May (extra blog)

This senior year has been something of an extraordinary endeavor. I spent a majority of my summer searching for a mentor and when all hope was lost, I found Sarah Torribio. 

In the duration of nine months, I would come to know the ethic that is put into the journalistic aspect of my senior topic and the wonderful staff that was kind enough to let me intern at the Claremont Courier. 

Upon reflection, I realize that this experience has allowed me to mature as a writer. I learned, that a final draft can be edited countless times because there is more elements and questions within a story than often answered. Yes, there times when the work flow would become rather tedious and I would sit in the parking lot and complain about how much I really did not want to go. There were times when I almost fell asleep on the job and fumbled through my assignments in a dreamlike state. There were days when I simply stated at my word document and asked myself "How the hell am I supposed to interpret these notes and craft them into an article?" Sometimes I cried because trying to balance writing articles for the newspaper and research papers for school was an all consuming process that snuffed the light that was my creative process. 

But, there were more days when I rushed to the office or decided to work longer than needed because I loved the feeling that came with sitting at my desk and flipping through my findings. There were days when I would forget time and get caught up in the task that was editing the online calendars, jotting down questions and putting together the little segments (joke in a box and the themed wordsearch) that made up the Claremont Kid's section of the newspaper. There were days when I would come in and Sarah would hand me the newspaper that contained my byline and we'd discuss our ideas for the next issue. There were days when I was eager to be pushed out of my comfort zone and go down to Cal Poly or get the scoop on the low key seasonal menus that slowly began to present themselves in ma and pa shops that made up downtown Claremont. 

But in all, my experience  was something of importance because it is something that I will cherish. 

For most, senior year is the end. It is the event that prepares a student for all the fun that is college. But for me, senior year was a beginning. Senior year has allowed me to supply myself with necessary tools needed to pursue my journey as a writer and for that I will always be thankful.

So thank you, Ipoly. Thank you Mr. Piggot and Mr. Rivas for helping me formulate my EQ. Thank you Mrs. Ortega for answering my millions of questions, for being there when I was unsure of myself. Thank you Marissa Jasso for your beautiful pictures and accompanying me on my assignments. For all those wonderful pep talks. Thank you Isabella Grello for driving me around and staying up late to look over my PowerPoints and Word documents, for reminding me that I can't give up because I've got a lot of people to prove wrong.

Blog 23: Senior Project Reflection

(1) Positive Statement:
What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why?
During my block presentation I was most proud of the audience involvement and engagement that I had managed to acquire. I was happy about this particular aspect of my presentation because I was rather nervous that they would not be attentive or the least bit interested in my topic. In capturing their attention I was able to effectively convey my findings in depth (in which they successfully understood each answer) which helped guide the overall flow of the presentation.

(2) Questions to Consider
a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation (self-assessment)?
I would give my presentation a P+ because I was able to effectively explain my senior topic in depth and delve into the aspects that shaped each answer within the specific amount of time. Also, I was able to present my research as well as what I've learned from my experience at the Claremont Courier and Independent Components.  

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)?
I would give myself an AE for the extensive research and content that I have acquired throughout the senior project down to the thorough breakdown of my knowledge in my final presentation.

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?
Upon reflection, I personally feel that my mentorship with the Claremont Courier was what worked best for me, especially in shaping my understanding as well as the significant answers to my essential question. 

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project if you could go back in time?
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to not reference my notes and powerpoint so often, this I feel, hindered my connection with the audience and their understanding that I knew my content. 

(5) Finding Value
How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples.
The senior project has been a crucial aspect in shaping and guiding my future endeavors because it allowed me the opportunity to intern at the Claremont Courier, in which I was able to experience the field of journalism as well as what it means to be a reporter. Also, my senior project has given me the basis and foundational information needed to further my knowledge. I now know what elements shape an article and narrative. In a nutshell, senior project has fueled me with needed tools to guide my passion for creative writing.

