Writers Blog: Using one of the readings from this unit

Literacy: A Lineage by Melanie Luken 

Paraphrase:
Melanie Luken began focusing the most on her writing during the end of High School, when she discovered her love for poetry. During High School she would take English classes and would join literacy magazine. After High School her enjoyment for literacy grew. So she started taking English classes in College as well, such as Beginning Poetry, Intermediate Poetry, Honors 598, which than lead to her improvement in reading and writing. While taking these classes, she has learned that authors have to stand criticism and only focus on comments that can be beneficial for them. At this time her father would support her as well giving her feedback on what to do to continue to improve. One of the things her father recommended for her to do was to ignore criticism and to believe that she is a better poet than her father has ever been.  (134-135)


Summarize:
In Melanie Luken's essay, A Lineage, she explains how literacy can be more than just learning how to read and write. Literacy has become a family tradition for her and has noticed that parents can influence or encourage their children to enjoy reading. (135)
         Literacy is generally known as the ability to read and write. My definition of literacy is:                      the ability to read, write, and understand within a tradition. For me, this is a familial 
         tradition that has permeated my literacy experience. Parents have an incredible power to           
         influence their children through their own behaviors and attitudes, and it is certainly true
         that my father has impressed upon me his own attitude towards literacy and literature. 
         Now, every time we talk he asks me, "What are you reading? What do you think about it?" 
         We talk about what each of us is reading, as well as our thoughts and impressions. 
         In this way, the tradition continues. 


Quote:
From the essay, A Lineage, the author Luken believes that Literacy is just like learning a new language. In the similar ways as not being familiar with it, which can be difficult to quickly learn, but as we progress, with time, we will get better at it.
"I believe that my choice to major in French is also rooted in this tradition of language and Literature. Studying a foreign language can, at times, be just like learning how to read and write as a child." (135)

In Class Lab Ads 10/22

In Class Lab Ads 10/22

1.       Who published these ads?

PETA, Freedom For Animals, Mercy for Animals, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

2.       Who are these texts intended for?

Freedom For Animals ad seems to be intended for women, as their ad parodies a woman’s hair ad. Mostly they seem to be targeted at average consumers. Mercy For Animals specifically wants people to not go to Walmart, so their target audience is probably people who go to Walmart.

3.       How can we tell that?

Freedom for Animals is mirroring what popular hair care ads for women look like. The Mercy for Animals ad specifically targets Walmart, so you can infer that this ad would be for people who go to Walmart.  

4.       What is the purpose of these texts?

They all want to stop animal cruelty. The Freedom for Animals ad specifically targets animal lab testing, PETA ad is against wearing fur, Mercy for Animals wants to stop/improve the farm animal conditions cruelty that Walmart is doing, and American Society’s ad is trying to inform people of domestic “pet” animal cruelty, and trying to get people to adopt a dog in need.

5.       How do they seem to be working towards that purpose?

Most of the ads are focusing on our emotion response to anime cruelty. The Mercy For Animals ad show a pig locked up in bad conditions, asking it’s audience if we support that. PETA’s ad shows a man with what we infer to be his dog. It makes us think of how we love our pets, and uses that emotion to make us not want to wear animal fur. The Freedom for Animals ad shows a woman with “luxurious” hair, but also with a wound on her scalp. The ad tells us that this is what happens to animals that are being tested on. Ethically, we think it’s wrong to hurt people, and they say that this is what happens to 300,000 animals every year. The American Society ad shows a cute dog, and has text that appears to be coming from the dog. The way they phrase the dog’s “speech” makes the dog seem innocent and child-like, so we feel bad about what happened to him. This emotional response makes us want to help dogs that are abused.

6.       What evidence from the texts can you provide?

The phrases and images mentioned in #5.

7.       Can you come up with that would indicate what the ads do as a group?

All kinds of animal cruelty is wrong, and you don’t even know that it’s happening. 

Thinking About the Text : Rubin/ Advertisement R Us

1) What insight does Melissa Rubin offer about the Coca-Cola ad she analyzes, and what evidence does she provide to support her analysis? Has she persuaded you to accept her conclusions- and if not, why not?

 Melissa’s  conclusion was based on how companies accomplish to persuade consumers to buy their products by using ads; done through showing or telling the consumer the numerous ways their product can help. In every ad there is a message that is hidden and according to Melissa the message behind the Coca-Cola ad is:  "Their is a life to be envied and emulated, so drink Coca-Cola and live that life yourself" (180). The insight that Melissa uses to support her analyzes are history and reaction/result. On the ad she mentions how history can inspire someone to buy their products. During the 1950’s war and industrialization was growing, so having an image of the ideal community (surrounded with White Americans, happy veterans, the working class and the middle class) makes you want to join them as well; since in the Coca Cola ad the image represents a coming together to refresh with a drink of coca cola.

