come eventually...

Twitter again- Blog 6 of 12

The animated character in this short video asks, "Who are they talking to ? This question mainly depends on your setting on twitter. If you make your profile public, then anybody can just find you. You're virtually talking to every and anyone. But then if you change your settings to private, then only your followers can view your tweets. In that sense, you're strictly talking to those interested in your thoughts.
I am so happy that this animation was made. I completely agree with the little man with a blue shirt and red tie. I think there isn't really a purpose to twitter. It shows twitter to what it really is- mundane posts about a person. Social interaction can be seen as a good way to actually keep in touch with people, but then today people take it too much and they are relying on it. This goes back to , the machine is controlling us.

Response to crayon writing - Blog 7 of 12

     The writer is not influenced by the writing implement, it does not appear that the crayon stopped her. . She speaks her mind and expresses it very clearly. A thing I've noticed is the writer always expresses their opinion- negative or positive- without any hesitation.
     Whether the writing is good or bad all depends on perception. The author,had an understanding what the question was asking and expresses it accordingly to the question. In my opinion, I think she writes fairly well. She states her opinion, explains it and then goes on by saying what would actually make her agree to the original question. 

Megan Crayon writing - Blog 8 of 12

" I disagree with Zadie Smith's claim that flexibility of voice lead to flexibility in all things (194). This statement is too broad so I cannot bring myself to agree with it. A flexible voice can be crafted and fake. Flexibility in all things would include social interactions, yet some of the greatest actors are some of the shyest people.  The ability to adapt your voice is a skill; it does not guarantee flexibility in everything. A great speaker may be a terrible writer, like a great writer may be a terrible speaker. A flexibility in language allows for greater understand of the cultures of the world, but again, does not lead to flexibility in all things. If Smith restated her belief replacing the word things with something like- understanding- I would be more likely to agree."
         - Megan Andrews

President vs. Poet- 5 of 12

To conclude her essay, Zadie Smith discloses: “In this lecture I have been seeking to tentatively suggest that the voice that speaks with such freedom, thus unburdened by dogma and personal bias, thus flooded with empathy, might make a good president” (192).  However, she rejects this claim by advocating for the many-voiced role of the poet.  What is the difference between the rhetoric of a president and that of a poet?  Does Smith suggest there should be a difference?

 

At first glance, one may think how can we compare the president to a poet. Well I know I did. They’re both at opposite ends of the spectrum. But then at a closer glance, if you really think about it, they’re pretty similar. Both of them manipulate language in a manner which the audience is moved by. Looking solely at Barack Obama’s speeches, he has such a way with words in which he moves his audience. He brings the nation together as one. As Smith pointed out, down south he talks about Wall Street and up north he talks about the south. One does not have to agree with him, but he knows how to move an audience.  Even Zadie Smith agrees on this.
A poet is very similar to a President. Like a president, they manipulate the language and create a speech, an argument, a statement and much more. Each piece a poet writes may generally have one voice, but then their entire collection can have different voices. There shouldn’t be a problem because the poet has freedom to express themselves through any form. Like anyone, they have the right to have different voices on different aspects.
 

Twitter...

What I really think about the writing space that twitter affords is a distraction. There are already so many social websites that they just had to add another one. Personally, I'm not a big fan of twitter. I accept that many people enjoy twitter, and that's cool, but it's not for me. I don't want to "tweet" every thought that pops up in my mind on twitter.  There are too many limitations on twitter. Users can only tweet up to 140 characters in one tweet. For those who do enjoy twitter this can be somewhat annoying. I see this as just another passing phase for people. What insightful/amazing/personal contribution could be made with 140 characters? 

"Tweeting" is a form of form of writing. The name may be different, but it still is a form to communicate with the world.  People write for different reasons, people write at different lengths and people write different things. Tweeting allows users to do everything stated above. Every individual may choose to tweet about their day, a funny moment or a short inspirational quote.

Texts on their clothing/skin

I'm not sure why so many people wear texts on their clothing and on their skin.  Perhaps they feel that such portable writing serves to non-verbally communicate with the world. Many at times, we wear shirts with text that represent themselves. People wear what the enjoy. For example, I love the Beatles and I have their shirt. When I wear it, I am expressing how much I enjoy their music. For, others it can simply be a statement. Many people also wear shirts to associate themselves to a specific event or company. There is no one simple answer for why so many people wear texts on their clothing. Each person is different and their reason varies. But, what each person does is non-verbally communicates with others.

The same can go for people who wear texts on their skin. The skin now, is a more personal and intimate. There is a certain amount of pain that goes with the text, so most people generally write text that means something to them. Some like to profess their love to family/friends. Others take inspiring quotes that have had some meaning to their life and put it on their skin. Others prefer pictures to decorate their body.  Like written text on clothing, there isn't one sole reason. But, since there is a certain amount of pain associated with this, there is more thought placed into why people get text on their skin.