Blog 22: Mentorship

Literal:

• Link for mentorship hours:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qD_IuKq4fdytsUbZSoFhNiTgexQDZq4fi720KhTaxW8/edit#gid=0

• Mentor:

Sarah Torribio, Claremont Courier (Reporter)

Interpretive:

What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

In mentoring at the Claremont Courier, I've learned to understand the journalistic aspect of my senior project which has allowed me to adapt as a writer. In the duration that were my nine months at the courier, I was able to experience the office life that is meeting deadlines, making phone calls, and following/getting accustomed to the specific format in which a newspaper article is crafted. In accordance to all of that, the most important thing that I've gained from my time there is that a final piece can be edited more than once. This I cannot emphasize enough because it has taught me that there is no perfect craft to the art of compiling your extensive research and shaping it into an informational story for the public. No matter skilled a writer may be, there is always room for improvement. 

Applied:
How has what you've done helped you to answer your EQ?  Please explain.

My EQ is: What two techniques from journalism and fiction writing can best be combined in creative nonfiction. Within the time frame that was my mentorship, I learned how to structure articles and craft sentences that were both informational and entertaining. This ultimately helped shaped my first answer which is: The journalistic aspect of extensive research and the art of storytelling can best be combined in creative nonfiction. These are key elements in the genre because both fact and connection are crucial to the foundation of the craft. I've practiced going beyond my comfort zone to obtain information, scoured the web for the basis of my article and set my sites on the printed publications that held within their pages the knowledge I so desired. I spent months jotting down notes, revising the highlighted sections of my paper and came to accept the red comments returned along with my final draft. I've also engaged in many conversations regarding the prominence in creating a voice that was resonate with the reader and studied the works of other reporters to get an idea of what my format should resemble. Interning at the courier has showed me how to edit myself, to keep an open mind when hovering over the "print" button, and that immersion is another way of comprehending the mindset and surroundings of a subject.

*Please do not turn in your mentorship hours to the office.  After we collect the total list from all seniors, we will turn in one piece of paper with all hours for everybody.  It is counted as 50 hours of the 200 you need in order to graduate from I-Poly.  The 10 hours in the summer have already been added to your community service total.

Blog 21: Exit Interviews

Content:

(1) What is your essential question, and what are your answers?  What is your best answer and why?

My essential question is: What two techniques from journalism and fiction writing can best be combined in creative nonfiction?

My answers are: The journalist technique of extensive research and the art of storytelling from fiction writing, The journalist technique of immersion and the fiction writer's technique of character development,

The journalist's technique of establishing context and the fiction writer's incorporation of compression.

My best answer is: The journalist technique of extensive research and the art of storytelling from fiction writing can best be combined in creative nonfiction.

The reason I decided to choose this particular answer was because of my experience at the Claremont Courier (dealing with the monthly Kid's Corner article issues) in which I spent an abundance of my time researching my subject of interest and crafting articles in such a way that were both educational and entertaining for the younger readers. Also, upon examination, a majority of my research notes seemed to gravitate around the technique of extensive research and incorporation of storytelling devices to produce an adequate piece of prose whether it be an article, memoir, personal essay, etc.

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?
I spent a majority of my time switching between delving into print publications that were creative nonfiction oriented as well as looking into books that focused completely on journalism and fiction writing to see what aspects from each genre applied to my senior topic. I often discussed my topic with my mentor (a reporter at the Claremont Courier) and Carla Benevidaz (a specialist in the trade magazine industry) and both seemed to brush upon the aspect of extensive research in each interview so I figured this was no coincidence. From there I read what I could and for my independent component 2, actually delved into these techniques myself. 

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?
Upon searching for my final answer, I did hit a few bumps in the road. 
For a while, I was slighted by my second answer, unable to make the decision on whether it was sufficient enough to answer my essential question. Character development is a crucial aspect in shaping the outcome of a creative nonfiction piece because this is what resonates most with the reader. I resolved this particular conundrum by talking to my mentor who then agreed that the art of storytelling does in fact encompass more than figurative language but the composition of a character as well.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

The two most significant sources that I used to answer my essential question were:

Gutkind, Lee. You Can't Make This Stuff Up: The Complete Guide to Writing Creative Nonfiction--from Memoir to Literary Journalism and Everything in between. Boston, MA: Da Capo/Lifelong, 2012. Print. 

This book delves into the art of creative nonfiction, it's composition and craft, the variant techniques involved in producing prose, guidelines to avoid libel, and details the elements from both journalism and fiction that blend together. It also provides examples as to how pieces of prose within the genre are shaped and includes excerpts from memoirs, short stories, and articles.

