In spite of the fact that my organization refused to contact me after a while, I'd say that my CWC campaign was pretty successful. I managed to make some new documents (I still got experience in making documents I'd never done, such as a fact sheet). I think the campaign was successful because it taught me how to think like a professional writer; putting the etiquette into the Salt Palace request letter, making my flyer heads stand out more, etc. I think that the effort I put into this project belittles the fact that my organization effectively flaked. I have resumed contact with them and plan to present my suite of documents to them.
The biggest challenge I faced was the communication drop, which happened around November, when Amber Watkins, the PR director and my consultant for documents, suddenly stopped talking. I called, I emailed, I paid visits, all to no avail. But I didn't give up; instead, I decided to create documents based on the needs the organization expressed, and based on what I'd seen as their greatest challenges. So, my answer was to create these documents, and I believe that I was successful, because, even in lieu of supervision or consultation, I was able to create documents reflecting their needs. They said they'd needed a general info flyer, so I made that. They said they needed a letter for Dr. Gates, so I wrote that. They said they needed a fact sheet, so I made it, with the bullet points they'd been talking about. I don't mean to imply that my documents are perfect, nor that they're necessarily mirror images of what NAMI wanted, but I believe I was successful in overcoming this challenge because I made something that follows their requests and is still usable.
It was easy to adapt documents to an audience I'd once been a part of. Having taken advantage of NAMI several times in the past, I thought back to what had caught my attention about the organization's media; certainly the free therapy sessions and related services had stuck out, so I focused on those, especially Dr. Gates giving free counseling (what an opportunity!). Offering free services or something of general aid is what draws a consumer or client more than almost anything, and it's what drew me. So, in essence, I adapted these documents to what I and others in my condition had found appealing in prior NAMI media; free help.
If I could do it over again, I'd pay a lot more attention to the dialogue. I'm not sure why NAMI decided to drop out of contact with me, but I think, had I called or messaged them every other day rather than a few times a week, things might have been different. I'm not sure. Regardless, I'm not sure keeping in contact more would've made a difference, but I intend to find out why the sudden drop happened.
I think that I would give myself an A. Granted, this was not the most visually-impressive group of documents, nor the most comprehensive, but I think that I did well for myself with what I was given. I'm proud that I worked out a way to continue the project in the face of an overwhelming obstacle. As much as writing, this project helped me think critically and work my way out of a serious jam. I think coming out of that, and making these documents as accurate as possible, merits recognition.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
The 6 Steps
I think that art can be defined as a medium by which ideas and emotions are given to another person. This can mean that anything from painting a picture to giving a kiss could be considered art.
I think that professional writing's definition as art is a little shaky, for a few reasons. Firstly, anything tied to a person's survival is not art. Professional writing does not determine survival in and of itself, but a person receiving the document must absorb the information provided in order to advance in his or her means of livelihood; in other words, survive. Your "survival" also depends on your ability to accurately transfer this information. Since survival is being used as the chief motivator for finding and implementing clear messages in your writing, I would not consider professional writing art.
I think I could stand to improve my craft by writing more than I do. Right now I'm at about 2,000 words a day, but the more I write, the better I feel. I also believe that reading more would be beneficial for my writing, as well as better acquainting myself with the various professional styles and formats. These things are relatively basic, but they mean the difference between a bad document and a good one.
I think that professional writing's definition as art is a little shaky, for a few reasons. Firstly, anything tied to a person's survival is not art. Professional writing does not determine survival in and of itself, but a person receiving the document must absorb the information provided in order to advance in his or her means of livelihood; in other words, survive. Your "survival" also depends on your ability to accurately transfer this information. Since survival is being used as the chief motivator for finding and implementing clear messages in your writing, I would not consider professional writing art.
I think I could stand to improve my craft by writing more than I do. Right now I'm at about 2,000 words a day, but the more I write, the better I feel. I also believe that reading more would be beneficial for my writing, as well as better acquainting myself with the various professional styles and formats. These things are relatively basic, but they mean the difference between a bad document and a good one.
Reflection on our Grade (Group Project)
I believe that we deserve an excellent grade for our efforts; this feeling is born out of nothing more than the dozens of hours that each of us put into this project. Our selected topic was something that all of us could relate to and that all of us considered important. Each of us was eager to embrace out given responsibilities within our project, and we're hopeful that what we've accomplished will be used by campus administrators to make a difference at Westminster.
Our project was far from simple, but we rose to the challenge as a single group. We were able to get our differences out relatively early in the process, which made everything more efficient for us as time goes on. We went over every detail of our project meticulously to ensure that it would be of an acceptable quality, and more importantly, that it would be easier for our clients to read. We conducted our research, created tables, formatted our information, and edited it several times. We hope that our work will be recognized, and I think that it qualifies for high award for what we put into it.
Our project was far from simple, but we rose to the challenge as a single group. We were able to get our differences out relatively early in the process, which made everything more efficient for us as time goes on. We went over every detail of our project meticulously to ensure that it would be of an acceptable quality, and more importantly, that it would be easier for our clients to read. We conducted our research, created tables, formatted our information, and edited it several times. We hope that our work will be recognized, and I think that it qualifies for high award for what we put into it.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
University Usability
According to my research, MIT does NOT have an excellent website. While the design is colorful, it is jumbled and its elements are misappropriated. In addition, the site is difficult to navigate, with a glitch-prone search bar and awkward topic bars that seem to spread a variety of contents over a few pages.
It strikes me as ironic that MIT's website needs so much refinement. Regardless, the site is difficult to navigate and its design is mediocre. I'd give this website a 5, overall, according to my research.
It strikes me as ironic that MIT's website needs so much refinement. Regardless, the site is difficult to navigate and its design is mediocre. I'd give this website a 5, overall, according to my research.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Happy Nanowrimo
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adults and Science Fiction Fans of All Ages
Plot: A group of explorers from a city high in the sky descend to a postapocalyptic surface to chase a 30-year mystery.
In the desert, as the sky mourned the sun's passing, a cascade of beat-up trucks and grim, gun-toting men passed into the dilapidated ruins of Moab, Utah.
Audience: Adults and Science Fiction Fans of All Ages
Plot: A group of explorers from a city high in the sky descend to a postapocalyptic surface to chase a 30-year mystery.
In the desert, as the sky mourned the sun's passing, a cascade of beat-up trucks and grim, gun-toting men passed into the dilapidated ruins of Moab, Utah.
Monday, October 24, 2011
What do You Need?
It's hard to believe how much time has gone by in what feels like little time at all. I think that things are proceeding well on all projects; I have a finished resume, we're fast closing on our group project, and my CWC organization is excited to have me writing for them. I think what I need to proceed is a committed person to communicate with on my organization's side (every time I've called, someone else has helped me out). I also need an explanation of a cover letter once again.
The first thing I need is a more detailed explanation of what all is due on the ninth. How many drafts of what documents do we need to produce by that date?
What goes on a resume's cover letter? I know we've gone over this, but I need another explanation. I'll consult the textbook too.
I guess the final thing I'm wondering about is what repercussions our efforts as a group will have on the school. Our group project is going quite well, and I'm looking forward to its completion. All things considered, I think I'm fairly abreast when it comes to information, but I welcome any explanations or tips you might have for me.
The first thing I need is a more detailed explanation of what all is due on the ninth. How many drafts of what documents do we need to produce by that date?
What goes on a resume's cover letter? I know we've gone over this, but I need another explanation. I'll consult the textbook too.
I guess the final thing I'm wondering about is what repercussions our efforts as a group will have on the school. Our group project is going quite well, and I'm looking forward to its completion. All things considered, I think I'm fairly abreast when it comes to information, but I welcome any explanations or tips you might have for me.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
CWC Interview
How well do you think the interview went? What makes you think that?
The people at NAMI were all very friendly and open, which put me at ease. I interviewed a woman named Mary, who is the executive assistant to Amber Watkins, the head of this NAMI branch's PR. I was able to ask direct questions and, thankfully, state everything I'd come to them for in a very clear manner ("For no charge, I can produce documents that your organization needs for any number of purposes. I'm doing this for class credit, but I have a personal stake in your organization's success." (which is true, by the way)). Overall, I'd say the interview went very well. Mary and I got off to an easy and friendly start, which enriched the flow of information, and she decided to take me out of her office to introduce me to the executive directors of NAMI SLC, which was great, because I was able to meet the people who run the organization for which I will work. My interviewee's ease of conversation and her decision to introduce me to these extra-interview pathways are indications, in my mind, that things went very well.
