((Tommy Hilfiger 2010 AD)

Pick a question from the "Reading and Writing about Advertising," and ANSWER the question asked as best you can about the ad being analyzed. Also, make sure it is a question that no other student has asked thus far. You would probably answer the questions differently, but THAT MEANS you need to go read everyone's post before yours and make sure you're not repeating someone. (If you can't find anymore questions, post a repeat and email me). GOOD LUCK!! (PS you are not writing about the ad above. It is just decor).

Is Your Thesis Evolving?

(Above is the picture mentioned in your reading)

Writing a solid thesis was one of our main goals in the last paper, but thesis writing is something we all need to continue fine-tuning. So, as you read this chapter, what stood out to you? Write at least a paragraph on a few main points that really caught your attention, and compare your own writing to the exploratory student draft at the end of the paper. How was your writing similar or different? 

1983: The Female-Address Video

Read your 1983 Article & Watch the Videos (Questions below):





QUESTIONS:
1) What struck you as most interesting about what you read/watched and why?
2) Which video did you think had the strongest message?
3) Make at least 2 claims about your own video (and make sure you SAY what your video is so the rest of the class knows what you're talking about). Did thinking about the videos from the article help you think about your own video in any way? If so, how?

I hope writing about these videos and discussing your own videos with each other will help you start churning out more ideas. See you Tuesday!

tv vs. mtv

This article helps readers think about TV analysis, and although it does not discuss music videos explicitly, this reading gives great way to discuss/think about/etc. visual culture. So, what stood out to you the most? Think of a TV show you watch often (or the last one you saw if you don't watch frequently) - name it. Then, try to remember some commercials you saw.

• Who do you think advertisers assume the audience is for this particular show? For example, when I watch "Wheel of Fortune" while I cook dinner, there are dozens of motor-chair ads and retirement plan commercials. Advertisers assume that I AM OLD!!! 
• What else do you find interesting about the show you listed? For example, although I don't have cable, I've been watching "New Girl" on Hulu. Now, looking back at the show, there is a very specific depiction of masculinity especially because the show is about a girly-girl that moves in with a bunch of boys. Without the intense image of "what is masculine," there would not be as much tension in the house.

Also, think about the article as a whole (including the lists on 132 & 133). How could we apply these notions about TV to MTV? Although music videos are not necessarily a "show" or "episode," songs work in a similar way that TV shows do. TALK ABOUT THIS!!

Thinking about "Befriending Barbie"

Start out by telling me something you didn't know about Barbie. How did you feel about Barbie before this essay, and do you feel any different now? What did you get out of this essay? What did you like/not like? What is the most important part of this story in your opinion? What is your reaction and how will this essay help you to think as a writer?

Understanding the "The Last Stop:"

(AP IMAGES/Joe Cavaretta)

Write a paragraph or two about the assumptions, values, and beliefs underlying Cable's observational essay. As you write, explain how the assumptions are reflected in the text, as well as what you think of them now - maybe even include some of your own assumptions.

Then, write several sentences explaining your impressions about Goodbody Mortuaries - support explanation from the reading. Did you think Cable successfully conveyed an impression of the funeral home? How will this essay help you write your own?

--------------------------------------------------------------
-questions edited from Reading Critically Writing Well -

EXAMPLE: Relational Me.

I wrote this for the other class, and thought I'd share the example with you too! For those of you who haven't written yet, know that you can combined categories. You don't have to stick with just clothes, for example. I thought maybe I'd write you a little example as well: 

When I look at my life, I realize relationships play a huge part in who I am (there's my thesis). In comparison to other parts of my day, the amount of time I spend communicating with others is astonishing; my phone, facebook, email, and time spent with others in person probably takes up most of the time I'm not working, eating or sleeping.  Not to mention, I'll always blow off a hard work-out to go on a walk with a friend. Even in choosing what I wanted to do with my life, I chose a career that put me in relationship with other, teaching.

Interestingly enough, my taste in music and movies is also centered around relationships. I find it hard to connect with movies that have flat characters, but I am drawn to movies with complex and deep character development. I mean, isn't the relational aspect of Toy Story 3 what makes it so good? I have also recently found myself listening to a song over and over called "Rivers and Roads" by a band called, The Head and The Heart. What drew me to the song? It was definitely the lyrics about changing friendships. From the music I play in my car to the way I plan my day, relationships are a huge part of who I am as a person.

