Chapter 4-5 1/25/11

While researching, looking for information on the internet is not a good first choice.  When one types in key words thousands if not millions of hits good and bad will appear.  Spending time looking through credible sources is not an efficient use of time.  The first step is deciding whether or not one needs to find a primary source.  This is a much more time consuming way to retrieve information but at times can be necessary.  If one is allowed to use a secondary source it is a much easier way to conduct research.  Considering the expectations of your audience is key in determining which source is to be used.

Using recent and familiar sources of information is key to writing a successful work.  If one works familiar with a source that is known to be credible, then that eliminates the issue of finding a credible source.  The likely hood of being able to find all the research one needs for a work with a few familiar sources is very rare.  So in order to help diminish the vast amount of hits one will get on Google, one needs to use specific terms.  The more specific one gets the less and more useful hits will come up.

Only using the internet may seem like the right thing to do but text can be a very beneficial tool.  When using text one needs to keep in mind that text can get out of date.  There are three main types of text.  These include; static, syndicated, and dynamic.  Static texts are sources that are published once and never change.  Syndicated texts are sources are released every period of time. These include magazines or journals.  The last form is dynamic text.  Dynamic text is a source that is never published in final for and is constantly being revised.  Dynamic are sources that allow people to interact with each other in this case to obtain information.  These include but are not limited to Myspace, Facebook, and Wikipedia.

While the previously stated forms of obtaining information are great, primary sources are a much more accurate engaging way to retrieve information.  Actually observing a situation is the best way to observe and collect useful information.  When using this form of collecting information it is important to keep in mind how one intends to get this information.  Some questions one might ask are; "when should can I observe this event?", "Will I realistically learn what I need to know from this event?", or "Does me being here tamper with the credibility of this information I am about to retrieve?".  Those are a few of several questions witnesses must take into consideration. 

After obtaining this information it is important have thought out way to keep everything organized.  Keeping a journal is a great idea.  The best way to make sure one does not miss anything is to consider taking a recorder to an event.  Having others around to help get a different point of view is another excellent idea.  This is referred to as coding.  With all this instruction on how obtain useful data people will better learn how to be a more efficient writer.

1/18/11 Wadsworth Ch. 2-3, RR #2

As equivalent in math, there is no formula that can cover all forms of writing.  Not all writing follows the conventional form of writing.  There are several myths about writing that need to be taken into consideration. These include; You must complete each step in the writing process, each step is equally important and time consuming, the steps are linear.  Writing should not be one defined process. Writers should evaluate their own way they need to go about writing and find the way that works the best for them.  This chapter gives a basic outline one could use on any form of writing. 

That said it doesn’t cover specific forms of writing someone might have to cover. Being able to use a writing style requires people to understand how to evaluate which need be used.  To write effectively writers must take advantage of kairos.  If you do not, it is likely you will leave out interesting details.  After finding a topic that interests you, find what elements of that topic interest you.  It is important to have several sub topics that could cause you to become more interested.  Upon using all these factors in one's writing, the final product will be more polished and written in a more effective manner.

First Post: Baseball 1/11/2011

When I was younger I used to be an avid baseball player.  I treated baseball like it was the only important thing in life.  I spent all of my time and energy trying to become a better player.  This dedication involved reading several books, watching videos, and spending several hours a day practicing.  I was infatuated with learning everything I could to become a better player.  This was both exciting and worthwhile to me because baseball was life back then.  I only cared about getting good grades so that my parents would let me play.  At that time as far as I knew I was going to be a professional baseball player.  I was one of the best in the state at what I did, and that alone was one of the key factors that drove my excitement and interest towards becoming a student of the sport.