Zadie Smith's Speaking in Tongues

Questions:

"...voices are meant to be unchanging and singular" (pg.180)
      - Why must we be forced to stick to one voice?

"... there's no quicker way to insult an expat Scotsman in London than to tell him he's lost his accent" (p.180)
     - Why is there such a heavy influence of accent with identity?

"... What are they fit for? What will become of them?" (p.181)
      By accepting multiple voices, why are we forced to choose between them?

"...I mean, who is this guy, really? he says sweet potato pie in Philly and Main Street in Iowaa!" (p. 185)
     If the nation is one then why can't we talk about aspects from part in another?

"When you can't be both black and white. Sometimes in a country ripped apart by dogma, those who wish to keep their heads- in both senses- must learn to split themselves into two." (pg. 189-190)
     Why is not accepted to stick to both instead of one?

Feed

Feed Video 

(Click above and it's gonna take you to the video_

The Problem with Describing Trees- Blog 1 of 12

What is the argument?

                I feel the entire poem is emphasizing the difficulty of writing poetry. Sometimes we get so immersed into creating something but then it falls apart due to the language. In the poem, the problem of Describing Trees, the author shows us this point through the structure. Within the first couple of lines, the author crams words together in order to get some sort of poetic feel about trees. This diction that was used only makes it fall apart and making it jam packed. The author towards the middle acknowledges it and realizes the difficulty in writing poetry. His use of “no” within the poem stops the flow and brings us to what is on the author’s mind. Only towards the end is it shown that simplicity, even in poetry, can help form a better flow and create sense. The only way to poetry is not to jam pack it but sometimes it’s better to have it simple.

What is happening in the italics?

                The line “Dance with me, dancer. Oh I will” is a visual conversation within the poem. This is poetry’s response to the problem the author is having. It is challenging the author to write the poem about what he intended to do so.  The “Oh I will” is an acceptance of the challenge form the author. 

The machine

 Mich ael Welsh states that "writing is a technology" and  to a certain extent I agree with what he says.With the introduction of technology, it has only made human communication with the outside world easier. If you really think about it, technology could not exist without writing . We need to input text..writing in order to create/edit and through this we connect with society (in terms of computers and phones). Writing allows us to reach places to where physically , oceans, land and money prevent us from reaching there. With writing we can put everything thats up in our minds on a slab. We can cut, edit, replace, add and so much more with writing. Depending on your outlook (if its negative or a positive factor), writing is permanant. What you write stays. Like right now, im writing and this post in a short while will be available for the world today. and its gonan stay there. long after im gone. enlightening the world around me.

S words:
Slush
Slay
Slaughter
Slow
Slope
Slither
Slay
Slide
Sleek
Sleep
Slip
Slit
Slang
Sleeze
Slap

"True Confessions"

John Trimble urges writers to consider diction. He emphasizes on three main points of diction: conciseness, vigorous verbs and freshness.  The point to which I need to consider the most would be conciseness. Whenever I write an essay, I like to fill it up with flowery words. I enjoy giving the audience a sentence which fill their mouth until if flows out. In my head, it makes sense and its formed in a poetic way. But, when somebody actually reads it outloud, it sounds like a mesh of words strung together. Sometimes the sentence sounds really great and its like wow- great point. But other times, it sounsd weak. Its too much and when it overflows it's just constantly gonna overflow and nothing will ever stay in. The reader will be so overwhelmed with the amount of words that they won't be able to register what point i'm actually trying to conver. Even right now, im trying to cut my words shorter so its not too much. I am striving to work on this aspect in my work. From now on, i'll consciouslsy write and take not to not to overwhel my audience.

A profound glimpse into my writing process

Although my writing process isn't as lengthy and extreme as Chel White's process, it takes me a while to actually have something written down on paper. The first thing I do is stare into the oblivion using my mind at full speed trying to muster up anything  interesting I could write about. Usually, random facts start popping up in my head, but i'm just bouncing between topics. I might muster up one..maybe two facts about something but that clearly isn't enough. I head straight to google then- my savior. I poke around websites to see if something sparks inside. Most of the time that'll work , but then I go downhill as soon as I check my email or enter facebook. Instantly, i'm warped into a conversation between my friend and next thing I know 2 hours flew by and I have a blank piece of paper staring back at me.It's only then when I go into my zone and focus solely on what to write about. I just let my hand go and write down thoughs and BAM! I read one line I like and all of a sudden I envision the whole thing infront of me. The only thing left to do is write it all down 

Check out this commercial- Pepsi commercial

Pepsi Commercial

Pepsi’s commercial shows the process of a young boy’s process of learning with the Chinese monks. He starts off coming as a young boy and and eventually is transformed into a grown man. When he is a grown man, he is tested on all that he was taught before.  At the end when he has succeeded, the monks mark the celebration with a sip of Pepsi and the boy is inaugurated by smashing his head into the Pepsi can.

