Last Day post

I think I've learned a different way to approach papers. Writing an anaylsis about a space/movie/definition was something I've never done before and I found it challenging. But I think its helped me form the ability to look at something analytically and be able to write about it. I think the workshopping we did in class really was helpful to me because I realized what I did and did not want out of my paper by reading others and commenting on them. This had a good effect because at first I didn't really feel like I knew what I was doing and so after the workshopping i could feel secure that I was on the right path with my paper. I found keeping up the blog hard to keep up with (obviously from my lack of posts). This may be just me because I had a  hard semester with 21 credit hours, so maybe it isnt asking a lot, but with other writing classes it was a lot for me. I think the writing approaches learned in this class are definitely useful for other aspects of writing classes.

In Class writing

For my paper I am still unclear about what I am going to write about my paper. I like the idea of going to urbandictionary.com to find a definition because that site provides a lot of current meanings for definitions. There are many controversial ideas in the media that could be touched upon. By including a broader idea with the definition will make it easier to write about a narrow topic. I am interested to see how this paper will be different to work on then the last to analysis papers we did. I am thinking of doing a definition that pertains to TCU or college life so that it is closer to the readers.

In class activity

my bare feet sink into the soft moist soil of the path. Its early morning, and the orange sunlight trickles through the forest's branches. The path is more of a trail really, over roots and rocks. I find a rusted key near some wild violets. It must be copper, since metal is brown and green from oxidation in the outdoors. I wipe the dirt off the emblem. Nearby I spot a wooden cup, hidden in a hollow of a tree. Its carved from a dark mohagany wood, and smells of cinnamon. I take my findings and continue down the path, eager to find more treasures. Not long I come to a fallen tree that blocks my path. It's long roots now reaching out into the morning air.It must have fallen in a storm, I think to myself, although not too long ago since its leaves are still alive and green. I climb through the horizontal tree, ducking twigs and climbing over the trunk. As soon as I emerge from the branches I realize I'm standing in front of a large tree that must have been as wide as a car. A small thatched door made of boughs and clay. as I look up at the tree I realize it must be hollow since a little clay chimney emitted from the side. Looking around, there was a fire pit and an ancient stonewall, probabley from colonial times.As I extend my gaze past the stonewall, a stronger light streams through the trees: a clearing is ahead. Curious to see where this strange abode neighbors by, I walk towards the thinning trees. I reach the end of the forest I realize the expanse is a drop to a valley below. From this height I can see across the many foothills of the Berkshires, all aflame with the hues of New England Autumn. The air is more crisp out of the trees, less earthy but still as vibrant. I could sense the moisture in the air and predicted a snowfall soon.

In Class 10/27/11

The prewriting prompts really helped me to organize what I could argue within my paper. It helped me to narrow down what topics to talk about. I also really liked the workshopping because it gave me personal feedback and allowed me to read other's papers to ensure that I was on the right track with how I was writing. What I wish was different was perhaps to have the draft deadlines spaced out a bit more - I got caught up with other assignments and rehearsal that I had literally no time to work on it between deadlines. Perhaps if there was more time I could dedicate more attention to each draft.

Author's Note

Having the prewriting prompts really helped me with this paper. I really enjoyed it more then the public space analysis because I felt that there was more tangible aspects to write about. I felt like this paper I really knew more about what I was doing, but I had a harder time talking about the analytic part of the movie instead of the content of the movie. I had to work to find an equal medium in order to make an argument

in response to my feedback

I like being able to read feedback on my paper because I gain information from another pair of eyes. Most of what the readers had to say I agree with, such as incorporating more sources for my argument and providing examples for the point I am trying to make. Besides that, grammatical corrections will come when I give attention to it in my final draft.

