Project 3 Reflection: Unique

                Project 3 was without a doubt the project that I felt most comfortable finishing. I would say that my best aspects of the project were producing the audio file into a viable podcast, and linking my thesis statement at the beginning to my closing argument. Even though Audacity is a poorly designed piece of software, I was able to work my way around the kinks and even edit some of the sound I imported.

           On the other hand, I found a challenge in the interview questions. I knew I had to ask them in a fashion that would contribute to my cause because a general question would allow the interviewee to go off on a tangent. So for instance, I interviewed Brandon Penton and instead of simply asking him what he thought about the smoking ban, I asked if he thought it was a battle of freedom or the danger of tobacco. It took me a while to come up with that approach so I definitely struggled with it.
           
           One thing I learned is that no matter how new a task may be to me or how difficult it is, the most effective way to solve any problem is asking logical questions. Logic was my guardian angel through the trials I faced and I committed to utilizing it early on.
          
            I do not know how many future experiences I will have using recording software but this assignment offered new techniques to use in my writing. The script format is very helpful to me and I plan to use it when drafting my papers. I understand that not every piece I write will be a script, but the technique is very methodical and provides visual support for the flow of the paper.

 I wholeheartedly believe I created a strong, fundamental argument. Although my thesis does not project a particularly abstract idea, it does reveal the true problem in the smoking ban. Its simplicity is the driving force behind it. I find that behind all the specifics involved in issues like these, the best answer is usually the most basic, logical one.

           When I am not occupied with writing for school, I love to write on my political blog, Paine’s Apprentices (referring to Thomas Paine). Because the content of this paper and the typical items I write on the blog are more or less connected, there are lessons to apply to the latter. Like I said before, my belief in the power of broad ideas has been reignited and I actually came across a few new ideas for the blog. For one final thought, I gained some valuable work experience using Audacity which I can apply to the film production area of my job.

Script Draft: Smoking Ban 2013

Cue: Musical Intro

Audio Host: “Hello this is Ryan Rash here bringing you the scoop on ASU news. Well folks, times are changing around these parts. As I am sure you are all aware, ASU recently released a statement saying that starting on the first of August of next year, it will be a completely tobacco-free campus. In an e-mail sent to all students that attend the school, the background information reads quote, “The initiative [was] spearheaded by students and supported by the University Staff Council and the faculty Academic Senate” unquote. The university also created a new website regarding everything about the change of policy, including official regulations, “tobacco zone” maps and even tips on how to quit smoking. In addition, if all this information was not sufficient, they produced a video that is about two minutes long to provide visual support for the new ban.

Cue: Sound byte from ASU video

Audio Host: To me, the video was the most effective in explaining that the reason the ban is being instituted is to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke on students who do not use tobacco. The initial e-mail and the website are more designed to educate us students about what is actually going to happen.

Cue: Musical break

Okay so now that everyone knows what the ban is all about, it is becoming hotly debated. ASU is trying to protect non-smokers, smokers want to keep smoking, plain and simple. Personally, I do not see this as an issue of tobacco. The university obviously has a motive of being a safe environment and doing good deeds to improve their reputation, but I see the opposing argument as a condition of freedom. ASU’s current rules are in tune with federal regulations so tightening the grip on those rules is an unnecessary act.

Cue: Transition to student interview

Narrator: As easy as it would be too spew personal opinions on this ban, the fact remains that it effects 70,000+ students that attend the university. Around campus, there are dozens of popular places to sit down and take a drag so I figure one of these smoking areas will serve as a solid place to find various opinions on the sanction. First off, there is no way to dispute the danger of tobacco usage. Study after study shows that cancer and cigarettes essentially go hand in hand. Okay, I am exaggerating a bit but it truly is not that irrational of a statement. Like I said before, the way my questions will be asked will be shaped towards the concept of freedom. The goal is to find out if this law attacks our basic freedoms and if yes, is it a necessary sacrifice? Well let’s see what the people think.

Cue: Separate musical transition that leads into a field interview

Narrator: Welcome to the beautiful Arizona State University campus where I am here standing with (interviewee name) and we are ready to talk ‘2013 Smoking Ban’!

Questions to ask:

·         Do you think the ban is in the best interest of the students of this school?

·         How will it affect you personally?

·         Do you have any suggestions for perhaps a possible compromise on the ban?

·         Do you see the ban as an infringement of basic freedom?

·         The university is trying to reduce second hand smoke so do you think there is a way to isolate the smokers more instead of banning it so both parties are attended too?

Cue: Musical transition back into narration

Narrator: There you have it, the people have spoken. It is now evident that students are concerned about (x, y and z.) The simple question of whether this is good or bad depends on the answers outlined by the public such as in any democracy.

ASU Reacts: The 2013 Smoking Ban

Cue: Musical Intro

Audio Host: “Hello this is Ryan Rash here bringing you the scoop on ASU news. Well folks, times are changing around these parts. As I am sure you are all aware, ASU recently released a statement saying that starting on the first of August of next year, it will be a completely tobacco-free campus. In an e-mail sent to all students that attend the school, the background information reads quote, “The initiative [was] spearheaded by students and supported by the University Staff Council and the faculty Academic Senate” unquote. The university also created a new website regarding everything about the change of policy, including official regulations, “tobacco zone” maps and even tips on how to quit smoking. In addition, if all this information was not sufficient, they produced a video that is about two minutes long to provide visual support for the new ban.

Cue: Sound byte from ASU video

Audio Host: To me, the video was the most effective in explaining that the reason the ban is being instituted is to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke on students who do not use tobacco. The initial e-mail and the website are more designed to educate us students about what is actually going to happen.

