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Writing Journal - 11/4/2019

When designing a particular piece of web content many are quick to consider how the particular design of the work looks as well as how effective it is at what its intended purpose is. While these ideas are important, they are often considered from the perspective of the author rather than that if the potential reader. This can become an issue if the reader or viewer of the particular piece possess a disability that may affect the accessibility of the work. In Design Accessibility and Accessibility Guidelines for UX Designers both authors discuss this issue and how this can affect how the reader is able to view the content. Along with this the authors convey a variety of examples and solutions to particular problems, as well as give preventative advice on to effective consider the accessibility of all types of audiences.

The content and structure of your web design is very important to consider accommodating the accessibility of all viewers. The use of appropriate colors, consistent navigation and components, and use of headings can all be effective in accommodating all levels of accessibility. Those who possess visual impairments as well as cognitive impairments can benefit from greatly by meaningful color use and navigation tools. Simple headers and appropriate colors can make a difficult task of trying to locate particular sections of a web design exponentially easier. It is also important to consider placing multiple ways to access each section, increasing the navigation accessibility and reducing the frustration of trying to find specific content.

It is also very important to consider the device being used to view the content. Many users may use touch-based electronics or a device that only is limited to keyboard commands. It is very important to consider these users as well as they all have the ability to view the content and extend accessibility. Make keyboard shortcuts easy to access, even if the impaired individual may only have access to the use of one of their hands. Also, design should leave adequate space for users to click with their fingers if the design is touch based.

Finally, the overall design should be considered when creating a piece of web design. Content including animation should consider using content that is safe for those prone to seizures. Content should be linear and consistent and often simplified as to not confuse those users who may be younger or do not prevent the cognitive abilities to understand advanced structures. The way that a piece of digital literature is constructed has a large effect on the content’s accessibility.

As a college student, accessibility is something that should constantly be considered. Quite often we are creating presentations, projects, and research material that can all benefit from successful accessibility techniques. It is not always known who may be viewing your content and we must be considerate of all parties present. In today’s era we are becoming more and more increasingly aware invisible disabilities and as a part of this we always need to be aware that they are present. For these reasons, accessibility should always remain a significant factor in many works of students today.

When considering rhetorical models I chose to use the linguistic mode or help convey most of the content. This made summarizing the content of the articles easier as most thoughts can be placed directly into words. The pictures I used in this post play towards the visual model and help to keep audience attention as well as add a humorous perspective to the post. The two models compliment each other very well and help form a constructive and interesting post.

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Journal Entry - 10/16 Prosumerism

What exactly do we sign up for when we register to social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. While these platforms seem like harmless ways to share information with close friends and family, we are often unaware of just how much we are actually sharing. In chapter two of Estee Beck’s Sustaining Critical Literacies in the Digital Information Age: The Rhetoric of Sharing, Prosumerism, and Digital Algorithmic Surveillance Beck discusses just how much we are giving to large corporations and companies that benefit from the sharing of social media through processes of prosumerism and digital algorithmic surveillance.

Prosumerism is a term that was coined by Alvin Toffler in his 1980 work The Third Wave. In this work he described the development of civilization through three different “wave” periods: The agricultural revolution, the industrial revolution, and the informational age. It is within this third wave that we find the use of the word prosumerism. In this wave, consumers would take on the labor roles of the previous two waves and begin to do things on their own. This is where the “do-it-yourself” mentality was born and inventions such as IKEA’s build-your-own furniture, self-service gas pumps, ATMs, and self-checkout stations began to rise in popularity.

Prosumerism was revered as a method of empowerment and individualism. With the help of rhetoric and composition, students are encouraged to become creators in digital mediated spaces. These content creators when using open source are able to provide content for the use of inquiry and information. Unfortunately, prosumerism is often used as a means of exploitation and economic gain. Businesses will purposefully capitalize on prosumerism to have their consumers provide free labor for the company.

