When I first started my draft it was about how technology is effecting my generation and destroying our culture. I stated that technology is so integrated into our daily routine we can not imagine an existence without it. I started with broad subjects for each paragraph and then was able to add more specific detailed examples. I also wrote my first draft in pen on a line sheet of paper, because I didn't have any internet connection at my house, but it really enriched my writing. It made me remember what it was like to actually write. I also started my paper with some harsh feelings about technology but after further exploration my feelings calmed a bit.
Through my paper I tried to use an example of a colt to relate to our current situation. In all my mentor texts that I liked I noticed they used other examples that are relate-able. The most helpful feedback given to me was 'What is your point for this piece?'. This question made me really think about my piece. I felt like I was just bringing up information that is obvious, and that it made me realize that I have to aim this article to people in my generation. The points I bring up only really effects what we are going through, and the fears I know we are going to face. However, this question made me realize that I can't change the world through my article, but I can help people remember. In order to make my piece awesome I would really like some help formatting and what ideas I should expand on.
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In conducting my interview I was shocked and caught off guard when I asked my interviewee to go deeper into his hard times and he replied "I rather not." This was the first time I heard no in any interview; I didn't know what to do so I continued the interview by asking another question. I do wish I would of prepared for this type of responses before hand, or heard an example of how to handle this type of situation. I was disappointed in my interviewee's response because I felt like I only received surface knowledge. However, I did learn a lot about my interviewee, I just felt like there was deeper stories.
The next time I turn research into a piece of writing, I will remember to prepare deeper back up questions. I did come prepared with some back up questions, but they were similar to each one. Bring a more of a variety of questions. Also next time I have to record oral history I will conduct the interview in a quite place with no loud background noises. I feel that more interview practice is needed, but a different type of style then the ones we did in class. In class I did not feel weird or awkward, but when I was giving an interview I felt nervous and weird. So, next time I would do more research for follow up questions and a little more serious practice interviews. From this week the most helpful assignment for conducting my interview was the pre-interview packet. The reason why it was the most helpful assignment is because it furthered my thinking about world hardships connecting to single individual. The two historical events I choose to become an expert in was the Vietnam War and the great economic crisis of 2008. The reason why I choose these historic events was because my interviewee was in the military during/after the war and was big into the house financial business. Having questions pre thought out defiantly helped with the interview process; it really helped with any awkward silence too.
Somethings that I took out of this whole interview process is to do prior research, practice anything new and do not be afraid to ask the tough questions. Having research done about world events makes any task easier, because you can have valid opinions with facts to back them up. When I was conducting the interview I realized that having all the practice really did help. It was hard to come up worth some questions on the spot, but at least I knew what to expert. However, I was not tough enough to ask the really deep questions. During the interview when I tried to push harder on dicey topics I was given the response; "I don't want to talk about it." Frankly I was shocked and just moved to a different topic. I plan to pay more attention to detail and be as detailed as possible. Whenever you read a good poem, book or any other writing pieces the best ones are always very descriptive. My interviewee is also someone who I respect and admire and I believe he deserves the best. I want people to know the Mr. Mike that I know , not just some man who happens to live in San Diego. I am going to make this writing piece is going to be different, it is going to be great. From this whole week the one thing that stuck out the most is how awkward correct interviews are. The reason why they are so awkward is because two different people are coming together to learn about one person only. We as people learn to keep our troubles close to us and protect them from others judgments, so having this interview conflicts with our natural instinct. However, I learned that through subtle gestures, body language and speaking tone can drastically change the responses from the person you are interviewing.