How did you prepare for the interview?
I went over everything I knew about the organization, the documents I was to produce, and I meditated to reduce anxiety and nervousness. I also freewrote for a while so that I could type well enough to look at Mary at the same time (which she admitted freaked her out, but she was also impressed). I prepared a few "sketch" interview questions, but I've learned from experience that the bulk of interview information comes from the questions you don't prepare for. I created a few questions (what resources do you have, what partners do you have) designed to bring out more information and multiple answers. Relaxation was the other component; with these two things in hand, I felt prepared for the interview.
What went exceptionally well?
The first thing that went well was the beginning of our interview. I struck one of those lucky interview moments when you and the person you're talking to find a trivializing and fun topic that links you together and establishes ease in the conversation (in this particular case it was the zombie apocalypse; if you and an interviewee can excitedly talk about a zombie apocalypse, you know you'll be able to have fun with the serious questions). I've developed a skill for gauging people on this sort of stuff and it's worked well in the past. It certainly helped me here as well.
As a consequence of our easy start, Mary decided to introduce me to a woman named Jessica West, the director of this NAMI branch. To be introduced so rapidly to an executive director (as early as halfway through the interview) was something that has never happened to me before, and it was excellent to meet the apex of my employment chain. Jessica was friendly as well and it helped to create additional ease and excitement in the interview. In short, meeting NAMI employees and learning more about the organization that way, rather than through something mundane, like a pamphlet, went very well.
What could have gone better?
I think I could have taken more time to prepare. My preparation was adequate, but not great. I could have memorized my questions instead of pulling them up on a laptop, dressed a little nicer, and written things down more. I'm thankful that the interview went well, but I think that, had I prepared more, I might have accomplished more with help from NAMI. I'll make a point of increasing preparation for future interviews; such an obvious point of interviewing and correspondence can get overlooked, apparently.
I also think I could have offered more information about how it came to be that I walked into NAMI offering my services. I told Mary my project, the class credit, and why I wanted to help, but I don't think I really specified the nature of our professional writing class (whose name could encompass many different definitions) or that she could contact me or you again with additional questions. I don't think I made the most of my efforts to provide Mary with as much contact information as possible. Hopefully I can provide it again the next time we meet.
What questions gave you the most useful information? (at least 2 specific examples) Why do you think
they were so effective?
My first really effective question was to ask Mary how effective her outreach was to her group's target audience. This question was effective because it gave me a scope of what needed to be done, especially when she garnished the scope with such lucrative details as what data and information needed to be produced and in what format, which gave me the essential format of the project ahead of me.
The second effective question was to ask what NAMI's mission was. I knew that they provided groups and counseling to people with mental illness, but not much beyond that. NAMI's ultimate mission is to give hope to the mentally-ill and help the loved ones of these people as well. This question may seem very simple, but it gave me massive insight into the depth and language I need to put into my pieces in order for them to work well.
What questions were the least useful? (at least 2 specific examples) If you were to do it all over again,
how would you make these questions more effective?
Without a doubt, the most useless question I asked was what organizations NAMI was allied with. It's important to have funds and friends in the sort of work that NAMI does, but knowing a shortlist of the hospitals and clinics that NAMI works with, while potentially useful for certain documents, was not the most efficient question to ask. I think a better question would have been "Does your media circulate to other outlets and groups? How? What kinds?"
My second not-so-effective-question was asking if there was a difference between outreach to patients and outreach to families... yes, but it's not substantial enough to take into account. It was an awkward break in the conversation, and one that could have been remedied had my question been more effective, like "how do you reach out to patients and their families?" It's amazing how a slight rewording can make a question so much better!
The people at NAMI were all very friendly and open, which put me at ease. I interviewed a woman named Mary, who is the executive assistant to Amber Watkins, the head of this NAMI branch's PR. I was able to ask direct questions and, thankfully, state everything I'd come to them for in a very clear manner ("For no charge, I can produce documents that your organization needs for any number of purposes. I'm doing this for class credit, but I have a personal stake in your organization's success." (which is true, by the way)). Overall, I'd say the interview went very well. Mary and I got off to an easy and friendly start, which enriched the flow of information, and she decided to take me out of her office to introduce me to the executive directors of NAMI SLC, which was great, because I was able to meet the people who run the organization for which I will work. My interviewee's ease of conversation and her decision to introduce me to these extra-interview pathways are indications, in my mind, that things went very well.
How did you prepare for the interview?
I went over everything I knew about the organization, the documents I was to produce, and I meditated to reduce anxiety and nervousness. I also freewrote for a while so that I could type well enough to look at Mary at the same time (which she admitted freaked her out, but she was also impressed). I prepared a few "sketch" interview questions, but I've learned from experience that the bulk of interview information comes from the questions you don't prepare for. I created a few questions (what resources do you have, what partners do you have) designed to bring out more information and multiple answers. Relaxation was the other component; with these two things in hand, I felt prepared for the interview.
What went exceptionally well?
The first thing that went well was the beginning of our interview. I struck one of those lucky interview moments when you and the person you're talking to find a trivializing and fun topic that links you together and establishes ease in the conversation (in this particular case it was the zombie apocalypse; if you and an interviewee can excitedly talk about a zombie apocalypse, you know you'll be able to have fun with the serious questions). I've developed a skill for gauging people on this sort of stuff and it's worked well in the past. It certainly helped me here as well.
As a consequence of our easy start, Mary decided to introduce me to a woman named Jessica West, the director of this NAMI branch. To be introduced so rapidly to an executive director (as early as halfway through the interview) was something that has never happened to me before, and it was excellent to meet the apex of my employment chain. Jessica was friendly as well and it helped to create additional ease and excitement in the interview. In short, meeting NAMI employees and learning more about the organization that way, rather than through something mundane, like a pamphlet, went very well.
What could have gone better?
I think I could have taken more time to prepare. My preparation was adequate, but not great. I could have memorized my questions instead of pulling them up on a laptop, dressed a little nicer, and written things down more. I'm thankful that the interview went well, but I think that, had I prepared more, I might have accomplished more with help from NAMI. I'll make a point of increasing preparation for future interviews; such an obvious point of interviewing and correspondence can get overlooked, apparently.
I also think I could have offered more information about how it came to be that I walked into NAMI offering my services. I told Mary my project, the class credit, and why I wanted to help, but I don't think I really specified the nature of our professional writing class (whose name could encompass many different definitions) or that she could contact me or you again with additional questions. I don't think I made the most of my efforts to provide Mary with as much contact information as possible. Hopefully I can provide it again the next time we meet.
What questions gave you the most useful information? (at least 2 specific examples) Why do you think
they were so effective?
My first really effective question was to ask Mary how effective her outreach was to her group's target audience. This question was effective because it gave me a scope of what needed to be done, especially when she garnished the scope with such lucrative details as what data and information needed to be produced and in what format, which gave me the essential format of the project ahead of me.
The second effective question was to ask what NAMI's mission was. I knew that they provided groups and counseling to people with mental illness, but not much beyond that. NAMI's ultimate mission is to give hope to the mentally-ill and help the loved ones of these people as well. This question may seem very simple, but it gave me massive insight into the depth and language I need to put into my pieces in order for them to work well.
What questions were the least useful? (at least 2 specific examples) If you were to do it all over again,
how would you make these questions more effective?
Without a doubt, the most useless question I asked was what organizations NAMI was allied with. It's important to have funds and friends in the sort of work that NAMI does, but knowing a shortlist of the hospitals and clinics that NAMI works with, while potentially useful for certain documents, was not the most efficient question to ask. I think a better question would have been "Does your media circulate to other outlets and groups? How? What kinds?"
My second not-so-effective-question was asking if there was a difference between outreach to patients and outreach to families... yes, but it's not substantial enough to take into account. It was an awkward break in the conversation, and one that could have been remedied had my question been more effective, like "how do you reach out to patients and their families?" It's amazing how a slight rewording can make a question so much better!
Team Project Status Report 2, October 12th, 2011
What did you personally accomplish on your team project this week.
I managed to lightly edit Connor's research surveys and throw a few target audience assignments together, but not much else. It's been a hell of a week and our group is hopeful that our research can take off into something substantial. To be honest, had I been more efficient in reviewing Connor's surveys and getting back to him, we might have made more progress this week than we actually did. Because my editing is the lynch pin between stages of our assignments, I have to assume responsibility for any inefficiency suffered this week.