Prosumerism also plays a large part in capitalism of social media through the use of digital algorithmic surveillance. Companies such as Facebook will use algorithms that track the wants and needs of its users. In the case of Facebook, everything you click, share, like, sell, etc… will contribute to the different advertisements you may see. This is used as a way to make users provide their own advertisement, enticing the user to buy a product similar to their own interests. Along with this, many of these ads can act as a way to influence users as to what to buy. The more a user is exposed to a specific object they are conditioned to want it.

The internet and social media is a dangerous thing. As technology increases, it seems that the consumer does more and more within a society. As we dive further into the informational age, people are becoming obsolete. Every day more and more of our information can be found online and thanks to technology we don’t even need to physically input it anymore.  This is why it is always important to understand the dangers of technology. Understanding it will allow us to use it to its fullest potential without jeopardizing our freedoms and security along the way.

For my rhetorical models I chose to use linguistic and visual. These two modes compliment each other nicely an always work well together. The linguistic model is always helpful when expressing the general idea of the post as well as provide insight into the heart of the content. The visual mode was used for strictly humorous purposes. The content in this section is rather dense and the visual aspect helped break this up and make it easier to read. 

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10/2 Writing Journal

What is digital rhetoric? Since the word was coined within a lecture by Richard Lanham in 1989, the use of the word has grown steady popularity among scholars in the digital world. However, regardless of its popularity and the frequent use of the term, its definition is often found to be a extraordinarily hard to come by. In Justin Hogdson and Scot Barnett’s What is Rhetorical about Digital Rhetoric? They discuss this topic and their own examples as to just how difficult the term is to define. 

The authors discuss how in 2013 they were hired as “Digital Rhetorics” for Indiana University. At the time that they were hired, there were only two mentions of the term while numerous positions called for specialists in “multimodal composing,” “digital writing,” “new media studies,” “digital media,” “digital humanities,” “computers and composition,” and “computers and writing.” So while digital rhetoric was present, the specific term was hardly used. This changed around 2015 when the term was used within twenty-three positions, with a sharp contrast to 2012. The issues persisted, however, as to what the term ‘digital rhetoric” actually meant. 

This lack of definition and confusion of the term digital rhetoric can be seen in the authors’ inclusion of the video from a student project taken at the Indiana Digital Rhetoric Symposium. In this video, many scholars are asked to define what digital rhetoric is and all, while I am sure some answers were omitted, fumble and are not able to answer the question. This shows just how difficult the term is to place into words when scholars at a Digital Rhetoric Symposium are still unable to answer the question. Also throughout this symposium, many presentations were given about different aspects of digital rhetoric. The authors explain that while these presentations were insightful they both helped to define digital rhetoric, while undefining it at the same time.  

The authors re-engaged with the speakers from the Indiana Digital Rhetoric Symposium and asked them to again revisit the term digital rhetoric. This time the authors asked them to follow these three specific tasks to cultivate the creative process: “(1) fuller, more developed, traditional article-length essays; (2) shorter, conference paper length essays (with presentations being re-envisioned for print publication); or (3) multimedia/creative projects offered as reimagined media-rich performances of Symposium presentations.” These three questions helped form a clearer understanding of digital rhetoric and produced a lot of great essays and projects redefining the use of the term.

These essays and projects helped to produce an environment that was better able to define the meaning of digital rhetoric. Through the use of essays, short writing pieces, and video presentations, a collective idea surrounding digital rhetoric could be formed. While this brings us closer to having an idea of how to define digital rhetoric it does not give us a clear definition. As years come and go and digital technology continues to advance, we continue to grow closer to the meaning of digital rhetoric. Hopefully one day to have a clear cut definition, rather than an interpretation of the term. 

My rhetorical strategy in this post was visual and linguistic. My use of the linguistic mode was used to provide a literary analysis of the assigned reading and the visual mode provided a compliment to the text. The first image defines the confusion that is accompanied to the first definitions of digital rhetoric. This helps to show just how complex the term is. The second gif touches on the presentations that took place during the Indiana Digital Rhetoric Symposium and shows how it didn’t do much to define the term. The last image is a humorous image that shows how the term digital rhetoric is slowly becoming more comprehensible as technology advances.  

