Project 3 Reflection: BEATS?!

       I thought project three was interesting. My friend Karl and I really struggled to find a topic that we both cared about. I ended up picking the smoking ban and he talked about the Tiki Luau. Project three was very different from what I am used to in English but I thought I finished strong. I thought my interviews were my strongest part of my script and am thankful for my insightful friends. I learned how to compose an interview and how to make interviews flow into a script. My biggest struggle was my conclusion. I was really grasping at straws until I thought I found something that I could work with. I am a lot more confident with my conclusion now (thanks to a hint from Mr. Linthicum). 

The other issue I had was a mistake on my part. Garage band sets up the time as beats. Beats are NOT seconds. When I ended up finished with my script, I had only 80 seconds (which were really beats). I was freaking out and re-recorded all of my audio, so I would talk slow and create more time. I found out that the time was measured in beats and that my script was actually about 8 minutes long. This made me freak out even more (since it was about 11:00) Once again, I re-recorded my audio and talked at a normal speed. My final audio finished at 6:01.

I thought I crafted a strong argument. Even though I do not smoke, I was still interested in the topic. Luckily, my friends were too and they gave great quotes to bolster my points. I struggled with finding out what my topic would be, should I argue that the ASU smoking ban is good for the community? Should I argue that it is bad for the community? There are good points to both of the argument, which makes it such a great debate and I wanted to include them both. I chose to talk about ASU coming together because of the ban. I feel like this was a much stronger topic for me because I did not really have a stance on the ban and this allowed me to research both of the sides.

I have done a lot of work with audio and editing softwares. I had worked with audacity in high school but really forgot how to do a lot of the tricks. Audio is a real strong tool in writing and I thought learning how to write a script was great. I have not had a lot of experience with writing scripts but felt like this was very helpful. 

I feel like I will apply my interviewing skills outside of the university. Holding a microphone to someone is weird but coming up with questions on the spot, especially follow up questions, can be even harder. I have to get better at editing and must work on cutting things, lowering some volume and making quotes flow. 

Overall, I thought project 3 was an experience. I ended up learning a lot more than I had originally and had a lot of fun doing it.

Script Draft: Smoking Ban

I will first talk about the smoking ban and what it means for the ASU community. I chose this topic because this ban effects everyone at ASU. 

Beginning next summer, Arizona State will ban all tobacco products. Arizona State will ban tobacco on all four of their campuses. While this is a highly debated issue, the ban on tobacco products is good for the Arizona State community because it brings people together. Whether someone is in favor of the ban and intends to enforce the ban themselves, or is against the ban and protests it vehemently, both sides are joining together in the heated debate. I will then talk about the students who disagree with the ban. I will interview students that smoke and ones who do not, that disagree and will protest this ban. 

 The ban on tobacco has outraged a number of students who believe that smoking, while harmful, is their decision to make.

John: “Do you feel as if the smoking ban is good for the ASU community?”  

Karl: “I feel like I should be able to smoke even if it is harmful. I am an adult and should be able to choose to smoke or not.”

Students believe that the smoking ban is harmful for the ASU community because they believe it strips the students of their freedom. Students do not think the smoking ban is a moral issue and believe it is more about choice. Interview.

John: “Do you believe the smoking ban is a moral issue?” 

Karl: “No I believe the argument is about choice. Smoking is obviously bad for you but that does not mean that it should be outlawed. Eating Mcdonalds is unhealthy but that’s the consumers decision. Imagine Mcdonalds being outlawed. It would never happen.”

The Students for Liberty has protested the ban and gave out free cigarettes to people who would sign the petition to protest the ban. Students for Liberty used the phrase, “Smoke. Chew. It’s up to you.” The Students for Liberty is a perfect example of people coming together to protest the ban. Arizona State’s smoking community has gotten stronger because of the ban. 

Some students believe that the ban is wrong because it makes everyday citizens criminals. 

Makes everyday citizens criminals. The smoking ban has a lot of parallels to prohibition. Why ban something that everybody does? Why put people that smoke cigarettes into the same class as people who murder people and do far worse things. 

John: “How do you feel about the school putting a ban on cigarettes?”

Karl “I feel like the ban makes everyone criminals. I’m not a rapist. I’m not a bad person because I smoke cigarettes and do not want to be seen as one because I smoke.”

The smoking ban has strengthened the ASU smoking community but smokers are not the only ones who disagree with the ban on tobacco. 

John: “You don’t smoke Austin. How do you feel about this ban?”