What are you planning to accomplish next week?
Next week we're circulating surveys and emails to gather data; we're undertaking one of the largest research drives I've ever participated in since first arriving to Westminster. I hope to jump-start our project by reviewing and re-submitting the surveys this evening, and we should be ready to pass them out to our target audiences on Monday. I hope to accomplish better efficiency, and to lead our research efforts to a successful conclusion by Wednesday of next week.
What challenges are you facing individually and as a team?
The challenges I've faced this week have been individual. I had exams and projects due in every other class, putting me in the same situation that Jessica was in two weeks ago, and consequently, I've been slacking off this week more than should have been allowed. I accept responsibility for my mistakes, but I'm going to ensure that we're ready for the research stage of our project by next week. As for our group, Jessica and Michael have suddenly taken up much more work, confirming my suspicion that any perceived slacking on their part was merely consequential. This doesn't mean I'm closed off to talking amongst my teammates about how we could be doing things better.
How can I help?
I think the problems I'm facing this week are largely personal and schedule-based, though I will gladly accept any advice from you, on time management or other things. The team seems to be performing very well; I just need to step up the efforts that are worthy of their labors. As a manager, if you have any information or advice related to keeping a team and oneself simultaneously organized, I would welcome it.
I managed to lightly edit Connor's research surveys and throw a few target audience assignments together, but not much else. It's been a hell of a week and our group is hopeful that our research can take off into something substantial. To be honest, had I been more efficient in reviewing Connor's surveys and getting back to him, we might have made more progress this week than we actually did. Because my editing is the lynch pin between stages of our assignments, I have to assume responsibility for any inefficiency suffered this week.
What are you planning to accomplish next week?
Next week we're circulating surveys and emails to gather data; we're undertaking one of the largest research drives I've ever participated in since first arriving to Westminster. I hope to jump-start our project by reviewing and re-submitting the surveys this evening, and we should be ready to pass them out to our target audiences on Monday. I hope to accomplish better efficiency, and to lead our research efforts to a successful conclusion by Wednesday of next week.
What challenges are you facing individually and as a team?
The challenges I've faced this week have been individual. I had exams and projects due in every other class, putting me in the same situation that Jessica was in two weeks ago, and consequently, I've been slacking off this week more than should have been allowed. I accept responsibility for my mistakes, but I'm going to ensure that we're ready for the research stage of our project by next week. As for our group, Jessica and Michael have suddenly taken up much more work, confirming my suspicion that any perceived slacking on their part was merely consequential. This doesn't mean I'm closed off to talking amongst my teammates about how we could be doing things better.
How can I help?
I think the problems I'm facing this week are largely personal and schedule-based, though I will gladly accept any advice from you, on time management or other things. The team seems to be performing very well; I just need to step up the efforts that are worthy of their labors. As a manager, if you have any information or advice related to keeping a team and oneself simultaneously organized, I would welcome it.
Resume Quiz Score
This is the score I got: 58%
Fine. But I don't think the computer agrees with my philosophy that knowing the right people makes an incredible difference.
Fine. But I don't think the computer agrees with my philosophy that knowing the right people makes an incredible difference.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Job Ad
The job that I chose was an open writer's position at Bioware, a video game production firm based in Edmonton, Canada. I chose this job because, frankly, it's my dream job, but what drew me to the specifics was not the responsibilities, but the requirements (self-educate through documents, must write eloquently, must conduct thorough research and create extraordinary detail). All of these things, to me, are what make writing manifest at its very best, and for me to be able to do that on a daily basis would be extraordinary. That's why I picked this job; it fits the description of my dream career.
I think that this job is also a good fit because of the company offering it. Bioware is a legendary firm known for creating video games of very high quality, most of which have outpaced cinema and books in terms of their plot depth and possibilities. I like creating stories with as deep and intricate a plot as possible, so the opportunity to do that sounds wonderful to me. I think that, given the chance, I would do well in this position. There's plenty of learning opportunities and the job would let me get the all-sacred writer's high. This job also fits because I love seeing the gradual evolution of a story or a game. To be there for the construction of it all would be wonderful.
Bioware is a company that I want to work for. They've put out some of the best games I've ever played, such as Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Mass Effect 2. The company is based in Canada, one of my literary and writing heroes, Drew Karpyshyn, is a lead writer on their projects, and their studio in Austin is currently working on a massive online game. Another studio elsewhere is working on Mass Effect 3, one of my most anticipated games of 2012. Bioware has offices across the country (including one here in Salt Lake) and is owned by Electronic Arts, one of the largest gaming companies in the world. In addition to putting out high-quality products, Bioware is known for excellent customer service and work opportunities within the company. I want to work for them because they put out some of the world's best media, and to be a part of that would be an extraordinary experience. On top of that, there are stories of mine that I wouldn't mind having turned into games.
I think that this job is also a good fit because of the company offering it. Bioware is a legendary firm known for creating video games of very high quality, most of which have outpaced cinema and books in terms of their plot depth and possibilities. I like creating stories with as deep and intricate a plot as possible, so the opportunity to do that sounds wonderful to me. I think that, given the chance, I would do well in this position. There's plenty of learning opportunities and the job would let me get the all-sacred writer's high. This job also fits because I love seeing the gradual evolution of a story or a game. To be there for the construction of it all would be wonderful.
Bioware is a company that I want to work for. They've put out some of the best games I've ever played, such as Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Mass Effect 2. The company is based in Canada, one of my literary and writing heroes, Drew Karpyshyn, is a lead writer on their projects, and their studio in Austin is currently working on a massive online game. Another studio elsewhere is working on Mass Effect 3, one of my most anticipated games of 2012. Bioware has offices across the country (including one here in Salt Lake) and is owned by Electronic Arts, one of the largest gaming companies in the world. In addition to putting out high-quality products, Bioware is known for excellent customer service and work opportunities within the company. I want to work for them because they put out some of the world's best media, and to be a part of that would be an extraordinary experience. On top of that, there are stories of mine that I wouldn't mind having turned into games.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Team Proposal Reflection
Ian Coppock
Team Proposal Reflection
How successful were you as a group? Why?
I feel that we were quite successful as a team, though not without a few issues. We managed to collaborate with each other, find meeting times that worked well for all of us, and all find the courage to get our point across at the meetings we attended. Jessica, who is the shyest of us all, makes frequent contributions to our discussions, and I think that's a safe high water mark for the comfort of our meetings. I feel like everyone in our team has a pretty good idea of what their given roles are; mine is the editor and project manager, Amanda handles formatting, Connor does research, Jessica does composition and original writing, and Michael also does writing as well as conduct research, contact individuals, and handle other logistics. Connor is especially ardent at immediately taking on the tasks and challenges in his quarter, and I commend him for that. We're successful at carrying out our assigned tasks and getting things done, and I think this is because we simply have a high-caliber team of responsible, committed students. Each one of us is concerned with the well-being of this project, and we all consider it our responsibility to work together to make it happen. All of us are concerned about our grades and revere them sacredly, to be totally honest. We all seem to get along pretty well; I think we're all just able to keep it light and interact openly with one another (Michael starts us off with a European joke and that seems to clear the air and get us going on the important stuff). All of us seem willing to help and through out suggestions.
What challenges did your group face? How did you try to overcome them? Were you successful? Why or why not?
The biggest challenge that we face right now is an imbalance in workload. Amanda feels that she, Connor and I are doing all of the work, while Michael and Jessica are left with relatively little to do. We never tried to overcome this issue because we were in the midst of trying to get an assignment done in time; assigning work and getting things done were our top priorities, I guess. We were never successful because we never really tried to fix things up. I guess it's much more of a concern with Amanda, but if she takes issue with this, I trust her instincts. We need to work towards making sure everyone is doing their part. Amanda is concerned about Jessica, who, I think, considers her other classwork more important because it's not group work. The first time she said she couldn't do as much as we wanted her to, I let it slide, because she had a major project due that week in every other one of her classes. I understand that; sometimes that happens. But this last week, she wasn't able to do as much either, citing similar reasons, and that was kind of frustrating. Our group's labors need to be considered as important as her "other work". We were not successful at surmounting this challenge because it was never discussed, but we'll bring it up at our next meeting.
What were your contributions to the project? Were you successful? Why or why not?