In Class

For this movie analysis paper, I am most worried about being biased in my analysis because of how the movie may effect me. The film is a documentary about a man that teaches people how to handle and 'break in' horses without violence. It has very beautiful shots that help the viewer to understand the lifestyle the main character has and what his work accomplishes. I picked this film off itunes because I wanted to do the paper on something I had never seen or knew much about.
The film has no soundtrack or score, with only the main character's voice to narrate it. This gives the film the feeling of being realistic and reflective. I think this movie may be controversial because it is introducing a new way of treating horses that is untraditional for the past 100 years.

Before you read response

Although Reality TV does not Seem to be a kind of program that would need 'writers', I realize that even though it's called Reality TV doesn't mean that what your seeing has no influence from directors, script writers, lighting etc. With that being said, I think that the writers do qualify for recognition because they are writin for a program to create drama. I do feel that the idea of Reality Tv is false - since there is so much effort put into it, it cannot be real reality and therefore is cheating if the audience is supposed to be convinced that what they are seeing is unedited.

In class 10/13

I think we were meant to read these two texts so that the different messages that can be percieved through movies is more evident. For example, the online article highlights the psychological and marketing strategies through "selling" a generation and therefore, explains why the movie was so cool and popular.

kairos

I think that everyone has probably experienced a little Kairos - missing the opportune time or specific circumstance for something. The article about Mark McGuire definitely highlights this term in regards to his confession to congress that was five years too late. There are many possible scenarios for this phenomenon to occur so it is ethical to not hesitate on alterior motives (as McGuire did). Ethics is related to kairos in that holding back information or lying or hesitating with an apology is how you miss the opportunity to do the right thing.

Public Space Reflection

I didn't really have a method with this paper, since I still find it difficult to find an 'argument' with inanimate objects, but I tried to just observe and with my observations learn about what the space was telling me. I think with a movie it will be easier because there will be more to go off of to anaylze. The plot, the characters, the time period, the set, all will be able to say more than whats between four walls. I am looking forward to watching a movie in an analytical way because I like to get more then just entertainment out of watching. I like to be able to think about what I have seen.

Final Authors Note

I had a hard time writing this paper in the sense that I had to sort through a lot of my own connotations with the space in order to give a clear yet in depth analysis. I caught myself comparing the renovated building with the old building and I wasn't sure if that was a good idea to do for my analysis. However I figured i could give a visitors view as well as my view so that the reader could understand how the space could be seen to have different arguments for different people. I liked writing this on the dance building because it made me think about my surroundings that I'm constantly in that usually just becomes a blur from day to day. Writing this gave me a chance to really understand what I understood from the building. When analyzing, I kept coming up with abstract concepts or vibes instead of an actual statement. I write about in my paper how the whiteness of the studios feels stark and makes me think of focus and clarity. I'm not sure if that is where my paper should have been going but that is where it ended up.

Workshop feedback

Doing the workshop last week was helpful in that when I was reading others' papers I noticed things that I was probably doing in my paper as well. So it made me take another look at my own paper with a critical eye so that I could see where it needed improvement. Also it was fun to read everyone else's papers and make sure I was on the right track with the assignment.

Author's Note/ Rough Draft

I chose to do my paper on a building that I know very well so that I could perhaps give the reader a more in depth understanding of its possible arguments. In addition, I had to separate myself from my experiences there in order to also provide a visitor's perspective. I wrote the paper in perspective as if the reader were entering and walking through the building, hopefully to portray what the real sensation would be like.

Unit 1: Analyzing a Public Space

            If someone was to ask a random TCU student where Erma Lowe Hall is on campus, chances are he or she would have no idea what building you were talking about. Formally known as the Ballet and Modern Dance Building, the recently renovated facility has taken on a new name and new appearance.  Named after a generous benefactress, and affectionately nicknamed ‘Erma’ by the frequent inhabitants, the building used to be Texas Christian’s first Recreational Center in the early days of the university.  It is acknowledged as one of the oldest buildings on campus and still possessed a pool that one of the three dance studios was built over. However now that the TCU’s renovation team has invaded, the facility has received much needed restoration and attention. Even though ‘Erma’ is a very different from the other TCU buildings,  hopefully now that it has joined the rank of recently renovated it will gain more awareness across campus.