Austin: “I have never smoked in my life but I disagree with this ban. People should at least have the option to smoke. Even though I hate the smell of smoke, it does not take away from the fact that they should be able to smoke. It’s not about if you think smoking is right or wrong because it is wrong. But it is about the students ability to choose if he wants to smoke or not.”

People that believe in the ability to choose have come together, whether they smoke or not. 

People who agree with the ban have come together as well. Students who are for the ban, believe that smoking should be banned because of health issues. There are many students who are afraid of the danger of second hand smoke. 

I will interview someone who is in favor of the ban and believes that the second hand smoke is too dangerous to have on campus. 

Many people believe that smoking should be outlawed because of the number of sick days that smoking creates. Attendance in college is important and smoking makes students more prone to sickness. (Put in interview of someone who has gotten sick a lot or missed classes because of heavy smoking)

The people (students and faculty) who believe that the ban is justified must come together if they hope to enforce the new law. The law is a “self-police” policy. The ASU police will not enforce the law. Students and faculty are asked to enforce the policy. Because the policy is not handled by the ASU police, students who favor the ban must come together to enforce the ban. One student asking a group of four that are smoking will not have much success in enforcing the ban but a group of 10 will have a stronger chance. (Interview someone who intends to enforce the ban)

An issue that the self-police policy brings is bullying. If that one student were to try and enforce the policy, he/she might be bullied and threatened to do otherwise. The possibility of bullying is one of the drawbacks in this policy but should not push the law to be protested. Why should someone be bullied when he/she is following the law. A scare tactic should influence the decision on whether ASU should ban smoking. 

Arizona State’s ban on tobacco has strengthened certain communities on campus. Students and faculty who believe that smoking should be allowed have come together to fight the ban, while students who believe that smoking is harmful to the people around them have come together to fight for the ban on smoking. The fact that so many people are coming together in order to fight for what they believe in, makes the Arizona State community stronger. 

ASU Reacts

Hello this is John Kluepfel from John’s podcast. Today, we will be discussing the NPR story Dreams of A Peacetime U.S. Presidency. The podcast was hosted by Guy Raz and Micah Zenko. Micah Zenko of the Council on Foreign Relations believes that it is impossible for a U.S. President to not be involved in military operations. Zenko believes that America will go to war with Afghanistan. Zenko says that the last peacetime president was Warren G Harding. Zenko believes that the American public has gotten  used to America participating in war. Zenko believes that because the American President is regarded with such power, he has more pressure than a leader of a smaller country to participate in war. 

Chairmen of the chief joint of staff Martin Dempsey takes the other side. Dempsey believes that “We are now living in the most dangerous time”. 

This topic is important because the  assumption that war is a substitute for foreign policy is frightening. The manipulation of the media in making movies with Navy seals for profit or to make war seem more acceptable is also frightening. The article also talks about the change in perception with targeted killings. Zenko believes that it was highly accepted that targeted killing was wrong until September 11, 2001. Today, many people believe the 400 plus targeted killings outside of a battlefield setting are justified.    

“To talk about this topic with me is Austin Olshefski.”

“How are you Austin?

“I’m feeling fresh Johnny Pod”

“Do you believe that it is possible for America to have a peacetime president?”

“Absolutely not. I believe that America will always be in war in any way shape or form whether it is supplying resources or physically engaging in battle.” 

“Why do you feel that way Austin?”

“Because of Americas history.”

“Do you believe that America will go to war with Afganistan?”

“No but I believe America will be involved in another military operation”.

“If Zenko is correct, how does it feel for the last peacetime president (Warren G Harding) to be in the 1920s.”

“I feel like it supports my statement that America will always be in war somehow.”

“Do you believe that Americans have gotten used to America participating in war”

“Yes. We have always been in war so people don’t know how it feels to be in peacetime”.

“Do you agree with Zenko that it is alarming that America always participates in war or Martin Dempsey, Chairmen of the chief joint of staff who believes that America is living in the most dangerous time”, 

“I agree with Dempsey. I believe there are so many threats out there and we are in more danger if we are not prepared”.

“Do you think America should just be prepared or always at war?”

“I believe that America should always be in war. Especially because we are America and are trying to be the world’s police. 

“Do you think America takiing big stances on countries like Iraq and Afghanistan lowers these threats?”

“No because I think this creates more dislike towards America in the middle east which causes more of a threat. 

“How do you feel about targeted killings?”

“I believe it is necessary to take down a leader like Sadaam Hussain because he is the leader of the operation.”

“Do you think the media takes advantage of war and profits from movies like Act of Valor?” 