Yes, Melissa has persuaded me to accept her conclusion because, I think persuasion can be used many ways and one of them is through showing a happy community and their history. Another thing I noticed is that advertisers tend to use images of ads that are related to the bigger community, which can either be a belief, ethnicity, gender, culture and etc.

2) How does she incorporate historical context, and what does that information contribute to her analysis?  

Melissa incorporates historical context by mentioning ethnicity, lifestyle, the class and conditions during the 1950's. She notices that the majority of the people from the ad are white men and women. Her analyzes towards this is based on history; during the 1950's racial prejudice and segregation in the United State was a big issue. She also notices that the only time when a Black male was shown on an ad was only if he or she were famous. Melissa analyzes lifestyle; many men in the ad were veteran, middle class and working class. The setting of the ad was taken place during the 1950's when war and industrialization was growing. The evidence she has provided shows the reader when advertising took place. Melissa also doesn't forget to mention how this advertisement came to be persuading; which was done through showing the celebration of the community joined together and the setting of the place.

3)Rubin's analysis is driven by this question: What can we learn about the culture in which a given ad is created by closely examining how that ad appeals to particular audiences? What other questions might you try to answer by analyzing an ad?

Some other questions I may try to answer by analyzing an ad are:

In what generation was this ad made?

What were the communities belief?

What are their goals?

What are their values?

4) This Coca-Cola ad reflects the values of its era. Can you think of a contemporary ad that projects the values of the era we live in? How do the two ads compare?

One main value advertisers project during this era for teenagers are to look “beautiful”. I’ve seen images of “good” looking people on posters, the internet and on commercials persuading consumers to buy their products. The comparison between the two ads that advertisers use are what seem to be the ideal image and their goals for the recent era.  

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis:

1.      Finding the theme in a piece of writing

2.      Finding the ways in which the writer attempts to persuade the reader

3.      Finding the purpose of the piece of writing

4.      Finding the symbolism involved with depicting the theme of the piece of writing

5.      Find the impact on the reader

Thinking about the Text

1) What is Heather Havrilesky's main insight about Mad Men? How can you tell? Point to specific passages that reflect this conclusion.
Heather's main point of insight for using Mad Men as an example was to show us how "crafty insta-celebrities . . . self-branding geniuses and social media" has impacted our lives by distracting us from reality.
"As absurd as it seems to cobble together a dream around a handful of consumer goods, that's precisely what the advertising industry did so effectively in the 50s and 60s, until we couldn't distinguish our own desires from the desires ascribed to us by professional manipulators, suggesting antidotes for every real or imagined malady, supplying escapist fantasies to circumvent the supposedly unbearable tedium or ordinary life." (175)

2) How does Havrilesky establish her Authority to write about this show?
Heather seems to know the show Mad Man well, since she tells the audience examples of what happened in detailed description. She knows all her characters; their personality and actions.

3) How does she appeal to readers' emotions? Identify specific passages where she does so.
Since Heather tells the reader the decision each character has made, who they are, what they want and etc. We become interested in wanting to know whats going to happen next. This interest makes us respond in an emotional way. For an example, when Heather mentions the character Don.
"Don has finally put his ambivalence toward Betty behind him: He's leaving his marriage and focusing  on the new ad firm as his true passion . . . But can someone as conflicted as Don commit wholeheartedly to anything?" (172)

4) If you were familiar with Mad Men before you read this essay, is this an accurate description of the show and of its impact on viewers? If you weren't familiar with it, do you now understand its basic premise - and has Havrilesky made you want to watch it? Explain
Even though I have not seen the show I can tell that the author did a good job in explaining to the reader each character and the decisions they made. I am curious in watching the movie. Curious about what is going to happen to the characters next.

Look For analysis in everyday use:

The two websites I was interested in analyzing are based in electronics, apple.com and vacation, travel.usnews.com. Travel.usnews.com was the one I believe to be more useful because it is well developed it helps the traveler or researcher get necessary information about a place quickly and easily.  Some of those helpful resources are places to stay, hotels, prices, weather, the news, plane tickets and the reason why you should go there for vacation. Among all of the helpful resources it provides the most helpful one is letting the researcher know about the news at that certain place.

