Week 12 Post - Post Mortem

In my blog post this week regarding something I believe in, I tried to incorporate all three strategies (Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.) I tried to relate to a very recent personal experience. But I attempted to include statistical data from credible sources along with trying to play on people's emotions. I think that a well reasoned argument should have all these elements balanced in some form or fashion. In writing my post, I wanted to try and establish my authority based on personal experience and include things that made people think emotionally... and include factual data that makes people consider all aspects of the argument that I was trying to make.

In my estimation the most important part of a blog is to connect with the reader on an emotional level. I believe that emotions are the biggest reason someone decides to take action. Credibility helps bolster the writer's perspective. Facts help creating the supporting evidence for a given opinion, but it is pathos that I feel give people the necessary push to connect and respond to a call to action.

Persuasion in Blogs

After viewing the video on the science of persuasion, I believe that all the techniques with the exception of "Liking" can easily and effectively employed by bloggers. The reason that the liking technique presents a challenge in my mind is because I felt like this is an activity that needed to be engaged in a more direct form of communication like face-to-face or audio dialogue. While a blog accepts comments, it feels like a much more difficult activity to engage in to create cooperation, paying compliments, and finding similar interests unless there is a live chat feature between author and reader.

Reciprocity and scarcity may be a bit more challenging as well, but I can see someone sending an "e-gift" to blog readers (I'm thinking about free subscriptions to paid content or small discounts for partner sites as examples of reciprocity.) While the video example of scarcity referenced the reduction in the Concord flight schedule, creating a need to "act now" while "supplies last" of something could lend itself to the scarcity technique. However, in my example, it feels like reciprocity and scarcity may be more intertwined when it comes to persuasive blogging.

Authority, consistency, and consensus seem to be the most relevant techniques to a persuasive blog post. If an author of a blog is able to establish credibility on the subject, get people to start with small commitments then move to larger actions, and show how others have acted in the same/similar situations, I think the reader can be persuaded.

In my estimation I would think that all three elements (ethos, pathos, and logos) are employed in some form or fashion. The degree to which element is most prevalent, however, would depend on the type of blog and the overall goal of the writer. Thinking about the Covid-19 outbreak for example, I imagine that many blogs would focus on logic and reason to convince others of the need to self-quarantine and social distance. But, thinking about people with elderly parents/grandparents, there would seem to be an emotional appeal as well to persuade readers to be responsible during this crisis. However, without having read a ton of blogs, I think that pathos (the emotional appeal) would be most likely employed to move people into action. I think things that move people emotionally have much more impact on people's actions.

The Art of the Personal Essay

                I think the thing that most struck me with Mr. Lopate’s “The Art of the Personal Essay” was how he mentioned that the personal essayist is creating a persona; he mentioned the concept of the “idler” or “loafer.” He described how these authors sort of paint themselves on the outskirts of the mainstream marketplace and are in a way curmudgeonly. It very much made me think about, for those old enough to remember, the Andy Rooney segment at the end of 60 Minutes. He, much like Mr. Lopate suggests, was often reflecting on a time when things were simpler or different than today; almost like someone trapped in long-ago time unable to process what is happening in the world around them today.

                I also found the comment about the personal essayist exploring a subject or theme, raising a valid counter-point, and weaving the two together in an effective and compelling manner. One of the strengths in writing effective personal essays is the ability to have a point of view, have a sense of authority on the subject, understand the opposing point(s)-of-view, but being able to compel and bring the audience to that understanding of a universality that readers can agree with. To me this approach seems to take a sort of “every man” view or a sort of street-corner philosopher who has knowledge, but doesn’t necessarily come across as a preachy, know-it-all, but rather a wisdom that comes from experience.

                Today social media has become the place where our street-corner philosophers reside. I believe that social media is an important, albeit sometimes dangerous, part of influencing people’s behavior. As an example, the fact that news and information can pass from Facebook’s 2+ billion users quickly around the globe is both a blessing and a curse. Given that there is no “vetting” of information being posted (and the fact that fake accounts or news stories can easily be created) can lead to mis-information being spread as well. If we look at the events of the recent Coronavirus outbreak in the United States there was a lot of unnecessary panic being created causing grocery store shelves to be wiped clean in certain areas of the country. But there are also times when social media can be used to spread good and useful information (the “ice bucket” challenge comes to mind as positive influence incident.)