Perl, Sondra, and Mimi Schwartz. Writing True: The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006. Print.


This book touches upon the variant aspects involved with creative nonfiction such as it's origin, the importance of particular elements that should be presented and properly executed in an adequate piece of prose, and features first hand experiences from the authors on this field of writing as well as interviews and notes from both readings and findings.

Extra Blog: April

It was my final day at the courier on Tuesday April 24th and I wrapped up my mentorship with a final article pertaining to the proposed construction plans at Cal Poly's West Kellogg Arabian horse center.

During the last week of May, I began looking into the dig as well as the online campaigns sponsored by students it was here that I got my lead for my article which was completed within the span of a few weeks, the longest that I've ever worked on a piece.

Through this journey, I was prompted to leave my comfort zone which included long over the phone interviews and trips to the Arabian horse center. With notepad and recorder at the ready, and my handy photographer Marissa Jasso, I was able to see the horse stables as the students who protested for their preservation saw them. A prominent piece of the Cal Poly Heritage.

It was a wonderful experience to finally be out and about, talking to the students and community that were dedicated to protecting this specific equine species. Although I felt like a journalist sitting at my desk in the Courier, it was nothing compared to the moment I held my recorder up to one of the students at Cal Poly.

Blog 19: Independent Component 2

Content:  

LITERAL (a) “I, Aralia Giron, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”

(b) sources:

Bender, Sheila. Creative Writing Demystified. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print. 

Gutkind, Lee, and Hattie Fletcher. Buck. Keep It Real: Everything You Need to Know about Researching and Writing Creative Nonfiction. New York: W.W. Norton, 2008. Print.

Hart, Jack. Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction. Chicago: U of Chicago, 2011. Print.

Kidder, Tracy, and Richard Todd. Good Prose: The Art of Nonfiction. New York: Random House, 2013. Print. 

Klaus, Carl H. A Self Made of Words: Crafting a Distinctive Persona in Nonfiction Writing. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

(c) Update your Independent Component 2 Log (which should be under your Senior Project Hours link)
(d) During this independent component 2, I was actually able to delve into my senior topic and put to practice a majority of the techniques involved. There was definitely a lot of research involved whether it be having to reference my research check notes, searching the web for credible publications, or simply checking out more material to help aid my findings. In doing so, I created a blog and put these research techniques to practice but giving an explanation of why the technique was important and listing two examples (one from a published author and my own attempt) that really encompassed these various aspects of the creative nonfiction genre and ended each blog with what did and didn't work in each piece. 

INTERPRETIVE
Defend your work and explain the component's significance and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.  

My evidence that I did in fact complete my independent component posted on the right hand side of this blog under the label "Independent Component 2." Also here is the link: http://agironwriter.blogspot.com/

APPLIED
How did the component help you answer your EQ? Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped.

This independent component in particular  helped me answer my EQ because I was able to experience and practice utilizing the main elemental techniques of creative nonfiction. I was able to dissect the writing styles from the various authors I studied and apply it to my own by delving into the unique elements that were incorporated into their work. 

Extra Blog: March

It's march madness at the courier as we struggle to gather the much needed articles for our upcoming issue. While I have been diligently gathering the next Claremont Kid's pages material, I was recently tasked to look into an issue over at Cal-Poly. This particular assignment was my first step to being a reporter since I had to run a few background checks on who I was talking to. And when I say background checks I don't mean typing "Megan's law" into my search engine, I mean going onto the Cal-Poly site and scrolling through names and  specific departments for contact information. Once I obtained a decent list of people to contact on the matter at hand, I sent a few emails and made a few calls that is-not without first having a few pages of notes and questions to ask. As of now, I have just completed my first draft but I need to make a LOT of changes. I'm still in the process of learning how to condense my work. I have a tendency to set up scene and delve further into the topic then I need to. So hopefully by the end of this month I will have conquered my current challenge and that is: getting to the damn point.

