PB3A

The Christopher Columbus Myth

       

     In America, Thanksgiving is a time for celebration and to show gratitude to our lives. In classrooms across the country, elementary kids dress us as “Indians” and pilgrims while making turkeys out of assorted colors of construction paper. And this is Thanksgiving as we know it right? Well, the story of Christopher Columbus and the “discovery” of the Americas as we’ve learned about it in grade school is far from the truth. A lot of national holidays are quite skewed actually now that I think about it…But never the less, we did not learn the truth behind this story until we grew older, but even then we have been told a very Eurocentric version. Yes, I understand that telling 8 year olds about mass genocide and stealing land from the Native Americans may be a bit gruesome, but it’s the truth isn’t it?

            Jim Charles addresses several myths regarding Native Americans and Christopher Columbus in his peer- reviewed, academic journal entitled “Out of the Cupboard and into the classroom: Children and the American Indian Literary Experience.” The genre of this source is a scholarly publication. In order to tailor to a younger audience, I can change the genre to a story book to tell the story of Thanksgiving. For an older audience, I will go with a newspaper article, preferably an opinion editorial so that I can give my personal thoughts on the subject.

            Considering we are telling this story to children, we will keep it G rated. But that doesn’t mean completely altering the truth so that Columbus looks like the good guy. The point of view of my story book would be told through the eyes of a Native American child. This way, the reader can identify with the main character a little better. I would address the myths listed by Charles and tell what actually happened. For instance, Myth number 1 states: “When Columbus arrived in the Americas, the land was largely uninhabited.” I would say that in fact, there was diversity and culture throughout the land. I would include colored illustrations of the Native Peoples in everyday life. Their homes, families, food practices, etc. The story might get sad though because I would want to add the population decrease from 15 million to less than 1. I would have the main character notice that there are less people where he or she lives and that the majority had gotten sick to demonstrate European disease.  But nothing too dramatic because I wouldn’t want to traumatize the kids haha, but I do think it’s important for them to know this is the truth!

            In my newspaper article, I would address that I don’t think it’s fair for children to learn this version of Thanksgiving and the “discovery” of “Indians.” First of all, how can one man discover a continent that is already inhabited with people who have been thriving on the land. He may have stumbled upon it ACCIDENTLY, thinking it was India. (He didn’t even have the correct location, issue #1). Basically my article would probably end up being one big rant on how I agree with Charles in his journal. I would like to see what other people have to say about my article as well. If it was online, I’d want to see comments from others to make it more interactive and open to discussion. This you can’t really accomplish with a younger audience.

            This is how I would take an academic journal and transform it into two different genres while still remaining true to its content. 

Painting Trees

Question 1: What decisions did these artists make? What similarities / differences .....
Response: Each artist has a set goal in mind when painting or drawing. With this goal in mind, they use techniques to achieved the image they have in their head to put the final product on paper. For instance, Bob Ross wants snow covered mountains so he purposely adds white and adjust his brush strokes to create the perfect outcome. Each artist is similar because they all started with a blank canvas. What is different is the final product of each tree because each artist has his own style. For example, Bob's paintings are easy to identify because he uses the same techniques for each of his paintings even if the landscape is different every time.

Question 2: How could you characterize their styles, and what impact does that have on you?
Response: When I'm watching Bob I recognize a certain sound when he paints. It's like a distinct scratching of his paint brush. He also narrates in a monotone voice over every detain in his portrait. The Disney painters are a little more go-with-the flow when painting, They submerge themselves in nature itself so they are influenced by their surroundings. I think this is a good tactic because the artist is able to use all his senses into one final product.

Question 3: How have they described their moves?
Response: The artists of the Disney video talk about lighting and how they use different colors to accent shadows and certain features of the trees. They use specific tactics that allow their paintings to pop. The narrator even notes how all 4 artists' paintings came out differently even though they were painting the same tree. This is because of the different moves they made and possibly their level of skill.

Q&A Responses

Okay I'm a little lost, but here are my responses......

