Blog #7 Recipe

Analyzing Your Model Text: Maddie Simon

1.    What modes does your text make use of?

 The modes in the model texts (blogs) I used include text, dialogue, pictures, and web design.

2.     Audience

a.    Who, very specifically, is the audience for your text? NOTE: It might be worth considering if you think you fall into the author’s intended target audience for the text. If not, what are the differences between how you might read/perceive the text and how the target audience might?

 The audience for these blogs are young-adult, social media users.  Also the specific blog focused on helping entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them increase their credibility and popularity within their social media following and marketing. And the other was just a popular informational blog designed to entertain young adults.

b.     How does the author use pronouns like “you,” “we,” and “us?” When the author uses these pronouns who is he/she specifically referring to? How do these pronouns affect the way the author is constructing an audience? 

The author is referring to their specific audience and makes them feel welcome in reading the information.  The author is trying to gain respect and understand the audience by using “we” and “us.”

c.     How does the author construct a relationship between themselves and their audience? The author constructs a relationship with their audience by describing similar interests and experiences through their writing and by using certain pronouns.

d.     What words or phrases stand out and let you know how the author is imagining their audience?  

This specific quote relates to their audience and engages them through questions and pronouns.  Keeping the reader thinking and engaged is a good way to relate to them and keep them coming back to the blog.

“ask yourself:

-how does this image support my goals?

-how will it convert?

-Who will care about it?

-How will it make my audience feel?”

3.     Authorial Identity:

a.     How does the author construct his/her own identity in relationship to the reader?   

Sometime they use “I” but rarely.  The author of this blog likes to engage the reader constantly by saying “we.”  She only uses “me” to give an example of her past experience or knowledge of the topic.  I think she limits her use of those words though to not distract the reader from thinking the blog is about the author.  The reader wants help, not to hear about someone else.  Keep focus on the reader and helping them.

b.     Does the author use “I” or “me”? Why? And how does this affect  their relationship with their audience?

4.     Purpose:

·       What is the author’s purpose in writing? What is the author hoping to accomplish in the world with their text? How do they want people to feel, think, or act differently as a result of their text? 

The authors purpose is to help her readers build a sustainable social media strategy that is comprehensive, effective, and produces remarkable results.

Find the sentence or two where the author first gives the indication of their argument and highlight it. Where does this fall in the text

a.     Find the sentence where the author most clearly states their purpose or argument? Where, within the text is this?

The key is a well thought out digital marketing strategy that’s targeted and concise. It connects your business with the exact right people, putting you in a position of trust and authority. Whether you’re a small business, entrepreneur or brand, now is the time to define your online identity. I work with companies and global brands across multiple verticals. The goal is always the same: create manageable, measurable and explosive results. This statement is located in a section labeled “Work with me” some of the other titles are called, “consulting”, “training”, “blog”.

5.     Does the author make use of outside research or secondary sources? If so, how and where?

She quotes other credible authors and businesses that have used her strategies and have become successful. The other blog used many different genres such as sports, fashion, and entertainment as outside research sources.

6.     Organization:

a.     How does the author organize the text? How does he transition from idea to idea?  

The author uses blog posts to organize her ideas.  Each one is split up in its own bubble with a title, short description, date, then the actual blog post, sources, and social media links.

b.     What kinds of words or language does the author use to connect his or her ideas together?

Since each post has its own title and different idea, there isn’t any words that specifically connect each one together.  The different blog posts might be similar in some regard to center the focus of the whole blog.  Since every blog is different there isn’t anything that specifically connects each post but they all have the same idea.  With my blog, none of the posts will have the same wording but will have the same idea in mind. 

7.     Genre:

a.     How would you define or name the genre of your text. Remember, a genre is a type of thing that reoccurs, has conventions, and uses those conventions to convey meaning.

The genre of my text is an persuasive blog and an entertainment blog.

b.    What are the conventions of this genre?

The conventions in the blog include the title, heading, text, pictures, color, and background.. etc that are included in the blog posts.

8.    Images

a.    How did the author use still images (photos or drawings) in the text? The author of the blog used a lot of pictures in each title of the posts.  This would persuade the reader into wanting to know more if there was an interesting picture.

b.    What work are these images doing to help the author accomplish his purpose?  The pictures add to the visual idea for the reader.  I was persuaded to click on certain posts if the picture was intriguing.

c.     Are they photos, drawings, charts, graphs, etc.? photos and a few charts to show statistics.

d.    Why might the author do this?  The charts would also add to visual effect so that the reader would be drawn to believing the facts and wanting to know more.

e.    How do these images work with the text or spoken speech around them? The images complement the blog posts.

