The definition of writing in the Oxford Dictionary is "the activity or skill of marking coherent words on paper and composing text". In 2015 we no longer restrict our writings to paper. The innovation of writing and the emergence of new writing platforms brings about new opportunities and challenges. For example, my blog. My blog is a writing platform that gives me the opportunity to have my writing be viewed by anyone when ever they feel like it and also gives me the freedom to choose what I write. The challenge freedom and accessibility cause, is one of bias and how to present your thinking. You do not want to be too black and white with the stances you take and you want to also make your work entertaining.
Last week at EMU our class attended the 27th semiannual celebration of student writing. The celebration is a gathering of all of EMU's writing classes. Each person and each class presents something different.Our class did presentations on topics in our research papers ( see mine above). The prompt for our presentations was to:
"Create a 5-7 minute multi-modal presentation in which persuade your audience to take some action. (Select from the options on the next page.) (Students may work in pairs, but they must document contributions to project and timeline.)
Components of your presentation should include:
·identifying a problem,
·explaining the exigency (the urgency, the “why and why now” of the problem)
·defining terms,
·explaining history on the problem
·describing reason for action
·describing effect of action
·summary
·takeaway"
I
decided to use Photostory as my medium for creating this multi-module
presentation because I believe that audio and visuals are the most effective
ways of gaining the interest and understanding of an audience.Photostory
is a program that allows you to create a slideshow of pictures and record
narration over the pictures.
Overall I had a great experience at the celebration. There was a wide variety of presentations at the celebration. One class did presentations on ways to improve EMU. There is a value in seeing and sharing ideas with people of different walks of life. In college writing courses it is easy to start to believe that you know all there is to know about how you are "supposed to write" and the topics you write about. This celebration breaks that misconception and encourages students to keep an open mind.
The lamb in the lion cage is bound to die. When Pre-op transsexuals are incarcerated a plethora of questions and decisions go unasked and neglected. The biggest question of them all being where do you send them? It is undefined when or where it is inappropriate to send a transgendered prisoner to serve their sentence. To begin to set precedents for this process many questions need to be asked and thoroughly answered. Will they be allowed to continue treatment? Will their mental state worsen? Will they be tormented and violated more than other inmates. Is the treatment of prisoners flawed? There are biological, psychological, and judicial opinions to every question.
When it comes to academic writing it is extremely important to define your terms. When I say that I do not mean you need to write your paper like a vocabulary list, but is very important to explain your terminology and the way in which you use it.
For example if you are writing an essay about plants you need to make it extraordinarily clear that you are talking about manufacturing plants instead of foliage. Also terminology changes discipline to discipline . The word 'table' can be used one way in math or science and in a completely different way in an English or engineering course.
In an attempt to explain this I will define/explain the terms I frequently use and find in my research.
Trans: Transsexual
Transsexual: umbrella term that refers to all people in the trans community.
Transgendered: someone who actively accepts and embodies their chosen gender identity (cross dressers, androgyny, sex change, etc.)
Gender Dysphoria: Disorder (undecided if mental or physical) in which you identify more with the opposite sex instead of your born sexual identity.
The image above is a drawing of my personal writing process. This image depicts the actions I make while working on a writing project.
1) As soon as I get the assignment I begin to jot down ideas I have for the paper.
2) I will then take some time to think about the project and how to overcome any barriers I am faced with while writing.
3) After I have a solid idea for my paper I will talk it over with my mother or my aunt.
4) After I talk out my idea everything usually falls into place.
5) While I type out my paper I usually watch a movie or listen to music.
6) When I complete the draft I read it allowed and edit.
This is a drawing of where I write. I write in the living room of my apartment. I like to sprawl out on the couch and turn off all the lights and open a window to let the sun in. My dog will usually lie at my feet while I type.
Here is a link to an article that debates the writing process:
My research problem involves the confusion over what gender dysphoria (transsexuality) is. It has been debated whether gender dysphoria is a physical or mental disorder.
This topic is very important. If it is unknown what causes gender dysphoria the treatments of it could be faulty.
I have gathered information from a handful of credible sources that cover this topic. They all had conflicting opinions over the diagnosis and treatment of gender dysphoria. My research will seek to get some clarity on this topic.
I have included some links that can give you some insight into the issues.
A lot of things about the way you look and act change situation to situation and setting to setting. Today I am going to discuss language change. Everyone is saying that '"language is changing", this saying could mean many things. Language changes gradually over time with variations in writing, pronunciation, and lifestyle.
An example of language change is the difference in how you text your friend and how you write an essay for school. You wouldn't use the same dialect in those two situations. Even though I change the way I write when I am in an academic setting I stay true to myself by finding alternative words and phrases that have the same meaning.
Here is a slam poem I love that tackles some topics such as staying true to yourself in a world where language can be used to determine social status.
Another example of language change comes from my personal life. I do not speak to teachers the same way I would speak to my best friend. My tone, vocabulary, and conversation topics change drastically.
Here is a video that goes in-depth about language change.