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Writing Journal 9/27 - Rhetoric in Science

When most people think of the field of science, it is not often that the use of rhetoric is used with it. For years and even to this day, many people consider science to be nothing other than the hard facts. The use of persuasion and rhetoric in the scientific method and field of discovery is something that may seem odd, but is actually a driving force behind the field itself. In Heather Grave’s Rhetoric, Knowledge, and the “Brute Facts of Nature” in Science Research she explains how the two realms coincide with each other and form the basis for a lot of scientific discovery.

While science is without a doubt based upon facts, the way those facts are interpreted and presented have a lot to do with rhetoric. Grave explains this when giving the example as to how two experimental physicists, MacDonald and Tzu, were able to get a referee for Physical Review Letters to reconsider a rejected manuscript. Originally the script was rejected because there was not enough physical evidence to support their claims. At the time, machinery was not capable of presenting further proof, so they settled on a more rhetoric method, arguing. Originally, they did not argue strongly to support their claims do to seeing some findings as too obvious. However, by presenting their points in a different way, even though all their evidence was exactly the same and no further research was done, they were able to get the referee to relook at the manuscript.

Another example that Graves mentions is based entirely on String Theory. This is a theory that is entirely based on theory and metaphors, and yet is extremely respected in the scientific community. In fact, this has been the main focus for theoretical physicists for over thirty years. The entire idea is that strongly charged particles when accelerated to a certain degree act similarly to rubber bands in the way they stretch and vibrate. This whole theory uses is a mix of rhetoric and science as multiple theorists use this metaphor to explain science itself. This theory about the single string also uses metonymy when explaining how it can be applied to all particles of the universe. This relates the different realms into a single system.

Science and rhetoric seem very different, but the two realms are easier to be drawn together then expected. Science is fact, but the facts cannot be presented or even considered without the use of rhetoric to explain them. Rhetoric has more ties to different communities than one might really suspect. All you have to do is look.

I rhetorical strategy was to use the linguistic and visual modes to define my points as well as add interest to the piece of writing. The linguistic mode helps to define my points and place my thoughts into words. The visual aspect, the Gifs, help to add a visual representation of the paragraphs listed before them. Along with that, they add a level of humor that may interest those reading it and adding a sort of break from the content. Each Gif represents the paragraph before except the Anchorman Gif which is primarily used for humor. 

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9/25 Writing Journal

In the two assigned articles, On Multimodal Composition and Women, Rhetoric, and Politics on Pinterest, We learn how different virtual as well as different physical locations can have a major affect of how our writing is constructed. In On Multimodal Composition we look at the different mediums that are used to compose a single document. While there are the obvious mediums that are used like handwriting an typing, even the smaller, seemingly less significant mediums are just as important. This would include things like using phones, sticky notes, and any piece of writing that goes into the writing process.  

We also learn in this article that composing takes more than one person and requires a lot of collaboration. Whether it be where you get the information from or simply the people in the environment that you are working in. In any case, those around you and those you are learning from have a very strong influence in what you are writing. In the article Women, Rhetoric, and Politics on Pinterest this same phenomenon is also brought to light. In this article, it is mentioned how on Pinterest different engagements between individuals such as liking or sharing content or commenting on a threat are all examples of rhetoric engagements. While seemingly insignificant, this is a form of digital literacy that can strongly affect the writing process and add inspiration and insights to a topic. 

We all learn differently and all have specifics that alter the effectiveness of our writing methods. For instance, as mentioned in On Multimodal Composition, we all have different habits that help us to focus on the specific task at hand. For instance, many people like myself work better in the when able to sit in complete solitude and struggle to work when others are around. I also prefer to work in the morning before the sun even rises because I feel as if I have the most energy during this time. Others may be the exact opposite, working at night and using inspirations from a crowded coffee shop or public space. We all have our quirks that help us to focus and this includes online as well. Many find inspiration on different places, whether it be searching the web, communicating on social media, or simply perusing threads on Pinterest. These small nuances affect our writing greatly and must be strongly considered to construct a great piece of literature.