“Absolutely. If people are interested in the subject they will take every advantage to make a profit.”

“Do you believe that the media uses movies to make war seem more applicable?”

“No. I don’t think they are trying to intentionally make war seem more acceptable but are just trying to make a profit.”

Genre Analysis: Dreams of A Peacetime U.S. Presidency

The NPR story that I listened to was Dreams of A Peacetime U.S. Presidency. The story was asking the question, is it possible for a U.S. President to not be involved in military operations. Guy Raz is the host who talks to Micah Zenko of the Council on Foreign Relations. Zenko is a modern war expect. The article discusses the topic that even if the Iraq war if over, the war in Afghanistan “will soon follow”. The story is convincing because it uses important people to back up the evidence. Using a modern war expect is a good source of information. Zenko believes that President Obama will never be a peacetime president and that Warren G Harding was the last peacetime president. The use of Warren G Harding as the last peacetime president is interesting. His statement says that the last peacetime president was in the 1920s. The fact that Zenko believes that the last peacetime president was nearly 100 years ago is interesting. Zenko believes that American people have gotten used to the fact that America participates in war. The article introduces the topic of Americans not minding military operations when Raz introduces Zenko. Zenko said, “It’s been a pretty steady assumption that the U.S. will use military force abroad.”  
      The genre of this piece was to explain what the loss of a peacetime president meant. The conversation was pretty informal and was not language that was used was easy for listeners to comprehend. Evidence is used with good quotes and interviews. The host chose this type of evidence because in an audio essay, it is important to use interviews and quotes. The topic if very well organized. The topic is brought up and the sides are both talked about. The story finishes with the consequences of what everything means. The citation styles and the design are not seen in an audio essay. 

Raz introduces the Chairmen of the chief joint of staff Martin Dempsey. Raz talks about Dempsey’s theory that “We are now living in the most dangerous time” Dempsey says that America is in more danger now than ever before since he was born (1952). Raz suggest that if this is true, it makes it more acceptable to participate in military operations. Zenko does not believe that we are in a more dangerous time than the Vietnam war or the Cuban Missile Crises. Zenko agrees with the statement that America should have a strong military but asks if America taking such a big stance in countries like Iraq or Afghanistan lowers the threats at all?

Guy Raz talks about the topic that because being the American President instead of President of Turkey puts more pressure to take part in military operations.

Raz and Zenko then discuss the consequences of not having a peacetime president. The assumption that people believe that war is an acceptable substitution for foreign policy. The media enabling war, as the many movies involving navy seals. Zenko also talks about the change of perception with targeted killings. Before 9/11, Zenko believes that Americans opposed all targeting killings. 

Zenko says, “If you would have told people on September 12, 2001 that the U.S. would have conducted 400 targeted killings outside of a battlefield settings, killing something like 3,000 plus people they would have never believed you. And there seems to be no public debate on whether this is a good or bad thing”. 

This story uses very good quotes and good evidence. It uses smart people that know what they are talking about but does not provide a lot of facts. An audio essay must have people to back up the claims and have facts. The audio essays must have interviews with other people and interesting quotes. The use of Martin Dempsey’s quote was a good quote to use. Audio essays must have quotes that rely back to the topic. Dempsey’s quote worked because it dealt with the military operations but quotes about the President’s win in Florida would not have fit. This was a very good story but I thought more facts and stats were needed instead of just opinions.

I want to do something that deals with sports as my topic. What the ASU football or basketball team mean to the community and how they effect the school. I am not sure if I want to do this but it is an idea...

Project Two Reflection: Clutch

        I was very stressed with project two. I thought my draft was written well but I struggled with making changes. I thought the paper was strong and did not want to take out things that I thought were important. I struggled with coming up with new things and trying to make them fit the flow of the essay. Whenever I thought of my essay, I could not think of new things to contribute. I was getting nervous as to how I was going to change my essay. I took a risk. I took a break. I stopped thinking about anything related to the essay hoping that a break from trying to think of how I could change it would give me new ideas. Finally, Friday came and I had not thought of anything new. I did not panic but finally sat down to tackle the rest of the essay. When I finally sat myself down and stopped worrying about the essay, it became easier. After not thinking about the essay for what seemed like weeks, I got my groove back. While my brain seemed to click at the right time, I do not wish to take this approach again. It was very risky and nerve racking. 