Self as a Text

ANALYSIS OF ONE TEXT - YOURSELF:

BACKGROUND:

What are you saying to the world?  You may not even realize, but every day YOU are making an argument about who you are.  We have read and talked about how a text is not necessarily a passage from a book.  Therefore, the text we will analyze is YOU! What you put on in the morning, what your facebook page says, and your actions all communicate something to the world.  We send out a message to the world, and then, the world makes a judgment about who or what we are.  So often, we do not even realize that we are sending messages, but our actions, speech, clothing, etc all say something.  For example: Why did you choose Auburn?  What did you value about this school?  And what do those values say about who you are?  Or why wear nike shorts to class? What does that say about who you are?Who you are and your background are large parts of the way you write and the way you understand texts, whether they are written down or all around.  We want to understand ourselves in a new way that it might also enhance the way we read and write.

ASSIGNMENT:

Analyze yourself as a text and make an argument for what you mean or what message you are sending to the world around you.  Although you will use your opinion, it MUST be based in textual evidence.  Look at your behavior, speech, clothing, and activities to make meaning.  Do not look any further than yourself, so you don’t need any thing else to make your claim. Each of these contributes to your message.  How and why are they important? 

Then, after analyzing yourself, make a claim about yourself as a text.  This will be your thesis, and you will support it with your evidence from analysis. Also, don’t forget to consider the “context” of the text.  Like any text, you were produced in a certain environment.  How does that affect your message?

EXAMPLES:

BEHAVIOR: Thesis - I am a dedicated Auburn fan! Support - I wake up at the crack of dawn to save tailgating spots.

CLOTHING: Thesis - I LOVE the outdoors! Support - I wear Chacos everyday to remind me of hiking and love to let my toes breathe.

ACTIVITIES: Thesis - I love photography. Support - I read 27 photography blogs everyday.

SPEECH: Thesis - I am very southern. Support - I say words like "buggy" instead of grocery cart, and you could cut my accent with a knife.

*a paragraph or two expected

STEPS TO START…

What’s your point? What claim are you making about yourself?

Why can you make this claim? This is where your different points of analysis go!

How will you organize this - logically, chronologically, order of importance?  You cannot simply make an unconnected list.

*NOTE: You are not going to be able to write a whole biography here, so pick ONE message to make your claim from. 

And always remember I am happy to meet with you about any question or concern. Happy Writing!

Blog Response 1: "Death of a Moth"

In class today, we talked about the significance of your story or the "why." What is Virginia Woolf's "why" in her experience? Is there more than one "significance" to her story, and how does her story affect you as a reader AND as a writer? Respond to her story answering these questions, pointing out what you think she does or does not do well, and tell me the part of the story that stands out to you the most.

I'm expecting 250-300 words, paragraph form. Due by class time on Thurs.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, 

Mrs. Elmer

Dear Class...

Welcome to your first section of Composition 1.  I am so glad that you will be a part of my class this semester.  As a writer, I know that a huge part of how we write and function in the classroom comes from who we are, where we are from and how we see the world around us. So, I thought I would start the semester by introducing myself to you so you know where I come from.

           

I am originally from the dreaded enemy territory of Athens, GA. But instead of staying there and becoming a bulldog, I came to college at Auburn University.  I graduated from Auburn Suma Cum Laude in English and began my Master’s specializing as a transatlantic specialist with a teaching emphasis.  In my graduate studies, I have taught classes, both composition and American Literature, worked for the Office of University Writing acting as Dr. Marshall’s personal assistant, but also as a Defoe Research Fellow in historical writing research.  However, before all that, I sat in your exact seat. I was an Auburn freshman who got lost in the Haley Center, lived on campus, and had to start completely over in a new place. Auburn holds a special place in my heart, and as your freshman writing teacher, I hope to equip you with skills that will carry you through the rest of your college career no matter what your major is.

Outside the classroom, I love to travel and try new things.  Other cultures and languages fascinate me, and I have travelled to 13 different countries thus far. I think my love for places and adventure ultimately comes from a love of people. Life is made up of relationships, wouldn’t you say? Also, I can never get enough music, books and movies! And one day, I hope to live by a body of water – lake, ocean, river – I don’t care which! But still, the parts of my life that are of utmost importance are my friends, my family, and my Savior, and these are the details of my life that have made me who I am today. 

So, for your very first assignment, I want you to write a letter back to me.  Who are you? Where are you from? What has made you who you are today as you sit in my classroom? This assignment should be at least a one-page letter of introduction.  This semester, I will be working hard to challenge you and improve your writing.  In turn, I hope you will work hard to benefit from this class. I look forward to reading your letter. It is so very nice to meet you!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Laura Elmer

(a picture from my freshman year)