Blog 18: Fourth Interview Preparation

1. What must a journalist do to properly establish context?

2. What elements help guide the context of an article?

3. What are some techniques a journalist can use when selecting information?

4. Can you define the aspects of a composite character?

5. What is essential for this character to develop? 

6. What elements make for a compelling narrative?

7. How does a journalist maintain objectivity? 

8. Define a three dimensional story.

9. What is the best way to build a three dimensional story?

10. What aspects might drive a three dimensional story off course?

11. What are your thoughts on compression?

12. How might compression be applied to creative nonfiction?

13. Although it is a risk, how might a journalist successfully compress an interview?

14. What are some ways to avoid libel?

15. How can compression be utilized in a way that does not offend the subject?

16. What are some examples of compression?

17. What are some works of creative nonfiction that define the genre?

18. What are some techniques that you think define creative nonfiction?

19. What should creative nonfiction writers be wary of?

20. Define creative nonfiction.

Blog 17: Answer 3

Essential Question:

What two techniques from journalism and  fiction writing can best be combined in creative nonfiction?

Answer #3:

The journalist technique of establishing a context and compression from fiction writing can best be combined in creative nonfiction.

3 details that support this answer:

1) Upon discussing the various techniques that go into journalsism, my mentor came to the conclusion that establishing context was the most important aspect of the genre. Sarah Torribio states, "The selective creation of facts and details as well as composite character development can produce a compelling narrative. Through this process one must maintain objectivity and vividly depict there are through a series of events that adhere to the reader."

2) "Compression combines multiple incidents or situations in order to flush out the narrative. This technique allows a writer to build a compelling, three-dimensional story with more ease and fluidity." Lee Gutkind (You Can't Make This Stuff Up) as he reflects on Janet Malcolm's, In the Freud Archives.

3) Walden published in 1854 by Henry David Thoreau (first attempt at this technique)

The research sources that support these details/answer:

You Can't Make This Stuff Up by Lee Gutkind

Sarah Torribio, reporter at the Claremont Courier

Creative Nonfiction, online magazine:

https://www.creativenonfiction.org/online-reading/compression

Concluding Sentence:

By first establishing context, only then can an author delve into the crucial elements of a narrative. These aspects that provide the flesh to the skeleton of a story include: dialogue, character development, scene, voice, and detail.

Extra Blog: February

The duration of my mentorship was yet again filled with assignments and with the looming Saint Patrick's Day deadline, I ended up spending six hours on my article revisions. This consisted of writing drafts, overlooking them, going back to the computer further my content through research, adding my findings, drafting yet again, and editing before the final product was approved. One of the perks of all this writing is getting to see the outcome of the effort put into a task. This month's bylines definitely gave the strength to go on considering the madness that will be March! 

Above: The 3 pages that took up my 3 hours on the 3 tuesdays I went to the Courier. That's 9 hours of staring at a computer and drafting articles. Oye.

Blog 16: Answer 2

1.  What is your EQ?

What two techniques from journalism and fiction can best be combined in creative nonfiction?

2.  What is your first answer? (In complete thesis statement format)

The ethics of extensive research from journalism and the art of storytelling from fiction writing can best be combined when creating a creative nonfiction piece.

3.  What is your second answer? (In complete thesis statement format)
The art of immersion from journalism and the practice of character development from fiction writing can best be combined when creating a creative nonfiction piece.

4.  List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each.In journalism it is essential to apply the art of immersion because in order to effectively convey a topic through the subjects eyes, a writer must obtain an understanding and this must be done through experience. For instance, at the Claremont Courier, reporters are sent out into the field when dealing with a occurrence and/or person of interest in order to perceive the world through their eyes. It's simply not enough to view a situation from the standpoint of an onlooker, in order for a journalist to present their findings in such a way that appeals to their reader they must go beyond telling a story and delve into the practice of showing it. 

As for fiction writers, character development is a crucial element of the production and progression process of the story. If not for characters, how would the author connect with their readers? A great example of character progression can be seen in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series. In the beginning, Sherlock is depicted as a cold-hearted sociopath who has no hope what-so-ever with ever being able to understand humanity and then upon meeting John Watson, there is a slight change in his perception of the world. As he develops feelings for his ever loyal companion, the reader's opinion of him begins to shift, until suddenly the audience is able to draw connections and sympathize. They are able to embark with Watson on the path that is understanding the complex mind that is Mr. Holmes. If there were no growth in the consultant detective nor the doctor at his side, then the story would remain at a standstill. 

