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.

December Extra Blog

This month at the Claremont Courier, I was in for a busy week. After bustling around the office for ideas on the Kid's Corner pages, I spent three full hours piecing together my notes in order to produce a couple of rough drafts. With the looming deadline of December 13, the office was buzzing with activity in regards to tying loose ends. That of which, were dealt with in the comfort of my home later that evening. Also, I found a pleasure in doing tasks outside my newfound comfort zone that is the kid pages and trekking into the realm that was dealing with the events posted on the online newspaper.

Above: Sorting the notes and drafts for the Christmas Edition of the Claremont Courier newspaper.

November (Extra Blog)

After finally getting the hang of writing for the kid's pages at the Claremont Courier, I was recently dubbed with the title and position of "guest editor". In a nutshell the duties of a guest editor is to take on the responsibilities for a specific section.

The chief editor decided to give me this position because she was impressed by my copy quality and thought that it would be in the newspapers best interests if I took over the kid pages for a while. That of which I am very excited to get started on.

Above: "Round of a Paws" the copy that earned me my position as guest editor.

Blog 10: EQ

1.   Review this.  Confirm by stating "I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."
I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2.  

a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

I feel that this question does not meet the rule of three because it sounds very vague, almost general in such a way that inhibits depth.

 b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

This question does not meet the requirements of the rule of three because it's an incomplete sentence so the author's point isn't clear which then obscures the reader's understanding.

 c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

This question meets the rule of three, it is very clear and specific which allows for depth of research and allows the author room to argue a certain point.

 d.  How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

This question meets the rule of three because it is specific, has a sense of depth, is properly formatted, and allows the author to argue some point.

3.  Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.  The senior team will be meeting with students shortly for EQ revision and approval; you are expected to bring your research notebook to that meeting with your EQ draft written inside in pencil.

Blog 9: Lesson 1 Reflection

1. Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 presentation and why?

I am most proud of the content that I presented and the fact I was able to cover the basics of the topic in the amount of time given.

2. Questions to Consider

A) What assessment would you give yourself on your lesson 1 presentation (self-assessment)?

I would give myself a P.

B) Explain why you deserve that evidence from lesson 1 component contract.

 I deserve a P, because I met all the requirements but did not go above and beyond in presentation, although I did create a poster with my discussion layout and include examples from my research such as quotes from books.

3. What worked for you in Lesson 1?

I  think the fact that I was able to effectively convey the basis of my topic and ethics in the allotted amount of time was great.

4. (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your lesson 1?

I would definitely have presented my topic in a more entertaining way and provide more examples regarding my personal experiences such as my time at the courier and the various pieces of prose I construct in my downtime.

October (Extra Post)

This month, I was able to immerse myself in the world that is Truman Capotes, In Cold Blood, the first credited piece of true crime nonfiction. This book details the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas as well as the lives of their executors. Though I haven't quite gotten around to finishing it, by far it is the most vivid, haunting tale that I have read so far. 

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?

In creative nonfiction, what specific techniques can be applied from journalism and creative writing in order to effectively convey both aspects in a pleasing literary style?

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format.  

EQ: In creative nonfiction, what specific techniques can be applied from journalism and creative writing in order to effectively convey both aspects in a pleasing literary style?

•The research aspects of journalism such as interviewing can be applied to the genre of creative nonfiction, more specifically the art of memoirs and biographies.

•The creative process in which a fiction writer undertakes such as intricate visuals and diction can be applied to genre of creative nonfiction, more specifically personal essays and memoirs. 

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ? 

The most prominent pieces of research that have allowed me to answer my working EQ would be the diverse collection of books that either manifest or explain in depth the purpose/structure of creative nonfiction, that of which include:

Writing True: The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction, Crafting the Personal Essay: A Guide for Writing/Publishing Creative Nonfiction, You Can't Make This Stuff Up: The Guide to Writing Creative Nonfiction from Literary Journalism and Everything in Between.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you doing mentorship, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

My mentor is named Sarah Torribio and I am currently mentoring at her place of occupation which is the Claremont Courier. Working with Sarah has allowed me to experience the journalistic aspect of the creative nonfiction genre and grasp the basic concepts within the field of fiction writing.