            Like any other building part of the TCU campus, the exterior is made up of yellow brick and cream molding on the traditional architecture. It sits between Palko and Clark dormitory, slightly obscured by the old, majestic trees that provide canopy for TCU. Walking by, a pedestrian would not be able to tell its full of dance studios, costumes, and pianos, especially now that it is called “Erma Lowe Hall” (no offense Erma).  Upon entering, you immediately go up steps to get to an air-conditioned lobby that at first glance may look like any other TCU academic building. The walls are white and the purple that every TCU student can identify with. The lobby is separated from the hallway by a glass wall that gives the room an honest, open feel. The ceiling over the tiled walkways is exposed piping – even though the building has been finished. I’m not sure if it was unintended or an architectural decision but it adds contrast to the various circular lights that light the lobby on the other side of the glass wall.  Besides a purple couch that is against the two glass walls, the floor is carpeted with a small coffee table. To the right are three arm chairs  with convenient outlets in their sides, and three smaller square rolling chairs. These rolling chairs could be considered a curious choice for furnishing since their purpose is not obvious at first. However they can be used as foot rests or tables or seats. A large flat screen tv is on the far side of the medium sized space and to the left of it is a small kitchen with sink, cupboards, and refrigerator. This may be one of the first things a visitor may notice to be out of place in a TCU building. Why a refrigerator? The Dance Department and majoring students tend to live in Erma Lowe. Students will make lunch and dinner there because of their long schedule and minimal breaks. You’ll also find students sleeping on the lobby couch, doing homework, or stretching in positions that would seem scandalous in public. 

In the local community

Erma Lowe doesn't seem to be well known across campus which is why I am writing this paper about it. It hold dance majors' classes and a few nonmajor classes like survey of dance or beginning ballet, or a jazz class. I think this building is really catered to the majors because of the personal attention we get in the building. There is a womens and mens dressing room complete with showers, lockers, and makeup counter (for womens' obviously) that can be accessed only by a major's id card. Only majors can get into the building past five pm with their ID card up til ten pm in order to go to rehearsals. There are student mailboxes where we can receive notices or returned assignments, majors' pilates room, and a refrigerator and microwave for meals. I'm not sure if other buildings are like that so it seems unique to me.

public space observation

To observe Erma Lowe Hall was an interesting experience. Since I'm there so often I had to detach myself from the connotations I held with the space in order to gain a different perspective. It is an interesting place to sit and observe because whether your in the lobby or an office or the studio, there's usually piano music or the rhythmic beat of drums pulsing through the walls. What I noticed during my observation is actually that there is a surprising lack of artistic touch to the interior of the building as of now. Although the building is probably not finished with decor, when I really looked around I realized it doesn't have the same creative feel that the old building did. Before the renovations, the lobby displayed reproductions of paintings, a dancing statue here or there, and a whole wall full of senior's professional audition photos. This made the lobby feel warm and informal, whereas now without such materials the room has a cold and impersonal affect.
When I observe the studios, I am first confronted with the whiteness of the room. White walls, white barre, and light grey marley floor. The piano in the corner is the only real color in the room. Large windows bring natural light in. The space reminds me of a laboratory because of the feel of 'no-nonsense' it portrays, since everything is so clean and bare. Of course, when students take class things change a little bit... strewn warmups appear on the barre and water bottles are prevalent against the wall.