                An example that I can think of where a company unintentionally influenced people came when Chic-Fil-A’s CEO made comments about same-sex marriages. While these comments had less of an impact on the core customers of the company, many socially conscious individuals who support the cause of the LGBTQ+ community refused to support a business with such biased views against a segment of our population. While business may not have been impacted substantially, it has created an image, for me, what Chic-Fil-A stands for and I have decided that it is not a company that I would choose to support with my business. This is an example of negative influence, so I am certain that the opposite has happened where unintentional positive support has happened. In fact, just thinking about the Coronavirus yet again (since it dominates much of the news right now, and rightfully so) several professional athletes have pledged to donate toward the employees of the arenas/stadiums where they play to help them while the sports world is on hiatus. I’ve also seen other businesses opting not to charge rent to their small business tenants in an effort to keep them viable while the country works through this unprecedented time in our history. I think these sorts of stories have influenced people to help when and where they can the people who have been severely impacted by the economic strain we’re going through.

                I would say that, I don’t believe that I have enough friends or followers to be considered an influencer… if anything I would fall into that unintentional category. But, I’m sure to some small extent we are all influencers. It may not be broad or vast influence like Kim Kardashian or even our current President, but among our small social groups, friends and family we all probably influence to some extent. And sometimes we influence people not to do certain things based on our behavior or experiences as a sort of “cautionary tale” to those paying close attention.

Truth in Memoir

In Caroline van de Pol's thesis paper, Truth in Memoir, I think her general argument is that the lines between truth (or what we believe to be truth) and fiction are often blurred... and the reverse is also true. But, looking through the lens of fiction in memoir Ms. van de Pol utilizes her own writing experience of her memoir Ways to Fly as a way to show how her memoir blurred these lines. She also incorporates examples from other memoir writers and researchers to demonstrate how truth becomes fictionalized.

I think that this is incredibly true and her point is well made. Unless someone is capturing every memory and event contemporaneously (which would be difficult to do - especially as a three-, four-, five-year old, etc.) memories become malleable. As she writes in her paper, "...autobiographies do not form indisputable authorities, but rather offer one person's view of truth, a truth that can be distorted by memory and the telling of it." There are certain things that our ingrained in our brains, but as we grow and gain distance from an event, we reinterpret what happened, how we felt, what it meant through a certain lens of our current experiences. As Ms. van de Pol quotes researcher Liz Stanley, "remembering... constantly evokes a reinterpretation of the past in the present."

There are a couple of questions that she poses, but one in particular grabbed my attention: Does narrating a life fictionalize it? As I think about this question, my answer would be sure. But fiction does not, in my mind, necessarily equate to untruth. When we tell stories (or at least when I tell stories) I can't help but add elements which I believe make it more compelling or interesting to the reader/listener. But I think that there is a difference between fiction and untruth - particularly when you consider how the lines between the two often are blurred. Fiction often contains certain elements of truth and vice versa.

The best way I can think to summarize my thoughts on Truth in Memoir would be if I were to write about my high school graduation moments after it happened. I could probably tell very specific and accurate details of where I sat, who I walked with, who from my family attended, where we went to lunch to celebrate afterwards, how excited I was for the next stage in my life, and a myriad of other specific details. If I were to write about that ten years after graduation some of those details would probably be a little bit hazy, and it's almost certain that I would interject different opinions about the event at age 28 that I wouldn't have at 18 - maybe instead of being excited about the next chapter, maybe at 28 I would be thinking about how that would create a longing for simpler days. And I'm sure that story would continue to evolve if I wrote about graduation 20, 30, or 40 years later. I don't doubt that certain details wouldn't change - where it was at, who some of the people were that I captured pictures with, and roughly when the ceremony happened for example. But interjecting my 30-, 40-, or 50-year old self into that memoir would most certainly happen. So, it becomes somewhat fictionalized, but there are elements of truth that exist. More importantly, who's to say that my memory is NOT my truth. It's my story. It's my perspective.

