Even Scholars start at Square one

Unfortunately after literally hours of diligent searching I am frustratingly pitted to choose a completely new topic. But since this was a recent discovery I have yet to pursue my new articles. So for this particular blog post I will have to simply backtrack and write about the topic I had originally hoped to write about. The topic was about a microscopic protein within the human body called Laminin. This protein is one that holds our whole being together and strengthens us to live. Without this crucial protein we would simply not hold together. On that note, a few years ago a prominent Christian evangelist used this small protein and its structure as the core to his sermon. The importance was in the structure of the Laminin molecule itself. The shape in naturally holds within the body is the precise shape of a cross. This evangelist chose to claim that this was a clear and phenomenal reflection of how our bodies were not only crafted but also held together by a God and by Jesus Christ. My interest was to look into scientific articles on the same topic of Laminin's structure and how the shape it holds in fact has a scientific explanation and is in no way related to the religion of Christ. I easily discovered many popular articles from the Christians realm but all the scientific articles only talked about crazy confusing things about different types of Laminin and their effects on different diseases at no point did I encounter an article that I felt I could use to compare to the popular article.

Popular Article:

 http://jesusismyfavorite.blogspot.com/2009/03/laminin-is-shaped-like-cross.html

Scholarly Article: http://www.jstor.org/stable/32565?&Search=yes&term=laminin&term=shape&term=humans&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3D%28%28laminin%2Bin%2Bhumans%29%2BAND%2B%28shape%29%29%26gw%3Djtx%26acc%3Don%26prq%3D%28%28laminin-humans%29%2BAND%2B%28shape%29%29%26hp%3D25%26wc%3Don&item=2&ttl=189&returnArticleService=showFullTextl

I am having extreme difficulty finding an adequate scholarly article that represents the same information of the popular just on a scientific level. At this point I am not only extremely tired of searching but frustrated and completely stressed. I do not know where to go from here. I do not know what new topic to choose. Then from there I do not know how to spin a whole six-page paper out of it. I am extremely confused as to what this paper truly is about. Are we just comparing and contrasting the difference between scholarly and popular articles? I plan to just start searching for new ideas and from there maybe writing a compare contrast table and writing down preliminary thoughts before diving into the paper itself. The due date is sooooooooooooooooo soon, which is stressful and intimidating. Overall I am I felt like I was on a great path but unfortunately hit road block after road block and figured it might be best to choose a new route. So this weekend I will attempt to nail down a new topic, find articles for it then create a chart to break down each articles elements and how the are different or similar in anyways. I am not hopeful it will be easy or it will equal six pages. Lastly I would just like to ask for some help with APA, I am hoping that this Thursday we will be taught in great detail how to cited properly in this completely foreign method. I did look it up and attempt to recreate it for this blog but I could not figure out some aspects of it based on my particular websites. 

Lets discuss the discussion

No, I did not think the forum was engaging or useful and I would not like to have any more forum discussions in the future.  For the portion of it that we had to engage with each other by the time I signed into the discussion, which was only a few hours after the first comment had been made there was a flood of posts from everyone stating their opinions and commenting on them. This overwhelmed me and I did not know where to begin. Do I read everyone else’s thoughts and comment on theirs or do I post my own thoughts and wait to be commented on or do I do both? It was just extremely time consuming to sit there and not only spend adequate time reading the actual prompt but also have to read through everyone’s comments on it. I found it a waste of time and not helpful on any level. I think this negative sense stems from my already instilled hatred for technology; I believe a discussion is exactly that, a discussion, not typing back and forth. I think we should have discussions with one another face to face in person not on a computer screen. I thought I was very confusing and jumbled and I was unable to glean any new knowledge from it. I would have much rather preferred our discussion to have been in class. The one prompt where we did not have to comment on each others thoughts or actually hold a conversation I liked better but still don’t know why that could not have just been a writing assignment we turn into the teacher. I did like the overall freedom of the assignment, that we could just sign on and comment whenever we wanted to. I enjoyed getting to comment an unlimited amount. Although, upon reflection, my overwhelming feelings did take control rendering myself a very minimal addition to the discussion. Though I participated a only a few a little and posted only a few thoughts I still found this discussion quite pointless because of the lack of knowledge as to how to be an active member in one or how to join the discussion. I think if we talked about how to handle online discussions and how to engage in them in a composed and beneficial manner it may help. If you analyze the discussion format itself there really is nothing within its infrastructure you could necessarily better. The set up was clean and precise. I provided a clear beginning topic and it made it easy to respond as an individual and also allowed a organized way to respond to a specific others posted thought. So in the improvement realm I am unsure of what advice to better the discussion forum itself. I just personally enjoy face-to-face discussion if they need to happen and coupled with my lack of enjoyment in staring at a computer screen I overall would never want to do this assignment again. Unless taught clearer strategies as to how to handle it effectively and efficiently. 