The most interesting that I saw in the class was on Wednesday when the theater lady came in, and she did trail interviews and taught us the 'Yes and...'game. I found it very educational seeing the way she acted different when Dr. P change his attitude. It helped me understand why interview are awkward at first and if they are not treated properly then they will go off track. During this time I was sitting in a circle watching them act; I could see when the mood changes when Dr. P acted differently. It was so interesting because I had no idea how Dr. P was going to act next, and plus it was funny. I would want to interview a family friend; his name is Mr. Mike. I met him this year and I know he has been through a lot. I know he was in the Navy as a core-man but know he works as a carpenter; why the huge career change? So i want to hear stories of what he has been through, because I know it is a lot. For creating my poem the first step I did was create a brainstorm pager were all I did was write down everything from the interview. Before I started writing the poem I knew I wanted to use my own format; I wanted to make it abstract yet personable. In this poem I wanted to keep my subjects identity hidden, because I knew if I started with his name others would make bias decisions. I also made multiple first drafts and tried out different styles before I choose my style.
I found the interview very necessary, because I was allowed to ask my interview-y specific questions about his life and ask what he wanted to hear in a poem. I did take some life events an insert them in his poem; I did this so when he would read it he would know that I was listening. I did however had to conduct multiply interviews so I could make his poem more "him". My first few drafts were a little to abstract and to broad. I was using some senses but not all. Making bullet points during the interview really helped; when I revisited my notebook and saw all my quick notes it jogged my memories. I would defiantly take my notebook to another interview. In the end I also took my poem completely apart, line by line, and I changed the lines that were not specific. I think that method really improved my overall poem. The most helpful feed back I got was when Dr. P and Javier looked at my poem and told me everything they did and didn't like. Dr. P really opened my eyes to how broad my lines were and that helped me take a step back and revise. I also loved when we were forced to change poems with are partners and have them read annotate it. So, my partner read the poem and each line had to be highlighted in a color that meant something. For example, green meant he liked it, blue meant it didn't really sound like him, and pink for it could be multiply people. I liked this way of revision because I really got to see what my partner thought if his poem. So this week we did many writing task, activities and assignments. On Monday we were given a picture to dissect and write about; in the picture there was a group of Native Americans on horses. From this picture we had to create a story and describe what connections we could make. We did a very similar job with a picture from Wednesday, I think doing this assignments makes us recognize that we as people are constantly making connections and predictions. In my old reading class we would read a few chapters in class and then read another one at home. We would then discuss what has happened and what symbolism is behind each action. So, having class discussions remind me of what I used to do.
On Tuesday we had a sercratic seminar on an article about multitasking, and this whole article really pushed my thinking about multitasking. I am know officially scared to multitask; most points in the article help much value to me. A struggle that I had during the seminar is that I agreed with all the points brought up in the sercratic seminar, but I didn't want to agree with the other students because I wanted an interesting discussion. Something I would do different is defiantly read the other article with different point of views, so when I bring up a controversial thought I have more evidence. Something that is still challenging to me is the Google Classroom. It is not a surprise to me because I am not the best with new websites and applications for electronics. However, that just means that I have to pay more attention to the details and keep thinking. Sometimes I am just in auto pilot and I do write down in my agenda but I don't write to check down Google Classroom. I do know that I will not make the same mistakes again though. During this first week of school we did many group activities. I believe the purpose of all the activities was to engage all students and break the ice. The activities that were done consisted of wild voices and noises, listening to others, opening up to others, interviewing classmates, joining write club, creating and listening to slam poetry. Out of all of the novel activities my favorite was doing the interview, because I saw a side of someone I never thought exisited. I found a new friend in someone I thought I knew.
Some advice I would have for the creative Dr. P is that I greatly enjoy writing daily and just getting raw ideas out there. I feel confident as a writer but I do want to take my writing to the next level. Honestly I have no idea how to get to the next level, so I would like some help with that. I have a love hate relationship with writing. Writing to me is an art that I can express myself in ways I can't say, but at times it's the hardest task I could do. Also I did slam poetry last year and I feel like I'm reliving last year; I am just worried I might not grow academically through this project. I would love to grow in my writing abilities; for instance, I would enjoy writing different types of papers. I need more practice in my vocabulary and flow of my writing pieces. I know I also need more practice getting out all my ideas, because I stifle my own creativity by holding back. |
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December 2015
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