Peer Review Recap, Part 3

The Google Docs was again a very good resource for us to use. I like the way in which it is like using Microsoft tracking. Everything worked well for me; however, I wish that I would have received more feedback on my paper. I think that would have given me more direction in shaping my own paper. Unlike last time, the tools were familiar and did not cause me to burst a blood vessel.

The major difference between the last peer review and this one is that we are not using Wetpaint. Wetpaint was difficult to manage and not fun at all. Looking through the other blogs I can see that my sentiments are echoed. My colleagues seem to generally like Google Docs and I agree with them. The repeating pattern in my blog reflections are that I wish to receive more info and that I want to use the editing tool of my choice: Google Docs.

However, I did like the collaboration with the other class. That step was pretty cool. Looking through one other blog I found a person that supported that idea as well. I see that people are not very happy about the feedback that was given. I will try to do better next time. I probably did not give good enough feedback. I've learned that I want more feedback, so I will have to make a greater effort to give more in-depth comments. Overall, this peer review process is useful and extremely helpful.

Blog 12: Reading and Writing about Comics ala McCloud, Part 2

I saw the comic ,"Pup," on another classmates blog and decided to check it out. In her entry, Rachelle decided to focus on how the comic is a good-natured fun. What she liked about, "Pup," is the way the characters engage in interesting dialogue with one another. She wrote, "I liked this comic because it is humorous but it illuminates some deep and interesting ideas. I think this has been an important function of comics and cartoons, which is a concept that McCloud doesn’t talk about very much in the book."Her discussion of the style the author uses is very interesting. She questioned the use of bubble comments versus actions and whether or not simplified characters are easier for reader to relate to.

As I analyzed the comic I could definitely understand what Scott McCloud, author of Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art meant when he wrote that, "In learning to read comics we all learned to perceive time spatially, for in the world of comics, time and space are one and the same" (100). This is definitely true of, "Pup." In the comic, "Deep Thoughts," we see different panels featuring the cat and the dog, but we the readers are supposed to view each scene as though it they were happening instantaneously at the same time and pace. While the cat is thinking about the dog, the dog is walking down the street on the opposite side of him. Each frame progresses the story, but we are supposed to read them as they are happening together, like normal motion. But this is normally not a problem for readers. As McCloud notes, "Comic readers are...conditioned by other media and the "Real Time" of everyday life expects a very linear progression. Just a straight line from Point A to Point B" (106). Other media are the texts and images that people take in around them on a daily basis. So, understanding time and space in comics requires readers to suspend disbelief, even if for a little while.

Reading and Writing about Comics ala McCloud, Part 1.

http://www.scottmccloud.com/comics2/trn/. This is the link to a comic called, "The Right Number Part One," by Scott McClould. This is definitely one of the most interesting comics I've ever read. The comic is about a man that believes he's met the perfect woman. One day, he dials his girl up and tells her to meet him for dinner. She says fine. The two meet and it took him a few moments to notice that this woman was not his girlfriend! He had dialed the wrong number and got a woman whose name was similar to his girlfriend's and her face was not unlike his girlfriends. Odd, huh? Well, he begins to think about this coincidence in terms of mathematics and it just gets even more interesting. Each panel is like a comic within a comic, which I have not seen in a while. This comic is also interactive, meaning that readers must click inside each panel to get to the next.

The author of, "The Right Number...," is also the author of Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art, Scott McCloud. In this book, McCloud tries to break down comics; where they originated, what are the definitions for comics, and what are the different types. From viewing, "The Right Number...," I can definitely see some of the aspects he discusses in his book. For instance, McCloud discusses time frames in chapter four, sequencing and time. The way, "The Right Number...," is constructed, McCloud explains that, "In learning to read comics we all learned to perceive time spatially, for in the world of comics, time and space are one and the same" (100). I take this to mean that whatever time the panel suggests is the time the readers will jump to, no matter if it is three months later, in comic book time. In, "The Right Number...," the readers enter a number of different time frames because of the narrator's many relationships.

