Peer Review #2

Julia
Argument: Science proves astrology wrong
Strength: A lot of information, appealing to look at
Development: break up the big chunks of information to make it a little easier to read

Meredith
Argument: Photos are edited so much we don't even realize when we look at them how much they are fixed
Strength: Good photos, the first one shows a big difference of edits they really would make these days
Development: Add text to make a larger point.

Olive
Argument: Variety of images that represent each state, encourages you to see the diversity in our country
Strength: Looks really neat, images are good quality and interesting
Development: a few of the areas could use a small border, or in tight areas contrast the photos more

Kim
Argument: Selling UP unique products
Strength: Website has a easy going flow to it, different links and the slideshow of products. LOVE the background!
Development: check out the white space. Add a slogan of what is sold on the main page. (under title)

Katelyn
Argument: How a candidates image is gained during election
Strength: details I would've never know (makeup artist), interesting information
Development: I would probably connect the heads to the rest of the body to make them look a little more ligit, even though it may look like a bobble-head!


Courtney
Argument: To challenge yourself and write a novel this month
Strength: Easy to read, clear information. I like the font choices
Development: I don't mind the no-pictures, but maybe close up some of the blank space so it doesn't look like its waiting for something

Devin
Argument: Getting your meals off campus is less expensive, and better tasting
Strength: tumblr page is well laid out, well explained, well supported
Development: the graphs may help make info stand out, if readers didn't pick up on it in the paragraphs.

Sister's Blog
Argument: A space for the sister to share her thoughts
Strength: like the background, fun to look at
Development: can't read the title 

Jane
Argument: How today's technology can affect us both negatively & positively
Strength: easy to follow, straightforward
Development: some of the words that fuzz before disappearing was making my eyes hurt!

Constructive Criticism for Classmates

SARAH:
  1.) Major Argument: I think the major argument is trying to develop an identity for the Vocal Accord group on campus.
   2.) Strength: She has good skills, the logos don't look "homeade", they have a lot of potential
   3.) Develop: I really like the second one, I do think the colors need to be picked wisely or it will be hard to follow with the lines, etc.

CHARLIE:
   1.) Major argument: Recruiting for club indigo. Argument is that there is food, entertainment & social interaction
   2.)Strength: I like the layout of the slides, the variation in transitions
   3.)Develop: Definitely add pictures, will add a lot to the presentation

THIRD:
   1.) Major Argument: To show you the effects of the economy & the personal consequences of music piracy
   2.) Strength: The information is good, the colors are clear
   3.) Develop: The layout could use a little bit so it is easier to read. My head was spinning a little trying to decide what to read first
 
CASSANDRA:
   1.) Major Argument: To show you what goes on in "Greek Life", and all the opportunities you can get
   2.) Strength: The information is short & concise, but it fits everything in
   3.) Develop: clear up some of the fonts/colors, it gets distracting
 

Issues with this Project

   At the beginning of this week I was overwhelmed beyond compare. I had a topic that I was passionate about, but not a word from anywhere was coming to me and I couldn't think of a solid production idea to save my life. On Tuesday, after too many wasted weeks I had enough and changed my topic. I am now going to design advertising materials for my uncle Ben's shop, Halonen Lawn & Landscaping. If all goes as planned, it will work good because he is in need of an advertising solution, but doesn't have the time himself to start designing materials.
   Even still, I take so long for every step, which usually happens to me. I sit and think forever and at the last minute everything clicks together & the project evolves. I am going to try hard to stay ahead of the curve this time but my ideas are changing every few minutes so we shall see!

Statement of Purpose

    I want to design advertising materials for my uncle’s business, Halonen Lawn & Landscaping, using digital media mediums as well as a digital media production itself

   The audience for my project starts with first-marrieds who own their first home, all the way up to senior citizens who still care for their own lawns. I want to be able to catch anyone who has a lawn to tend, trees to plant, or landscaping they want to spruce up their land.

   The context of some projects is simply to inform, which I would like to include in mine as well, but his business has been around for about 10 years now, so at this point I am going to focus mostly on informing customers of specific landscaping projects HL&L can do for them.

   I plan on creating a Prezi presentation, just to tie everything together in one place. I’m going to use photoshop and other accessible programs to create a small handout that Ben would like to slip in specific mailboxes as he is out on jobs in subdivisions, towns, etc around here. Many people way over estimate the cost of some basic landscaping duties so we figured this would be a good way to get the bug in their ear that it is a very doable feat. Overall, I just want to make a few different advertising materials that he can have around to inform potential customers anywhere he is. Sort of like an quick and easy quote on-the-go! 

Rhetorical Research

2. Should We Have a Pond on Campus?

An engineering senior design group would like the campus community's opinion on whether or not to put a pond on campus. The project is handling the rainwater that falls on campus in a more natural way. The design team thinks that this could be a possible solution but would like input from members of the community. To give your input, see this short survey. - - - - -First argument about the parking issues. Need to figure out some solution for commuters before building a pond on campus

Wysocki-Lynch; Chapter 3

   In chapters 1 & 2,  we learned the basic steps for a rhetorical process, while in chapter 3 here we are looking farther into the details. As stated in the reading, "we consider the possibility of having conflicting purposes for communicating, or layers of purpose." They also encourage you to think through all the details that affect the communication choices we make.
   This reading comes at a good time, while we are in the middle of our major assignment, and thinking of a statement of purpose. They offer a few suggestions including collecting examples of literature to influence the age group and follow up by testing the effectiveness. Develop a statement of purpose and a design plan which could be a print out, video or game. Finally, choose a topic that you are passionate about. This will automatically increase the output of the project.
   One of my personal favorite topics of this paper is the second major point of of chapter three. They point out how arguing is a social activity. The point of arguing, they claim is to affect people somehow, through shaping their experience, influencing their attitudes, or inviting them to consider an issue with you. My friends and I, as i believe I have previously stated somewhere in this blog, grew up arguing. We argue about everything under the sun, no matter if it has anything to do with our own lives or not. Of all the people I know, no one gets as much as a kick out of arguing as we do. I don't know what it is, but there really is some kind of social tie. No matter what you are trying to convince the other side to change their opinion.
   Another interesting point is how communication is composed. When people are thinking rhetorically  is when posters, photographs, essays...all kinds of things are made. Each item is composed when the person is thinking about their work, in context for a certain audience, and a certain type of communication explicitly aimed at a particular audience.

Wysocki-Lynch

   This reading proved not to be too bad, compared to my judgement at first glance. It talks about variations of arguments. It can be two or more people going head to head with raised voices, or it could be a formal debate over a designated topic. There are two different types; formal & informal. Every one of us has used these throughout our years, formal mostly in school settings, and informal in social or home settings.
   I find the following information interesting. They chose 7 things that are important aspects of an argument:
       1. Need a specific purpose: carefully think what you are doing and why
       2. The audience: how are you going to direct your points to influence your specific audience
       3. Larger context: think about when and where you are holding the meeting
       4. Communication strategies: come after specific purpose, audience, and context. Key in making a difference
       5. Medium of communication: use best possible medium to get the point accross
       6. Arrange & combine communication strategies to build the most persuasive presentation
       7. Test your communication. Try presentation out beforehand to see the response