Immersion and character development combined could create a great piece of creative nonfiction as seen in Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, where truman retells the story of the Clutter family and their brutal murder, detailing the family's personal lives and morals and delving into the twisted minds of their murders.

5.  What printed source best supports your answer?
Story Craft: The complete guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction by Jack Hart.

6.  What other source supports your answer?
Good Prose: The Art of Nonfiction by Tracy Kidder & Richard Todd

7.  Tie this together with a  concluding thought.
"Every story has to be discovered twice, first in the world and then in the author's study. One discovers a story the second time by constructing it." -Tracy Kidder in Good Prose: The Art of Nonfiction (page 13).

Blog 15: Independent Component 2 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

I plan to take writing workshops on the genre of creative nonfiction and create a blog on Blogger where I will post writing pieces and prompts using the techniques that I've acquired through research. For instance, say I am focusing on the art of immersion. On my blog, I will post what that entitles exactly and an example of that technique from myself and another author, comparing the two. 

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

In order to show my 30 hours of evidence, I will post snapshots of my workshops, pictures of my research sources, as well as a link to my blogger blog. I will also allow my peers to comment on posted pieces with commendations and recommendations as well as suggestions for any topics they'd like me to look into or any writing styles they'd like me to attempt. (Examples include excerpts of the following: personal essays, memoirs, fiction pieces, articles, etc.)

3.  Explain how this component will help you explore your topic in more depth.

By practicing the variant techniques used in creative nonfiction as well as expanding my knowledge outside this specific domain, I will be able adapt as a writer by learning through practice. As a writer, you must evolve alongside your audience. One cannot simply focus on one key element, I must hone in on all aspects of the art in order to produce an adequate piece of prose that resonates with my readers. Therefore, I must be well-rounded in my craft. 

4.  Post a log in your Senior Project Hours link and label it "Independent Component 2" log.

January: Extra Blog

January! Probably the most exciting month at the courier. During this month a series of deadlines were met, that of which featured articles "25 People Who Shaped the World", "Malala", and a little snippets on "Heart Transplants" and "Celtic Love Knots" to ring in Valentine's Day. Now that might not seem like much, however, there is an abundance of research that goes into each article that must be carefully sorted through and chosen. Facts, that of which will both intrigue and inform the reader. From that point a series of drafts are composed and thoroughly edited before the final product is finished. And even when an article is looked over, I've come to learn that there is always room for improvement.

Above: This is the desk and computer I use while at the courier. It's pretty dark because I usually come into the office at 2 p.m and leave at closing time which is around 5 p.m.

Blog 14: Independent Component 1

LITERAL

• (a) “I, Aralia Giron affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”
• (b)  sources that helped me complete independent component: 
• Sova, Dawn B. How to Write Articles for Newspapers and Magazines. New York: Macmillan USA, 1998. Print.
• Sarah Torribio, reporter at Claremont Courier
• (c) Update your hours in your Senior Project Hours link. Make sure it is clearly labeled with hours for individual sessions as well as total hours.
• (d) During this independent component #1, I focused on the journalistic aspect of my project and delved into the realm by practicing the ethics of composing articles. In doing so, I devoted my time to extensive research and drafting copy as well as practicing the writing skill of condensing information in such a way that it doesn't overwhelm the reader.
• INTERPRETIVE                  Defend your work and explain its significance to your project and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work. Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work. 
• 
  
  
  Above: The October edition of the Claremont Kids. While piecing together these pages I was introduced to the fundamental concepts of courier style which was crucial to the overall layout and structure of my articles.
• 
  
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  Above: My second contribution to the Claremont Kids edition of the newspaper. During this time, I was able to bring forth personal creativity. Since a majority of our articles involve research, I was happy to be given the chance to retell a personal story, that of which my mentor commented, "was kind of a small way of practicing the construction of memoirs."

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  Above: While working on the content for this edition of the Claremont Kids, I was able to fill in as guest editor. In doing so, I was tasked to manage this section of the magazine and bring forth ideas regarding article content.

  
  

  

  

  
  

  Above: An accumulation of notes that I collected  over my independent component. 

  
  

  

  
  

  Above: My desk at the courier and my assignment folder.