                The other one is apple.com, the company sales good quality of electronics that can be useful for anyone, which is shown through the pictures of their electronics. It also tells detailed information about it, such as how many watts of power it has, the storage and memory it carries. The website also shows a variety of electronics they are selling. It is well organized, easy to use and buy. The only thing I change is the amount of pictures shown and more information on it about the product. Many consumers would probably want to know about the product more.

Think About your own use of analysis:

Small Decisions

My small decisions	How my life was affected?	About me
1)take English 101 in the afternoon	I realized that I should be taking classes at night rather than morning or afternoon that way it will give me time to be prepared for class, go to work with my mother and do any personal thing such as working out, cleaning, cooking, read.	I figured out that I am a productive person in the morning and afternoons. I dislike doing things quickly without thinking about it ahead of time. I am not productive at night time.
2)take Chem 131 in the afternoon	This one is the same was “taking English 101 in the afternoon” but to add to it I noticed my grades and the effort I put into my work is not the same. It as if during that time I have other things in mind and I get distracted.	Same as above. I noticed I like to make excuses such as “I’ll do it tomorrow it is not due until next week” so if I did my homework during my productive times I will be more focused on it. Just like I did on the Fall Quarter of 2014
3)start working out	I’ve been more motivated into living a healthy lifestyle. I start to eat healthier and I also feel better about myself.	I notice that when I do not work out I feel down. I am not motivated to improve.
4)be more productive in my decisions	I’ve become to be a more positive person as I see my results.	I tend to be a negative person but when I start doing something that will give me good results I start to have more faith start putting my effort and strength into it.
5)dye my hair/and cut	Dying my hair was a bad decision to me because it caused my hair to freeze more and I spend more time fixing it on days when I want it to look good.	I like to look decent in public. I do not mind about how I look in class but when I go out I do.
6)work with my mother when I can	Working with my mother has helped me much because the job we do is flexible in my schedule. It has also helped me financially.	I like to be productive and want to be more independent.

Big Decisions

My big decisions	How my life was affected?	About me
1)go to Olympic College	Going to Olympic college has helped me to get a step further into my career.	I like to learn new things
2)make plans to go to Seattle University	Planning to do things in the future has kept me motivated the only problem is the cost of it.	I realized that if I want to go to Seattle University I will have to work more and be more organized and careful on how I spent.

My Essay Topics

1.       That time when I entered school in Mexico

a.       A clear identified event: The time when I had to read aloud in Spanish.

b.       A clearly described setting: By describing the setting of the new school, I was attending in Mexico, it can help show the differences of U.S.A and Mexico’s schools.

c.        Vivid and descriptive details: To help the story come alive I can describe parts when I felt embarrassed and when I felt happy.

d.       A consistent point of view:  I’ll be writing my essay in first person.

e.        A clear point: The story matters to me because, at first I didn’t know how to handle my feelings until I got comfortable with it. To accomplish I had to accept the reality and other student’s comments.

2.       The transition of reading books with pictures to reading books without pictures

a.       A clear identified event: When the Librarian encouraged me to read the Magic Tree House.

b.       A clearly described setting: The setting can be my Elementary Library.

c.        Vivid, and descriptive details: To help the story come alive I can describe how I rejected and avoided to read books without pictures.  I can picture myself going through tantrum when handed a book without pictures.

d.       A consistent point of view: I’ll be writing my essay in first person.

e.        A clear point: The story matters to me because I needed someone to encourage me to read when I was going through an exaggerated major, to a 7 year old, problem.

Literacy: A Lineage Annotation

Luken uses a great way to open her essay by grabbing our attention: “It would be impossible to discuss my path to literacy without talking about my literacy guardian, the person who inspired and encouraged my love for reading and writing: my father.” p 132

Luken uses words to help us visualize her experience, such as that time when she went bike riding every Sunday afternoon with her father: “We nearly always took the same routine, down to the bike path by the river, circling around, and breaking at Carillon Park under the bell tower.” p132

In her writing she shows and tells us at the same time why writing is important for her which has to do with the close relationship she has with her father whom enjoys reading and writing. “My definition of literacy involves more than the ability to read and write; for me, it is also a tradition, an inheritance I received from my father, and an ability to appreciate language because of him and because of many other writers who came before him.” p 133

I’ve noticed that Luken mentions her father in every paragraph which tells the reader the importance her father was to her in shaping her life. “Because of my father and our shared love of literature, my definition of literacy is intimately linked to the idea of tradition.” p 135

Her essay is written in first person and she manages to let the reader know about her feelings towards her writing and her father. 

