Post #7 Techniques

In my community post this week I think it is evident that I stuck to pathos in my argument. I think this is the only way I could have gone about the topic I did. People can relate with issues such as addiction and the loss of role models. I think hearing stories brings back the personal feelings of the reader which is how they become engaged.

I do think that in terms of blogging pathos is really he way to go. Because you do not always know the person whose blog you're reading, it is difficult to develop ethos. The reader really has no ability to know your authority level on any specific topic unless they are reading the blog of an acclaimed scholar etc. Logos is a possibility as well but requires your reader to be thinking in the same mindset as the writer/reader. I never really understood logos because of that matter. If I disagree on the subject, a "logical" appeal will be written off immediately because of the passion I have for the subject.

Keys to Persuasion in Blogging

The two most important keys out of the six, are "liking," and "authority." I think the importance of liking is obvious. If people like you and what you write about, there is a good chance your blog can be successful (or at least beneficial to those who read it). The video we watched on persuasion did seem a little bit like common sense personally. I think associating enjoying the content of a piece of writing to "liking" is obvious. If the reader enjoys the content and you're writing about something familiar to them, it makes sense that the reader will like you. Authority is another key that seems important in blogging. If you have no background in the field you are writing about or no knowledge on the subject, then your reader has no reason to be persuaded by you. This is another simple conclusion to make in regards to persuasive writing. The thing that has to come into question however when thinking about how persuasive writing translates to blogs is the subject. Does blogging cater to topics that require an opinionated stance. I don't really think so. A blog to me cannot rely on post such as these. I think there may be a time and place for persuasive posts, but some of the best blogs out there are informative and resourceful. I don't go read a blog to be convinced on how I should feel about a particular subject. I think personal essay and persuasive writing should be a seperate form of writing and steer clear of the blogging world.

Thoughts on The Art of Influence

I found the introduction to be quite informative. The points made, put into perspective why the personal essay can be successful and how to go about making your own successful. The first thing that stuck out to me, was the information on how "candor" can make the reader understanding of the authors embellishments (which, according to to this author, everyone seems to add). I thought that was an important thing to take away. I also found it interesting that to create a credible essay, one must avoid becoming self-righteous. The examples of famous writers  their own faults in their own writing was also a valuable lesson. I think doing so is always important, and the more I think about, many of the lessons touched on in this introduction are more or less common sense. Maybe all of the people who are known for writing personal essay just have a good grasp of that.

I think admitting to your own faults is something that we do in all of our writing. In argumentative research papers, we are taught to touch on the opposing view in order to prove your own is more factual. It's a common way of establishing credibility. I do think from the readings assigned this past week, that the personal essay is the most intriguing form of self-narrative to me, because it allows for a focused topic.

Memoir Objectives

I'm really looking forward to writing a memoir! I have never done any writing in this capacity and I think It will be a great learning experience. I personally have never thought of any type of personal narrative other than journaling as an obtainable goal in my writing. When I hear the word memoir, I only think of "novel" length pieces of writing. Having learned that memoir writing is not just that has opened up a new style of writing for me. I have started my piece, and I feel like writing whilst keeping an audience in mind, has created a new style in my writing. I hop to hone this craft and learn how to write something personal while also entertaining my reader.

I hope my audience can enjoy what they're reading as well as learn a little bit about me and my past. I hope to be able to convey the lessons I learned from what I'm writing about, to my reader in an effective way. I kind of feel as if that's the reason people read memoirs: to learn what the writer has learned through their experience.

I am having a hard time keeping my writing concise. I think writing about something personal can be difficult for me because I think everything that happened is important and affected the event n some way, however in retrospect it didn't and the reader shouldn't have to sift through too many details to take away the point of the piece. keeping extraneous detail out has help to keep the writing direct. I am trying to leave out the little things. I am writing about major happenings at the time and leaving the rest out. It's shaping up well, and I am excited to see what the finished product will be like and who knows? Maybe I'll continue with it and develop it into a longer piece of writing!

