Results

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Data entry and statistics are being run on a subset of results to figure out what statistics should be run on the larger set of results that still need to be collected. Graphs are being made to look should be at what the full data set. Problems are occurring in the method difference between the 89 and 16 map but I am working thorough it to do kernel density and create a similar method to merge the two methods to work. I have multiple faculty on board and have had multiple meetings this week and last week with GIS and island experts.

Week 5 Update

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I am in my fifth week of my final semester of undergrad. In my capstone class, I am making progress on my thesis. So far, I have rough drafts for my introduction, methods, and am currently writing my results. This week in class we had to present our project to the class. Overall, there is positive progress for the entire classes projects. This semester will continue to go smoothly if we manage our time and stay on track with our work. Stay tuned to hear my results from my project in the next coming posts.freight-data

RLW Reading

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There are novels that go into depth on the structure of the authors message and how they convey it can be through technique, style, organization but there are also readings that transcend this. There are readings that elevate these structures by having detailed descriptions of what they want the reader to see or understand. By understanding these key elements it becomes not only easier to grasp as a reader but as a writer, there is a saying that says that you are only as good as writer as you are a reader and I believe that is true. They correlate immensely when there is that realization of what the reader is trying to convey and what you will convey in your writing, when you are able to read like a writer.

Being able to grasp this understanding is the first step but once you have shifted your reading habits to analyze the key points where the author has deliberately added detail words or dialogue to shift your perspective you will be able to add that to your writing. When I realized this I was able to re-read my  favorite novels with a different sense of understanding, for example: ” She sat on the chair instead, hands limp in her hand, eye staring at nothing, and let her mind fly on. She let it fly on until it found the place, the good and safe place, where the barley fields were green, where the water ran clear and the cottonwood seeds danced by the thousands in the air; where Baba was reading a book beneath  an acacia and Tariq was napping with his hands laced across from his chest, and where she could dip her feet in the stream and dream good dreams beneath the watchful gaze of gods of ancient, sun-bleached rock.(Khaled Hosseini)” This excerpt exemplifies the use of imagery and rhetoric, the use of senses further illustrates the setting and the narrators’ sense of self. The ability to have a sense of placement within the reading adds to the visualization and the understanding.

Having the ability of reading like a writer is essential to becoming a better writer because having the understanding as to why a writer uses certain techniques to create certain understandings and findings furthers the realization of the true meaning behind the readings. This will add to your skill set and writing techniques and it is something that I would like to perfect in my writing.

 

 

stella’s Holidays

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Well Known Difficulties

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Immediately after I read author E. Shelley Reid’s article, “Ten Ways To Think About Writing:Metaphoric Musings for College Writing Students” I analyzed the various difficulties I must over come in order to write a substantial piece of work. I came to the conclusion that just like myself, many other authors face not only similar issues but identical ones as well. Reid addresses these various difficulties in her article, therefore making it very relatable.

One of the very first concepts addressed in this article is the many rules and limitations that one must conform to in order to write a grammatically correct and appealing piece (Reid pg.3). I have always felt the pressure of following the rules of writing just as Reid addresses. For example, as I produce this response I am continuously rereading and rewording my thoughts and sentences. I admit, although I will reorganize and rewrite these thoughts continuously, when completed I will do it once more. Now, although this brings forth additional work upon myself, this is a beneficial quality to have. One can never be to sure about something. Based on prior knowledge, I know that at times, the thought you possess makes complete sense in your mind as well as the moment you write it down. As soon as you are to read it aloud to yourself, it makes absolutely no sense. Reid states that when you write to the rules, it seems more like a chore than a connective process (Reid pg.4) I agree completely keeping up with these rules makes the experience less appealing, although one may make these rules a habit and apply it at all times.

Details have always been a large issue for me. While writing I ask myself whether or not I am over explaining. Is it concise enough? Is it vague? How can I make this better? This is what Reid means by the little green ball  metaphor (Reid pg.6). I am capable of getting a basic point across, now, whether or not someone interprets it the way I displayed it is completely based on the way I detail it. I could easily write “my red dog jumped over the fence”. Now someone else could assume it was a certain type of dog based off of its ability to jump over a fence. Now if I wrote “My maroon chihuahua jumped over the 1 foot fence” I have completely changed the whole dynamic of the sentence. Then other things come up, such as, what was the purpose of telling you that the dog was maroon, is that too much detail? There is a balance we have to display with detail.