Are we believing lies?!

When I first read the title of this particular blog post I thought to myself that this author is right, we, as a society, for our own benefit and the to the benefit of science itself, should have more scientists who can “write badly” or “ at our level” so we can better understand!  But after reading the blogs entirety I see I was a little off!

First off this was shocking to me how the presented contrasting articles were not only different in technique and informational display but in fact the first one was blatantly making false claims and in fact was a lie! This I would have never known or taken the time to have fully researched to reveal its lack of proof. How upsetting to think the average person, not being scientifically qualified, could actually perhaps be being fed lies and false reports on a daily basis. Then the fact that it was overlooked not to be shunned to the appropriate degree and was at full penalty only spotted by a fellow writer makes me even more apprehensive of similar articles. Although it was far easier to read than the actual scientific breakdown and convincing in its claims appealing to the common desire to focus better in school the article itself was providing false information and convincing the audience of false remedies.

I have learned that not only myself but also the society as a whole needs to keep their eyes opened. If we simply take word we read then we may all be running to the stores buying crazy things off the shelves of Walgreens just because someone wrote it will make us feel better or perform better or some other reasonable claim that will actually be lunacy!!!  The fact that so many people did go out and purchase omega-3 and even so saw no clear results shows how easily we can be fooled and how once fooled we simply stay blinded. We desire remedies so badly any claim to remedy becomes the remedy for our desire to be remedied.

I learned that when writing a popular scientific article you must learn the art of maintaining the science while accurately appealing to the intended audience. You cannot substitute opinion for scientific research or add what you hope the medicine might do from what the medicine actually does do! Scientific articles for the popular audience most certainly are not for a dumb audience so write accordingly, validate the claims and be honest!

Liberman provides snip-its of each article he mentions, providing a clear representation of his claims. These are helpful to show the precise faults made and the combating arguments against it.

The bad science column was sharp enough to refute the careless claims and reveals our incredible need for more Bad Science writers everywhere indeed! To see what we cant see and reveal the truth to the common popular science article reader who may have innocently fallen into an unknown trap of misquoted science for the sake of its popularity!

Online postings

Just like posting incriminating photographs on face book, openness in writing online can be a potentially dangerous feat also. What you type and post online is readily available to any and everyone in the public eye. This truth opens the door for a lot of misunderstanding, offense and incrimination. Although the consequences could be negative and frightening, it can also be exhilarating. The consequences could range from an editor asking to read more of your work to a piece of your writing being turned around to misrepresent who you are.

 I find writing on line a rather frightening thing, although whatever is posted is in my own words and these words can be “edited” or taken down altogether, the time it is posted is a time of vulnerability. Because it is online it could also be taken by another and used for their benefit, or plagiarized although I have yet to be a victim in this act it is a risk of online writing. Also your writing is open to mass scrutiny and thus mass critique. With so many eyes eager and easily placed on my online writing I often find this gives the onlooker a sense of freedom to respond which may sound like more like a benefit to the writer it puts you in a position to be analyzed on a lot of levels. Just like with any online database people often feel they can withhold their true identity, for example a normally shy person will now feel comfortable to express any harsh or negative thing about a text that they would have otherwise, in person, just kept quiet about.

After blogging within a constrained class of piers and specified discussion topics the threats do diminish. I have found great rewards in hearing what others have to say on my personal thoughts. We are making good use of the benefits of collaborating because of the comment requirements. This interaction through writing has made online openness more personable and beneficial. Also publishing online allows a much wider audience, that would have probably otherwise never heard, hear what you have to say.

