Class Update and Writing Discussion for 10/30/13

Class will resume in the same scheduled rooms and buildings next Monday, November 4. Be prepared to talk about the readings and writing connections during lecture and your infographics during the workshop. If you see any of your fellow classmates on campus, please let them know, as not everyone has been participating online.

Also, during the workshop Monday, I will be scheduling times when everyone needs to meet with me to discuss where you stand in the class. This will be done during office hours starting Wednesday, November 6, and will not last longer than 15 minutes, so please make time next week during office hours to be available.

For today's discussion due tonight at midnight, compare and contrast the writing processes you use with creating your infographic and with writing longer works (journals, essay, quick writes, etc.). How are you approaching the two? Similarly or differently? What have you found is necessary for one or both? Explore this question by critically thinking about the writing process(es).

Infographic Discussion for 10/28/13

For this discussion, everyone needs to submit a link to a website which has helped you understand, visualize, and/or create an idea for your infographics. If you have not searched online yet, do so now. The purpose of this blog post if to accumulate a list of helpful websites the class can use to help formulate preparations.

So simply copy and past the link to a reply comment to this link and explain why this post was helpful and how you plan on using it with your own projects (visualize it, color schemes, audience, direction, approach, etc.)

Everyone needs to submit at least one link by tomorrow noon, but if you find more in your search and/or throughout the semester, feel free to add them to this blog. Therefore, this is a good blog post to bookmark and keep coming back to as a resource for your projects.

Any questions, just E-mail.

Writing Discussion for 1025/13

Before Sunday at midnight, everyone should choose a handout from the following Drive link and make a connection to any of the 1-7 readings.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B53NUyxkRNkNWFEzN25ZZDFJSmc&usp=sharing

Do not use the same pair as your peers. For your response, answer the following questions:

1. Which handout did I choose?
2. Which reading did I choose?
3. What connection can be made between the two? (This is the main question for this discussion post, so try to focus on critically thinking about what both documents convey.)
4. Does the handout support the reading or not, and why?

ALSO- Please keep posting updated version of your projects in your Stage 3 Drive folders. Some of you have already uploaded one or two, which is great. I want everyone to post up an image of where you are at with your projects this weekend, so I can start talking to each of you individually either via E-mail or when we meet again.

Any questions, just E-mail. ;-)

Discussion for 10/23/13

For today's blog discussion, I want everyone to choose one handout over the reading, writing, or critical thinking process from the Handouts folder in the class Google Drive. Choose a different one than those already chosen by your peers. There are enough posted for everyone to do a different handout.

For the handout, I want you to read it, write a brief description over what the purpose of the handout is, and then answer the following questions:

1. What type of writer would this handout help?
2. In what stage of the writing process would this handout come in handy?
3. How does this handout approach the reading/writing process?
4. What new idea/concept did I learn from this handout?
5. What else could be helpful to add to this handout in regards to adding more to the handout topic?

These questions and the brief description are due tomorrow by noon.

Any questions, just E-mail

Here is a link to the handout folder:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B53NUyxkRNkNVmRkSXFfWVhOdVE&usp=sharing

Infographic Check-In

Before Tuesday at midnight, everyone should upload an image of the current state of the project. Take a quick photo, scan your work, whatever you need to do to show me where you are at and/or what you have planned. Upload the image to your folder in Drive (Under Stage 3). Once you do this, reply to this thread with a brief description of what your plan/image/idea is and what steps you will take to make it there.

Any questions, just E-mail.

Reading 7 Discussion

Reading  7 by Sommers is now posted at the top of the Blog site. Read the article and tell me what it is about and what you agree or disagree with. Cite at least one paragraph, idea, or sentence as support for your response. Everyone must comment on at lest one peer's response post. The responses are due Monday by noon.

Remember to keep working on your projects. It is looking like we will resume class the first week of November, so I would like to see in class where everyone is at and what you guys and girls are creating. Any questions, let me know.

Discussion for 10/16

For this discussion post, I would like everyone to talk about one's own experience with writing a research paper either during high school or college. Write about the process and steps you took to write your paper and reflect on this. Compare the process to the past readings (1-6) and discuss anything you would have done differently or are glad you did, etc. How do the processes and steps taken for your chosen research paper compare to the infographic process we are taking in this course?

All three prompt questions should be responded to by Thursday at midnight.