9.    Document Design and Layout:

a.    What  font did they choose to use and why?  The blogs use a large, clear, and easy to read text.

b.    How did they make use of headings, titles, bold font, or italics? Why do you think they did this?  The headings are larger than the rest of the writing.  This is done to cath the readers attention for each new post.  The bold font is used for important words and phrases throughout the writing and is done so the reader will remember those certain facts.  Italics are used for certain words that might have an alternative meaning, but the blogs I used for model texts don’t use italics.

c.     How is the text laid out on the page? In columns? Large blocks of text? Short paragraphs? Long paragraphs? Is it wrapped around images?  The text is designed in large blocks of text normally with a box around it.  Once you click on each box the full article pops up.  The blocks of texts are split up between pictures and quotes.

d.    How does the text make use of color? What colors  does the text use and why?   The colors of this blog are orange and white.  This color is unlike any specific social media site so its not biased.  It is bright and simple.

e.    What other visual elements does the text use to help convey it’s ideas? Tables? “Pull quotes”? etc. There are adds on the side and also social media icons to click on to go directly to the blog authors sites.

f.       

Recipe for making a blog

Instructions for making a blog (centered around young adult social media users)

The ingredients for a blog include certain text, pictures, links, and quotes that need to be included in each post.

First you must create a blog online. This was done by selecting a template which was designed similarly to the my two model texts. Next I gave my blog a title and started editing the font and color background of the whole page.  Next I added blog posts.  Each one was different and some were just pictures and some were only writing.  No matter what type, they all need a title and some type of information that will make the reader want to click on the link and read the actual article.  I also included links in some posts to make it interactive.  Videos were helpful too to include in posts to add a variety of modes.  Lastly I put the finishing touches on the design to make everything look formal and organized.  I tried to keep it simple so it wasn’t overwhelming to look at.  The color, fonts, and other conventions were important to make the blog look professional.  Finally, I saved and submitted my work to create a website where people can go and look!

      

Blog #6 Revised Proposal

My original critical question is, ‘How has our societies cell phone and social media use affected the way we interact and communicate?’

 A new sub-question that I might want to address is “How can young adults adjust to a culture where cell phones have taken over our lives?” and “what are ways we can overcome social media addiction?” 

The purpose of this project is to better inform  students and young adults of their cell phone/social media use and how to overcome their ‘addiction’ and overuse problems in a fun and entertaining way. 

I want the texts to be informative in ways that people can take away valuable information and change their bad habits after viewing my project.

The main users of social media are young adults and high school and college students.  I want my audience to be young adult social media and technology savvy users.   Both genders, religion, race, etc.  Any student and young adult with connections to technology.

The genre that I have been brainstorming about is an informative blog/publication sort of like a Tumblr or fun blog.  The modes I am hoping to use include

·      blog posts such as articles and opinion pieces/interview/survey/things to do without your phone/pledge to not using phone or limited phone use/

·      video links from youtube about phones being distracting

·      music?

·      Images

·      Text

·      Blog design

·      Tweet links

·      Tools to avoid social media addiction

I think that I have a pretty good sense of understanding for this project.  I want it to be an informative blog that students can search. Ironically it will be online, but I think that will be the easiest way for students to access it.  Some titles I am thinking for the blog include:  ‘Pay attention to your self, not your selfies’ or  ‘Rehab for social media’ ‘antisocial media’ I want it to be information but at the same time funny. 

 clearly this is a website about not using phone but need to reach audience in any way we can.  awkwardness, putting phones on table could be blog entry examples or addiction (30 minute internet rule)

Some ideas as model texts would be blogs such as :Wix, Weebly, Tumblr, or pinterest pages.  I would model the design of a fitness or fashion blog to see how they include their social media and contact information. 

Blog #6 Proposal

My critical question is: How has our generation’s use of cell phones affected the way we communicate and interact with each other?  Another question that I potentially would like to explore is whether or not cell phones will eventually take over all forms of communication (in person or not)? And what the effects of social media are on young adults.  I want the purpose of this piece to explore different social media sites to see how they have affected us over the years since they have been created.  I want people to think differently about how they use their phones and how social media is changing who they are. 

