D#3 HW#1-7

1. I still can't get the motivation podcast to play on my computer.
2. Read the following: Chapter 3, Appendix, & Chapter 12.
3. "Is Breast Always Best?"
*I liked that this research proposal was so well organized. The author clearly got her point across, and completed the assignment correctly. I think that it was a creative topic to choose that was very appropriate for the target audience.
*This example fit WP#1 by focusing on a particular topic (Breast Feeding Pressures). She designed a rhetorical situation that included both her own interests/experience. She explained her purpose while also keeping her target audience in mind.
*If I were going to revise this for WP#1 I wouldn't change anything. I thought it was very well written. Overall an excellent example that followed the assignment.
4.Identify Kairos
1. My motivation for doing this research and writing is to obtain a decent grade in this class. In doing so i believe it will inspire positive change in other aspects of my life that befit from my continued education.
2. Everything overlaps in my life. School, work, and personal aspects of my life tend to all get mixed up together and often account for my understanding of all things including this research.
3. I'm not quite sure at this point what I'm going to research or write about, so I'm not sure what will affect my understanding of the project at this point. So far all of the reading in chapter 3 has well prepared me with the skills i will need to execute this task correctly and understand the prompt guidelines and expectations.
5.Find Out What's Important to You
1. What discussions engage you and other members of the community?
Personal: foreclosure, unemployment, war, relationships.
Academic: Financial aid/cost of furthering your education.
Professional: Taxes, health insurance, unemployment.
Civic: Taxes, government, war.
2. What events or experiences have happened that you still remember and that left you, or other members of the community, with questions or concerns?
Personal: My parents almost lost their home to foreclosure, my brother and his family did. My sister is currently unemployed and has been out of work for about 8 months.
Academic: My financial aid just came in the mail yesterday (thank goodness!).
Professional: Income tax changed this year, I had to fill out all sorts of paperwork. Also health insurance rates/coverage changed, with that came more paperwork. This year started with layoffs and has just tapered off.
Civic: New president, all sorts of changes in government programs. A dear friend of mine lost his leg while serving in Afghanistan a few months ago.
3.What problems or concerns exist in this particular community?
*All of the above discussed in #2.
4.Who, which individuals and groups, is involved in this discussion, event, or problem? Why are they involved?
Financial Aid: I am the main person involved in this event since it was my check that came in the mail. My family is also involved though, since I was awarded the amount based on my parents income.
5.When and where did/does this discussion, event, or problem take place?
Yesterday, In my kitchen.
6.What exactly is the topic of the discussion, event, or problem?
Financial Aid.
7.Why is this discussion, event, or problem significant to the community members?
Without financial aid i wouldn't be able to afford school at all. It has helped me continue my education which in turn will benefit myself and my family.
8.How does the community usually start to resolve the discussion, event, or problem?
My family has helped contribute financially to the furthering of my eduction when financial aid was not enough.
6.Generate Topic Ideas
1.list 6-8 topics you find interesting and compelling.
*unemployment
*war
*health insurance
*financial aid
*teen abstinence
*age differences in relationships
2.Phrase each topic as a question.
*Why is the unemployment rate so high?
*What is currently being done by our government to safely bring our troops home?
*How will new health insurance laws affect small businesses?
*What affect is the current economic crisis having on federal financial aid?
*How does abstinence as a teen affect your future health?
*How much a an age gap in a relationship is too much?
3. I think the topic of teen abstinence is particularly interesting. I’m just getting out of my teenage years so it’s a decision I’ve had to make myself. Also I have two siblings that are a couple years younger than me that I’m sure will have to make a decision on the topic if they haven’t already not to mention friends. I’ve had close friends whose health has been affected by STD’s and the decision in general to have sex while still in their teen years. I think that how you take care of you body now will have lasting affects on it later on. For example living with aids, or herpes, or some other sexually transmitted disease.
4.Also I have two siblings that are a couple years younger than me that I’m sure will have to make a decision on the topic if they haven’t already not to mention friends.
*I worry constantly about the health of my family, especially my younger siblings. i don't want them to make the same mistakes that i did. It's a difficult age, most think there is nothing to be learned or figured out. So many things can be affected by that one decision. It could result in teen pregnancy, which could then affect you family financially, you emotionally, and your future education/career plans.
7.Consider Audience and Purpose
1.what might your audience be interested in? How could you relate your topic to your audience's experience?

*I think the main reason the audience would be interested in the topic is because its so easy to relate to. Its a topic that not only affects them as individuals, but their children (present/future), and friends.

2.Will the topic satisfy the purpose of your writing and research? What criteria must you keep in mind to make sure that you are meeting your writing goals?

*Yes the topic will satisfy the purpose of my writing and research. I may have to change the way I go about the ideas I have revolving around the topic but I'm sure I'll figure it out. I will have to constantly be thinking about my audience. Its one of my many writing flaws that I plan to correct. Other than that I will have to stick to the rubric to get an A =)