Question 1:  So, in the end, how’d your WP2 paper go?  What were you happy with?  What weren’t you?  Why?  Be specific!
Response: 
In the end, I was pretty happy with the way my WP2 went. I'm never 100% fully satisfied with my end work, but this is just a personal factor about myself. I was happy with my topic and I think I found pretty decent sources. I feel like I might have been repetitive AGAIN, but I'm still working on that. I find it hard not to be redundant especially in lengthy papers. This time I only used 2 reader examples, whereas last time I used 3. But this prompt was a little more trickier to tie-in other readers, or maybe that's just me. Overall I'd say I'm pretty content with it. 

Question 2: Q2. Which 2 or 3 comments that you received yesterday were the most helpful for you?  Why?
Response:
The comments that I found helpful were the ones regarding re-wording my sentences so that they make sense to other readers. Sometimes it's hard for writers to tell whether the point they're trying to make makes sense to others, which is what I sometimes struggle with. So receiving that feedback was most helpful especially in my introduction paragraph. Also just small grammar mistakes that I didn't catch are helpful. Sometimes I read my work too fast and skip over spelling mistakes so it's nice when someone else corrects me.

Q3. What did you think about yesterday’s digital Peer/Reader Review sesh?  Better/worse/same as the “old school” hard copy one?  Please explain
I enjoyed yesterday's sesh. I'd rather comment on each other's papers digitally versus physically. I think it was cool that we utilized google docs because it kept my attention as opposed to me reading a paper copy of each essay. It was just easier overall to me. 
It also makes it easier to edit my final draft because it's already online and I can just refer back to the google doc and word doc if I need to copy and paste anything. Also we saved a ton of paper :) 

PB2B

Kerry Dirk and Laura Bolin Carroll both have different “moves” that distinguish themselves from other writers. Moves are the elements in a writing that the author uses to get from point A to point B. Moves can be gestures or phrases that can characterize a person. They are distinctive traits about that person. Carroll and Dirk both display rhetoric moves, some of them are even the same.

In Navigating Genres, Dirk maintains a casual tone throughout her writing. She addresses her audience personally, referring to the reader as “you.” Dirk often uses bullet points when giving examples of a point she has made. One example of this is when she is describing the attributes that make a country song. This helps to separate specific points and makes it easier for the reader to comprehend the point she’s trying to get across.  She adds a lot of person experience that can be relatable to the audience. For instance, she reveals that it was challenging for her to write her essay at first. This is common for anyone who has ever had to write a paper, usually we have a hard time finding where to start. She also adds in a lot of outside sources as supporting evidence. Most of the quotes are long, therefore need to be formatted in block text. There are several cases of this throughout her essay. Because Dirk knows she is writing to a younger generation, she tries to reference common media sources that we are familiar with. I think this move is successful because it makes her writing less stressful. Her tone eases the intimidation that could result from having to write an essay.

Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps toward Rhetorical Analysis is written by Carroll. She starts off with a hypothetical situation involving the first day of school. A casual tone is also used to create a formal relationship between the writer and reader. Carroll separates her ideas by titling each new section before going into elaborate detail. She also uses bullet points and numbering when listing several examples of a particular point. I think these moves are effective because it helps us identify rhetoric in everyday life.  Especially when understanding that the purpose of advertisements is to persuade us. Her examples help the audience to see this in the common ads we are familiar with.

Both Dirk and Carroll use some of the same moves in their writing. As I’ve already mentioned, they both use bullet points when stating examples. This allows the reader to see the main points and easier to read rather than being listed one by one in a sentence separated by commas. Both of their works are aimed toward the younger crowd, students of course, so they both have a conversational tone. I liked this because their writings didn’t bore me. Additionally, the authors incorporated outside references that are familiar to us. They create conversational essays that address us personally as if they know us already. I think pieces like these are more enjoyable to read because I don’t feel like I’m reading a dull rhetoric paper, but rather a paper from a peer or friend.