My rhetorical devices used were visual and linguistic. The linguistic view that I used is a prime representation of the entire entry. I had written this entry early in the morning, on my laptop, surrounded by my notes (on sticky note, in my binder, and on my phone), while surrounded in complete solitude. This is how I write best and the linguistic mode I used shows evident by it sown writing. I used visual as a representation of myself and the way I write. The first listed Gif shows a cluttered room that has a ton of notes that can all be applied to the writing process. The second Gif shows a representation of my personal writing style. 

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Computer Literacy - Writing Journal 9/20

As technology advances as years continue to pass, the styles in which we learn also advance. It is not uncommon to frequently use computers as a crucial tool in the learning process, but just how effectively is it being used?  In Stuart A. Selber’s Multiliteracies for a Digital Age there is an attempt to answer this question while explaining all the good and bad technology had brought to our, almost, current day’s educational system. Along with this, Selber explains the importance of technology in our Functional, Critical, and Rhetorical styles of literacy.

Without a doubt, computers are a necessary tool when it comes to advanced education but they are not always used to the best of their ability. Teachers and professors understand computers and technology as a tool to assist in the writing process. They view technology as a more functional perspective and while this view is necessary to help students achieve, alone it limits student’s freedoms to use technology in a more critical way.

Selber explains that in order to write affectively, students must be able to use technology as not only a functional tool, but also in a critical and rhetorical way. Students must be able to acknowledge what outlets are available to them and should be able to critically analyze this information that is given to them. Students should be able to use different outlets and modes of rhetoric such as social media or university provided programs to further their knowledge in an effective way.

While Selber’s book may be a little outdated, its main argument still stands strong. Using my own school, East Stroudsburg University, as an example, far too often is our freedom using technology limited to what our professor’s expectations are. While we are almost required for some classes to have a computer, we are not able to use it to the fullest of its capacity. Along with this, some professors completely ban computers and all technology in their class’s altogether.

There is still hope for the future, however, as technology advances so does seem our professors’ and universities’ views on technology. More and more online outlets are becoming increasingly available to students as the years go by. Email and other portal type programs are still ever present in today’s educational system and it seems that more and more professors are open to these new ideologies. ESU for instance offers a variety of online classes, has constant access to computer labs, and implements a variety of online outlets. The future looks bright for technology, and hopefully for students as well.

The rhetorical strategies I used were linguistic and visual. Considering the amount of content having to be describe in a single post, i felt that using the linguistic strategy would be able to effectively represents my thoughts down into words. Along with this I also used the visual mode to add some humor as well as context to the post. While the two Gifs stand primarily as fun attention grabbers, the picture helps to show how just how useful a computer as a fundamental tool described in the paragraph above it.  

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Writing Journal - 9/6

After reading Primary Care Clinic as a Writing Space I find myself reflecting heavily on the amount of writing that takes place in the background of numerous occupations. Authors, Dawn S. Opel and William Hart-Davidson go on to explain how critical workplace writing is, especially in the case of chronic illnesses. Furthermore, I was extremely surprised as they explain how this can actually be contributed to a literacy issue and how proper health literacy can potentially alleviate some major  issues and possibly reduce the likelihood of chronic illness!

It is not expected that the workplace setting, as compared to an office setting, would be found to contribute to an extensive amount of literary writing. Opel and Hart-Davidson explain the Jonas Salk Laboratory experiment where just the case is observed and explored. In the study, an anthropologist is observed in an office setting and a lab setting. What is to be expected is that the anthropologist would write in the office setting and work in the lab setting. What was found was rather counter intuitive as the exact opposite was discovered. 

As a pre-med student I was intrigued to see that Opel and Hart-Davidson reinvented this discovery with a Study on Michigan State University’s Family health center. There a variety of occupations were observed including providers (nurse practitioners and physicians), medical assistants (MAs), nurses, and the front desk receptionist. All of which were shadowed and carefully watched to review the use of writing in the workplace. What was found was very surprising and goes against a lot of what I personally believed went on in the medical workplace.

