RWS 1302

Runner, dancer, peace, love, family and friends. <3

[simplysteph28-blog]

RWS Advice

This semester was a great one but it could also be overwhelming with the great number of assignments and deadlines. It could be difficult to keep up with all of the guidelines to each assignment but if you do them well and with time, you should be okay. Here are some tips I want to share for future RWS 1302 students.

Do Not Miss a Deadline- Missing a deadline can knock off points from your assignments. Each assignment in an RWS class is worth several points and you’re going to need all the points you can get to get that A.

Do Not Procrastinate- There are several writing assignments in this class that require putting thought into them simply because you have to know how to structure them and include the key points you need.

Be Specific- One thing I learned in this class was that you need to be specific in your writing. Being as specific as you can will earn you more points and it will also let your professor know your target in your writing as well as the audience that reads it.

Just Have Fun- If you think of this as just another “core class” you need to take, the semester is going to go by very slow and it is going to cause you to lose motivation to do well in the class. Enjoy what you do in the class because it does help your writing. It helps a persons’ writing skills and also how to create new forms of communication.

With that being said, this was a great semester for me. Best of luck to future students!!!

[ivanatrillo-blog]

WEEK 15

First of all! happy first of May!

OK now in all seriousness,

For many people, creating a video for a writing class is very unexpected. For me, not really. Writing is just one of many forms of expressing an idea, event, or emotion,  but its certainly not the only way in which a person can transmit a message. Communication is key for the survival of our human interaction, and with technology growing so fast, it is very important to be able to communicate in different styles, videos being one of them. I see this assignment as an opportunity to grow as a writer, because its like bringing words to life with sound and visuals. Creating a video is combining old skills such as writing and research, with new skills such as editing. 

My group and I composed the purpose of our film doc in multiple ways. We used the rhetorical appeals of ethos, logos, and pathos. In order to establish ethos, or our credibility, we decided to interview a professional psychologist, Dr. James Michael Wood. Through this interview, we provided background information on our issue. We also included videos created by JAN (Job Accommodating Network). We focused on this organization as our big solution to our issue, so providing clips from their videos established their credibility and told our audience a little more about them. For our pathos, we picked two completely different songs to provoke different emotional response. the first was a slow piano song to bring seriousness to the information being presented and cause an emotion of sympathy. The second song was more upbeat to bring an emotion to want to make a change. For logos, we used statistics and information found through our research. 

For the actual presentation of the video, we decided to go in two directions to make it fun and informative for our audience. we provided a brochure with more information about JAN. We also dresses up as some of the characters of Inside Out in order to represent the different emotions people with Bipolar disorder go through every day. we also brought cupcakes for the class with the colors of our characters to demonstrate how each emotion is a unique part of the person with Bipolar Disorder and all come together. 

I believe that the way my group and I delivered our message was very successful because it was informative but also made a call for a change. Our video was serious and informative and the solutions were to a certain extent simple and logical. All of the decisions we made on how we wanted our video to look was with the sole purpose of making our audience understand that bipolar disorder is a serious mental disorder like any other and deserves seriousness. My group and I are very happy with how it turned out because our hard work payed off.

(My group and I celebrating both our hard work and the premier of Game of Thrones!)

Me writing the first question consisted of looking at the positive sides of creating a video in a writing class. I just wrote what cam to mind, like many writers do. Writing is a gift given to us so we can have a voice. Through our gain of knowledge, the stronger our voice will be. We must use this gift that many people in the world have been denied, because sometimes we take learning for granted. Just like Edward Bulwer-Lytton said

[simplysteph28-blog]

I have to say I really do like how you incorporated pathos in your video. Your presentation was good and I liked how each of you represented the characters from Inside out! It was a cute idea and your message delivery was clear and to the point.

[simplysteph28-blog]

RWS Week 15

What is the purpose of submitting a video in a writing class?

Although I was unsure about having to submit a video for a writing class, it became more clear as we continued with the semester. I think videos are used as a source to better advocate things and get people to see a different side to your point. It allows us to explore different ways to mess with an argument or rhetorical choices.

Explain how you composed your message in multiple forms.

We composed our message through demonstration of coronary heart disease explaining what it is as well as the use of ethos pathos and logos throughout our video.

Did the structure and delivery of the film doc work to achieve its advocacy? Yes/no. Explain.