I also struggled with the view of the project. I am not good at making things look pretty and having a writing assignment with pictures was tough. I did not know what pictures fit and which didn’t and I struggled in making a design for the project. I struggled with creating a map and did not know how to make the map large enough until the last minute. I will apply my work in the world outside of the university by creating projects that are more user friendly that people can visually enjoy. It will be a struggle for me, but I hope to make my projects viewable.  

       I thought my synopsis was done well and I really liked my annotations. I thought I wrote a strong evaluation and am proud of the work I did. I thought my project two was better than my project one. I thought I went a little over on the writing requirements but I thought the things in the project were needed. I really liked my criteria because I truly believe in what I wrote. I am not a fan of big classes and I thought this was my way of telling other people. I have struggled with the lecture classes and online courses and wished to voice my concern with the learning environments. I enjoyed finding sources that backed my opinion that large classes made things like class participation and debating issues harder. I found evidence that showed me that small classes was positive in many aspects that fit my criteria. 

I really enjoyed project two because it was something different. It was not the usual writing assignment and that is what I think caught me off guard. I understand now that projects in the real world will not all be just writing and things like design are vitally important. 

Project 2 Map

View Learning Environments in a larger map

Research Sources: Learning Environment

The topic that I have chosen to evaluate is whether the Arizona State learning systems are effective. I want to explore whether the learning systems are effective at ASU because I have also learned in a small classroom environment. The new systems of online classes, large lecture classes and hybrids are all very new to me. The biggest issue I had was that my criteria for a good learning environment will be different than any other student. The criteria for my topic will be; class participation, student-teacher relationships, lesson flexibility, ability to debate or ask questions, being able to socialize or develop relationships with other students, being able to learn even when missing a class, acceptability into the class and a non-biased atmosphere. 

The four places that I will look to for information will be a small class, a large lecture hall, a hybrid consisting of half online and half in person and an online class. 

The scholarly article that I used was Can Downsizing College Class Sizes Augment Student Outcomes? An Investigation of the effects of Class Size on Student Learning by Lauren Chapman and Larry Ludlow. This article was the Journal of General Education. This was the Vol. 59 issue 2, from pages one hundred five to one hundred twenty three. (19 pages) with one chart and two graphs. This issue deals with the subject of class sizes and how they effect learning. The article also deals with how the system of having large classes at introductory levels and small class sizes at advanced levels effects effects learning. I chose this article because it deals with class sizes and has interesting facts to back up the claim that small classes are better learning environments than large ones. This also interested me because I have been told before that the classes will be smaller in the future and that having big classes at introductory courses is not a big deal. This discusses this topic which is usually not talked about.

The book article that I used was A Comparison of Two Teaching Strategies: Lecture vs. Discussion in a Small Class Environment at Florida Southern College. The book was written by Robert E. Hedrick and was forty four pages. I chose this source because it compared the styles of large lecture halls and small classrooms. The study showed that large lecture halls had higher test courts but small classes had higher interest and attendance. I chose this because there was a sense of compromise between large and small classes. Many people are either for or against when dealing with the topic of small classes and large classes but rarely do people take both side. I learned that there is no perfect system and a collaboration might be the answer for learning.

The third source I used was Hybrid Courses and Their Impact on Student and Classroom Performance: A Case Study at the University of Virginia. I found this article online, https://calico.org/memberBrowse.php?action=article&id=104. The article spanned from pages 517-531 (14 pages). The source was a journal by Emily E. Scida and Rachel E, Saury at the University of Virginia. I used this source because it dealt with Hybrid learning. This was an interesting article that concluded that hybrid learning can be more effective than classroom learning. I chose this article because I wanted to take Japanese but it was only offered five days a week which I could not fit with my other classes. Had Japanese been a hybrid class, I would be able to take it. 

Evaluation: 24

Evaluation: 24

24 is a television show that aired on fox from 2001-2010. The story follows a government agent, Jack Bauer, who works for CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit). The plot revolves around Bauer trying to stop the terrorist threat. 24 is a great show that keeps the audience on their toes. While the terrorist threats are wild and crazy, the show does a great job of showing how the government would strive to stop something this unexpected. So why is 24 important? 24 is special because it shows what regular people can do to protect their country. 