Memoir - Objective and Goals

     I think that I’m going to write my memoir about the first time I went to Cedar Point. My initial idea focused on the fear that I initially felt and then gradually how I began to enjoy it more and more throughout the day. But given the constraints of assignment I may focus on the fear aspect of it, but how I survived the experience. I may relate that to my choice to return to school to pursue a dream and how scary that can be.

     I really hope that my memoir can be relatable to people that read it and hopefully inspirational for them to realize that taking chances can be scary, but sometimes the experience and results can also be rewarding, fun, and enjoyable. I'm also looking forward to trying to see if I can effectively incorporate both the "narrative voice" and "reflective voice" that Marilyn Bousquin discussed in her audio call posted on the National Association of Memoir Writers site. Especially, after reading how Stephen King wove in stories from his life growing up in Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Maine and related that to examples of his experiences in writing. I thought his writing was compelling - even more so than his writing in his fiction novels.

     In thinking about the details of my memoir, I don’t think it’s important that I include details about the particular ride, the time of year, or even so much about who I was with. I think it will be more important to relate the experience and emotions that I felt along with the sounds of the chain as the coaster went up the hill. The anticipation and nervousness. The tension in my arms and the pounding in my chest. I think it will be important to paint the details of what was happening on the ride and within me to build up the fear and apprehension, but then show how it ultimately ended up being thrilling and exhilarating…much like taking a certain leap-of-faith in life.

Memoir Writing

I don't know that I've considered writing a memoir...I've always felt like one needed to do something important or experience something of great magnitude to warrant the writing of a memoir that someone (anyone) would want to spend time and money on. In listening to this week's resources, I think Marion Roach Smith had stated something to the effect of finding out what the "area of expertise" we have. For me it would include things like being a student, being a spouse, being a cook, having two dogs, being a product of divorce, having been divorced and re-married...

So in thinking about the things in my life that I am an expert on I've come up with the following potential ideas for writing a brief memoir from my life:

Idea one: When I was in the first grade I broke my wrist (the first of three times). I remember the pain when I fell on the ice and landed with my wrist underneath me. When I went to the doctor he set it, put some type of iodine/anti-bacterial lotion on it, and wrapped it in a soft, cotton gauze and then a cool, wet plaster that quickly hardened. At first it was pretty nice having the attention at school, but as time went on it became more and more frustrating. The itching. The confinement. I couldn’t wait to get it off. In fact, I had complain so much near the end that my dad cut if off. The relief was immediate, but it would only be four weeks later that I sprained the same wrist and needed to once again be confined in a brace to help it heal. I learned that not all attention is good attention…especially when it fades away and you’re stuck on the sidelines due to an injury.

Idea two: I am a second bachelor degree student who returned to school 20 years after receiving my first Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. During my career I worked a few different jobs in several business related fields. I desperately hated sitting behind a computer generating the same reports month after month. In 2016 I left the corporate world to pursue a new degree in creative writing with a focus on screenwriting. In each class I try to encourage young people to pursue their dreams and don’t do something to make someone else happy. I learned that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

Idea three: The first time I went to Cedar Point (when I was about 13 or 14) I was so scared. I went with my best friend. We started off on some of the smaller rides and I kept my eyes closed so tightly. I couldn't wait for each ride to come to an end. As the day wore on and my friend prodded me to go on more rides I ended up finding the thrill of the roller coaster to be extremely exhilarating. When it was time to head back home that evening I was disappointed. I couldn't wait to go back again and enjoy the experience/thrill of the ride. I had went from terrified to love in the course of a few hours. I think that I had learned that sometimes things that frighten us can open our eyes to new experiences that make us feel alive.

My Own Worst Enemy

     For some reason I am finding myself incredibly irritable today. The bad thing is that I know I'm irritable and I can't help responding in a way I know I shouldn't to the people around me. I've been short. I've been curt. I've been quick to snap a response. I hate being like this, but it's hard for me to stop...which also irritates me. It's not an excuse, but I think I am really feeling the stress of my final semester at OU and the culmination of my capstone course is making me feel like I've wasted the past couple of years. Capstone courses are supposed to be tough, but I feel like my idea, which the professor has been supportive of, is falling flat.