Celebrity death analysis

The actor Ryan Matthew Dunn died June 20th 2011 this past summer. In the obituary that I observed the deceased was note for the films, dvds, and television he starred in. This seems to be a quantitative evaluation that is recognized as his achievements. The claims on the website argue that he was a well-known celebrity personality due to the ridiculous skits done in Jackass. The reason being for this evaluation is that the non-professional stunt men in this film performed dangerous and risky stunts

.http://www.celebrity-deaths.com/celebrity-deaths-and-obituaries/actor-ryan-dunn-dies-in-crash/

Public Space Proposal

The place I am going to be analyzing is the TCU dance building, but the studios in particular. I feel that this new renovated building on campus is a place that non-majors feel alienated in or that they are not allowed to be there. It is a public place that anyone can go into during university hours and is a unique workplace at TCU. The old building was the original recreational center for TCU, and still had a pool under one of the studio floors until this semester. Now the new building looks like most other buildings when you walk in: new, purple, and clean. However the 'classrooms' are dance studios. Which may be very peculiar to people that have not had any dance experience. I look forward to reviewing the space so that perhaps the reader will feel like the building is not so mysterious and forbidden.

Local Places

I'm from a small New England town in Connecticut so coming to Texas for college was a huge culture shock. I live in a historical district where most of the houses are from the colonial period. It's a really great place to live if your into early American history because everything has a historical story linked to it. The beginnings of the Episcopalian Church began in a house down the road from me and every year there is a little colonial fair called Colonel Mustard day and has revolutionary war demonstrations, wool carding, candle making and other early American activities. Of course this probably would not be a place for everyone to live, however its charm and aesthetic appeal attracts a lot of NYC people that want second homes in the quiet country. One of my favorite places is the Hollow park that has a secret rope swing amongst the old trees that will drop you into the river. Another place is the fire tower, which is a hike up one of the small foothills in Woodbury that brings you to an old fire watch tower that puts the viewer on top of the tree canopy and you can see the whole valley that Woodbury resides in. This is especially scenic if it is around late september or october because the trees look like they've been set on fire. This fire tower is also kindof special to me because it has been graffitied with love proclamations, random thoughts, and of course some inevitable profanity. Standing in the little tower makes me think of all the people that have come here where I am standing to gaze out upon the little town that we all live in. The high school sweethearts, hikers, families, and the troublemakers that are responsible for the smashed beer bottles below all seem to have immortalized themselves on the metal, creating a new contribution of history to the town of Woodbury, a history that I have been a part of.

Not Just Words

When I first look at this picture my mind recognizes the patriotic colors and stripes. However looking more closely, one can see that where the fifty stars should be are symbols that are prevalant in America: Nike, McDonalds, Apple, Internet, ABC... This picture seems to be representing the fifty states of America with fifty commerical symbols. This seems to be objectifying the nation for its commercial products and materials instead of the uniform stars that historically occupy that location on the American flag.

To Argue or Not to Argue

I agree that everything is an argument. Everything that can be verbalized as in words, meanings, concepts can be argued. What you see/hear is an argument because it immediately results in you forming a thought or a reaction to it. You are inevitably subjecting yourself to an argument, whether its voluntary or not. And of course there can always be oposition to even a statement or question. An advertisment on the TV or even poetry. Of course when one looks at a bumper sticker on an old chevy the viewer isnt going to automatically think “what an argument!” but it is going to put a thought into his head and there can always be a counter thought that disagrees or doesnt believe with whatever the bumper sticker is saying. Spoken words are ephemeral, however when they are heard their effect is a catalyst on the listener and their following reaction is inevitable. 

Introductory Blog

Hi my name is Julianne and I'm a ballet and writing major. I'm a junior from Woodbury, Connecticut. I feel comfortable writing essays and papers however I hope to gain a more stylistic quality to my writing so that I can inform or convey an idea clearly, yet also in a unique and interesting way. I want to have a strong foundation in writing structure/grammar/whatever so that I can focus on more artistic choices. A concern I have with this class is working on a deadline - since I'm not one of those people that perform better under pressure of a time crunch. Hopefully staying on top of assignment dates will ensure that I don't leave things to the last minute. Outside of class I don't write very much but when I do, I like to write about certain ideas that I'll come across. After I have them down on paper I'll elaborate on it and sometimes it will form into a story or an in depth observation. I'm not really sure what you would call it.
As a blogger I guess I could be arguing a contemporary or artistic look on my blog, since my words seem to be floating in the middle of a living room.