Jack Bauer is a fictional character, but even if he were real, no one (except the people who work with him) would know that he saved the country. Bauer knows that he will never get the recognition that he deserves. It is better if the perception is that the government saved the country, not one man. Jack Bauer risks his life for the country, knowing that he will never be known as an icon. While Jack Bauer is the main character, it is the unexpected characters who help Jack along the way that make the show special. In season 1, a women cop dies while helping Jack. It is the ordinary people who go above and beyond for their country that make the show different. In season 2, George Mason, district director at CTU, was exposed to lethal amounts of plutonium and was told that he had a day to live. Instead of going home to his family or taking the day off like most people, he stayed to help solve the nuclear threat. Mason could have taken the easy way out but instead stayed for the betterment of the country.                                                                                                         Redemption is a big theme in 24 and many people change in order to save the country. In season 5, Lynn McGill, (played by Sean Astin) regional district director, showed how an ordinary man can be a hero. Lynn was mugged of his key card by his drug addicted sister and her boyfriend. Lynn was embarrassed that his sister had stolen his wallet and card and decided not to tell anyone. As it turned out, Lynn’s sister sold the card to a terrorist who used the card to enter CTU. The terrorist got into CTU and flooded nerve gas into the building. CTU was able to evacuate into holding rooms but almost half of the staff perished. Lynn confessed that the attack was his fault. The gas was leaking through the walls which would kill the remaining staff. Lynn then made the ultimate sacrifice by going into the computer console to get control of the ventilation system, knowing well that he would die. Even though Astin was saved, he knew it was his fault and gave his life to save the remaining people. 

While 24 may seem like a flashy show about terrorism, it is much more. 24 shows the good in normal people who do extraordinary things without expecting anything in return.

Project 1 Reflection: Too Long?!

I thought the first paper that we had to write was fun. I did not expect my paper to be fun because I hate nature. I do not enjoy observing things and then writing about them. I love writing about sports and while this was different, it was fun. I liked this because I found a subject that I felt strongly about. The subject of race and equality really affects me. Being an Asian American is difficult and I have had to deal with being called “Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee” for most of my life. I finally had the chance to talk about a place that is past stereotypes and racial profiling.

I thought I did well in talking about race and how Devil’s Den breaks barriers. I liked how I structured my essay and referred it to Frank Vanclay. I liked how I talked about race more than how it feels like home in my first essay. I thought the first essay I wrote was bland but I felt like my finished work was much more refined. I actually felt proud of my work (which does not usually happen) and showed it to my friends. I did not do this essay alone however. I had the other english teacher help me (I forgot his name but he likes the Packers, who lost today!) and I went to the writing center. The writing center really helped me organize my essay and I think I’ll go back there when my next project is due. 

I learned that I can write long essays. Usually when I write, it’s short. It isn’t long and I usually have to throw things in to make it fit the required limit. This essay however, was long. I actually tried to make it shorter, which I have never done before. My essay was probably too long and I had a lot of trouble cutting things. I felt attached to some of the things I wrote and I did not want to just get rid of it. I struggled with editing and organizing when and where things should go in my essay. This was not an easy essay to write and formulating my thoughts was difficult. Changing my paper was very difficult. I was scared of changing my essay and even if I did, I had doubts. I thought my first essay was good but was not very passionate about it. At the time I was lazy and did not want to change it but am glad I did. 

I felt like i reached the depth of analysis that was asked. I probably provided too much analysis and could have included more observation. I thought my essay was too long but struggled with changing it. In the future, I think I should cut more things and be more comfortable with changing my essay. I think I need to write things that I am passionate about and things that I enjoy writing about other than sports.

Project #1 Worksheet

Your Place: ___Devil’s Den_________________________________________________________

What are the intended functions of the place?

To provide a place for students where they can be comfortable. A place where people can be themselves and meet new people. Devil’s Den is a place where people can connect with their past when they play the arcade. They can play games like pool or ping pong and meet people with similar interests. 

What overt messages does the place send (i.e., openly communicated through signs)?

The MU displays many signs and posters that make Devil’s Den seem like a wonderful place. There are signs like “See you at the MU” and many pictures of Sparky doing things like bowling. The many signs of ASU make students feel school pride when they are attending Sparky’s Den. 

What covert messages does the place send (i.e., hidden messages)?

The covert messages that Devil’s Den sends are the propaganda signs that indirectly make kids want to come to the MU. Signs that stress the importance of coming to home football games will make kids want to spend money to go to games. Signs like the “See you at the MU” will make kids want to come and spend money on things like pool and ping pong. 

Have previous users left traces behind in the place?

Yes there have been stickers that have been placed of ASU. I saw some marker writing that said ASU and some inappropriate things. Some people have left traces behind the place but that is because they did not want to clean up their mess. I saw empty cans. Empty coke bottles. Ice cream was left at the bowling tables.

Has the place been re-appropriated (i.e., beyond its original functions)?

I believe the Devil’s Diner was always supposed to be a place for students to relax and hangout. 