Everyone should provide feedback to at least one peer's post.

Infographics - Audience, Topic, and Media Connection

Okay everyone,

So hopefully everyone was able to narrow down a specific content base for your project. No one has written me seeking individualized help, so I'm taking this as good news... I think. Remember, if you are "stuck" or need some advice, feel free to E-mail me or stop by the Writing Center.

For this week, I want you guys to start thinking and planning the construction of your projects by answering the following questions in this post:
- Who is my audience?
- What is my topic?
- How can I make a connection between the two?
- What, then, would be an appropriate media to use that would work for both my audience and my topic? (By "media" I mean hand made, an App, a program like Photoshop or Illustrator, Prezi, etc.)
Everyone should reply and help out at least one other peer on this topic. Let's get a conversation.

Remember to look back at the assignment sheet (found in Drive) for the fine print on the construction process.

Any questions, feel free to E-mail.

Meme for 10/14/13

Make a connection between Dwight's logic and the infographic projects. What types of strategies do you plan on using to make your infographics attract attention? Try to be specific to your projects and avoid generalities, like using only stating "using bright colors" or "putting my title in bold font". Let's start a conversation and help each other out.

Stage 3 Folder Link

Here is the folder link where you can keep your infographic update images. Remember to do the whole Add to Drive and View in Drive first and then create a folder under your name (Last name, First name) in the Stage 3 folder before uploading images. Hope to see everyone's progress soon!

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B53NUyxkRNkNMlotLW9uLWJfUFk&usp=sharing

Anne Lamott Reading Discussion

I was reading everyone's comments on the article and the relations made towards the writing process described. What Lamott wrote is totally agreeable with student writers, including myself, when it comes to how we feel when we write and while we write. For this discussion post, I want everyone to talk about a specific time when you have written that relates to the reading. Choose a paragraph or two, an idea, direct quote and compare and/or contrast it to your own writing experience. Everyone should respond to another peer's post to get the conversation going on the topic. 

One of my favorite sentences is the last line on page 22 - "The first draft is the child's draft..." My writing, even at the graduate level, all starts out as a child's draft. I have to get my ideas down first and then mold them the way I think works best to work the prompt. It has become a habit for me, to just write down my ideas without any particular order or meaning. Once I see it on paper, I can see everything and move things around. It is better for me to see something concrete than balance abstract ideas in my head without trying to forget any of them. How about you all?

What concepts did you get out of the reading? Pretty much everyone who wrote said the reading can be related to, but what do you now understand about the writing process that can help you with your future writing careers?

Responses should be posted before Sunday at midnight.

Thesis Problems

Hey everyone,

I was reviewing the responses from last week, and it seems like everyone is on the same page when it comes to being confused over creating the thesis statement for your projects. First of all, I don't want anyone stressing over this. We are taking this step by step, but you guys have to put in the effort to create your projects. Do not wait for me or one of your peers to suggest or produce an idea for you.

Your thesis statement is meant to guide you on what research you are going to use to support your thesis, who your target audience will be, and the ultimate construction of our projects.

There are several ways to approach this:

-Some of your peers left you guys great feedback in visiting the Writing Center. It may be you need to talk it out with someone who is able to ask you the right questions to get you thinking about what you specifically want to base your infographic on. You can always E-mail me, but if you want to have a conversation face-to-face with someone, visit the Writing Center and get some great handouts (which can be found in the Handouts folder in Drive) with explanations. You can also stop by Dr. Colin Charlton's office and let him know you are one of my students and wanted to talk to him about the infographic. Remember, he is doing a similar project with his graduate students.

-Ask yourself, "What is it I want to stay about my topic?" Fill in the blank "For my major/how-to/biography infographic, I want to tell ___(who)_____ that ____(a specific sentence or two)__________." The portion after "that" is your thesis or what you specifically want to say about your project.

For example, "For my major, I want to tell incoming graduate that the ESL program at UTPA offers a more beneficial and competitive degree than other universities in South Texas." "For my how-to infographic, I want to tell parents of newborns that if babies consume breast milk form birth, the development of their immune systems greatly strengthens." For my biography infographic, I want to tell future piano players that Ray Charles symbolizes a role model for African Americans and people with disabilities to accomplish their goals without prejudice nor negative support."