The structure and delivery of our film doc did work because we incorporated different used of our sources. By using statistics within our slides to tell others about the risks of getting coronary heart disease, hopefully is enough to get others to take care of their bodies more.

The question I selected to explain the rhetorical choices made, was number 3. The reason being because I feel like we truly did gather enough information and use pathos within our video to reach out to the audience.

[simplysteph28-blog]

W14 Op-ed In-Class Assignment

One point I will use throughout my op-ed is the physical benefits that the medical care in Africa has been provided with by Doctors without Borders. I will include how areas in which they work have become cleaner and safer due to their aid. I plan to use an article on the largest ebola outbreak that occurred in Africa to stand as an example for cleaner areas.

Another point I will use are the cases that are health related in Africa including one of the largest cases of Ebola. I plan to use a map such as the one provided to pinpoint and show the locations that MSF operates in. 

The third point I want to add in my op-ed are the locations that Doctors without Borders provides medical care to. This will explain how the area is related to where some health cases occurred and how it affected the people in that area. For this point, I plan to back it up with another map of Africa as a whole as well as an article that shows where they help.

I plan to incorporate these points throughout each section that will contain each point to further explain how they all tie together. 

[alexamm13-blog]

Week 14

1. What genre are you selecting to use for your op-ed?

For my op-ed I am using articles, a little more specific scientific related articles. I decided to use an article, because they are often good for researching. Scientific articles are produced by scholars or experts in a particular field. Since I am targeting a wide audience they want to rely on important, and credible information, and scholar articles are efficient.    

2. Why is the genre you selected the best format for your opinion piece?

Articles are considered rigorous and efficient if they are scholarly. Articles are efficient, because there are many varieties to pick from. I mean you can read an article by the abstract and ask yourself, does this article suit my subject needs? Also articles in the sciences typically include descriptions of the research methodology. Some articles also include statements that include information about sources of the research. Another good thing is that if a well written scientific article contain accurate and verifiable information that make comprehensive information available to every audience.

3. What is your stance and policy change/solution for the issue?

Circuses with animals have been a really controversial topic for years, but I believe it’s time for a real change. I strongly disagree with this animals aren’t actors, spectacles to imprison or circus clowns. Yet thousands of these animals are forced to perform silly, confusing tricks under the threat of physical punishment; are carted across the country in cramped and stuffy boxcars or semi-truck trailers, are kept chained or caged in barren, boring, and filthy enclosures, and are separated from their families and friends all for the sake of human “entertainment.” 

[simplysteph28-blog]

I really like the topic of not using animals for entertainment. I do think that incorporating methodology will help increase a better understanding to your audience. 

[simplysteph28-blog]

Week 14: Op-Ed

What genre are you selecting to use for your op-ed?

The genre that I will use for my op-ed is an article/webpage. I feel that the information that I want to portray would be sufficient in text for the audience. 

Why is the genre you selected the best format for your opinion piece?

I believe it is the best format because it contains enough information that is clear and useful to the audience.

What is your stance and policy change/solution for the issue?

My stance on lack of healthcare in Africa is that there should be more medical facilities as well as more doctors and nurses available to help those that need them.

[andreaseanez-blog]

Week 12 Film Doc.

My group and I are planning to base our film document on logos and ethos. The reason we picked these two rhetoric approaches is because we want a more serious approach rather than an emotional approach. By choosing logos we are expected to provide our film with several facts, statistics, and definitions.   

 For example, our group will be focusing on people with bipolar disorder and how to improve their work environment. We are planning on defining bipolar disorder, providing a statistics about the population of people with bipolar disorder, and several facts about the mental illness along with the impact of employment. Resources that have helped us so far are statistics and facts about bipolar disorder.

Since we will be providing a lot of information we need to gain credibility. In order to have a strong ethos we need to provide several credible sources. For example, my group and I are planning on either interviewing a psychologist/psychiatrist, a manager of a business, or a person with bipolar disorder. If we interview a psychologist we have the advantage of supporting our argument with logical reasoning. If we interview a manager we can get their personal opinion on how they provide or how they wish to provide support to people with bipolar disorder. Lastly, if we interview a person diagnosed as bipolar we can get the personal insight. It is important for our group to have credibility if we want the rest of our project to work. 

(our group will be like the girl if our logos and ethos fail us. We are trusting our grade on these rhetoric appeals)

The reason we are not going to focus on pathos is because we believe that a dominate emotional approach towards our film document would be irrelevant. We may include a few scenes or images with pathos but it is not our main approach.   