It is expected that the front desk, MAs, or perhaps even the nurses would be the ones to use the most writing throughout the day, but instead it was overwhelmingly the providers that wrote the most in a day. Providers would be consistently using EMR (electronic medical records), or charting, which led to most instances of writing. What was surprising was that providers didn't consider charting to be writing! That was just a background task to be completed and often not given as much attention to as necessary.

I was pleased with the conclusion after the experiment where the problems with the writing process were addressed. The lack of attention would be the cause of most frustration and errors. An idea of coordinated writing was proposed where all parties could work in a more efficient and effective manner. This was used to more successfully address patient concerns and communicate between provider and patient. This would hopefully reduce problems associated with literacy in the workplace, hopefully reducing illness and economic issues. 

The two rhetorical strategies I used were linguistic and visual. There was a lot of information presented that could be best described through the use of written text. By using the linguistic mode I was not as limited when expressing all of my thoughts. I used the visual mode as a compliment to the written texts of the linguistics. The first image is used to represent the overworked lab worker within a work setting. This can be said for the second GIF as well. The second image is supposed to be a more compelling way of representing the providers mentioned in the paragraphs above. The last GIF is a fun way of showing the relief that a well placed strategy can have on the workplace. 

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Writing Journal 9/4

After reading Spaces for Writing I have a new outlook on how the creative process behind a writing assignment is created. Even the visual novel itself is an excellent representation of how visual and linguistic literacy can come together to form a compelling learning experience that strongly relates to its target audience. I learned that visual literacy can not always be taken at face value. We must often decipher why these images have been given to us and how they are able to contribute to the overall message of the writing. I well placed piece of visual literacy can completely change the meaning and concept of writing assignment. As we have learned in this comic, there are many aspects of writing to consider. It is best that we are able to view these aspects from the view of the audience. Firstly, we must consider who the author is of the writing and how that can be related to the piece. Next, what is the purpose of the paper? Why has it been written in the first place? Third, we should question to whom it has been written for? What demographic is attempted to be reached through this form of literacy? Then we should consider what the context is behind the writing as well? Are there contributing factors to this behind the text or image? And lastly, you need to see what you can take away from the reading experience. I learned that these five main aspects are cornerstones of writing. They are the foundation that without, writing cannot stand.

Next in the comic they talked about the two sides of rhetoric and their two fathers: Plato and Aristotle. Plato shunned the idea of rhetoric, saying that those who taught it only encouraged their students to deceive others rather than better themselves. We learn that Aristotle, Plato’s student, believed just the opposite. I agree with Aristotle that rhetoric is not bad, but is a foundation for education. Birthing democracy, and encouraging healthy debate. Aristotle teaches us that by using Ethos, Pathos, and Logos (ethics, empathy, and logic) we appeal to the needs and essential aspects of debate. The most healthy debate and most convincing debate effectively uses Ethos, Pathos, and Logos to strengthen arguments. When this is paired with Kaipos, or proper timing and due measure, An effective debate and strong piece of writing can be created.  

The two rhetoric strategies I decided to use are visual and linguistic. By using the linguistic mode I am able to better place my thought process down on paper. I used the linguistic mode to compliment the thoughts written into text. The first gif represents the foundation of writing that may fall without careful use of aspects listed in the paragraph above. The second is an image showing the relationship between Plato and Aristotle. Mostly showing the realist side of Aristotle and how his argument is more compelling to today’s teachings. I believe the two modes put together are a perfect way to represent the writings used above. 

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Introducing Me

Hello, everyone! My name is James and I am a recently transferred junior here at ESU. I am a Biology major, with a concentration in Pre-Med. In other words, I am that really nerdy, new kid that will be sitting against the wall in the class.

My main interests outside of school revolve around sports. I am avid snowboarder and rock climber and that occupies most of my free time. I’ve been interested in extreme sports since I was young and I don’t see myself stopping any time soon.

Other than that i am an extreme workaholic. I have worked full time since I was 18 and currently work full time overnight at Mt. Airy. So if you see me in with what looks like two black eyes, no I did not get into a fight, I am just struggling to stay awake.