Issue 10- “What are research methods?”

Research Methods for Writers, by Kate Pantelides, Jennifer Clary-Lemon, and Derek Mueller

The reading analyzes the methods and development of research across disciplines. Everyday people complete research numerous times. Research itself is much more simple than most people think; A simple task such as testing out specific products is considered research. Good ways to complete research are through surveys, which can for example, analyze the opinions of a group. These research methods produce either quantitative or qualitative data. Quantitative data is represented by numbers, and qualitative data is nun-numeric. Research within each discipline differs with methods and rules. For example, The english discipline favors the MLA format, while the psychology field uses the APA format.

A partial focus of english 1106 is research, and the methods and guidelines of the reading do pertain to our work in this class. In other I’ve taken with a focus on research, I have found the information in the reading to be relevant with the research I have done in the past. For example, last semester in my Foundations of Business class I had to take a survey of students and gain qualitative data on the problems at Virginia Tech. In English 1106 we will have to explore new modes of research and use the data and information we find in our writing.The reading gives a basic overview of the fundamentals of research which will pertain to our class.

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Issue 9- Style Conventions

Derek Mueller and Julie Mengert

The Issue 9 reading gave an overview of the appropriate styles to use when writing within specific conventions. Whenever you’re writing you have an audience, whether that be yourself or a group of others, and depending on the situation there are specific rules you must follow in your writing. For example, if you are writing something to yourself, your writing is going to be much more casual. In contrast if you are writing a research paper your writing is going to be formal and include aspects such as a works cited and in-text citations. The chapter also focused on the basics of writing as well as, specific grammar rules and writing techniques.

The information in Issue 9 applies to all levels of writing. We will have to apply the techniques and rules listed in the reading in our own writing. In my 1105 class I had a major project on the different styles used in specific writing conventions. I had to analyze the differences between writing in the humanities compared to the sciences. Differences arise with uses of works cited as well as specific writing techniques. For example, in the sciences, writers refrain from using hedged wording as it can actually lessen arguments made in the sciences.

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Music Writing Activity

Song 1 – A memory- I’m watching the sunrise on the Outer Banks. I’m sitting alone in a beach chair watching the sun breach the horizon. I go to the Outer Banks every year and I always watch the sunrise alone. I’m the only one who can wake up for it; I’ve always been an early bird and my biggest pet-peeve every vacation is the fact that all my friend sleep into the afternoon

Song 2- A place- When i’m home I spend almost all my time in my bedroom. I have a big family and at times it is the only place I can find that’s quiet. All my life I have shared a room with my brother. Even though there is 2 of us, we live in the smallest room in the house, which makes no sense because my two sisters both have their own large rooms.Being at college, I miss that room everyday and my brother.

Song 3- An activity- Being in college now, everyday I miss the thrill of competing in sports. I wrestled my entire life and I firmly believe that there is nothing that has affected my life more than wrestling. During high school I poured everything I had into the sports, or at least at the time I thought I did. Looking back I feel I could have done so much more. I always had lofty goals, but I never achieved any of them. Even with having one of the best careers in my high school’s history, when I look back on my time there I have regrets, and I think what I could have done more to achieve those goals.

Song 4- A dream- People have really specific dreams that they envision all their lives. I just hope I have a future that I enjoy. I’m not totally sure about the career path I want in life or where I want to end up living yet.My dream at the moment is to just to have a happy, healthy, and secure future.

Song 5- A person- I rarely tell him it, but I miss my dad everyday. A son’s relationship with his father is different than his with his mother. A lot of things go unsaid between a father and his son. I tell my mother I love her everyday, I don’t for my father but of course I do. I regret not spending enough time with my dad this past winter break. I’ve found the breaks from school so far to be difficult times. There is so many people to see in such a short amount of time.

Canvas Scavenger Hunt

1. What do you need to do to receive the “Jack of All Trades” achievement?

Reach level 10 with all skills.

2. How much XP is “Create Your Own Quest” worth?

The create your own quest is not worth any points, but there is potential for 1xp extra credit.

3. How much XP do you need to reach level 10?

675

4. Where can you find the Leaderboards?

On the canvas home page.

5. What is the reward for the Overachiever achievement?

-complete all of the weekly out-of-class quests available for a whole week

-Always Available Quests do not affect this achievement positively or negatively

6. How many gems does one potion cost?

10 gems

7. What is the due date and time for the Fieldwork half draft?

March 2nd

8. What does an XP Booster do?

double your XP gain for the week the item is redeemed

9. How many gems do you have?

None

10. What level are you?

Level 1

11. Where can you find your skill levels?

You have to keep track of them yourself.

12. How do you purchase and redeem items?

 Submit a text box response on your Bank assignment page with a note including which items you want to purchase. Or through the discord.