I made some major contributions to this project; I contributed to most of the original writing, directed the operations of everyone's work on the proposal, and edited the final piece before passing it to Amanda for formatting. I was successful in asserting myself because I realize my duties are being the group's editor and project leader, and our roles are, happily enough, things that everyone takes seriously. The other group members have commented on my work, especially the editing of the proposal's brain storming and research method section, and those are things I take to heart, both as a compliment and as a determination to continue to not disappoint them for as long as we're collaborating.
If you could do it over again, what would you do differently? Why?
I think the first thing I'd do is pay more attention to the syllabus, so that we'd have more time to work on this (and, consequently, less stress). I think the only other thing I'd do differently is bring up Amanda's concern about Michael and Jessica's workload to the entire group. This was something that Amanda didn't bring up until the night the proposal was due, and I credit her for her honesty, but I wish she'd brought it up earlier. I think what I would do differently is encourage my team to voice concerns earlier in the process, so that they don't remain buried. Buried problems cause more trouble over time, so I'm going to find a way to bring these issues up at our next meeting. Apart from this issue that Amanda has voiced to me, we're doing very well. Overall, we have a stellar team.
Team Proposal Reflection
How successful were you as a group? Why?
I feel that we were quite successful as a team, though not without a few issues. We managed to collaborate with each other, find meeting times that worked well for all of us, and all find the courage to get our point across at the meetings we attended. Jessica, who is the shyest of us all, makes frequent contributions to our discussions, and I think that's a safe high water mark for the comfort of our meetings. I feel like everyone in our team has a pretty good idea of what their given roles are; mine is the editor and project manager, Amanda handles formatting, Connor does research, Jessica does composition and original writing, and Michael also does writing as well as conduct research, contact individuals, and handle other logistics. Connor is especially ardent at immediately taking on the tasks and challenges in his quarter, and I commend him for that. We're successful at carrying out our assigned tasks and getting things done, and I think this is because we simply have a high-caliber team of responsible, committed students. Each one of us is concerned with the well-being of this project, and we all consider it our responsibility to work together to make it happen. All of us are concerned about our grades and revere them sacredly, to be totally honest. We all seem to get along pretty well; I think we're all just able to keep it light and interact openly with one another (Michael starts us off with a European joke and that seems to clear the air and get us going on the important stuff). All of us seem willing to help and through out suggestions.
What challenges did your group face? How did you try to overcome them? Were you successful? Why or why not?
The biggest challenge that we face right now is an imbalance in workload. Amanda feels that she, Connor and I are doing all of the work, while Michael and Jessica are left with relatively little to do. We never tried to overcome this issue because we were in the midst of trying to get an assignment done in time; assigning work and getting things done were our top priorities, I guess. We were never successful because we never really tried to fix things up. I guess it's much more of a concern with Amanda, but if she takes issue with this, I trust her instincts. We need to work towards making sure everyone is doing their part. Amanda is concerned about Jessica, who, I think, considers her other classwork more important because it's not group work. The first time she said she couldn't do as much as we wanted her to, I let it slide, because she had a major project due that week in every other one of her classes. I understand that; sometimes that happens. But this last week, she wasn't able to do as much either, citing similar reasons, and that was kind of frustrating. Our group's labors need to be considered as important as her "other work". We were not successful at surmounting this challenge because it was never discussed, but we'll bring it up at our next meeting.
What were your contributions to the project? Were you successful? Why or why not?
I made some major contributions to this project; I contributed to most of the original writing, directed the operations of everyone's work on the proposal, and edited the final piece before passing it to Amanda for formatting. I was successful in asserting myself because I realize my duties are being the group's editor and project leader, and our roles are, happily enough, things that everyone takes seriously. The other group members have commented on my work, especially the editing of the proposal's brain storming and research method section, and those are things I take to heart, both as a compliment and as a determination to continue to not disappoint them for as long as we're collaborating.
If you could do it over again, what would you do differently? Why?
I think the first thing I'd do is pay more attention to the syllabus, so that we'd have more time to work on this (and, consequently, less stress). I think the only other thing I'd do differently is bring up Amanda's concern about Michael and Jessica's workload to the entire group. This was something that Amanda didn't bring up until the night the proposal was due, and I credit her for her honesty, but I wish she'd brought it up earlier. I think what I would do differently is encourage my team to voice concerns earlier in the process, so that they don't remain buried. Buried problems cause more trouble over time, so I'm going to find a way to bring these issues up at our next meeting. Apart from this issue that Amanda has voiced to me, we're doing very well. Overall, we have a stellar team.
Team Project Status Report, October 3rd, 2011
Ian Coppock
What did you personally accomplish on your team project this week?
As the project manager, it's my job to keep tabs on everyone and organize assignments. I was able to pull together a Friday meeting with my team, in which we discussed the revisions needed on our client report proposal, and how we would go about making those changes. As I am also the editor, I assembled and line-edited the entire proposal before sending it to Amanda McIntyre for formatting. I accomplished a lot this week; I was able to lead my team (thanks in no small part to their diligence and hard work) and I edited the document that will ultimately guide our efforts in this project. I also managed to divide work fairly evenly among us; Amanda did the formatting, Connor conducted research, Jessica developed a style guide, and Michael talked to people affiliated with our project. Dividing workloads has become something of an issue, but I'll discuss that in later questions.
What are you planning to accomplish this week?
This week we're moving on to the next phase of our project. I plan to participate in interviews, make our survey, and edit all outgoing documents, as is my job. These projects have been intense, but, much as I may dread them during crunch time, these workloads are giving me some valuable writing experience already. I'm learning how to make my writing sound more formal and respectful (i.e. asking someone for help rather than stating it). I plan to accomplish the continued management of my team, which means continuing to balance our roles against and with each others. Perhaps most importantly, I feel that I need to address certain issues within my team, which I've listed below.
What challenges are you facing individually and as a team?
I can't say that I'm facing any challenge I haven't figured out yet. There have been writing and formatting problems (like using the memo format as opposed to business letter, and figuring out these differences) but, between the book's chapters and your teaching, I'm learning as I go and staying on top of things. I appreciate your constant advice; it's one of the biggest reasons I'm not facing any individual issues right now.
Our team functions pretty well, but Amanda recently expressed that she feels she, I, and Connor are doing most of the work, while Michael and Jessica do relatively little. Michael is never short of motivation; I think that his potentially small workload is due to his bouts of sickness and doing a lot of the logistics outside of the writing, like contacting Deb Vickery. Jessica's case is different. While highly motivated, she seems to think that her other classwork supersedes our groupwork. She's repeatedly turned down full assignments because of other things going on, which, while understandable, is not acceptable. I've somewhat tolerated it up to this point and balanced our work as much as possible, but this class needs to be considered as "important" as these other things going on. I'm not sure what Connor's thoughts are on all of this, but I feel like we need to sit down and establish better guidelines.
How can I help?
Any suggestions you have on the above mentioned situation would be greatly appreciated. I'm a good communicator, but talking about something as sensitive as workloads might require some outside assistance as far as tact goes. I won't be here the next time we meet, but if you talk to Amanda about the issues brought up here, I"m sure you two can work something out. Amanda has become something of a co-project leader, in many ways, and I trust her with any advice you give until I'm back next week.
Thanks Jeff. I'm learning a lot in this class.
~Ian
What did you personally accomplish on your team project this week?
As the project manager, it's my job to keep tabs on everyone and organize assignments. I was able to pull together a Friday meeting with my team, in which we discussed the revisions needed on our client report proposal, and how we would go about making those changes. As I am also the editor, I assembled and line-edited the entire proposal before sending it to Amanda McIntyre for formatting. I accomplished a lot this week; I was able to lead my team (thanks in no small part to their diligence and hard work) and I edited the document that will ultimately guide our efforts in this project. I also managed to divide work fairly evenly among us; Amanda did the formatting, Connor conducted research, Jessica developed a style guide, and Michael talked to people affiliated with our project. Dividing workloads has become something of an issue, but I'll discuss that in later questions.
What are you planning to accomplish this week?
This week we're moving on to the next phase of our project. I plan to participate in interviews, make our survey, and edit all outgoing documents, as is my job. These projects have been intense, but, much as I may dread them during crunch time, these workloads are giving me some valuable writing experience already. I'm learning how to make my writing sound more formal and respectful (i.e. asking someone for help rather than stating it). I plan to accomplish the continued management of my team, which means continuing to balance our roles against and with each others. Perhaps most importantly, I feel that I need to address certain issues within my team, which I've listed below.