(sorry pathos) 

[simplysteph28-blog]

I like the idea of using interviews for your project. I think it will increase the credibility of your information as well as the support you will provide behind your argument. I agree that using pathos might weaken your argument and the use of pathos and logos within your project will be a better approach.

[simplysteph28-blog]

Our project will focus on the issue of Coronary Heart disease. The presentation will have use of all three rhetorical resources; ethos, pathos and logos, although there will be more of a use of ethos and logos to help support the stance and provide information.

Ethos will support our groups’ stance by providing information on what coronary heart disease is and how it affects people.

Logos will be used through visual evidence (charts, graphs, tables, etc.) to show the audience the statistics behind the issue.

Pathos will also be included by using stories and pieces that the audience may be able to relate to.

[sierramistinclass-blog]

Week 7: Source Research

When doing research, it is important to find a variety of sources. Also it is important to find out if your sources are credible. You have to make sure that the information is valid and that the author who is writing the information is an educated person in the specific field you are researching.

The sources that you choose should come from different places and genres. Do not do all your research from website. You need a variety. Use websites, scholarly journals, articles, news reports, and books. There are many different ways to obtain information about your topic.

 Another important aspect of research is credibility. You have to make sure that the information you are providing is truthful. If you are going to use a website, make sure it has good references and check the references. If you are going to use journals, articles or a book, make sure the author is an expert in the that particular filed. If you are doing research in heart disease it would be wise to get a journal writing by doctor like cardiologist. And for a news report, check for references and make sure the news report is not bias.

[simplysteph28-blog]

I like how you did not forget to mention something being bias. When referencing a source, it is important that you do not choose something bias. This way, it is neutral to the reader and they do not feel obligated to feel a certain way about what you are writing about. And yes, it is also important to look for good quality sources to back up your information.

[simplysteph28-blog]

Week 7: Source Research

An important thing to remember while conducting research is checking the credibility of the sources. If a source does not have reliable information to back it up or is weak, then it is not credible. Another thing to look at is the date of the source. Finding a good source should be from more recent events where the information on the topic is more updated. Variety is also good while researching because it provides more ways to access information and give readers and viewers different perspectives about what you are talking about. You could use images, videos, blogs, articles, strong websites, etc.

[awesomejocelynnavarrete-blog]

Week 6: Rhetoric Choice

The topic that I chose for my research questions is management.By browsing and researching more about this topic I will gain more knowledge about management and different ways in which management strategies help the retail industry.

For my research questions I plan to focus on logos because I will be looking at some statistics and charts for changes made throughout the years on management. In addition, logical arguments can be made with this questions and convince the audience with logical appeals.

[simplysteph28-blog]

I really like how you are going to incorporate statistics into the whole topic. Using charts and graphs will definitely help you and your readers understand more of what you are going to be talking about especially if it has to deal with business.

[simplysteph28-blog]

The topic I have chosen for this assignment is the lack of medical care in African Communities. I will explain what issues places in Africa have encountered having to do with medical attention and how an organization is willing to help them.

The rhetorical choice I choose to use most in my paper is logos. The reason being because my topic is a very serious matter and I want to be able to inform readers with evidence about the issues on the topic.

The areas where my questions could improve is structuring them to where one discussion leads to the next and allows the paper to flow smoothly which will allow readers to understand the topic more without confusion.

[ih8melina-blog]

Week 5: Genres

1. What did you know about genres before this assignment and what impact do you think studying genres may have on your writing?     I can honestly say that before writing this paper I had no clue as to what a genre was. In my prior Rws class, Rws 1301 we have talked about genres a couple of times but not the specifics. The only genres that I had knowledge of were music genres, book genres, and movie genres. What I learned through studying the typographic, iconographic, and oral genres is that each genre is going to manipulate the way you will be receiving information. Ways that I see genres impacting my writing is by providing more reliable information due to the different supporting details each genre will give.

2. What are the complexities of using genres?   Some complexities that were faced while using genres was trying to pick which one work well together as well as which one will provide the most information about your topic. Due to the fact that each genre has their restrictions I often questioned myself if I was choosing the right genres and if my paper was even good. While choosing genres its challenging to not sound to repetitive while speaking about them due to the face that they have some similarities. Overall genres aren’t a hard concept the grasp; it’s a matter of knowing what specific information you want to put into your writing and which information to leave out.