If you guys have any more questions, please contact me or any other the other individuals listed. Remember to talk to one another for help and respond to your peers' feedback. Let's have conversations and help each other on here.

:-)

Meme for 10/9/13

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In our case, it's three times a week. The purpose of the projects is to make a connection between the writing process and the construction of the projects. For today's quick write/discussion post, everyone should comment on the connections (similarities and differences) between the connection. What do you think? What are you noticing so far with your projects? How is it similar/different from the writing you are doing/have done/expected to do, etc.?

Responses to this post should be done no later than 7:00 P.M. tomorrow. 

Project Status 10/7/13

So, I've decided Monday's blog theme will focus on the infographic projects, Wednesday's will focus on the writing process, and Friday's will focus on a reading, which will have a reading response due by the proceeding Monday.

In this blog post, I would like for everyone to comment on the progress made on your projects since last week. By this time, everyone should have chosen a final topic, found their academic and reliable sources (remember to keep MLA citations for future reference), and narrowed down a topic thesis statement on what specifically your infographics will express.

Each student should comment on at least two of their peers posts and provide helpful feedback. Look back on the readings for what works as positive, helpful feedback and remember to use your critical thinking skills to really think about ways to help each other.

Also, start thinking about who your thesis statement works for/attracts/would benefit from. Who is your target audience? This is important when determining how your text and overall construction of your projects will form.

Remember, these same steps are used in the writing process. There are two parts in getting a message across: the speaker and the listener; you guys are the speakers - the writers and constructors of what you want to express in your infographics; the audiences are the listeners - be clear and creative so they can interpret and understand what you want to say because each voice is important and should be heard.

Meme for 10/7/13

Quick Write: Make some connection between this awesome Star Wars meme and where you are in terms of your project thesis statement. How is yours coming along? Have you specified or need help specifying your topics?

Reading 6

Reading 6: Read and provide feedback over Reading 6. Some questions you can answer, but are not limited to, include: do you agree or disagree with certain points of the reading?; in what ways can you relate to the reading? In your responses, cite at least one reference (i.e. page number, paragraph number, or heading) to help your classmates find the points in the article you are referencing. This blog post must be completed by Sunday, 10/6, at midnight. You can find this article in the top of the blog post next to the other readings. If you are having trouble finding or opening the document and you are using an iPad or tablet, please try opening it from a laptop or desktop or from the desktop view first.

Project Updates

Project Updates: In this post, write about where you are with your projects; some possible questions to answer, but are not limited to, include: what is your final topic? Who is your audience? What is your thesis? What stage are you on? What ideas do you have so far? How is your research going? This blog post must be completed by Friday, 10/4, at midnight.

Meme for 10/4/13

Meme for 10/4/13: Quick write a connection between the meme and the time management towards your projects. This blog post must be completed by Friday, 10/4, at midnight

Classwork and Homework for 10/4/13-10/6/13

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for your gratitude. I am the proud mother of 7 lb, 13 oz baby Cielo Alicia Moreno. She is beautiful and perfect in every way!

I have been having trouble with my Internet connection, but all should be good now. We missed Wednesday because of that, so we have a bit of catching up to do.

For today, the following assignments are posted up as blog posts. RESPOND TO EACH BLOG POST INDIVIDUALLY, NOT TO THIS POST.

Meme for 10/4/13: Quick write a connection between the meme and the time management towards your projects. This blog post must be completed by Friday, 10/4, at midnight.

Project Updates: In this post, write about where you are with your projects; some possible questions to answer, but are not limited to, include: what is your final topic? Who is your audience? What is your thesis? What stage are you on? What ideas do you have so far? How is your research going? This blog post must be completed by Friday, 10/4, at midnight.

Reading 6: Read and provide feedback over Reading 6. Some questions you can answer, but are not limited to, include: do you agree or disagree with certain points of the reading?; in what ways can you relate to the reading? In your responses, cite at least one reference (i.e. page number, paragraph number, or heading) to help your classmates find the points in the article you are referencing. This blog post must be completed by Sunday, 10/6, at midnight. You can find this article in the top of the blog post next to the other readings. If you are having trouble finding or opening the document and you are using an iPad or tablet, please try opening it from a laptop or desktop or from the desktop view first.

Feel free to E-mail with any questions on these assignments BEFORE the individual due dates, but not an hour or less before midnight of the assignment date.