What challenges are you facing individually and as a team?
I can't say that I'm facing any challenge I haven't figured out yet. There have been writing and formatting problems (like using the memo format as opposed to business letter, and figuring out these differences) but, between the book's chapters and your teaching, I'm learning as I go and staying on top of things. I appreciate your constant advice; it's one of the biggest reasons I'm not facing any individual issues right now.
Our team functions pretty well, but Amanda recently expressed that she feels she, I, and Connor are doing most of the work, while Michael and Jessica do relatively little. Michael is never short of motivation; I think that his potentially small workload is due to his bouts of sickness and doing a lot of the logistics outside of the writing, like contacting Deb Vickery. Jessica's case is different. While highly motivated, she seems to think that her other classwork supersedes our groupwork. She's repeatedly turned down full assignments because of other things going on, which, while understandable, is not acceptable. I've somewhat tolerated it up to this point and balanced our work as much as possible, but this class needs to be considered as "important" as these other things going on. I'm not sure what Connor's thoughts are on all of this, but I feel like we need to sit down and establish better guidelines.
How can I help?
Any suggestions you have on the above mentioned situation would be greatly appreciated. I'm a good communicator, but talking about something as sensitive as workloads might require some outside assistance as far as tact goes. I won't be here the next time we meet, but if you talk to Amanda about the issues brought up here, I"m sure you two can work something out. Amanda has become something of a co-project leader, in many ways, and I trust her with any advice you give until I'm back next week.
Thanks Jeff. I'm learning a lot in this class.
~Ian
Monday, October 3, 2011
Reporting Results
The reports use charts and graphs extremely well; in my mind, they form a sort of emphasis on the written material they've just presented. Gallup presents the material in an arbitrary manner, stating the facts in a paragraph, but the added visualization of the data below helps bring the entire thing home. It's one thing to imagine the data implications on your own, but the chart grounds these realizations. I think it also served as a strong conclusion to the entire piece, for the same reasons. The information is stated, almost like a prelude, and then thrust towards you in a visual manner. It's effective for getting one's point across.
The text in these reports is very arbitrary. Rather than using prose or elaborating on the implications of their facts, the text simply states the numbers (i.e. 38% of Americans approve of Barack Obama, and 48% do not) and then just stops there. It's sudden, but it leaves the ultimate interpretation of the data to you. The numbers serve as an arbitrary, no-argument method of presenting cold facts for personal interpretation. While the articles typically explore some elaboration on the numbers' meaning, the focus is undoubtedly on the numbers themselves. With such a strong focus on just the numbers, we as the readers are left with a very effective foundation for opinion of the issue.
Gallup places their result and reporting methods at the bottom of the visual graph, and sometimes the body text. I think that they do this so that they can immediately quell any question of their information's legitimacy. It's certainly an issue that they seem to keep in mind constantly. By placing the sources at the bottom of the graphic, it leads one to believe that Gallup puts high claim on their credibility. It certainly makes the articles seem more effective. These endings vary in format; sometimes, they're small statements at the bottom of a graph, or they're a large summary at the bottom of the article. Either method is effective.
The text in these reports is very arbitrary. Rather than using prose or elaborating on the implications of their facts, the text simply states the numbers (i.e. 38% of Americans approve of Barack Obama, and 48% do not) and then just stops there. It's sudden, but it leaves the ultimate interpretation of the data to you. The numbers serve as an arbitrary, no-argument method of presenting cold facts for personal interpretation. While the articles typically explore some elaboration on the numbers' meaning, the focus is undoubtedly on the numbers themselves. With such a strong focus on just the numbers, we as the readers are left with a very effective foundation for opinion of the issue.
Gallup places their result and reporting methods at the bottom of the visual graph, and sometimes the body text. I think that they do this so that they can immediately quell any question of their information's legitimacy. It's certainly an issue that they seem to keep in mind constantly. By placing the sources at the bottom of the graphic, it leads one to believe that Gallup puts high claim on their credibility. It certainly makes the articles seem more effective. These endings vary in format; sometimes, they're small statements at the bottom of a graph, or they're a large summary at the bottom of the article. Either method is effective.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Revision
To me, the word revision evokes memories and visions of meticulously going over each line in a composition, looking at it, checking it for grammar and competency, and then moving on to the next one. For many writers, revision can beocme a dreaded porcess, especially when you've arrived to the point where you've come to believe that it can never be good enough. There is a point where writing is fine, but it only arrives after you've gotten the rievisions done first. I think of revisions as a sometimes-painful experience, but one that is necessary. As with actual writing, the hardest part of revising is just before the act itself, when you have to force yourself to jump in and get to work. When I think of revision, I see a chance to improve something, though this usually doesn't go without a serious investment of energy and attention.
My revision technique is simple: I meticulously go over EACH line in my composition, sometimes two or even three times per line, and I correct any grammatical mistakes or irregularities in tone that I see. While this method is extremely effective, it takes a lot of time to go through each sentence, but it works well, usually leaving me with a paper free of spelling errors and almost free of tonal or contextual errors. It can take me a few hours to revise a paper, but when it's done, my meticulous edits have left it as perfect as I as a human writer can get it to be. This method, again, is very effective, but I'm not sure how time-efficient it is. Regardless, it leaves me with much better work, so I can't complain. I'm also always lookng for new ways to edit and revise my stuff, though. This form of editing also requires commitments in the form of scheduling; one or two hours to edit is a long time.
My revision technique is simple: I meticulously go over EACH line in my composition, sometimes two or even three times per line, and I correct any grammatical mistakes or irregularities in tone that I see. While this method is extremely effective, it takes a lot of time to go through each sentence, but it works well, usually leaving me with a paper free of spelling errors and almost free of tonal or contextual errors. It can take me a few hours to revise a paper, but when it's done, my meticulous edits have left it as perfect as I as a human writer can get it to be. This method, again, is very effective, but I'm not sure how time-efficient it is. Regardless, it leaves me with much better work, so I can't complain. I'm also always lookng for new ways to edit and revise my stuff, though. This form of editing also requires commitments in the form of scheduling; one or two hours to edit is a long time.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Peer Reviews
I've never had a positive peer review experience before. They've always been a pain in the ass, for various reasons. Two experiences in particular come to mind:
When I was in high school, I had to have a peer review my paper on the Great Gatsby. The tragedy of this exercise lay not in its format but in that this was a subjective review. We weren't grading each other on grammar and flow of writing, but our own opinions (our teacher seemed to suffer from a lack of common sense, and as a consequence, so did we). Our discussion on the opinions of the book quickly became a heated argument. I think I could have made this experience better by trying to keep the conversation positive, but the exercise was such a bad idea from the start that even this seems a distant solution.
Now, let's talk about something more recent. I think that the number-one fear in peer reviews is that your partner for the review is either incompetent or not truly listening. Two years ago I wrote a research paper on the Mammoth, and had to have it peer-reviewed with a girl in the class. This experience was negative because my peer was not engaged or interested in the paper. She skimmed it, took breaks to talk to a friend or text on her phone, and gave me the most generic advice a writer can hear: "It's good, but you need to put more of your opinion in it." Naturally I hated her on the spot, but I think I could have made the experience better by asking her more direct questions about the paper (ex: how do you think such a sentence flows in conjunction with this sentence) as opposed to "does it have nice flow?" so, the experience was partially my fault, but the exercise went badly. A peer review can only work if both peers are actually engaged and caring about the review. This experience was a bad one because she was neither engaged nor caring.
When I was in high school, I had to have a peer review my paper on the Great Gatsby. The tragedy of this exercise lay not in its format but in that this was a subjective review. We weren't grading each other on grammar and flow of writing, but our own opinions (our teacher seemed to suffer from a lack of common sense, and as a consequence, so did we). Our discussion on the opinions of the book quickly became a heated argument. I think I could have made this experience better by trying to keep the conversation positive, but the exercise was such a bad idea from the start that even this seems a distant solution.