The audience for all of the genres will most likely be young adults.  More specifically teenagers from ages 13-19 and college students from ages 20-25.  The results will be very different for these groups because from what I have observed, teenagers use social media more than college students.  The genres I plan to use are social media sites.  More specifically: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.  These all will have modes that include texts, logos, and slogans.  

 As of right now I am still pretty unsure of the direction that I want to take this project.  Hopefully after the activity tomorrow I can have a better idea of what I want to do.  As a model text I will most likely use an online article.  I haven’t had a lot of time to research for this project yet but an article is probably the route I will take.  I want to find an article that has the same time of view that I took on my first two papers.  But also I would like for the article to be informational about how social media has affected our generation of young adults.

Blog #5 Project Proposal/Interview Questions

My critical question is, How has the use of technology, particularly cell phones, affected us in ways such as communication and the use of social skills. I have been brainstorming a lot about who or what group to interview for my project on and I had a few ideas.  Since my personal experience talked a lot about how my phone use has affected my life, I want to do  this second project on someone who does not currently have a cell phone.  A girl named Kenzie Maloney who is also a freshman athlete hasn't had her phone for a few weeks because it broke.  She is on the volleyball team and I just recently met her.  I think this will be a good fit for the project because she is someone I am familiar with but do not know a lot about.  Seeing how she has been affected by not having a phone will hopefully help me find a connection with how much we depend on technology to communicate.  I will specifically look at her phone use before and after losing it.  Then I can observe her in a social setting or study hall to see how different it is compared to those who have their phone in class.
1. How long have you had a phone?
2. What kinds of things do you use your phone for?
3. do you find your phone to be distracting ever? Explain
4.  Do you use your phone when having an in-person conversation?
5.  How many hours per day do you use social media?
6. How do you feel without your phone, now?
7.  Has it changed the way you interact with people? Explain
8.  Have you noticed an increase in phone use in yourself or others? explain
9. Do you personally think you use your phone too much? Yes or no and why
10.  Do you check your phone in awkward situations?
11. have you ever lost your phone?
12. do you think you could survive without your phone?
13.How important is your phone to you?
14. What apps are most useful to you?
15.  Tell me about the affect phones have had on your family and friends? overuse, normal, never use?
I will be using an app on my phone that has an audio recorder.

Blog #4 Podcasts and Brainstorming

Blog #4

The first podcast was called “Summer Camp.”  Of course the title is giving away most of what the podcast explains.  The point of this podcast is to explain how “camp” is differentiated from normal life.  Everything seems to be better when they are at camp.  No one understands the gap between camp and normal life.  The kids would go home and describe how much fun they had, and would tell stories of their experiences at camp.  When they went home, no one would understand what was so cool or why they thought it was amusing.  The “so what” of this, as described by the narrator, is what is the difference between fiction and nonfiction.  Or in terms of this story: Camp versus world.  Older campers continued to tell their stories as well in the podcast.  This also affirms the question of fiction versus nonfiction. “the stories you tell at camp are so funny but once you go home, they give you a look.. like that’s stupid….when you describe the story.”  This perfectly describes how camp can  be its own world which no one else understands.

            The podcast about “Becoming Batman” was formed like a profile because it focuses on a single subject just like we are going to do for our second project.  The point of this podcast was to look into the life of a single person or thing and describe the actions of it.  The summer camp podcast was organized chronologically by talking about the camp at the beginning and then interviewing people about the subject.  Batman was about a man and a mouse whose stories were also told chronologically.  The subjects were introduced and then described vividly. Throughout the podcasts we hear background music which help us to put ourselves in the shoes of the storyteller to be in that scene with them.

My critical question entails ‘How has the use of technology, particularly cell phones, affected the way we interact and communicate?’  I have a few ideas about who I am going to interview and what I want to observe.  I might study a group of teenagers in general and see how they interact in a social setting.  I would possibly observe their phone use to see how often they take out there phone instead of simply talking, or if things get awkward.  Another group I might study would be people at the Union.  I want to watch them eat lunch and interact.  This could be while they study, or eat, or just make small talk.  All of these things were very hard for me to do without a phone so that is why I am interested.  I am still not for sure on who I would interview.  A girl I met just lost her phone so I have an idea of interviewing her to see how her life has changed in the past few days.  All of these things connect to my critical question because phone distractions cause us to change our personable characteristics.  I discussed this idea with a writing consultant and she thought that this would connect with my first project.  She also suggested interviewing a librarian from the Union who sells phones and technology related merchandise.