3. What is the value of studying and/or writing about genres? Some values that I got from writing about genres was actually learning something new and challenging myself. It was so hard to motivate myself to actually study each genre and what they are like. In the long run I benefited from this assignment because now I know I now writing skill that can help me in the future.  

4.Select one of the questions listed and explain the rhetorical choices you made towards answering the question. From the first question I chose a gif because it represents my exact thought when we were introduced the genre analysis assignment. I was so confused I honestly thought that I wasn’t going to be able to write this paper. But despite my first impression on the assignment I realized it was a hard as I thought it would be. It was a rewarding feeling knowing that I had no clue about genres and I managed to write a whole paper about them. And also who doesn’t love Kanye.

[simplysteph28-blog]

I do agree that it is hard to not repeat yourself while writing. Sometimes, we run out of things to say or ideas to put down and we tend to word the same ideas in different manners. I admire that you were concerned about writing this paper due to thinking it was going to be hard but yet, you managed to do it anyway! I think this will allow your writing skills to grow as well as your confidence about your papers.

[simplysteph28-blog]

1) Before the GA Assignment, I knew very general information about genres. I knew that some sources of information either came with a picture, video or other types of ways to display information. I do believe that studying genres will allow my writing to grow to be better because I can learn to identify certain information and give readers a clear image as to what I am trying to say through my writing. I understand that some people are more visual and need to see pictures or videos in order to understand something better.

2) The complexities of using genres are the limits placed on writers and learning how to match what genre goes best with the information being distributed. The genre being used has to match the information being given to readers otherwise, it would be irrelevant.

3)The value of writing about genres is students learn how to use clear pictures to their advantage. They could also have fun with it.

4) I chose question number 2 and The reason I chose this GIF for this post is because when writers talk about genres and discourse communities and all of those little concepts that a writer must connect within their writing, I think of the limits that the writer must have in order to make sure their readers understand what they are saying as well as keeping a professional or casual tone of voice, depending on the audience. Although there are certain limitations on these things, a writer could also match different sources of genres to other tiny bits of information in their writing, therefore, making the possibilities vast. They could use pictures, videos, etc, to help readers out.

[mcastorena3-blog]

My genre - video of the Health Sciences careers Intended audience? - The intended audience would be young individuals pursuing Heath sciences careers such as nursing. How does the audience tie with purpose ? -It will inform young individuals the importance on taking this specific career and how it affects the community. What is the purpose? -To inform students about these careers in a more visual way. Rhetorical issues : Ethos, Pathos,and Logos How does the genre help establish credibility? -Because it targets a specific audience, which is the young interested individuals regarding such careers. How does the genre evokes emotion? -The genre shows the visuals of what these careers do in a daily basis. Like taking in an injured patient, this crates a sense of help. What evidence? -It contains motion actions, sound, dialogue. You are living that moment by watching the video. Structure and delivery: The information is basically given throughout many scenes you would experience in a hospital. How are the genres organized ? -This genre is basically an infomercial which means that many information is given to provide the audience the sense of importance of such careers. What other communication features contribute to the message ? - Sound , and realistic scenes are provided in this genre.

[simplysteph28-blog]

Such an interesting topic and very straight to the point!

[simplysteph28-blog]

WEEK 2: Genre Analysis

Genre chosen- Video from Doctors without Borders youtube channel. The audience intended to be targeted here are both people who may not be familiar with the organization as well as people who do know what they do and want to see what it is like to work for the organization.

Purpose- To inform viewers of the conditions people around the world are in due to lack of medical care. 

Logos- The audience can see that other parts of the world are in bad shape due to the lack of medical facilities as well as other thing people in poverty lack such as clean water and nourishing food.

Ethos- For an audience of people that are up-to-date with the organization as well as those who have worked for Doctors without Borders may be able to relate to what the video content shows.

Pathos- This video may trigger an emotional response from the audience by showing what bad conditions other people live in.

[simplysteph28-blog]

Hello everyone!! My name is Stephanie Flores and I am a freshman at UTEP. I am majoring in nursing in hopes to become a hero to someone one day. My interests include playing the piano, dance, hiking and reading. I look forward to a great semester in RWS 1302. I hope to learn new things and meet new people. Best of luck to everyone!!