Now, let's talk about something more recent. I think that the number-one fear in peer reviews is that your partner for the review is either incompetent or not truly listening. Two years ago I wrote a research paper on the Mammoth, and had to have it peer-reviewed with a girl in the class. This experience was negative because my peer was not engaged or interested in the paper. She skimmed it, took breaks to talk to a friend or text on her phone, and gave me the most generic advice a writer can hear: "It's good, but you need to put more of your opinion in it." Naturally I hated her on the spot, but I think I could have made the experience better by asking her more direct questions about the paper (ex: how do you think such a sentence flows in conjunction with this sentence) as opposed to "does it have nice flow?" so, the experience was partially my fault, but the exercise went badly. A peer review can only work if both peers are actually engaged and caring about the review. This experience was a bad one because she was neither engaged nor caring.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Ideas for the CWC
Ian Coppock
CWC: Ideas
Organization One: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
1: What is the name of a potential organization contact?
NAMI is a nationwide group that advocates for those who live with mental illnesses, such as depression, severe anxiety, and bi-polar disorder. They are a nonprofit, grassroots group seeking to improve awareness of and outreach for this community, and educate a broad audience on these topics. Amber Watkins is the foremost representative of the organization’s operations in Utah, and would likely be my first contact for the CWC.
2: Who are the potential audiences of documents you may create for the project? (this is likely one or two of the target audiences of the organization)
The largest group of people that NAMI reaches out to is those in need of treatment, who, for various reasons, are unable or unwilling to attain it. This is a surprisingly large audience; a few months ago I learned that they reach out to dozens, sometimes hundreds of people in the greater Salt Lake area on a monthly basis. NAMI also reaches out to relatives of those in need of treatment; both groups actually comprise a larger, linked audience, as these problems affect more than just one person. Their ultimate goal, one that I share, is reaching out to people who need help.
3: What kind of responses do you want from the audiences after they have read your documents?
I struggle with mental illness myself, so I have an innate interest in spreading awareness of these issues to those who might need treatment. I know that reaching out for help can seem foreign and scary, but I want to inspire my audience to take action. I want people who may have these problems to become inspired to action after reading my documents, and I want their friends and relatives to become impassioned about helping. My chief goal is to inspire those in need to seek help, but when you reach out to everyday people, those free of mental illness, their outreach and support to people in need can become as invaluable a factor in their recovery as medicine and therapy.
4: What research have you done so far?
NAMI advocates for many mental health issues but focus especially on depression and anxiety. I discovered this group when I was a patient in a psychiatric ward a few months ago, and have been interested in their activities ever since. NAMI is spread across Utah and they put together a variety of events meant to advocate for this sort of thing. They have surprising resources, considering that they are a nonprofit, and they are very committed to spreading their views and advocacy everywhere they can.
5: Why did you choose this idea/organization?
As I’ve said, I struggle with mental illness too. NAMI appealed to me because a worker of theirs helped me in my time of need, reaching out on a personal level by asking me how I was feeling. NAMI is rare because they are a grassroots organization dedicated to help on a personal level, and not just a medical one. This appeals to me because both kinds of help are equally effective. These diseases cause enough pain and trouble on their own, but to live in a society where these things go largely unexamined can produce an excruciating feeling of isolation. I want to bridge that gap of understanding, bringing the people who can help to those who feel that no help is coming. I’ve accomplished this myself in the past, reaching out to other people, and they’ve been happy to break the feeling of isolation that stems from these afflictions. I chose to write for these organizations because the gap can be bridged; I know it can be done.
6: What questions would you ask your potential contact in an interview? (you need to list at least 10 questions for each contact—they may repeat as appropriate but should be customized for the
individuals).
Questions for Amber Watkins:
Tell me about yourself and this organization?
Does NAMI still advocate primarily for treatment of anxiety and depression, or do they seek to spread their resources evenly across multiple fields?
What resources does NAMI have? Where do you find you hit the most roadblocks in advocating for mental health patients and illness victims?
How active is NAMI here in Salt Lake? What activities do they put on to advocate for mental health?
How much outreach does NAMI conduct? How do you spread your agenda to people who need help or these individuals’ relatives?
Are there other resources and organizations that you ally yourself with to have better outreach? What are these other resources?
How effective would you say your outreach to people with mental illness has been in the past?
How effective would you say your outreach to the relatives of mental illness victims has been in the past?
What sorts of media and writing do you want? What have you found to be most effective?
How can I help you? What kind of writing can I produce to help your organization reach its goals?
Organization Two: Utah Mental Health Counselors Association
1: What is the name of a potential organization contact?
The UMHCA is an association of professional mental health counselors who partner with grassroots workers and families to provide support and advocacy for mental illness awareness, especially treatment of anxiety and depression. These individuals command impressive resources but have stated that help is always accepted. Paul Carver, the organization’s president, is the gatekeeper of UMHCA, and has stated his willingness to accept help for his organization’s cause.
2: Who are the potential audiences of documents you may create for the project? (this is likely one or two of the target audiences of the organization)
UMHCA’s primary audience is people who have just accepted or are thinking of accepting treatment. The organization typically assumes that those who approach it, be they potential patients or newly-minted patients, have at least admitted their problems, but will gladly compensate for individuals who may not know exactly where to begin. These detached people, either just on the road to recovery or close to it, are the target audience of this organization. I feel an attachment to this group, having been there before. It is a target audience I would enjoy writing for.
3: What kind of responses do you want from the audiences after they have read your documents?
I struggle with mental illness myself, so I have an innate interest in spreading awareness of treatment initiatives to the public. The beginning of treatment can be a directionless and confusing time, and I want to generate a response of hope and determination from those who read my documents. I think that if I can give people a sense of hope in that treatment is a good thing, and not as scary as it may first appear, that’s the most I can ask and strive towards in my documents.
4: What research have you done so far?
This association has a lot of credentials, but they seemed to be strapped for media; even I, who have spent plenty of time in psychology and mental health circles, hadn’t heard of them until my therapist mentioned them a few weeks ago (he’s a member). What I know is that they are a two-part organization, comprising professionals and volunteers, but the former vastly outweighs the latter. They want to spread advocacy of their cause, which is to ensure mental health in any capacity for any person, but lack publicity. This is one of the reasons I became attracted to this organization; I want to help them.
5: Why did you choose this idea/organization?
People who decide to enter treatment are making the right decision, but starting on this brave new road can be confusing and disorienting. I chose this organization because I see value in providing direction for these people. I didn’t receive any direction when I was first treated for depression; I had to discover these things for myself. I want to let people know that setting a path to a brighter future, while certainly labor-intensive, is by far the best way to assure a better tomorrow. I chose this organization because they accept those who have just begun on this high road, and I want to contribute to their cause in any way I can.
6: Questions for Paul Carver:
Tell me about yourself and this organization?
Are there specific causes and illnesses that UMHCA advocates for, or do they seek to spread their resources evenly across multiple fields?
What resources does UMHCA have? Where do you find you hit the most roadblocks in advocating for mental health patients and people who have just entered treatment?
How active is UMHCA here in Salt Lake? What activities do they put on to advocate for mental health and provide direction for new patients?
How much outreach does UMHCA conduct? How do you spread your agenda to new patients and their families?
Are there other resources and organizations that you ally yourself with to have better outreach? What are these other resources?
How effective would you say your outreach to people who have just entered treatment been in the past?
How effective would you say your outreach to the friends and relatives of new patients has been in the past?
What sorts of media and writing do you want? What have you found to be most effective?
How can I help you? What kind of writing can I produce to help your organization reach its goals?
Organization Three: University Neuropsychiatric Institute
1: What is the name of a potential organization contact?
UNI is a neuropsychiatric hospital responsible for much of the mental medical care throughout Salt Lake City. Based in the University of Utah, it is a publically-chartered institution with a full medical facility, numerous academic opportunities, and, of course, a growing need for advocacy for mental health patients. The best place to start for my purposes would be their volunteering office. No specific name was given.
2: Who are the potential audiences of documents you may create for the project? (this is likely one or two of the target audiences of the organization)
UNI’s largest audience is people who have severe mental health problems that should seek immediate treatment to prevent severe injury or even death. While admittedly small, I learned during my time in this audience that the number of people with dangerous mental illnesses is growing across the United States, including here in Salt Lake City. Many of these people have faced trauma in their daily lives, and may be mistrustful of or unable to reach out for themselves. UNI seeks to help them along the road to recovery.
3: What kind of responses do you want from the audiences after they have read your documents?