"The Right Number...," is not difficult to understand because the story follows a consistent pattern, with the narrator guiding the way. McCloud writes that, "Comic readers are...conditioned by other media and the "Real Time" of everyday life expect a very linear progression. Just a straight line from Point A to Point B" (106).

Picturing Texts on the Web

Here is a link to the website I found: Black and White Photography

I am not sure how to compare this website and what is discussed in Picturing Texts. However, there are a lot of pictures that I can compare. A blog about black and white photography definitely has photos of contrast. The contrast between light and dark is classic and eternal. I see a pattern on this website in the types of pictures that are featured. This website shows a great deal of pictures dealing with architecture and water. Also, there are many shots from a particular point of view: there is a shot from Newport Beach that is sort of ground level; a shot from Sydney Opera House that has the photographer looking up, almost in awe of the building; someone posted a picture of the Sydney skyline that is breathtaking. In each of the photos, as a viewer, I feel as though I am viewing the picture up close and from my own point of view.

It is clear that texts are secondary. The little text that appears is below each photograph and on the sides. In terms of balance, the web page plays attention to what is important, which are the pictures.

Peer Review Recap, Part 2

Okay, so I used a Wetpaint wiki for the first time in my life. My initial impressions about this program are not favorable. If I never use Wetpaint again, it will be too soon. This time around I did not like the peer review because was not having a positive experience with Wetpaint. I was editing a classmates paper and chose to merge my changes with those of another student that was in the process of making changes. In the end every change that I'd made was erased! I was so mad because I had spent 30 minutes looking over this person's paper and adding comments. I definitely wish that I would have known about this. Also, whenever I edited in red the color kept defaulting back to black. That was irritating. I do like that we are able to view papers from other classes without having to receive an e-mail first. That was very convenient. I like Google Docs because it is familiar. Editing with Google Docs is like editing using the tracking feature in Microsoft Word. I have used tracking a great deal and like the feature. My vote in the future is for Google Docs.


Now, concerning my paper, I think I got the same kind of feedback that I received last time. The feedback I receive is always welcomed and much needed. One person that commented on my paper left very detailed advice. She left me with questions that I should ask myself throughout this writing process. I took this bit of advice from her and also suggested it to other classmates. After reading their papers I posed questions that I believed they should consider to help them shape their papers.

The two people that responded to my paper commented on everything that was on the screen. I am very satisfied with the comments I received and also the advice I gave.

What Are Others Saying?

I followed the blogs of two of my classmates. The first thing I noticed was that we all definitely have similiar perspectives on the Williams book. Overall, Style: Toward Clarity and Grace, was not one of my favorite books. There are some principles that I will carry with me when I become a teacher, but most things from the Williams book will be forgotten.

The two blogs I followed had positive things to say about the Williams book. For instance, Lukas Tasker wrote that, "Williams is more effective because of the helpful, co-pilot approach..." David Slaga wrote that, "Williams goes into much more depth and uses many more examples whereas ‘Elements of Style’ is very cut and dry." I too, believe that Style has its moments. But, Tasker and Slaga do not continue with any praise of the book. Tasker writes that, "Some passages inspired confusion during my reading, forcing me to backtrack and reread the last passage once, if not twice more. Some of the explanations require background knowledge of the language. An example is the discourse on passive and active voice; if I'm really not sure what the difference is and how to replicate it in a sentence, the book leaves me wondering. The discussion on nominalization was also confusing..." I actually felt this way a lot when reading the Williams book.

I believe that The Elements of Style is a more practical choice. It is a slim little book that can be carried easily. The advice is straightforward and easy to understand. Slaga agrees when he writes, "Strunk and White is nice because of its quaintness and direct nature but doesn’t go into much detail as to why the rules are the way they are." Tasker finds that he likes, "...some of the straightforward simplicity in Strunk's handbook. The reference-quality passages were easy to digest. The cut and dried rules with no explanations put me off, but they get the job done and present a basic foundation for components of writing." On the other hand Tasker believes that, "For more comprehensive writing tips, Williams beats out Strunk hands down. Not only does Williams have the grace and clarity in his own writing to sympathize with a student, he shows how to translate that style to the student's writing."