Keeping a reader interested throughout the story is a difficult task to do. I commend any author that is capable of doing so. As a reader, generally I wouldnt pick up a book that does not interest me within the first few pages. Nor will I continue to read one if it begins substantially and degrades in excitement from then on. Reid writes of this metaphor “Pink houses and Choruses”, describing that although we are told not to repeat ourselves, a small introduction or “heads-up” would be beneficial to the reader(Reid pg11). Many authors and public speakers face this issue repeatedly. This happens to be the most difficult issue for myself. I consider myself to be a storyteller, in my life I feel there is always a story for every situation. Not only does it keep the conversation flowing, there’s a chance i’ll get others to open up. Now, telling your story is difficult, what details are important and which events do have to get across? I dont want to bore my audience, but I do want them to understand while also making it short and concise. The issue I face for example, consists of me telling one of my dreams to my friends and then steering off somewhere. I begin telling them about the moment there is conflict in my dream and then continue to a background story or continue to justify why something is. I dont have to justify nor have they asked me to do so. It slows down the excitement I have built for the  entire dream. I developed the habit now to tell them before hand, who is in my dream and what it consists of, therefore there arent any weird surprises or justifications that need to be later addressed.

There is always a difficulty limiting your piece. How much is too much, but is too little too vague? Some like to limit one topic into one paragraph as I am doing so now. I come to the realization that some of my paragraphs may be quite long so I should probably split them into two paragraphs. Wont that make two extremely short paragraphs though? Reid explains this as “doing your laundry with paragraphs”(Reid pg15). Trying out new things, making your paragraphs concise but also stretching them a bit is not a bad choice to make. I have this strategy I use when writing. I write down every thought that comes to mind anything I think is relevant or important. Once I am finished, I read it out loud and then begin to add or delete any information I think is relevant or irrelevant. Reading out loud broadens your understanding of your piece. For example, once I am finished writing this post, I will go paragraph by paragraph making them more concise and to the point. I may even add to them if I feel the need to.

The final concept I feel is important when writing, is using outside information. No matter where you get it and who you get it from, you must always give credit to your source(Reid pg16). Not only are you benefiting from other writers, youre helping this author expand their ideas. It’s a win win situation indeed. Although the idea or thought is not solely yours, it will broaden the field for further ideas. Someday someone might use your piece as a source. As long as credit is given where credit is due.

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Reid, E. Shelley. “Ten Ways To Think About Writing: Metaphoric Musings for College Writing Students.” Ed. Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky. Vol. 2. West Lafayette, IN: Parlor P, 2011. 3-23. Writing Spaces. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.

 

Simple Mistakes

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As writers we have all come across difficulties in how we write. One thing that always makes writing difficult for me is the specific set of rules I have to follow. There are times where if I am passionate about what I’m writing about I’ll get lost in getting my point across that I’ll be careless about the specific principles I have to follow. In the essay Ten Ways to Think about Writing; Metaphoric Musings for College Writing Students the first thing the writer points out is “A thousand rules and three principles” which goes on to explain most of the unspoken basic rules of writing that so many people forget about. After reading the first se3ction of the essay I’ve come to realize that in previous essays I’ve written I have made the mistakes the writer speaks about. One specific example is that I have started my sentences with “but” and “and” by the time I catch my mistake my essay is already submitted. Just recently in one of my previous blog posts I started one of my sentences with “but” and I didn’t realize I did until one of my friends commented on my mistake. Since most of the basic rules are so simple those are the rules we forget the most. The only thing I can do is pay extra attention to the small mistakes because most of the time a small mistake can make a big difference.

One of the things I have difficulty with as a writer is getting my point across to the specific audience I’m targeting my words towards to Reid writes in her essay in the section “Pink Houses & Choruses: Keeping Your Reader with You” about targeting your audience. I admit there are times when my writing has been too casual when it’s meant to be professional. Usually, when this happens I always go back to fix my writing. Personally I feel like I always have to go back and revise my writing because most of the time when I write I need to be focused on what I want write about and usually if I’m not focused in my writing I make mistakes that need to be fixed. I think before writing a good technique is to find the auwriting1dience your writing is directed at that way there’s no mistake in the format of your writing.

Trying to get your argument across is difficult, not only because it needs to be concise but also because there’s a limit to what you can say. Reid writes about shortening our arguments to make our arguments stronger. Nobody would be interested in reading an essay that drags on and never gets their point across. When I write and I’m trying to present an argument I provide too much background about the argument instead of presenting a strong argument which makes the evidence to be longer than necessary. Usually because of this I have to make sure my argument is strong and concise.