Individually, Dirk and Carroll’s moves make their writing styles different from each other. Although they may use some of the same moves, they still sound different and unique from one another. Each of their moves it was makes them unique writers. 

PB2A

PB2A

Comparing Genres

            The scholarly source I will be comparing and contrasting is an academic journal entitles, “Diagnostics in animal health: How UC helps exclude and minimize impact of livestock pathogens.” It has different conventions from the SCIgen paper generator, yet shares some of the same features. For starters, the UC journal is formatted in a way that looks like it came out of a text book. The pages are filled with charts and several photographs of livestock in color. This source has been peer reviewed and includes publication details. Each page is numbered, unlike research papers which typically aren’t. The audience is probably a younger crowd interested in learning about the living conditions of the lives of California’s domesticated animals. The tone is informative, yet not too serious. The source includes a few illustrated pictures of cattle and chickens that lighten the reading. The SCIgen source is probably not as easy to read for those who are not experts in the scientific field. Whereas the agricultural journal is a common field and uses simpler terms. The tone of the scientific paper is very serious. The UC journal contains factual material whereas the SCIgen paper does not. The scientific source is formatted correctly but it does not provide useful information. The purpose of this is to let you see the structure when writing your own paper. The agricultural journal has credibility because it is not just a bunch of gibberish.  It contains evidence from other researchers making it a reliable source for info. Additionally, the UC journal is organized into columns, like you would find in a magazine. The research paper does not look like this because that's not one of its conventions, 

            These two sources share many similarities. They both include a title with language relative to the topic at hand. Several data charts / graphs / models are included in both to demonstrate evidence or explain data. They have abstract paragraphs, however they are not located in the same place. The abstract of the UC journal is located in the cover page and the abstract of the scientific journal is the very first paragraph of the paper. Both sources are broken down paragraph by paragraph with each containing a title beforehand. Additionally, the paragraphs in the SCIgen generator are numbered unlike the ones in the journal. The structure of these two sources make it easier to divide different aspects so that the paper flows coherently.  They both use outside sources as evidence for back up that is included in the reference section at the end. The authors are mentioned directly underneath the title in these sources. The two sources are research based, even if one of them does not contain actual information that is true. 

            What strikes me as most important of the UC journal is its use of diagrams. One specifically explains what happens when cattle get sick and the consequences that are possible. This is important for us to know as omnivores because we don’t really think about the life of the cow before taking a bite of a burger. I liked the diagram because it made it more intriguing to learn this way, rather than reading a lengthy paragraph. Other images throughout the journal were also very helpful. They help you see things exactly as they are so that when you’re reading you can get a better idea of what is happening. Background info is also important when reading any scholarly source. Not everyone is going to be an expert in the field of the topic of a paper, so a brief background allows the reader to understand what he or she is about to read.

            When one is reading either of these sources, it’s pretty easy to tell that they are meant for academic purposes. Both can be read by students or those who are merely interested on the subject. They are specific to one aspect in that particular field that way the content isn’t too broad. They are both useful in their own way. They are classified under individual genres that differentiate a journal from a research paper. However, they do share a lot of the same characteristics in common. 

PB1B

PB1B: Inspecting Genre Generators

#1 SCIgen

pdos.csail.mit.edu/scigen

This website allows you to create a random research paper based of computer science data. However, the information in the paper is not meant to be accurate or even coherent, for that matter, because it is supposed to simulate the format of a research paper rather than provide accurate material. Each paper is constructed into several parts, usually 1-6, which includes an introduction, experiments, observations, and a conclusion. The generator even provides “References” section as works cited. Some other conventions include graphs and figures to represent data that resulted from whatever experiment was conducted. Additionally, each paper has in text citations from outside, “scholarly” books, journals, etc. If you just scan the text it seems legit because the generator uses words that are relatable to the sciences. Yet again, the information presented is not really credible and might not reference real people in the field of that study. But the generator does a good job at showing us what a computer science research paper should thoroughly look/sound like.