In the end, the three of us disagree about the two books. Tasker and Slaga are able to find compromises with the two books. Slage concludes that, "I think the advice offered by Williams is much more useful but, at the same time, much more difficult to comprehend. Strunk and White is nice because of its quaintness and direct nature but doesn’t go into much detail as to why the rules are the way they are. Therefore, Strunk and White’s advice is useful but not as effective as Williams whose advice is both useful and effective in its application." Tasker ends with, "I still agree that a firm grasp of the basic rules are Strunk's territory and should be followed, and that once those are implanted the student can then use the strategies in Williams' book to modify Strunk's rules, put them back together, and end with an organized and stylistically superior piece of writing." I think its good that Tasker and Slaga were able to reach common ground, but I am still partial towards Strunk and White.

Comparing Strunk and White with Williams

Style: Toward Clarity and Grace by Joseph Williams actually deals with many topics that William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White cover in The Elements of Style. In my first post regarding The Elements of Style, I definitely expressed the fact that I found the book extremely helpful. Sometimes, I don’t need a long drawn out explanation of why something is right or wrong. In my opinion, examples are stronger than explanations. I can definitely follow any explanation and then construct my reasons. Throughout The Elements of Style there are numerous examples that I like, but I am partial to Chapter V, An approach to style. This chapter sort of begins with a conversation about what style is; however, the rest does read like an instruction manual. I don’t know why, but the rule to “Be clear,” is very clear to me. Overall, the Strunk and White book is easier to read and understand.

I very much disliked the first half of Style: Toward Clarity and Grace. I thought Williams’ writing was more confusing than Strunk and White, and in his efforts to explain everything Williams lost me. For one thing, keeping all of the terms straight reminded me of a linguistics class, with agents and subjects and actions. But I did find value in what he was saying. Focusing on subjects, characters, and actions makes sentences more clear. Also, his, “First Two Principles of Clear Writing,” are good to follow. I am going into teaching, so helping students look at their sentences like a play that has a cast of characters and actions may have a positive effect. This is a new way for me to look at sentence structure. In my opinion, the chapters after “Coherence” are more helpful. In think it is because they remind me of Strunk and White. Williams writes on page 115 in, “Concision,” to, “Usually, compress what you mean into the fewest words; and, “Don’t state what your readers can easily infer.” Not only are these principles similar to Strunk and White, but they are written in an instructional style that I like. Chapter 8 contradicts what Strunk and Williams write about length, but Williams also contradicts himself a bit when he writes, “The ability to write clear, crisp sentences that never go beyond twenty words is a considerable achievement…But if you never write sentences longer than twenty words, you’ll be like a pianist who uses only middle octave: you can carry the tune, but without much variety or range” (135). What I also like about Chapter 8 are Williams’ diagrams on coordination because they deal with style. I am constantly trying to find my own style so this chapter applies to me. But the chapter does have the grammar rules and linguistic terminology that I find confusing!

In Style, I can definitely see how Williams decided to expand on ideas from Strunk and White. In his chapter on “Clarity,” Williams is trying to expand on one of Strunk and White’s principles to, “Be Clear.” What is meant by clear? This is what Williams explores. What is Clarity? Difficult to answer.

Revising with Williams

Students who have been certified by a signatory community college as having satisfied the general education requirements of the MACRAO Agreement will be required to fulfill only the three additional requirements now a part of Eastern Michigan University’s general education requirements: a quantitative reasoning course (unless waived by ACT or SAT scores); a U.S. diversity or global awareness course, and a learning beyond the classroom experience course. This agreement applies only to general education and does not exempt the community college students from meeting all curriculum and graduation requirements.

(Obtained from the MACRAO Agreement, Community College Relations, under the Transfer section.)