Assuming is something that can ruin your writing. Reid expresses that assuming your readers understand your writing with no explanation is a mistake so many writers make. As a writer it’s wrong to assume that the reader knows exactly what you’re talking about without an explanation on where you’re coming from. Since you usually introduce your topic in the introduction, most readers understand where you’re coming from and how a particular topic relates to you. The same goes when presenting an argument or an idea not everyone will understand with just the argument alone there needs to evidence and a concise reasoning for using a particular argument.writing It’s better to over explain as long as you don’t repeat yourself than to leave your readers confused on what you’re trying to say.

Something that helps you to improve your writing is using revision. Reid specifically comments on how revising your writing can improve the way you write not only in that specific moment but in your future writings. Son not only do you fix your mistakes on your writings but in the long run you’re improving on your writing skills because you learn from your mistakes and it’s less likely you make the same mistake twice. One difficulty I have with this is that I forgot to revise my essays sometimes and I know it can really help me if I do revise but when the moment comes to submit my work I forgot to revise my writing for any mistakes. Using all the techniques that Reid mentioned I feel will really help me improve my writing.

Work Cited

Reid, E. Shelley. “Ten Ways To Think About Writing: Metaphoric Musings for College Writing Students.” Ed. Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky. Vol. 2. West Lafayette, IN: Parlor P, 2011. 3-23. Writing Spaces. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.

Top 5 Resonated Metaphors

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Top 5 Resonated Metaphors

For the first of my metaphors that resonate with me is definitely number 1 which has to do on the expression of “writing is hard” at the beginning. Because the amount can vary from person to person whether they have difficulty or not. Because for most it’s not about how they aren’t able to physically write it down but not being able to decide what to write about. We worry about not finishing it or about the readers and what they think. But we should focus on the topic at hand and just do it whether it’s hard or too difficult. For example, for me I had problems with writing because I always thought it was a pain and that the topics were boring. However, eventually I started to express it from my perspective on it while also making sure it followed the same goal. After that writing became more of an enjoyment because I want to convey it through me and not in a structured or preset way like my old teachers wanted me too.

The second metaphor that I choose from the article is number 3 which is “Doing Details Write” (Shelley pg. 6). This resonates to me due to being able to understand that details can vary from person to person. Meaning that for what one person considers something like they said or heard about an object can be completely different from another person. They say “the more the details matter to me, then the more information I need to give you” and that resonates with me because I do the exact same thing. I always made sure to give some details of what I wanted in order for them to make it easier to identify. If I didn’t do that then the chances of getting what I wanted would decrease and getting the wrong choice would have increased. Details can matter to help make it easier on everyone. Like comparing the difference between a red apple and a green apple for the one you want can all depend on the amount of details you give.

Thirdly, the next one is #4 “What’s in The Audience” which mainly consists of who are you targeting in other words who is your audience for your writing? They say that when you’re writing you’re trying to target mainly one person or sometimes a group which is your target or main audience. But what resonates with me is how she’s saying you shouldn’t only focus on your primary audience but also take into consideration other groups that may read your content in the future. So don’t limit yourself to simply one group but make it diverse instead so that everyone or the general public as a whole can obtain a grasp of the argument or the point you wish to tell them. For instance, you write a paper focusing on point instead of discussing it as a whole because you are required to only provide the minimum amount required. If the secondary audience wants you discuss the topic instead of just one aspect then you should provide sufficient information for why you focus on this particular part. Because we may talk about this or let others read it as well and wouldn’t provide much understanding for them.

The 4th out of my top 5 is #8 “. Hey Hey Hey and the Textbook Conspiracy: Annotating Your Reading” (Reid pg. 16). This was one of the more simpler and easy to understand ones for one reason. It’s due to the fact that pointed out the fact that with annotating what I read and leaving important reminders helps to focus on the key topics at hand. Most people tend to forget they can write in the books they bought to compress all the information they read into smaller, easier to understand notes based on your writing and helps to set a sort of priority on major points. They say “the only two benefits you get are convenient reading access, and the chance to write in the book” Reid pg. 16). This resonated with me the most because I usually take notes during classes and don’t make a habit or take advantage of this because most books I have are rented and didn’t think of this idea till I began reading this article. From now on this will be a most helpful fact in the years to come.

Lastly, it is #9 “Short-Time Writing: Use Your Higher Brain” which focuses mainly on how you write your essay with using your higher brain instead of your lower brain. The fight or fight metaphor is a good way to portray this style of writing because if you don’t take the time to focus on looking or taking the time to understand your essay or topic. You most likely end up with a worst result then you predicted could happen. Take the time to analyze the situation and figure out what would be able to develop a good paper.

Works Cited

Reid, E. Shelley. “Ten Ways To Think About Writing: Metaphoric Musings for College Writing Students.” Ed. Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky. Vol. 2. West Lafayette, IN: Parlor P, 2011. 3-23. Writing Spaces. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.