What social or cultural customs did you observe (i.e., rules governing appropriate behavior)?

I saw a lot of social customs when I observed the Devil’s Den. I saw a lot of Chinese kids playing ping pong. I believe that is a result of the influence of ping pong in China. I saw a lot of social aspect at the Devil’s Den. People were all talking laughing and having a good time. I saw a lot of people smiling and joking around. 

Who has access to the place?  Are there insiders and outsiders?

Everyone has access to this place. Adults can come and play but mostly students. I saw a lot of kids playing pool and playing ping pong. I played with two adults two on two ping pong who had their kids with them. Everybody can play but everyone must play.

Who owns the place?

Arizona State University owns this place. 

What is the place’s value (i.e., monetary or otherwise)?

It is a very good place to make straight cash (homey) because all of the events cost money. Ping pong, pool, bowling, arcade and even air hockey cost money per hour.

Are there official representations of the place (i.e., online, in promotional materials)?  Do they accurately capture the place as you experienced it?

The promotion of Sparky’s Den is a little exaggerated but is still a great place. I don’t think Sparky’s Den is a perfect place as they make it seem but its place to be.  

Is the place in transition, a changing place?

This place will probably not change. I believe Sparky’s Den will be Sparky’s Den for a long, long time

What conflicts or tensions are there in the place?

There are some conflicts because it can be a very competitive place. People can argue about a ping pong rule or fight over the score. When people want to win, they will argue. 

What is the place’s history?  Do you see evidence of the past there in the present?

I do not know this places history but the MU itself has a long history dating back to 1956. The MU was built when theyre was only 6,000 students so I see a lot of changes. The MU is huge. Things like Sparky’s Den have been added.

How does this place differentiate itself from other places?  What other places is it similar to, but how is it different from those places? Sparky’s Den is different because it lets students be themselves and have fun. It lets students play games and get to know people. This place is different than places like my lounge because it is a place to relax and hangout but isn’t nearly as fun. My lounge does not have a bowling alley and doesn’t have a great atmosphere like Sparky’s Den has.

What questions do you have about your place?

I want to know who owns this place. Is it ASU or someone else? How much do the people get paid? 

Key Features / Profiles (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 165-166)

An interesting subject.  What is unusual about your place?  Alternatively, is there something ordinary about it that you can show in an intriguing way? Devil’s Den is unusual because I feel lucky that I have a bowling alley and a ping pong table but I have to pay for it. Usually if I had to pay for something I’d wish it was free. But I’m happy to give them my money. The only thing ordinary would be the chairs. They aren’t great or special but they’re chairs.

Any necessary background.  What background information will you need to include about the place in order to situate readers? They would probably need to know that you need to pay for everything. They would need to know that they can’t beat me at ping pong. Other than that, they could enter Devil’s Den without any previous knowledge.

An interesting angle.  Rather than trying to tell readers everything about the place, what angle(s) might you use? 

I would probably use the atmosphere and the past that Devil’s Den connects kids with by the use of arcades.

A firsthand account.  Did you interact with people in the place or participate in some way?  What experiences did you have there that you can write about using “I”?  (Yes, first person point of view is encouraged, especially for this paper.) I had experiences with many people when I play ping pong. I’ve played ping pong with a Chinese boy who didn’t speak any English but we connected. I made friends with a group of Korean students who came to study here. 

Engaging details.  What specific information must you include in your description of the place?  What potential does your place have for the use of sensory images, figurative language, dialogue, anecdotes, and showing rather than telling?  What do you want the dominant impression to be? I must include information about why the descriptions are important and why they mean something. I think images are very important because it gives the reader something to see. I think figurative language is important so people can interpret things. Anecdotes are important because it gives the reader stories to relate to and think about.

Generating Ideas and Text (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 168-169)

Explore what you already know about your subject.  Why do you find this place interesting?  What did you already know about it? I find this place interesting because it was the first place that I felt comfortable. This place really let me be happy. The ping pong made me think about my dad since we played together all the time. I’m asian but I’m adopted so it isn’t what you think!

If you’re planning to interview someone, prepare questions.  What would you like to ask someone in the place in order to better understand it? I would ask them what they think of the place? Why they think that? If they like playing ping pong? Pools? Air Hockey? I would ask if they had a place to hangout? 

Do additional research.  Does your place have an online component?  How else might you gather additional research?

This place does not have an online component. I could ask others for additional research to find out more about this place.

Analyze your findings.  What patterns, images, or recurring ideas or phrases did you use to describe your place?  What contrasts or discrepancies do you see?