I’ve been in UNI’s target audience. I know that approaching a large hospital for aid can be extremely intimidating, but, for my own sake, it was absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, the people who need the most help are usually the ones who will not or cannot reach out to this organization for aid. I want people to want to get the help they need by reading my documents. I have credibility, in that I’ve occupied their position in the not-so-distant past, and I know every step of every emotion coursing through them when they’re weighing these decisions. That’s why I want to write documents for UNI. I want to tell people it’s okay to get treatment, but most of all, I want them to respond with acknowledgement and the courage to make the decision on their own.
4: What research have you done so far?
I stayed at UNI for an extensive period of time not so long ago, and the visit was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. This organization is extremely committed to treating patients who are severely mentally ill, and provides them with extensive comfort and counseling along the way. UNI has a healthy supply of volunteers, but they’re largely unknown outside medical students or the families of admitted patients. There’s a lot of good that could be done by writing for UNI and spreading their information to those who need their services. I think that, by spreading their goals and advocacy (as well as their services) to other people, there could be a mutual gain of publicity on their side and life-changing care on the patient’s side.
5: Why did you choose this idea/organization?
I chose this organization because I received the information I used to realize that treatment was necessary. The person who provided the information to me was a doctor of mine, and the man I credit for helping me turn my life around. I chose this organization because, through them, I was able to get my own life back on track, and befriend a few other people who had displayed the courage and strength of character to accept help from another person. I chose this organization because I want to contribute to this mission in any way I can, by encouraging people who occupy the position I was once in to accept the tools necessary to rebuild their lives.
6: Questions for UNI Volunteering Coordinator
Tell me about yourself and this organization’s outreach?
How is it that UNI advocates for victims of severe mental illness? How strongly do you focus on anxiety and depression?
What resources does UNI have? Where do you find you hit the most roadblocks in reaching out to those in need of help from you?
How active is UNI here in Salt Lake? What activities do they put on to advocate for mental health?
How much outreach does NAMI conduct? How do you reach out to victims of severe mental illness?
Are there other resources and organizations that you ally yourself with to have better outreaches? What are these other resources?
How effective would you say your outreach to people with mental illness has been in the past?
How effective would you say your outreach to everyday people and relatives of the mentally ill has been in the past?
What sorts of media and writing do you want? What have you found to be most effective?
How can I help you? What kind of writing can I produce to help your organization reach its goals?
Changing the World
There are a lot of ideas that I want to share with other people, ideas that I've been developing and writing about for over a decade. My book, if it can be called that at this point, is Azarren, a fictional story about five sapient species of creatures living together on a distant planet in a faraway galaxy. These creatures have pioneered amazing technologies, from solar-powered airships to seismic weaponry and computers powered by motoplasm, a gelatinous substance manipulated and molded like DNA. These five Azarren species live together in an Empire that's over 10,000 years old, and for those ten millennia they have overcome every challenge imaginable and emerged stronger because of it. I want to share these ideas because I think they reflect creativity, and I want to share them to make people's minds move and use their own perspectives. But this is the trivial part of the story.
The book is set in the Azarren year 10402. The protagonist is Sehla Arallis, the middle child of the Azarren Emperor, who must embark on a dangerous mission with his two brothers Arzeo and Jiaki to stop their great-uncle, who is attempting the gain the means to re-create history in his own image. In the story, he seeks to re-imagine and re-invent the entire Azarren time line as perfect, paradise-like even, without any of the tragedies that have inflicted pain upon Azarren society. And Sehla is out to stop him from doing this.
I want to share this idea in particular; it is the most important message in my book. I believe strongly in finding and confronting our fears, which is something I've had to learn for years as a sufferer of severe depression and chronic anxiety. I also believe that mistakes and tragedies, while unfortunate, are what cause us to grow up as people, and, hopefully, as a society. We should never omit our own history because it is unpleasant, nor ignore the boons that might be gained for taking time to reflect on our mistakes and what we can derive from them. Sehla, who suffers from depression as I do, sets out on his mission for this reason alone. What gives him pause is that he was very close to his mother, who passed away, as is his antagonistic uncle, who wants to re-write history as much to bring her back to life as for his goal of societal perfection. This will cause a powerful element of inner conflict within the story, but the idea of accepting mistakes and pain, and what we can glean from them, is the central theme of the book and potentially the series.
I want to share this idea through writing simply because it is my greatest tool. It is the thing I am the best at and it is something from which I can derive an infinite measure of new learning. I can share this idea through writing because the written word gives us the most pause for thinking. Spoken words can be moving too, but the image of the page, the searing of those words into our brain, are what we remember the longest, because we alone have interpreted its meaning and spoken it softly to ourselves.
Right now, the book is stalled. I haven't done any serious work on it in over a year, because I've been busy overcoming my own illnesses and doubts to return to the page. Some days I feel fine writing, other days are difficult. That's another reason why I want to write this, how I can spread my ideas; I need to write this story as much for my own sake as anyone else's. Perhaps I need to do this to validate these ideas for other people, but I can share these ideas through writing because, when I want to, I can communicate in ways that move emotions. The trick lies in summoning the belief and the willpower that I can still move emotions, but I'm beginning to believe, once again, that it's possible.
The book is set in the Azarren year 10402. The protagonist is Sehla Arallis, the middle child of the Azarren Emperor, who must embark on a dangerous mission with his two brothers Arzeo and Jiaki to stop their great-uncle, who is attempting the gain the means to re-create history in his own image. In the story, he seeks to re-imagine and re-invent the entire Azarren time line as perfect, paradise-like even, without any of the tragedies that have inflicted pain upon Azarren society. And Sehla is out to stop him from doing this.
I want to share this idea in particular; it is the most important message in my book. I believe strongly in finding and confronting our fears, which is something I've had to learn for years as a sufferer of severe depression and chronic anxiety. I also believe that mistakes and tragedies, while unfortunate, are what cause us to grow up as people, and, hopefully, as a society. We should never omit our own history because it is unpleasant, nor ignore the boons that might be gained for taking time to reflect on our mistakes and what we can derive from them. Sehla, who suffers from depression as I do, sets out on his mission for this reason alone. What gives him pause is that he was very close to his mother, who passed away, as is his antagonistic uncle, who wants to re-write history as much to bring her back to life as for his goal of societal perfection. This will cause a powerful element of inner conflict within the story, but the idea of accepting mistakes and pain, and what we can glean from them, is the central theme of the book and potentially the series.
I want to share this idea through writing simply because it is my greatest tool. It is the thing I am the best at and it is something from which I can derive an infinite measure of new learning. I can share this idea through writing because the written word gives us the most pause for thinking. Spoken words can be moving too, but the image of the page, the searing of those words into our brain, are what we remember the longest, because we alone have interpreted its meaning and spoken it softly to ourselves.
Right now, the book is stalled. I haven't done any serious work on it in over a year, because I've been busy overcoming my own illnesses and doubts to return to the page. Some days I feel fine writing, other days are difficult. That's another reason why I want to write this, how I can spread my ideas; I need to write this story as much for my own sake as anyone else's. Perhaps I need to do this to validate these ideas for other people, but I can share these ideas through writing because, when I want to, I can communicate in ways that move emotions. The trick lies in summoning the belief and the willpower that I can still move emotions, but I'm beginning to believe, once again, that it's possible.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Analysis: President Obama's Speech on the American Jobs Act
President Obama gave an effective speech to the nation, but it could have been made better had he devoted more time to creating a true scope. He gave an excellent description of the problem, especially in stating how weary Americans are of politics. This part of the speech was excellently done, and it highlighted issues that both sides of the aisle were concerned with (taxes, infrastructure, eduction, etc). He gave some background on the issue but most members of Congress are well-versed enough on it that extensive detail was unnecessary.
The details of the American Jobs Act are where Obama began to lose his scope. He spent plenty of time describing the benefits and methods of such a deal, but, as he's been known to do in the past, he proposed how to take care of the solution's shortfalls without specifically listing them. He noted that he'd created a method by which the Jobs Act would be paid in full, but neglected to mention how much money and resources were to be poured into it. He wasn't quite detailed enough; he gave plenty of statistics about this public works project and that many laid-off teachers, but didn't give Congress a walk-through on how Point A, the creation plan, would lead to Point B, hired workers, insisting that this act was a relatively simple matter when such things rarely are. Had Obama been more specific about the costs and logistics of his proposal, it is true that, while certain Republicans would cast aside his plan, he'd probably gain more support overall because of inserted logic. He based too much of his argument on urgency and suffering, which, while valid, constitute two key pillars of the emotional argument, and can overwhelm when they are overdone.