Memoir Ideas

1. My audition to Western Michigan University for their Vocal Performance program.

Coming to the end of high school, I was having a hard time deciding what I wanted to study in college. I had always been interested in politics, but I had recently gotten into the performing arts and the drive to be on stage was somewhat insatiable. I applied to many universities but sent in to a few, an application for their vocal performance program to study music education and opera singing. The experience taught me a ton about self discipline (preparing for such an important audition) as well as self-confidence (prior to this endeavor I had little experience performing for other people). The audition was on a Saturday so on Friday night I journeyed to Kalamazoo, MI, with my mom as well as two of my best friends who were auditioning for other programs in the performing arts at WMU.

2. My decision to transfer from WMU back home to Oakland University.

About half way through my Freshman year at WMU, I began to feel as if the program I was in wasn't quite right for me. I had many friends in different music education programs who would tell me about all of the classroom experience they were getting and how much they enjoyed school. This got me thinking about transferring. I toyed with the idea for many months but after a lot of buckling dow I decided my education was the most important thing and made the decision to transfer. I was a very hard thing to do, leaving all of the friends I had made, and heading back home. This ordeal taught me a lot about acting on what is best for you. I was nervous when deciding to transfer back home that people would think I couldn't handle being on my own. Although this wasn't the case, I couldn't shake the fear. Eventually though I felt as if it didn't matter. That even if someone felt that way, I didn't care because I needed to do what was best for me.

3. My volunteer experience with the International Rescue Committee in Atlanta, GA.

My sophomore year of college, I traveled to Atlanta, GA with a few great friends, and a TON of strangers to spend a week volunteering at a center for Refugees from all over the world. I had never even thought of doing anything like this, but my good friend talked me into it, and alas, there I was. We spent the week doing various things at the center, but I spent most of the week specifically teaching English to a group of about ten 30-50 year olds. The experience was eye opening. Hearing the various stories about these people, laughing at the failed attempts at communication, and realizing that we are all the same no matter what walk of life you come from. This is perhaps the most impactful week I have ever had in my life. I shaped the path in which I want to follow for a career, and changed my heart in a way I cannot justly explain.

"Writing As Self Revelation"

The article Writing As Self Revelation was quite interesting in it's description of self narrative in a classroom setting should be handled. Specifically when it refers to whether or not group work or work as an individual would be best, as well as when it ponders how much control should be implemented in writing. It was interesting to think back on writing assignments I have completed in the past. After contemplating this for a moment I think, the creative writing specifically, the writing I did in grade school was a bit too structured. 

I think writing freely without structure is, in a way, more beneficial than writing for a prompt. Sure there are times when structure can be helpful and it is a great way for a young writer, but writing freely (in my own opinion) is what makes people fall in love with writing. It wasn't until I was in collegiate creative writing classes that I realized the passion I had for it. I think often about how much I would have enjoyed using writing throughout my childhood, but I wasn't really presented with the opportunity to develop a love for it. 

That is really what the title of the article is all about. Self revelation. "A surprising and previously unknown fact." According to Webster, this is the definition of revelation. This really makes the title, Writing as Self Finding. That plays exactly into my own view of why writing is so great!

"Goody two Shoes"

I read an article this week titled "Goody two Shoes." The piece focused on the passion behind writing (specifically not forcing it). One sentence in particular really struck a cord with me. It read "let writing teach us about life and life about writing."

You see, I personally write fairly often in regards to my personal life. I document experiences and travels regularly. Often it is simply a way to pass time, but in retrospect (after letting that sentence sit with me), I gain more out of my experiences having reflected on them. It's a tricky thing writing. At times it is used as a mode of self expression and more often the case, it is used as a mode of informing. The great thing is, is that when really dissecting why one writes, it all intertwines. If one is writing to others they're informing them. If one is writing in a form of self expression in a private setting, they're informing themselves.

Writing teaches us things that I don't think could be taught anywhere else. It's really inspiring when you think about it!