The recurring ideas or images are the pictures that I find or the Sparky images. The propaganda is what I think about when thinking about Sparky’s Den. A recurring idea is that everybody is happy and being social. I think I saw people being happy and spending money which is great for ASU.

Come up with an angle.  What is most memorable about your subject?  What most interests you?  What will interest your audience?

The most memorable thing about my place is the relationships I’ve built with people. I bonded with my friend Austin because of ping pong. We’re now great friends. This also led me to have the courage to join the ping pong tournament. I think the atmosphere will interest my audience and a place for people to hangout and have fun is appealing.

• Notes 
• Red Colored Chairs 
• The “Memorial Union” Sign is hung on the wall.
• The sign has a maroon back round and has white letters.
• There is a couch like thing that are next to the chairs.
• People are sitting studying
• People are socializing and laughing
• People are sleeping in chairs
• Picture of Sparky Bowling
• A giant Sparky sign in hung
• Bowling Alley is dark
• A disco Ball is on
• There are strobe lights on in the Alley
• There are empty glasses that had drinks on the table stand
• There are three Asians bowling
• One of the Asians in dancing
• The other two Asians are dancing laughing and talking in a different language
• There is group of two who are quietly bowling
• A group of 8 are having a good time laughing and socializing
• A painted Sparky is on the wall
• The lockers are painted Red and Yellow for ASU
• The bowling balls are all different colors.
• Yellow, Blue, Red, Pink Etc.
• There are Christmas styled lights in the back of the alley
• The seats are hard and are circle shaped
• Someone left their brownie sundae inside of the alley
• a root beer liter is left unclaimed
• Ball machine is constantly spitting out bowling balls
• The 6 Fans are all on 
• it is a little chilly
• A huge flag of Sparky is hung on the wall
• The Asian has danced to every song
• A guy bowls a gutter ball
• a girl bowls a strike and dances and yells in excitement
• a Sticker “Fear the Fork” is placed on the stand
• A man is sipping on his soda loudly
• a women is drinking water because she is sweating from bowling
• The Green strobe lights have been constantly going off
• The floor cracks when you walk on it
• The fooseball table is available and has Black and yellow players
• a Poster of the sun devil football schedule is hung
• Propaganda is hung stressing the importance of coming to home games
• A poster of the Sun Devil Sparky’s Den hours are listed
• Monday-Thursday 10-11pm
• Friday 10-12:30 am
• Saturday 12 PM-11PM
• Sunday- open for reservations
• A token machine is located next to the sparky den front desk.
• the machine accepts 1,5,10,20 and dollar coins
• the word TOKENS is in large print
• the Pool tables are crowded
• There are easily 40 people playing
• some people are playing seriously and others joking around
• a coke bottle is left alone
• They are showing college football highlights on the screen
• a person is skateboarding watching others play
• Loud music is playing
• Tokens are used for the game machine
• A Mrs. Pac Man and Galaga machine are the first arcade games on the left
• There is a simpsons pinball machine that cost 50c
• To get “Super Value” a dollar is three plays
• Two racing game machines are next to each other so people can race against one another
• A fighting game called Tekkon 5 is labeled “Life-like violence mild”
• Another fighting game called SVC CHAOS.
• Moths Wings by Passion Pit is playing
• A person with a British Shirt is playing another with brown shorts and sandles
• The two are having a good game and are enjoying themselves
• Two girls are playing ping pong
• The girls lose the ball under a game machine
• Everybody in the room is smiling
• There is a dance dance revolution game
• The Air hockey puck flys out of the rink and onto a chair.
• A game prize machine in next to the fighting games
• Everybody is laughing
• The kids are having fun playing air hockey
• A shuffle Board game is next to the claw machine
• It is named GAME TIME by Richard Hills, Texas
• An old Fashioned Juke Box is placed at the end of the room
• A star is the symbol of the machine
• the Jukebox is called the “Real Wurlitzer”
• IT has Red buttons
• Louis Armstrong is playing in the backround
• The Machine is brown and Red
• The toys in the claw machine include a wolverine lunchbox a puzzle and many fish toys
• The boy is playing pinball and hits the machine when he loses
• The girl that was watching the girls play ping pong is now playing a racing game
• A group of five walks in
• Two boys and three girls
• There is one man standing behind the desk
• The other two workers are playing pool
• The man behind the desk is eating potato chips

Analyses of Magazine Cover

  The cover I chose to analyze is the July issue of Sports Illustrated in 1999. This picture is taken after Brandi Chastain scored the game winning penalty shot against China in the 1999 Fifa World Cup. In the picture, Chastain holds her jersey in her right hand with her sports bra showing. The picture is blurred behind Chastain as she is the only one in the picture. 