     When I applied to OU a few years back I was considering two paths for a degree - the Graphic Design program and the IT management degree. I know these are two very different paths, but I was weighing options between something that seemed creative and something that would be in high demand. I had applied to each program and got accepted. So in the fall of 2016 I started my work on a degree in Graphic Design. As I moved through the program I was having more and more issue registering for classes because my SAIL profile reflected that I was pursuing a degree in IT management (basically, based on when I had applied and got accepted into each program, my profile had reflected the second program I was accept into.)
 
     In order to make scheduling easier I reached out to my adviser to get the problem corrected. She had sent me a form with the instructions to complete it and return a signed hard copy to her office and she would get things adjusted in the SAIL system for me. A couple of days later I returned the completed form and dropped it off. After another day or two she reached out informing me that I would actually need to set up an appointment with the CAS office. So, later that day I followed her instructions and scheduled an appointment. Another day or two passed and the CAS office called me to inform me that I would need to reach out to undergraduate advising and they should be able to help me get the issue fixed. The following day, after a morning class, I stopped in the undergraduate advising office and explained my situation...to a few different people that I kept getting passed over to.

     Eventually there was an adviser who overheard me explaining my situation and he walked over. He excused his interruption and said, "Sorry, I overheard what you were saying and I think I can help. Your best bet is probably to re-apply and once your application is accepted you're SAIL profile should be corrected and then you shouldn't have any more issues trying to register." I was thankful for his help and when I returned home that afternoon I went into the application section of OU's website and went to resend my electronic paperwork.

     However, before I hit send, something made me look at the program listings on OU's academic handbook. I had notice that there is a degree offered in Creative Writing which I clicked on out of curiosity. Once inside the degree information I noticed that within the CW program is a specialization in screenwriting. This is significant because for a majority of my life I have wanted to write screenplays. I've probably read nearly a dozen books on screenwriting that contain about a dozen different theories and templates on how to approach the art of screenwriting. It's a tough business, but for some reason I felt like this was a sign - the issues with my SAIL profile, the fact that I clicked on the program offerings, the fact that I noticed the CW program and decided to click on it, the fact that there is a screenwriting program, and the fact that I've wanted to write screenplays for so long.

     Before hitting send on my application I went back in and switched it to the Creative Writing program. I felt like fate had intervened and pushed me in a direction that I had been wanting to go in for such a long time. My heart soared. I felt such excitement and hope. Like finally my life was falling into place and things felt so right. When I received my acceptance into the program I was elated! The next day I contacted the adviser for that program and set up a meeting to map out my future plan of study. When we met I found it almost impossible to wipe the smile from my face.

     Fast forward almost two years later and now I'm feeling lost yet again. I've put together an idea for my senior project and the feedback was that it's good, but could use some work. And that's okay, but now I'm struggling to figure out how to make it great! I'm trying to figure out a way to take my idea viable and show that all the work that I've put in...the years of dreaming about this...that I wasn't wrong in pursuing this...that I hadn't misinterpreted what I thought was a sign.

     I guess this is what being an artist is all about. No matter what there is always that little bit of doubt that hovers around in our psyche. There's that voice in our head telling us that we aren't good enough. There's a voice asking us how we're going to make a living doing this or that. I think most of us self-edit, self-criticize, and self-question. So, I've been feeling a little irritable which is probably stemming from some stress about trying to be my best. But as I've been writing through this it's made me realize that I need to give my best effort. I need to try and deliver the best possible work I can. Maybe I'll succeed. Maybe I'll fail. Not everything we do is going to be great. Sometimes we will fail, but what we do with that and what we learn from that will define us. But there is a reason that I'm on this path. There is a point and a purpose. I can't allow doubt to win. A lot of people aren't going to believe in us or our dreams, but each one of us should be our biggest supporters. Each one of us needs to believe in our abilities...and in our dreams.