#2 Comic Strips

pandyland.net/random

Well this website brought one term to mind….wtf. Pandyland is a comic generator that allows you to create a new scene with the click of a button. I say “wtf” because each time I clicked the generate button I read a comic strip that was either violent, crude, or uncomfortably sexual or all of the above. Each scenario is between two males, one with brown hair and the other is blonde. There are several conventions that makes all of these a comic. First, the characters are drawn/illustrated. Secondly, there are 3 individual boxes that separate each scene from the last that you read from left to right. In each of these boxes, there is a text bubble that indicates which character is speaking which is an element that is iconic in comic strips. Thirdly, it plays on humor, or is supposed to. At least this website gives you an idea of the elements that make up a comic strip. Although one does not necessarily have to use the same topics as the one on this website.

#3 Memes

memegenerator.net

This website allows you to create your very own “meme.” A meme is a picture of a person or cartoon with witty text written on top that circulates around the internet. Usually, a popular image is reused over and over again with different sayings that apply to the picture. Memes have generated our society in recent years, especially among the younger generation. Memes are a specific genre because they use a specific lettering that is capitalized and has white with black outlined letters. Some of the more popular memes on this website include Kermit the Frog and Fry from Futurama. You know that you’re looking at a meme if it has these characteristics. But you can make a meme with any picture that you want really, as long as it has a saying on top of it. They are a simple concept to grasp and only take a few words to get the point across and to create humor.

Bonus

Another generator that I thought of was easybib.com that allows you to generate bibliographies. A bibliography is a compilation of citations that is included at the end of essays that require outside sources. Easybib gives you the option of MLA, APA, and Chicago formatting from books, websites, and journals etc. All you have to do is enter the title of a book, for example, and the website automatically cites it for you at the click of a button. You don’t even have to enter the author or any information at all because Easybib pulls the information from the internet.

Carroll, Lewis, and Josette Frank. Alice in Wonderland. New York: Random House, 1955.    Print.

These websites allow us to better understand genre because they provide examples. Although each individual example may differ from the previous one, they all include the same elements and conventions that make it easy to identify the genre. 

PB1A

Gabrielle Gonzalez

Professor De Piero

April 4, 2015

PB1A

Classified Advertisements

            Classified ads are usually found in newspapers and sometimes local magazines. Classifieds are articles designed for advertising items that are for sale for others to buy. This can range from cars to pets and any type of merchandise for sale by the owner. Typically, one has to pay in order to place and advertisement in a newspaper, so the length of the classifieds is relatively short and straight to the point. The audience of classified advertisements is wide ranging because it could be anyone depending on what the person is looking to buy. However, the general audience consists of adults probably over 18 who have money and are able to afford said car or pet. I’ll take a yard sell classified for example. The home owner would include items for sale and the house address to catch the attention of potential customers. The time, date and subtle directions of the yard sale could also be included as well. Depending on the cost per word, most are only a few sentences long and contain just the facts. Classified ads don’t need to sound all fluffy and verbose because readers already know what to expect when they are looking through them. The tone is rather serious and informational. You don’t see comedic or sad tones because appeal to emotion isn’t needed in order for items to be sold, they tend to sell themselves.

            What makes a classified ad a classified ad is pretty simple. You need to know what you are selling so that you can classify the ad in a newspaper. If it’s a car or house, a price listed needs to be included so the buyer can compare between others that are for sale. Classified advertisements are generally not more than a paragraph long because, again, they are not free to publish. They are updated frequently each week so that new sellers have the opportunity to advertise their items. Opinions are not included into them which distinguishes them from other advertisements. Pictures are not featured either, just plain text without any fancy font or color. You know that you are reading an ad if it contains these elements and can be found in a local periodical. Additionally, classifieds attain a level of credibility to establish trust between the buyer and seller. Personally, I feel more comfortable buying from someone in a classified versus someone on Craigslist for instance. Not saying that Craigslist is bad or that the people on there are untrustworthy, but there is something appealing about taking the time and paying a little extra to have your advertisement printed in your town’s paper. But that’s just me, and not everyone.