One might ask, “why show only Chastain when there were ten other players that helped USA win the cup?” or "why not show the winning penalty shot?" Sports Illustrated is stressing the fact that while Chastain did something great in scoring the game winning shot, her celebration was the real story. In society, men and women are looked at differently, especially in sports. Men are seen as better athletes than women. Men and women are almost never seen as equals in sports. Women sports aren't supposed to be as interesting as men sports. The fact that Sports Illustrated chose this picture over the winning goal is interesting. The image of Chastain without a shirt off is a bigger deal than USA beating China.   

Sports Illustrated chose to put the picture of Chastain’s celebration because people were more interested in debating the bra incident rather than the game itself. This picture symbolizes women’s equality in the US. Why can men take off their shirt but not women? Recently in the Euro cup, Mario Ballotelli pulled off his shirt and flexed for the camera. He got a yellow card and the game moved on.  

       This picture reveals the difficulties men have with accepting women as equals. In today’s society, women are viewed as sex object. This photo was taken in the same year as Rolling Stones’ Britney Spears picture and while the two have bras on, they are not similar. While Spears epitomizes the men’s view on women, Chastain brings something different with her partial nudity. In this picture, Chastain is not sexy. Her face is not lustful. She shows power. Chastain resembles a warrior with abs and muscles. Men rush to say that Chastain taking off her shirt is wrong because it is in public and Chastain did this to pull a publicity stunt. But Sports Illustrated has also had a swimsuit issue (starting from the 80‘s) that reveals much more than Chastain. What does this say about our view of women in our society? Women that look sexy are more accepted than women who show power? Society has not changed much since 1999. Kim Kardashian is a huge celebrity mainly based on her sex appeal. People are more likely to talk about Kim Kardashian or Miley Cyrus than Hilary Clinton or Michelle Obama.  

Analysis of a Writing Situation

         The article that I read, On The Defensive, debates whether watching football is ethical. Football has been around for decades but new technology has enabled scientists to discover the danger of concussions. Kaminer asks if the evidence of long term and fatal effects of brain injuries in football is enough to say that it is morally wrong to take part in the sport.

         Football is a violent sport and coaches, players and fans know this. The fans go wild if a player is hit hard as big hits are praised. The New Orleans Saints paid their players to hurt their opponents. Football has taken steps to stop concussions with increased fines and suspensions for helmet to helmet hits. However the smaller hits over long periods of time have proven to be just as damaging and are impossible to avoid. 

This is a sensitive topic because football is the most popular sport in America. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest advertising events of the year and even helpin times of crisis (i.e. New Orleans Saints post-Katrina). Football is a moneymaking machine and the economy benefits from bars and restaurants to the thousands of jobs it enables. There are many positives in football but does that make it okay to watch athletes shortening their lives for entertainment? 

Kaminer knows that most people that enjoy football are not the ones going to the games when she asks if watching football on T.V. is ethical. Even if one does not enjoy the violence, by watching at a bar or at home, one is giving in to the sport and indirectly  supporting the violence. 

Kaminer wrote this to try and connect ethics with football. This is an interesting debate because of the new studies. In the 1940s, people thought that cigarettes were healthy and ethical. Nowadays, no one believes that smoking cigarettes are ethical. So can football be the new cigarette? Kaminer does not seem like a big football fan but talks with famous speaker and writer, Malcolm Gladwell who watches football even though he knows that the players will die prematurely. 

The intended readers for this debate are for Americans that enjoy football. This topic would not be suited for Europeans (one could substitute rugby) because they do not enjoy American football. The reader’s relationship with football will shape how one feels about this article. A guy who has never watched a game of football will most likely agree because of the simple fact that athletes get hurt and injured for entertainment. A huge football fan like myself would really have to think because it questions your beliefs. I have been going to Jets games since I was four, I cannot be objective when thinking of football because it is so important to me. 

Kaminer uses sources such as Alan Schwarz and Malcolm Gladwell who have studied the topic before. The sources are used to provide proof for the statements about athletes health. The social aspect of football is interesting because of the popularity of the sport. This would not be as interesting if it were American soccer but football’s influence is everywhere. Tim Tebow is a polarizing figure and the NFL pre-season draws thousands of fans. I enjoyed this article because it really made me think about the game of football.