Revision: Students with certification by a signatory community college that the have satisfied general education requirements of the MACRAO Agreement are required to fulfill only three additional requirements included in Eastern Michigan University's general education requirements: a quantitative reasoning course (unless waived by ACT or SAT scores); a U.S. diversity or global awareness course, and a learning beyond the classroom experience course. Community college students are not exempt from meeting all curriculum and graduation requirements as they apply to general education requirements.

This paragraph is very wordy. I get the sense that it is written in a language that is broad and general. It almost sounds like “legalese.” I imagine that the language in this paragraph will need to be interpreted for many parents, transfer students, and advisors. As I revised the paragraph there were many factors I looked at. First, the sentences are written in a way that explain what the requirements are, but not in a reader friendly way. I would describe this paragraph as “turgid.” Because there is so much information that is necessary to understanding the requirements, I could not cut down on the word count, but I revised some of the sentences to make the paragraph easier to read. In chapter five of Style: Toward Clarity and Grace, Joseph Williams has a rule that, “A coherent paragraph will usually have a single sentence that clearly articulates its point” (82). What I tried to do with the first sentence was make student certification and the satisfaction of requirements points that need particular attention paid to them. So, I changed the sentences in ways that made them more active. The last sentence deals with community college students not being exempt from fulfilling all general education requirements. This is very important information that needs to be highlighted, so I changed the sentence so that community college students is the main topic of the sentence.

Strunk and White: First Impressions

Call me a prude, but I like the structure in The Elements of Style. I am very partial to strict rules (please don’t analyze me!). Since I like the book overall, there are many rules that I find helpful. My favorite rule is # 16 in An Approach to Style. This rule is well explained. I believe what Strunk and White were getting at is for writers to be specific. On the other hand, there is a fine line when it comes to this issue. #16 is always the rule I struggle with. Sometimes I forget to cite examples that will clarify exactly what I mean. And I have been in those situations where I would try and work out a sentence that sounded extremely awkward. Whenever I read this rule I don’t think that it’s vague. Somehow #16 clicks in my head and makes sense. The reason I need this rule is because I always need to be reminded that I can always clarify. I also like rule #17, Do not inject opinion. I normally write academic papers without injecting my opinion or the way I personally feel. The Invent Your Own Technology assignment felt wrong to me. I actually inserted a great deal of my personal opinion, but maybe the assignment called for this type of writing because it was mostly a reflection of my experiences. So audience also must be considered with this rule. Strunk and White makes clear that writing must have a purpose and if, “…you have received a letter inviting you to speak at the dedication of a new hospital, and you hate cats, your reply…does not have…to cover the full range of your emotions” (Strunk and White 80).

Headings in chapter III is written in a way that would help people that use typewriters. I feel like this rule is dated because of this. Stunk and White write, “On succeeding pages, begin near the top, but not so near as to give a crowded appearance” (Strunk and White 34). On computers, the headings are set in advance, so there is no need for me to manually adjust the headings unless it is for a particular reason. The sentence, “Leave a blank line, or its equivalent in space, after the heading” (Strunk and White 34).

In terms of what Strunk and White may look like, I always envision Sherlock Holmes and Watson; two very upper-crust white men. Strunk taught at Cornell in 1919, and because of this, I simply do not believe Strunk is a female. Ong discusses in A Technology that Restructures Thought the role of “diglossia” in language and on society. Strunk and White are in a position where they can make decisions about language and have those decisions change the way society feels about how English is spoken. Their stamp of approval or disapproval can inadvertently create biases against people that do not subscribe to their ways of thinking, in terms of language. It must be nice to have so much influence.

Peer Reveiw Recap, Part 1

I have never used Google Documents before. This sort of peer review process was very different for me in that respect. However, some things were still the same. People commented on what I wrote and left me suggestions for change, like normal; only the method had changed.

Using Google Documents is definitely a time saver. Last Wednesday I suggested using Google Documents to my group in PLSC 314. We all were having a difficult time synchronizing our schedules so that we could work on a project. The flexibility of using this process was very encouraging. It was like using Microsoft tracking, but everyone has access to it. Since I am familiar with tracking, once I started editing with Google Documents the process was a piece of cake!