Time is an aspect within the commercial that attempts to convey Pepsi’s message to “ask for more”. The boy was the only factor that changed within the one minute commercial. The monks around him always looked the same and wore the same clothing. The boy’s transformation started when he was a young boy in aspects of his hair, clothing and also his age. His transformation was only complete when he evolved into a grown man and could finally do all the martial arts that the other monks could do. But to commemorate this, when he smashed his head into the Pepsi, it was only then in which his transformation was complete and he was one of them. 

Heineken commercial questions

Heineken commercial questions:
1) Why did you stereotype women with shoes and clothes?
2) Why did you choose the "e's" to turn at the end?
3) Does the commercial want us to scream every time we see heineken ?
4) Where did the people from the party disappear off to at the end of the commercial?
5) Why is it taking place at a party?
6) Why is the party so dark and lit in the closets ?
7) Does beer have the equivalent value of clothes and shoes?
8) Is this beer only for the wealthy and successful?
9) Is the targeted audience men for this commercial?
10) Why wouldn't women be as happy about the beer as the men were ?
11) Why wasn't this commercial in english?
12) Why is your slogan "serving the planet", if the slogan is not portrayed properly in the commercial ?

HEINEKEN 

            Heineken’s latest commercial takes place during a party. The hostess of a party is taken her guests into the party, but just as they are about to mingle, the hostess is showing them the best feature in her new house- a walk in closet with unimaginable amounts of clothes, shoes and jewelry. In awe of all the items, they excitedly squeal and jump around, but they are cut short by similar sounds coming from the next room. In their confusion they walk in the next room they find the men squealing and jumping in excitement over Heineken.

            One aspect that aids the commercial to convey its message to “serve the planet” is the lighting throughout the commercial. Although, parties are generally supposed to be the center of attention for people, it was not in this instance. The party was dimly lit and it appeared that only one lamp was lighting the party.  On the other hand, one would assume while a party is going on a closet would have minimum importance. Once again the opposite effect took place, it was highly lit trying to illuminate every object within the closet.  This was the case for both closets – the women’s closet with shoes, jewelry and clothes along with the men’s walk in closet with the Heineken beer. 

AT&T commercial Questions

AT&T commercial questions:

1) Why did you pick that specific background music?
2) Why weren't there any hints about it being an AT&T commercial?
3) If someone didnt grasp the fairytale concept, would they still understand the message that you wanted them to understand?
4) What audience were you targeting?
5) Why didnt the kids just use the GPS in the beginning?
6) Why did you use a fairytale?
7) Did you achieve any success from this commercial?
8) How could you send 2 little kids into the city by themselves?
9) It went from day to night in 20 seconds- why would the kids take an entire day to use the GPS ?
10) Why werent the kids wearing modern clothing if the whole commercial revolved around something modern?

11) Why didnt anybody help the children?
12) Why was the cottage in the direction of the AT & T towers?

John Trimble

John Trimble makes the case that all writers are like warriors, defending claims and fortifying arguments. How do you responsd to this trope, this figurative tura ?

    In a sense Trimble is right. We are the warriors and our pens our swords. As writers, or should I say warriors, we constantly create, and in order to get the audience- or land/ territory to our side we must defend both ourselves and our writing. We must use strategies to entice the audience, persuade them, get them to understand our side and perhaps by the end of our battle, we'll have won and they'll be on our side of the argument.    Any warrior, does not not what is to come of him during the battle. In order to win, the commander constructs strategies to win the battle sending their warriors forth. In the sense of writing, writers, whom do not know their audiences, need to construct their work tactically. In a sense, they need to construct it with both their ideas and arguments to support their ideas. This keeps them in overall shape and prepared for any battle against the audience.

AT&T commercial

Here's the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_iWajvrZns

     The point of any commercial is to persuade the audience to purchase/choose their product over their competitors. In doing so, they use different aspects in a commercial such as background, actors, music, movement...etc to make their product stand out. It's the little things at the end within the commercial that etch it the audiences. AT&T’s commercial revolved around the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel but within the modern world. As the two children venture out into the city, time flies and by the time they want to go home – their breadcrumbs are nowhere to be seen. But just then, they get an epiphany in which they whip out their AT&T phone with its GPS system and find their way back to the cottage.

    Within the 30 second commercial, 20 seconds of that commercial was taken up by music, in which it was without lyrics. The tune that it carried off was a repetitive one in which it only changed in tone. Since it was repetitive, it was easy to stick to one's mind. This helps the company because you're thinking about their product/service in the case of AT&T. This was also taken to another level in which the last 10 seconds of the commercial actually contained spoken words- " Count on the Nation's fastest 3G network".  Generally, words are the most memorable thing to remember. When the first 20 seconds of the song are already etched in your mind, the speech only adds onto it within the memory. Hence, creating a commercial in which starts and ends already in the audience's mind.