I feel like with anything on line there are clear dangers and extravagant benefits. I also believe we should not let one or the other prevent or over-enable a writer. No writer should fear their work being online to the point of restricting any of their writing from ever being posted. I think it is a growing experience for both the author and the audience to engage in it. The writer should never fear what others will say or how their work may be falsely perceived or wrongly used. Think about it, if there were no writers brave enough to open up online we would not be the opinion-driven, outspoken, clear-minded individuals we are today. Through reading countless others material we are better able to form who we are and what we believe. On the flip side the online scene should not be misused for corrupt comments and unruly thoughts. The openness of writing online has its consequences so be careful and have fun!

Critiques

I am an insanely over-annalistic person, which is a flaw at times, but other times not so much! I am not hesitant on critiquing things I see fit for critiquing. What I mean by that is I am most definitely not going to heartlessly walk up to someone and tell her that her outfit is hideous and list ten reasons why. But I am willing to read someone’s paper and identify areas that need work and attempt to aid the person in fixing it. I will do my best to spot obvious weak points but often, like in the case of this paper, after reading each of my group’s papers they all were very clear and concise in all they presented.

I find good constructive criticism to be comments that assist the writer in enhancing their work. For instance critiques like “that word sucks” is not helpful or kind but a critique like “ you could use a better word here, like challenging instead of hard”. So advice not just rash statements. Helpful comments make the own writer dig deeper into their own paper and help them see things they missed or maybe did not clearly state originally. Criticism is option but also fact. I find it enjoyable when the critic adds comments based on personal option providing me with different vantage points but also it is crucial the critic not give only personal option or give it too loudly. What I mean by that is it is not good if you get a paper back and the whole paper just says frilly things based on option but no help on how to edify your paper.

Likewise it is not aiding when a critic only says good things, even if the paper is written well, it most certainly is not flawless. Receiving a paper with “great job” “this was so great” all over it is sweet and no doubt encouraging but far from helpful.

In order for me to be a good critique I must balance kindness with toughness. Address clear mistakes or confusing parts but also commend for the overall accomplishment. I must maintain the line between personal opinion and helpful tips. And I must think of the other person above myself. Ultimately my critique will hopefully help them achieve a higher grade and with that outlook it is important to take the time and effort to pour into critiquing critically.

The most helpful critiques someone could give me is a thoughtful one. One that picks apart my paper but does not butcher it. Appreciates my writing but does not water is down to mere praise. A piece of advice that was not flippant but thought out and done with a genuine desire to better my piece.

Critiquing is different than analyzing because it is taking your analyzing it and using it to better sharpen another’s work. Critiquing is a beneficial discipline for yourself and others and is one that will always be needed as long as writing is around.

The developing Poloroid

Preferably, first drafts have always been my favorite. There is no pressure to be finished, no pinprick for perfection and no weight of comparison. I really enjoyed reading through this text although the title did make me a bit apprehensive. I did walk away much more confident in my own first draft and ready for any more first drafts I will have to feat. The author’s humor was far from dry and the points clear and valid.

            The section about perfectionism really resonated with me. I tend to, in every aspect of life, perfect what I am completing. I have learned to feel unachieved or incomplete if the task is not done to the fullest of my abilities. The thing about first drafts though, as the author noted, perfection is unachievable and in that sense unnecessary to strive after. First drafts are the first blob of thoughts, it is like you sat down read the assignment and started typing all you could. No really outline, no structured arguments, no proper grammar just you initial take. Just like any first shot, it’s not perfect. If it were it would be your final draft not your first.

            The author challenged me to find enjoyment in the first draft to discover and explore the topic and to not be afraid of a “shitty first draft”. Like stated it starts “shitty” then gets good then is finally great! Sometimes when you attempt to start with a great first draft you actually reverse the process and by the third draft have made it “shitty”. 