I cannot really think of anything that did not work for me, but I wish I would have understood sooner how to actually view the documents. I didn't really get why a link to the document had to be emailed. I thought we had a class group that was setup to view each others' documents. So I was a little lost there. The advice I would give is just to remember to use Gmail addresses and not to go through the emich accounts. This makes finding the documents a lot easier because users can choose whom will be able to view documents by clicking share.

Final Verdict: Google Docs Rocks!

"Writing Technolog Project"

My writing technology, as you can see, was created by combining flour and water. Once I had my paste I could then write my message on a hard surface.

"My Writing Technologies"

I use a variety of writing technologies on a daily basis. The most common of which are pens and pencils. These tools are easily affordable and widely available. At the time of their invention, I am sure their purposes were a part of a very complex system of communication. Now, I click the pen or sharpen the pencil and instantly indicate what I mean, in writing. I also use electronic writing tools, such as computers. I punch the keys on a keyboard and my message is printed in Microsoft Word. But there are other types of electronic writing technologies, like my cell phone (text messaging), or a paging system (using telephones).

The most common writing technology I use is the computer. I write messages on the computer at work, school, home; I write papers and e-mails. I never really thought about how much more writing I finished using a computer until my handwriting became unrecognizable, or I have a blank moment when trying to quickly write message. At work, we have switched to a new computer system that allows clerks to complete all orders. Before, we would write all day long. The days would become so busy and filled with paper work. My hand would cramp from all of the writing over. Now, everything is ordered and checked off in a few clicks. The new computer system has saved so much time that now we (the clerks) are becoming bored.

Of course I learned to write in English using a pencil, but my first electroninc writing was done on a Brothers electric typewriter. At the time, that machine was awesome. It could even erase. Now, I use computers for everything. I am very versatile when it comes to choosing a writing technology. I can use any tool. I do love writing with a pens and pencils, computers, and I'll even resort back to a typre writer if I have to. I guess I would avoid scratching messages on a wall with paperclips. That would be a bummer.

"My Writing Technologies"

Blog post 3: "My Writing Technologies"
The main purpose of the first writing project is to see the connections between "writing" and "technology" as both concepts and practices. Now, while the writing assignment asks you to "invent" a new writing technology and reflect on that process, this prompt asks you about the writing technologies you use all the time.
What are they? What sorts of writing tools do you routinely use for your own writing? How have your writing tools changed over the years? And what sort of writing tools do you avoid using?



On a daily basis I'd say that I use a variety of writing technologies. The most common of which are pens and pencils. I use these tools in class while taking notes, at work, for personal reminders and entertainment (i.e, doodling). Pens and Pencils are the cheapest of writing technologies, in my opinion, and less complex. I also use electronic resoursces. The electronic writing technology I use the most is on a computer. The computers I use all have writing applications, like Microsoft Word, Works, and Notepad.

What is Style?

I will try to answer the question, “What is style?” by taking a look at my own. I assume we are talking about writing style. My writing style, for the most part, is academic in nature. I have written mostly essays and research papers. Through this style I am able to disseminate information on whatever I am researching or believe is interesting. Style is the form one uses to get information across. I guess writing this way, on a keyboard or PC (even blogs) can be considered a certain style, just like the font and type of script. Did the cavemen have their own style? Or the Egyptians? Maybe something that was created out of necessity took on a style of its own. It's possible.

I don’t believe that anything can be style, though. If something does not have a purpose or reason for being created, then it’s just there and has no meaning. But, I could see a person arguing that that is there style and there is no meaning for anything.

Getting Started

This is my first blog post of the semester. I have worked with Blogger before and I really like using it. I hope to use Blogger in the future for my students, maybe like an online journal. It will keep me tech savvy, and hopefully, make my students believe I am an exciting teacher. So... let's try some different fonts and colors here. And... let's try and insert another picture...

I like psychedelic sunflowers.