Why did I choose my blog posts?
The blogs that I chose were ones that struck an interest. The Forever War was my book club book, so I felt like I needed closure, a final word regarding Dexter Filkins' writing and the way he went about writing the story. He told the story from the front lines and that's remarkable. He must have a screw loose. His dedication to journalism is unprecedented, so I was truly impressed. As far as I am concerned, I got my point across in the blog.
The "Serving in Florida" piece also struck me in a certain way, as I feel it would to anyone who has worked in a restaurant. The struggles that the author described, while they weren't dead on, were pretty close to what fellow restaurant employees encounter at work. Additionally, as mentioned in the blog, I can relate to the struggle.
Both blogs are quickly arranged and not by any means polished, but they are interesting in their own right. One giving praise, the other relating 100% to the employees featured in the piece.
Paper Revisions, why?
The revisions made to my papers this semester were pretty drastic. Mainly because the first drafts were not even close to where I wanted either of the papers to be. Between my other classes, and two jobs, and the rest of the events that naturally pop up in everyday life, the semester got very hectic. The first drafts of both papers were poorly assembled and pretty hurried just so that I could participate in peer editing. Upon revising, I changed a lot to each piece.
The piece about Larry, at first, was one that I hated. I didn't like anything about it really, and we talked about it in class a little bit. The reason it wasn't to my liking is because I rushed through it to make it in time for the draft due date. I went back in and added all the missing pieces to make it as complete as I could, to my liking at least. I like the way it turned out and everybody who read it seemed to enjoy it as well. I figured it was thought-provoking and provocative enough that I submitted it for publication several places, I have yet to hear back yet, but am hopeful it will be featured somewhere.
The piece about Barstoolsports.com was guaranteed to be somewhat controversial. Among just the class there were many differing opinions. The first draft of the paper was sloppy and kind of all over the place. I got some free time after I finished the remaining fall clean-ups I had to do, so I sat down and really worked on it. I got a lot of good quotes from fellow college students and grads who had opinions to share, many for and many against what the website had to offer. What was sloppy and inconsistent ended up being a decent piece as a whole.
Both papers in their early stages were, by my standards, each a P.O.S. But when I found time to devote to editing and the "fixing" process, they really came around and ended up being a decent couple of papers. Certainly not my best work, but a huge improvement from what they were.
Side note: I really liked peer editing and having people pick apart my work so I could see what I need to improve upon. Jess P. was great all semester in helping me add or take away what needed to be added or taken away. So, Thanks Jess.
The piece about Larry, at first, was one that I hated. I didn't like anything about it really, and we talked about it in class a little bit. The reason it wasn't to my liking is because I rushed through it to make it in time for the draft due date. I went back in and added all the missing pieces to make it as complete as I could, to my liking at least. I like the way it turned out and everybody who read it seemed to enjoy it as well. I figured it was thought-provoking and provocative enough that I submitted it for publication several places, I have yet to hear back yet, but am hopeful it will be featured somewhere.
The piece about Barstoolsports.com was guaranteed to be somewhat controversial. Among just the class there were many differing opinions. The first draft of the paper was sloppy and kind of all over the place. I got some free time after I finished the remaining fall clean-ups I had to do, so I sat down and really worked on it. I got a lot of good quotes from fellow college students and grads who had opinions to share, many for and many against what the website had to offer. What was sloppy and inconsistent ended up being a decent piece as a whole.
Both papers in their early stages were, by my standards, each a P.O.S. But when I found time to devote to editing and the "fixing" process, they really came around and ended up being a decent couple of papers. Certainly not my best work, but a huge improvement from what they were.
Side note: I really liked peer editing and having people pick apart my work so I could see what I need to improve upon. Jess P. was great all semester in helping me add or take away what needed to be added or taken away. So, Thanks Jess.
Improvements as a reader? Writer?
I didn't see myself improve my reading much, honestly. As I mentioned in this section of my midterm portfolio, I've always read like an English major should. It is a gift and a curse, I think.
As a writer, I think that anytime you tackle something new improvements will be made. This semester, all of the features I wrote were different in their own right. Going through the process of building up to the story is an exciting process, and a learning experience in a different way. My writing definitely improved, as did my research methods, interview methods, and ways of receiving the necessary information for any piece I wrote. I used facebook to get opinions, I tracked down the people I needed to talk to about Tent City, I interviewed Larry extensively for the piece I wrote about him. The more information you retain, the better the story will be for the reader in general. My writing has definitely improved and will continue to do so.
As a writer, I think that anytime you tackle something new improvements will be made. This semester, all of the features I wrote were different in their own right. Going through the process of building up to the story is an exciting process, and a learning experience in a different way. My writing definitely improved, as did my research methods, interview methods, and ways of receiving the necessary information for any piece I wrote. I used facebook to get opinions, I tracked down the people I needed to talk to about Tent City, I interviewed Larry extensively for the piece I wrote about him. The more information you retain, the better the story will be for the reader in general. My writing has definitely improved and will continue to do so.