Cue: Musical break

Okay so now that everyone knows what the ban is all about, it is becoming hotly debated. ASU is trying to protect non-smokers, smokers want to keep smoking, plain and simple. Personally, I do not see this as an issue of tobacco. The university obviously has a motive of being a safe environment and doing good deeds to improve their reputation, but I see the opposing argument as a condition of freedom. ASU’s current rules are in tune with federal regulations so tightening the grip on those rules is an unnecessary act.

Genre Analysis: Morning Edition

     "Let Mitt Be Mitt" http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=164732654&m=164767070
     An audio essay is a unique and somewhat new form of literature. The approach to utilize this genre requires a different technique than any other essay. For instance, in writing form, tone can be manipulated by the way a sentence is put together but with audible sound, it is necessary to make sure the actual tone of voice is appropriate. An additional myriad of aspects effect the genre of audio essays.
     A script is the most basic component but it must be well done for the audio to to sound good. If the script is lacking in any way, it will be exposed once the words becomke audible. A certain level of creativity is required for a good script because it serves as a blueprint for the finished product. Everything from cut placement to plot flow has to be considered.
     Not everyone will have sound proof rooms and high quality mics so being efficient with the technology available becomes a priority. To make a regarded podcast, one does not need these expensive pieces of equipment but a frugal mind and a sense of critical thinking are more than enough to make up for financial woes.
     Upon listening to any podcast, the most resounding impact on the audience lies in their impression of the talent, or the narrator. If the narrator is likeable, upbeat and natural, the listener will appreciate what the have to say and relate. On the contrary, if the voice is dragging or condescending, etc. the response will not be favorable. The key to mastering tone is audience awareness. A podcaster has to be adaptive to a flexible audience demographic.
     Because the art of audio literature is so fresh, new experiences are occuring that are changing the landscape of the genre. The concept of an ideal audio essay is still in the process of being understood and the only way to get closer to that is trying new things. Above all the aforementioned components, intuition to new audio ideas will benefit the genre as a whole.

Project 2 Reflection: Improvement

     Our second project in English 101 came with many challenges but also many improvements. Through every step of the process, my goal was to improve on my abysmal performance on the first paper. The professor's comments on my paper revealed to me that I had a crucial weakness in my writing which was stating a clear thesis that clearly defines my position on the topic. On this project, I feel that my thesis states my opinion and leaves no doubt to what I will be writing about in the rest of the paper.
     On the contrary, a wrench or two worked their way into my plans. As I wrote my initial draft, I chose to write 3 annotations so I could use a more focused approach and get a feel for what it would take to write a quality annotation. As it turned out, this put me at a disadvantage because I was unable to use information to build off of when writing my final draft.
     Now that I am a somewhat seasoned college student, I find that it is strategic to view everything as a learning experience. From this project, I learned the importance of having evidence to back up claims. Research is a crucial aspect of literature and for research work to be respected there has to be factual, supporting information. From now on, I will remember to think every time I make a claim if I have enough to prove it.
     I feel that if I can be optimistic about anything on my essay, it is the strength of my evaluation. It was indeed simple, merely stating that being forced to live in dorms has a negative effect on students. I decided on three criteria to determine whether my thesis was applicable and then explained why they proved my theory. I tried to use the most basic process possible to make sure I was not neglecting the point of my essay in light of some more flashy techniques.
     Without question, the experience has real world implications. Off the top of my noggin, I immediately see how it applies to something as normal as a friendly argument. Now, it would be easy to use common knowledge or assumptions to back up your argument but it is much more effective to use descriptive criteria for why the opinion could me more correct. Obviously, this is just one anecdote but the uses for being factual are limitless.
     I can only hope that my dedication to staying true to what was assigned will pay off in the grade book. If anything, I know inside my heart that I am back on track to what good writing entails.

Map of Adelphi Commons II

View Evaluative Research: Dorm Living in a larger map

Works Cited

"Future Residents." Arizona State University, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.< http://housing.asu.edu/content/future-residents>.

Pike, Gary R. "The Differential Effects of On- and Off-Campus Living Arrangements on Students’ Openness to Diversity*." Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice 46.4 (2009): n. pag. Print.

Rozakis, Laurie, Ph.D. "Movin' In." The Complete Idiot's Guide to College Survival. N.p.: Marie Butler Knight, 2001. N. pag. Print.



The Gates to Adelphi

[Source: asu.edu]

 



     The first day a new, anxious college student walks up to his dorm facility holds with it a flurry of emotion and excitement. The thought of the unknown swirling within with no way to know what to truly expect daunts them. This is exactly the student that Laurie Rozakis had in mind when writing "The Complete Idiot's Guide to College Survival". The book is a great reference for nervous college students but the relevant subject to my research is the repeated mentions of getting used to the change of dorm life/being ready for disaster. This is fascinating because the very book geared towards collegiate success discusses the possibility of a nightmare roommate and what to do if a student hates their dorm (Rozakis Chapter 3).
     With this book and countless other pieces attacking the stereotypical dormitory, a bad reputation surrounds the dorm culture. Upon further evaluation though, it is hard to disagree. The very fact that the university has to force students into their dorms is a testament to how unliked they are. Obviously, when someone is in an unfavorable situation, it is expected that their performance goes down. Considering dorms are not a place of work or place of learning, the happiness of a student is more likely to decrease than their productivity. Even though there are advantages to being a student resident, there are many students who would simply be happier in different housing.