            The Polaroid analogy really helped because I just watched a movie about that was built around Polaroid pictures. In the movie the Polaroid’s would develop slow thus building suspense to the curious onlooker. In the same sense, if someone is reading your paper it is usually because your paper has grabbed their attention and they are the “curious onlooker”. As they read more and more of your paper the Polaroid develops more and more and the picture is more and more clear. The first draft is simply a developing Polaroid. We as the writer or capturer of the picture must be patient as the Polaroid picture develops and be confident that it will be what we expect it to be, just in time.

            I am not anxious about my first draft, and although I appreciate the rather long prompt about first drafts, I do not attribute my lack of concern to it. Although I do consider myself a perfectionist I have always understood the role of a first draft. The only thing that often stresses me about first drafts is just getting it done. I have to find the self-motivation to actually sit down and do it! Another thing I really hate about first drafts is they are not the final draft so although its an advantage to have to option to do further edits its also tedious to go back and re-read your first draft over and over again. 

Always Analyzing

Rhetorical analysis is breaking down a pre-made argument piece by piece to identify what the argument is and what is used to build it up. It is also a technique used to create your own argument through utilizing the elements of the rhetorical triangle in a perfected and convincing way.

Analysis is depicting individually each particle of an article! But rhetorically analyzing is breaking it down through means of logos, pathos, and ethos. The purpose behind any such analysis is to identify the truth and believe it. Without first solidifying the truth of a piece through rhetorical analysis you will simply fall numb to believe any and everything you see.

By not weighing the emotional draws you could fall victim to being manipulated by your emotions. By clearly marking the logical appeals you can more readily study and assure that the statistics given or promises made are indeed as logical as an instant commercial may want to you buy in to for their products benefit. Lastly by scrutinizing the ethical appeals you can arm yourself to not invest into someone or something simply because it states it is endorsed by a celebrity or certain group.

Although each piece of text should and often do contain each element of the rhetorical triangle, through analyzing the text you can better decipher how each element is used and better understand what is truly being conveyed. As the analyst you should equally develop a keen sense of logos, ethos and pathos and dissect each one in your analysis. If the observed text is lacking in an area than do not hesitate to still mention that area and how the article was in need of its appeal. It is always key to include personal opinion but also researched facts to back up you analysis. In order for you to create a strong argument through the rhetorical triangle you must be sure to be devoted to a distinct position, not be fearful of offending others and encompassing all three elements, logos, ethos and pathos creatively and convincingly.

Every text makes an argument and every texts argument can be analyzed. One must never hesitate to analyze but must also be sure to do it respectfully and appropriately. Do not avoid controversy and do not overstate the obvious, dig deep and search hard. Look beyond the articles initial impression. Organize your analysis of an argument into paragraphs each paragraph being one of the three elements. Then expand on the emotional appeals, how it draws you in emotionally and makes you feel something for the person or thing in the article whether it be sympathy or anger or love, the logical appeals, how it convinces your mind it is the only logical thing to believe or follow because of the facts or statistics mentioned, then the ethical appeals, how it may appeal to your own personal beliefs or how a notable endorser establishes a false reliability.

Rhetorical analysis is a powerful method of defending your own mind from falling captive to a seemingly convincing or crafty text.

Perfected Propoganda

Propaganda is never tampered with in time, never diminished or hushed by calm in society and never put to rest by media. It is a timeless effort that transcends political campaigns or periodical problems. Although, just like with everything else in our world, propaganda has changed with the changing times, it is still very much alive and thriving in our centuries as in centuries of old. I find its power may even be more suffocating due to our extreme growth in technology and mass media. Though the posters look different, now they can be posted all over the internet, billboards, television and countless other techniques.

For instance, this Obama ad was a very common ad that could easily be count cascading society nearly everywhere you turned during the presidential campaign. Although off-hand this may not appear propaganda it in fact is. Similar to historical propaganda it utilizes a message of patriotism through indwelling the colors red, white, and blue. If you glance upon both images above you immediately realize that they are filled with our patriotic colors thus instantly instilling a sense of patriotic duty and pride into the viewer. The first ad portrays that Obama is hope, that without Obama as president, we as Americans, have no hope. Obama is more than a color a race or religion he is America and he is Americas hope. Through utilizing the colors of our country both posters, new and old, persuade the audience to instantly respect the poster and all it is saying because red white and blue are the colors pumping through their veins.