Lydia’s Story examples:

Visual Description

“She knew that if she went outside, she would be swept up in the current and drown. There was no one in sight.” p129

Dialog

“But as the water continued to rise, the table started moving, then rocking- and Lydia knew she was in trouble.” p130

Sensory Description

“When we asked if she got hungry or thirsty, she said that she didn’t remember feeling that way. Her tongue became dry and her lips were cracked, but she only was aware of being terrified of the water.” p130

Topics:

·         Learning to write in Spanish in Mexico

·         Getting help from my Vinland Elementary (how I felt sooooo smart but was not)

·         How I didn’t enjoy reading books without pictures but did after I was introduced to The Magic Tree House

Consider your Rhetoric Situation:

1.)    Purpose: The reason why I would like to talk about my experience of writing Spanish in Mexico was first to fulfill the assignment but know I think I can make it enjoyable for myself and the readers. With my story I can also shift many ways; from teaching a lesson, making it funny and enjoyable or the challenges I had.

2.)    Audience: I think my experience may be similar to many other readers’ experience. I will have to make some explaining and translating when using Spanish words. I think they will understand my attitude and feelings without explaining too much. I would love to share some of my life experiences if I could make my writing more enjoyable or send the message I am trying to do so to the reader. Explaining myself in writing (or putting words in a paper) has been a challenge to me.

3.)    Stance: I want my writing to have a positive reflection with humor and interest. Which is going to be a challenge because some things that happened to me can be viewed negatively or positively depending on how the reader takes it or how I explain it.

4.)    Media/Design: My narrative will be done in print or photos. ( it can be help the reader see pictures of places)

Describe the setting:

1.)    What do you see? First time going to school in Mexico.

a.       Walls are made of brick and cement

b.      Windows are big with thick wire (thick wire?)

c.       No carpet instead cold floor

d.      Chalkboard

e.       Long tables

f.       On Fridays uniforms are worn

g.      Spiders and spider webs on ceilings and corners

h.      Long and narrow room

i.        No doors in class

j.        The school had an open ceiling in the middle and classes were around the open ceiling in a square way

k.      A gate that was permantly closed for a certain time

2.)    What do you hear?

a.       Yelling

b.      Loud voices

c.       Laughter

d.      Correction made after making errors

3.)    What do you smell?

a.       Dirt

b.      Food

4.)    How and what do you feel?

a.       Happy

b.      Nervous

c.       Shock

d.      Cold seats

5.)    What do you taste?

a.       Candy

b.      Lunch sandwich

c.       Tacos

Think about the Key People

Describe each person:  They speak and read very fast with an accent. At first I couldn’t understand much and they couldn’t understand me much either. I mumbled. The clothes was made of cheaper fragments. Sweater were pink with a Looney Toons cartoon figure. Some weared ripped greyish pants. Some weared neater clothes.

Recall:

The teacher says “Today we are going to read and answer the questions on page 100 individually. Jorge may you please read aloud and then you Monica. Everyone will get a chance to read.”

Write about “what happened”

Summarize the action: When my turn came to read I noticed I sounded differently than the rest. My face got flushed, everyone turned, laughed, starred and pointed at me. I heard someone yell from across the room “that girl does not know how to read or write.” Embarrassed I was so I stopped and kept my eyes on the paper trying to ignore people’s faces.

Consider the significance of the narrative: At first it was difficult for me to accept people’s comments so I came to be hard to myself. After a while I came to realize that even though I am a Mexican I can not expect to read or write my Spanish language like other people who wrote Spanish since they were little. So I realized I had to stop being so hard to myself and accept the reality. After I did that I started to view other people’s comments in a positive way. I was not emotionally hurt anymore because I didn’t believe what they said to be true.  The funny part was that I at first believe I was disliked but at the end I knew by looking at their eyes that I was liked, and that is why they were picking on me. I learned that every race responds differently. So for example I thought what they were doing was mean but from their perspective it was more like showing care. This story matters to me because I viewed it differently than what it was in reality. If this did not happen than I wouldn’t have been able to tell this awesome story.  

How did reading the others' definition affect your thinking about your own definition?

After reading the others definition I think I should have explained it a bit more. There are some things I could have mentioned to make the definition stronger such as examples.

Thinking and Acting Rhetorically

What does it mean to act and to think in a rhetorical manner?

To act and to think in a rhetoric manner, is to know how to use words in a clever way when persuading others in agreeing with what you say; it is done in a smooth and professional manner.

There are many steps and genres to accomplishing this process. It all begins with the way you gather up your ideas and to the way you send the message to your audience.  

To think rhetorically we have to have a clear thought of our position and goals before sending the message to the audience for it to be effective. We also have to know what the audience values and what their opinion is on the topic.  