Despite a lack of detail (and therefore the lack of definite scope boundaries) and a relative lack of logical, step-by-step logistics, Obama knew his audience extremely well. I give him props for acknowledging that many Americans are sickened by politics and deserve better from our government. I also give him props for acknowledging Republican concerns and using those to portray his Act as bipartisan. In the end, he came off as someone who, while a little lacking on logistics, understands the problems of the American people and the challenges we face in these difficult times. Overall, his speech was more than adequately effective, if not extremely effective. He may win over those who are skeptical about his knowledge of our nation's woes, but those of us who need more hard detail, such as myself, are still wary of whether this proposal will work as well as he claims. However, despite its drawbacks, I will concede that the speech was effective for the point he was trying to make.
The details of the American Jobs Act are where Obama began to lose his scope. He spent plenty of time describing the benefits and methods of such a deal, but, as he's been known to do in the past, he proposed how to take care of the solution's shortfalls without specifically listing them. He noted that he'd created a method by which the Jobs Act would be paid in full, but neglected to mention how much money and resources were to be poured into it. He wasn't quite detailed enough; he gave plenty of statistics about this public works project and that many laid-off teachers, but didn't give Congress a walk-through on how Point A, the creation plan, would lead to Point B, hired workers, insisting that this act was a relatively simple matter when such things rarely are. Had Obama been more specific about the costs and logistics of his proposal, it is true that, while certain Republicans would cast aside his plan, he'd probably gain more support overall because of inserted logic. He based too much of his argument on urgency and suffering, which, while valid, constitute two key pillars of the emotional argument, and can overwhelm when they are overdone.
Despite a lack of detail (and therefore the lack of definite scope boundaries) and a relative lack of logical, step-by-step logistics, Obama knew his audience extremely well. I give him props for acknowledging that many Americans are sickened by politics and deserve better from our government. I also give him props for acknowledging Republican concerns and using those to portray his Act as bipartisan. In the end, he came off as someone who, while a little lacking on logistics, understands the problems of the American people and the challenges we face in these difficult times. Overall, his speech was more than adequately effective, if not extremely effective. He may win over those who are skeptical about his knowledge of our nation's woes, but those of us who need more hard detail, such as myself, are still wary of whether this proposal will work as well as he claims. However, despite its drawbacks, I will concede that the speech was effective for the point he was trying to make.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Research Methods: Drafting Quesitonnaires
Questionnaires can reveal surprising data about a given group of people. Most people take solace in knowing that their opinions become anonymous (at least, that's how most questionnaires work). One advantage of a questionnaire, therefore, is that people are typically brutally honest. This is because questionnaires are usually procured for an event or routine that is in need of change, so people that are somehow linked to said event or routine are only too happy to comment on it. Questionnaires can also harbor a wide variety of questions in a relatively short space, allowing for an efficient gleaning of information from a given group of individuals.
Another advantage of questionnaires is that they are a relatively quick method of data-gathering. Most questionnaires are short, simple and to the point, and can be done quickly, allowing for the accelerated gathering of a lot of information in a short time. Because of their shortness and simplicity, questionnaires are a perfectly valid and, should efficiency be called for, excellent method of information gathering, perfect for someone who needs to gather a lot of information in relatively short order, quickly dissect it, and disseminate its contents into a research endeavor.
Another advantage of questionnaires is that they are a relatively quick method of data-gathering. Most questionnaires are short, simple and to the point, and can be done quickly, allowing for the accelerated gathering of a lot of information in a short time. Because of their shortness and simplicity, questionnaires are a perfectly valid and, should efficiency be called for, excellent method of information gathering, perfect for someone who needs to gather a lot of information in relatively short order, quickly dissect it, and disseminate its contents into a research endeavor.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Business Letter, Final Draft
September 9th, 2011
Mr. Richard Brockmeyer
1840 South 1300 East
Dear Mr. Brockmeyer:
My name is Ian Coppock and I’m a mail sorter in the campus post office. An urgent situation has arisen here and my coworkers and I need your expertise.
At 7:00 last night, one of our industrial copiers broke down. Jessica Lind, my coworker, looked the machine over and believes that an internal mechanical failure is responsible. The copier’s maximum output is about 200 copies per hour, or 1/3 of our total copying capacity. Without this copier, our ability to print efficiently will suffer, and will cause a marked reduction in communication, office and education efficiency campus-wide.
After talking with my coworkers and a Xerox rep, I have a potential solution. These machines last about seven years before breaking down; ours is six years old. They tend to suffer more problems as they age, and this copier would probably break down not long after fixing it, which would cost $300.
I suggest that we purchase a new industrial copier. While its $4,000 price tag is admittedly high, we’d save a lot of money on maintenance costs over time. I also believe that this is our best solution because newer copiers can produce about 300 copies in an hour, which would improve our printing capacity, and therefore the campus’s communications efficiency, by about 30%. Newer copiers also last about 10 years. This morning I suggested this idea to Karen Thurber and Dixie Egan, our maintenance managers. Both agreed that this is a long-term, cost-efficient solution.
I appreciate your taking the time to read my message. Please respond to it quickly and we will make all efforts to run this department of plant operations at top efficiency once again. Thanks again for your time.
Sincerely,
Ian Coppock
P.S. I corresponded with the Xerox representative by email. I’ve attached the transcript for your convenience.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Working in Teams
Working in a team radically changes the environment in which we work and complete assignments. The benefits of working in a team are many: there is collectively more time to complete an assignment, more ideas from a diverse palette of sources, and, with luck, team members will be honest when it comes to constructive criticism. Because there’s a greater immediacy of your writing’s impact on multiple students, you tend to write better, knowing that on your venture rides more than just your grade. There are also disadvantages to working on a team. it can take a great deal of time to procure a team dynamic that works well for everyone, and, if concerns are left unaddressed, dissatisfaction and rivalry can foment among teammates. Of course, the largest and most powerful obstacle to teamwork is labor equality. Unless everyone does their share of the work, the team’s dynamic will never be united or strong.
The two concepts I've experienced previously are a lack of equal teamwork but a greater palette of ideas. I had more resources from which I could draw concepts and create a better project, but not everyone did their share of work. It created an awkward balance, one I hope to never again experience. It's better for everyone to do their part than anything else; this, above all else, is essential to forming a good team. When people have great ideas but no motivation, you're left with an awkward vacuum.. and ever less time to finish what the team started.
The two concepts I've experienced previously are a lack of equal teamwork but a greater palette of ideas. I had more resources from which I could draw concepts and create a better project, but not everyone did their share of work. It created an awkward balance, one I hope to never again experience. It's better for everyone to do their part than anything else; this, above all else, is essential to forming a good team. When people have great ideas but no motivation, you're left with an awkward vacuum.. and ever less time to finish what the team started.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Buesiness Letter, Draft 1
Date: August 30th, 2011
To: Richard Brockmeyer, Director of Plant Operations
From: Ian Coppock
Subject: URGENT
Hello Richard. My name is Ian Coppock and I’m a mail sorter working out of the campus post office. I and my coworkers need your expertise in a problem that’s arisen in the post office.
Yesterday evening, one of the mail room’s three industrial copiers suffered a malfunction and no longer works. Jessica Lind, my coworker, has inspected the machine and believes that an internal mechanical failure has caused it to shut down. At optimal capacity, the copier can produce 200 copies in one hour, or about a third of our total potential output. Without the copier, our capacity to produce print jobs efficiently will suffer, resulting in a marked breakdown in communication and education efficiency across campus. I’ve met with my coworkers to procure a solution to this problem, and we brainstormed a few potential solutions that we’d like to share with you.
After speaking with a representative from Xerox, we’ve learned that simply repairing the copier will cost roughly $300 and take approximately two days of time. While this is the cheapest solution, we’ve also agreed that this machine is aging. Replacing it with a new copier will, in the long run, prove the better solution. While a new copier’s $4,000 price tag is admittedly high, it is able to print 300 copies in one hour, upgrading our capacity to maintain efficient campus-wide communications by 30%. This morning I floated this idea to a maintenance manager, who also agreed that getting a copier might be the more efficient solution.
I appreciate your taking the time to read my message and contemplate our ideas. Please respond to this message quickly, and we will make all efforts to implement your decision and make this portion of plant operations running at top efficiency once again. Thank you for your time.
I corresponded with the Xerox mechanic and the Xerox salesman by email. I’ve attached the transcripts of both conversations below, for your convenience.
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