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“Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott

The premise of the reading is that too many writers over complicate the beginning of their writing process, and that causes them to have more trouble in their writing. When most people begin their writing they try to craft perfect sentences; when in reality this is not the time for that during this part of the writing stage. The purpose of a first draft is to be able to get all your ideas out, and figure out how you want to structure your writing. When paying attention to aspects such as grammar and word choice it makes it more difficult for the writer to develop their ideas, and structure their piece.

I definitely agree with what Lamott is saying here. I remember reading this same article in my English 1105 class, and I realized that I was one of those writers that tried to write those perfect sentences from the beginning. One strategy I like to use when I am beginning my writing is free writing; The same freewriting we did in the beginning of this semester. I think it’s the best way to get all your ideas down. It totally unstructured writing, but just getting words on the paper helps develop ideas.

Inside the mind of a master procrastinator – Tim Urban

Tim Urban discusses the two parts of the brain the irrational decision maker and the rational decision maker. The irrational decision maker sides with choices that are easy and fun; This is the direct cause of procrastination.The rational decision maker takes the past and future into consideration when making a decision, while the irrational decision maker only takes the present into account.  The fun had in the “dark playground,” the area where procrastination is done is not actually fun. The activity you’re doing is just more fun compared to the important work you have, and it lets you forget about your obligations.

The part that stood out to me most was that procrastination goes beyond the work that just has deadlines. We can procrastinate in everything in life such as, spending time with family, and working to get a job promotion. It also stood out to me when he said that procrastination is an ugly process, but it works. For example, some people have trouble starting their writing, however, once the panic of a deadline arises they are able to break out and begin writing. This course has specific deadlines to be made, and honestly at times procrastination gets the edge over me in my writing.

“Preface” and “Writing at VT”

Composition instructors are increasingly becoming aware that students need a wide range of literacy skills. In our modern world there are so many different platforms for people to express themselves; Youtube, blogs, and social media, all give people a platform to communicate. As many students often do most of their writing on some of these platforms it is important for students to consider their rhetorical requirements. Understanding Rhetoric is arranged into nine issues which cover rhetorical concepts.

I think much of the concepts in the reading were also discussed in Issue 9 of the textbook. Issue 9 covered the different style conventions that were present in the different genres and communities of writing. For example, the humanities using MLA formatting for works cited, while the sciences prefer APA. Style conventions are similar to the rhetorical requirements which apply on the various types of platforms. Also in english 1105 I had to write a paper doing a rhetorical analysis on a scholarly article, and I saw the links between the style conventions and rhetorical requirements.

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David Vill

Ms. Taylor

English 1106

2 February 2020

Kanye West is one of this generation’s most popular celebrities. West has put his talents on display in essentially all forms of media. This generation has seen Kanye West the rapper, film maker, songwriter, and fashion designer. His creativity has touched hundreds of millions of people across the world, and this popularity is what has allowed Kanye West to have an enormous influence on popular culture. West’s style in music and fashion is unique, and his originality has influenced popular culture. People are influenced by things everyday, and subconsciously everything we hear or see can change the way we think. Beyond this musical artists especially have the power to create movements with their work. They can create new genres and shift the current trends in music I want to explore just how influential West has been on the culture of the current generation. 

I think the research done in this project will hopefully prove that collaboration in the arts is a good thing. All people in music and in any form are art are influencing themselves. People can build off of someone else’s creativity and make something of their own. Constantly in music people are copying the techniques of specific artists to make their own music. Kanye West’s reach is massive and there is high potential for his influence. If his influence can be seen contributing to projects elsewhere it will show the importance of collaborating in the arts. If artists can be seen sparking inspiration for fellow artists that will show importance.

Most of my research will be conducted online. With the internet I have access to videos, articles, and interviews and from that I can gather information about West’s influence in all the aspects of our culture. Online I can find articles covering the many artists that Kanye West mentored. West has guided artists such as Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, and Frank Ocean. I can also compare his music to those that have worked with him. The amount of information online for Kanye West is massive; One thing I am looking to find is interviews of artists talking about West’s influence on themselves. Many artists credit West’s work for inspiring them, and I could find in person interviews, following an artist’s release of an album. Scholarly documents and articles are also one thing I am going to rely on. The changes in music trends are something that are studied and analyzed and I think I could find valuable information there. The internet is the best place for me to look when trying to find information of a figure like Kanye West, and to show the importance of collaboration in arts and entertainment.

Kanye West’s entire cultural impact has occurred on the internet and that is why it is the best place for me to do my research. I also am striving to get first hand opinions by artists on the influence of West to strengthen my argument. Merely pointing out similarities between an artist’s music or a fashion designer’s piece will not prove anything about his influence. Artists actually confirming that work by Kanye West helped guide them on their path with one of their own projects. The internet also gives access to everything West has created. It has his complete albums, mixtapes, designs, and his life story.

My research question does not have a simple answer. Anyone can have the opinion that Kanye West has or has not influenced popular culture. With the information I obtain I hope to give hard evidence of Kanye West’s influence in hip hop, the mentoring of rising artists, and the fashion industry.

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