  
  

  

  
  

  Above: A snapshot of my mentor Sarah Torribio and I.

  
  

  

  
  

  Above: My signed Mentorship hours for independent component.

  
  

  
  
• APPLIED                                How did the component help you understand the foundation of your topic better? Please include specific examples to illustrate this?
• While working on my independent component, I was able to grasp an understanding of what the journalistic aspect of my topic. The concepts in which I benefitted from the most derive themselves from the all encompassing ethic of constructing the Claremont Kid's pages. By contributing to these monthly editions I was able to conduct extensive research, practice structuring articles for newspapers, and experience the long and chronic process that is drafting. While looking back at my work, as was often required of me, I realized there is always room for improvement. An adequate article can always be altered whether that be along the lines of adding a new source of information to changing the way it is written entirely. The way that this practice ties into creative nonfiction lies within the fact that authors, who appeal to their audience more often are able to do so by making adapting alongside the ever changing trends and making connections that might have not been so obvious. 

Lesson 2 Reflection

1.What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?

I was most proud of the fact that I had my audience engaged in what I was saying. Since writing is such a complex topic to explain, I thought it was great that I was able to connect with my peers and show them an inkling of how I feel toward the topic itself and the process of what constructing a good piece of prose looks like.

2a. What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

 I would definitely say that I deserved a solid P.

b. Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.

Judging the contract I would say I met all the P requirements regarding professionalism. I think I spot loud enough and was engaging enough with the audience to the point where they understood why I chose my specific topic answers. I had enough sources that made my content expressed efficient and effective.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?

I think the fact that I had a PowerPoint at the ready worked quite well. During lesson 1 I had trouble gathering my thoughts which put me in a rather problematic situation, however, during this time around the audience was able to get an idea what I was trying to convey by referencing my slides. 

4. What didn't work? If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?

My only regret during this lesson was towards the end. I barely made time because I got nervous during the conclusion. I definitely had more to say but much similar to my lesson 1 experience I allowed myself to be intimidated by my peers. I think next time I need to take a breather and not be so quick to jump to the conclusion, I should take my time and thoroughly finish my presentation.

5. What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?

According to the new research that I am delving into it seems like the technique of immersion from journalism and character development from fiction will be my next answer.

Blog 12: Mentorship Hours

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?

I'm doing my mentorship at the Claremont Courier.

2.   Who is your contact?

Sarah Torribio, a reporter at the Claremont courier who writes obituaries.

3.   How many total hours have you done (total hours should be reflected in your mentorship log located on the right hand side of your blog like your WB)? 

I have completed 21 hours dedicated to mentorship.

4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.

The ten hours of service that I completed consisted of writing our towns which required lots of digging for information.

*You need 50 hours plus the original 10 in the summer by May.   The original 10 from the summer do not count toward the 50.  By the end of the year, you will have 60 hours counting that original 10.

Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?

In regards to my senior project, I completed a couple of hours for mentorship that which included extensive research and numerous amounts of article drafting. Although I could not work at the Claremont courier, I was entrusted to do my work at home, often spending two hours a day completing a variety of deadline assignments.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why? What was the source of what you learned?
The most significant piece of information that I acquired throughout the course of the break was that even final drafts can be edited and when writing for a newspaper there is always room for improvement. In the realm of journalism, a writer must utilize their materials in such a way that allows their collected findings to be presented in a clear and concise manner. The source of this knowledge was gained through drafting articles without the help of my mentor since I completed a few hours at home. It was quite difficult not having her there with me to critique my work, but eventually I got the hang of walking way and going back to edit. I also realized that when you stare at a piece for so long, especially if it's your own, it's hard to pinpoint the mistakes. 

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers for your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

Considering the fact that creative nonfiction is somewhat of a new genre devoid of concrete structure, I would seek aid in creative writing professors and reporters. Simply speaking those that dwell within the boundaries of fiction and journalism, which are entirely two separate entities. I would speak to creative writing professors because their knowledge touches base with a majority of realms within the fiction domain such as poetry and short stories and novels which often use a variety of techniques that could be essential to the descriptive part of creative nonfiction. I would seek the aid of reporters because much like scholars they are bound to cold hard fact and undergo extensive research which is another fundamental quality of creative nonfiction.