Knowing about rhetoric is a skill that can be very beneficial in any career. It can also be helpful in a job interview since it tells your boss that you have a strong personality, can be committed to your words and be trustful. Rhetoric is not only about speaking, it is also about knowing how to speak and what words to use to send the message exactly how you want others to receive it. 

Class Lab on Rhetorical Situations and Narratives

THINK ABOUT..

• Family stories
• YouTube videos
• Lydia's Story
• News report
• Songs
• Books
• When I tell someone about an unusual thing that happen to me and I want the person to feel what I felt. 
• TV
• Movies
• Fluffy

We noticed the numerous ways a narrative is shown through. Some can be visual, reading and/or heard.  I also came to notice that we can be narratives to when it comes to sharing our experiences especially those that impact us the most.  

THINK BEYOND WORDS..

I found videos to be more powerful because you can see the person and their emotions from their expressions. Body language is also shown. When it comes to reading it is sometimes difficult for me to follow along and/ or imagine what is happening.

COMPARE NARRATIVES..

The two different media I choose for are videos and the radio. The difference between these two are that one is visual while the other one is not. The similarities are that both can show emotions, even though I can not see the person speaking from the radio I can still listen to their tone of voice. The video will grab more of my attention since I can see beyond of what I can hear. I think the way a person is dressed or carries them selves adds to their personality. Also you can tell if someone may be exaggerating by seeing their body language. Meanwhile in the radio some of these things may be lacking. Yet it can help me practice my listening or understanding of the story. Sometimes harder things can improve our knowledge in the long run, rather than when information is handed over making no effort for us to make.

Rhetorical Situations

Make a list of all the writing that you remember doing in the last week.

• Texting
• Group Writing
• In class taking notes
• Snap Chat
• Invoice for my father

The first one is my favorite Snap Chat. When I post a story in my Snap Chat for everyone to see I like to take a picture of something that interests me and shows a bit of my personality. I do not speak formal instead I speak "slang," abbreviate, ignore my miss spelling and add emoji s. I also like to exaggerate. I would also make sure it would grab peoples attention. 

The second is when I make Invoices for my father. I have to write it in a organized and well formatted paper. It has to be neat and well spelled. It also has to fit in one page. Other things that may change occasionally are the size of the word, sometimes customers like it to be written in big letters so they can read it. 

The third one is note taking in class. Since I rely on my notes I have to try to write neatly. I also like to write any thoughts or ideas on the sides of the paper for a quick help. My note taking are sometimes color coded.

Lydia's Story

1) What is Brideau's main point, and where in the essay is it indicated?

Brideau's main point is about being able to tell Lydia's story, the effort, strength and hope she had to go through to survive the hurricane. The author mentions this at the end of p131 when she says, "it represents the essence of hope and determination in the face of terrible adversity." On difficult times like these little time for action is given; so on p 130 effort and hope was needed as Brideau explains when she mentions, "terrified of drowning, she kept reminding herself to think clearly."



2) What is the primary point of view from which Brideau narrates "Lydia's Story"? What impact does that point of view have on you as a reader?

Brideau's primary point of view is sharing her thoughts and witness of Lydia's Story from the moment it was told. As the reader I notice the positive and negative side of what both Brideau and Lydia had to go through. Brideau seems to be proud for helping, and mentions it to be a rewarding experince as it is her "privilege to meet and serve them." Lydia had to go through a difficult situation but at the end she accepts that at least she is alive.



3) How does Brideau make her narative "come alive"? Make a list of words she uses to describe the setting and the characters. How do they appeal to readers' emotions.

List of Words
From the list of words; at the beginning it sounds depressed as the author mentions the condition in which the people were in. The other emotion is panic, as she tells the reader Lydia's story of her battle with the hurricane. The next emotion is relieved to know Lydia survived. And lastly a mix of sadness and hope knowing that at least they have somewhere to stay although it is in bad condition.

• slender
• gray hair
• toxic
• no windows
• humid
• sleeping bag
• brown rushing water
• horrified
• water rise
• in trouble
• terrified
• shelter
• strength
• resolve
• saved her life
• family photo album

4)This piece was first published in Health Affairs, a journal of health policy thought and research. Who would be the audience for this piece, and how does Brideau's tone suit those readers? Point to specific words and phrases that create that tone.

The audience would be anyone who may be interested in helping. Brideau seems to be encouraging people to come and help. She does it in a tone that doesn't make the reader feel pressured, but rather shows the reader that it can be a rewarding experience.