Week 11 - Posting 11! Writing Process due Thursday.

I don't really think that my writing process has changed much since we started this course. I've always written papers the same way and it feels comfortable to me, so I wouldn't change it unless I had too. The annotated bibliography gave me a lot of trouble because it's hard to write about exactly what you're going to use in your paper without actually writing your paper. However, I was surprised at how easy the first paper we wrote was. I found myself typing through the pages super easily. Writing something you are passionate about is definitely a good idea when it comes to long term writing processes. I write a lot more than one would assume. I have journals where I write down thoughts, quotes, and lyrics that I like. It plays a huge part in my life because I'm not big on confrontation or having a very good way with spoken words, so it's much easier for me to write all my thoughts down on paper or computer and see where that leads me. It's a very good stress reliever for me and it lets me decide if only I would like to see it or give someone else the privilege of reading it. In the future, I know writing will still help me in this way. Also, since I am a speech pathology major I will be documenting a lot every single day, therefore I will have more reasons to write down and perfect it.

That one family member..

In today's world, the concept of family is one that many people cherish and love. Each person has family members, ancestors, for without them no one would be in existence. However, each family has that one crazy, out of this world member that brings the most attention. In my family, that person without a doubt is my Uncle Dan Cotter. Dan Cotter, your typical high school class clown, has not outlived his past just yet. One year for Christmas he came to our family dinner dressed in smiley face boxers, a white t-shirt, and a christmas tie. Mind you, there was around a foot of snow on the ground at this time (He's on my dad's side of the family and they all live in Wisconsin). He's out of this world and a total goofball. At my cousin and I's graduation party, I laid out a book where people could write me messages and stuff like that before I went to school. My Uncle Dan's said "Happy Birthday to you and many, many more!" It was obvious that it wasn't my birthday, let alone it wasn't even close to my birthday considering my party was in June and my birthday is in November. Although my uncle always steals the spotlight, he's the one who's always keeping us laughing. He's a bit off the wall at times but he's so much fun and definitely one of my favorite family members. I love him to absolute pieces. 

Week 10 - Posting 10

As far as my mini ethnography is concerned, I'm focusing on working at it a little at a time to make it more bearable and easy to work with. I plan to begin with an anecdote, something that the audience is drawn into and make them want to read it. Secondly, I just plan to put all my ideas out there and hope that it flourishes from there. After my story, I'd like to talk about my own personal experience, my interests in my subculture, and why it is important to me. Then I'd like to talk about the stereotypes, the rush process, and some facts about Chi Omega as a whole. I'd like to make it as chronological as possible because I believe that would make the most sense, however, once I get more into Chi Omega's history, I cannot really go chronologically. It will be a tad more sporadic. I want to conclude the piece with a thought provoking ending, something that they can take away. I think the ending will be the hardest part to write because I don't want to sound cliche or drag on the ending. I think that this process will be the best for my paper because it seems like the process will be easy and help me out tremendously. I'm thankful that I really like my topic therefore, I will find more pleasure in writing it rather than someone else. 

Definitions of Sororities

Glossary of Terms for my Subculture

*Rush - the period of time in which a girl decides which sorority she would like to be in; process of acceptance/getting in

*Recruitment - another term for rush

*Active - being an active, official sister in the sorority; finished with pledgeship; finished the requirements of initiation

*Baby hootie - what the new girls are called in Chi Omega

*Big sis - a best friend, someone you can count on within the sorority; add to greek family; a special bond

*Initiation - process of becoming an official sister

In Class - American Tongues

1. If you were to re-do this project today, at the end of the first decade of the 21st century, what might you as a researcher do differently? What would you do the same?

I like the way this research is done a lot. They have so many different types of language and people with their opinions. It's very real and deep into thought of how people think about speech. Most people don't really think about prejudice against speakers, but it's obvious that people always do it. Everyone expresses themselves differently and I think that this show really distinguishes that. It's an appropriate length and everything is done really nicely, it's cut dry in how people really act and their opinions. 

2. Flaws? Are there any groups that are under-represented? Over-represented? How might you make the study more appealing to an audience?

I believe that Northerners are more under-represented than Southerners. There were a lot of people talking from the South and they spoke their opinion so much about how they are perceived as uneducated by movies and t.v. shows. I would maybe add more Northerners, even though they don't have a very distinct accent like Southerners. I would probably also add more people from Boston because I like their accents, people from California, New York, and even Hispanic people coming to the USA and people from London. 

3. In your opinion, how important is language in terms of how we perceive others? What is revealed about us when we talk?

Language from this film is very important in how we are perceived. For example, if you have a very heavy accident, it's hard to understand you and others may think that your talking jibberish. People assume that the way a person talks reflects back on how they are as a person. For example, Southerners believe that they talk with eloquence and add nice things like darling and sweetheart while Northerners would just say, nice to see you. Also, some people are very blunt when it comes to speech and believe that prejudice forms with speech and that some people think that they way you talk makes you seem uneducated or smarter, etc. One man even says that the way his younger brother talks makes him cringe, that's a large feeling against someone's speech. 

In Class - 3 Questions in English book

1. The setting of my field site is my sorority's suite. Our suite is located in the Woodworth dorm complex, in one of the many study lounges. Although it's in a study lounge, it is in no means your typical study place.. meaning there's lots of couches and tables, maroon walls, lots of fluffy pillows, tons and tons of owl memorabilia and pictures of us, everywhere. There are huge Chi Omega greek letters resting up against a shelf full of picture frames and owl sculptures and other owl stuff that we carry around on Bid Day, to our Chi Omega events, and take pictures with. When I first stepped into the suite, I felt so awkward, probably because the first time I ever went in it was during recruitment and 90+ people were shoved into this little room, listening to others talk and trying to scream over them to hear the girls talking to you for rush. But now when I step into it, it's a complete different feeling. I feel safe there, comfortable, and can totally be myself, no matter what. 

2. My fixed position doesn't really change the suite at all or the interviewee, we always feel comfortable in the suite and since we're sisters, we can talk on a familiar, not so serious tone unlike that of a real professional interview. 

3. When I interviewed the three girls I interviewed, they were all very comfortable and lively in their responses. Each girl was very honest with their answers and I could tell in the tone of their voice that they weren't being fake or felt like my questions made no sense or that it was silly to be answering them. They were polite and sincere which I really appreciated.

Week 9 - Posting 9

Throughout the spring semester, our mini ethnography and preparing for writing it has been the bulk of what we've done in English 104 thus far. Although I was super stressed out in the beginning and never thought I could accomplish this feat, it's gotten much easier. One of the hardest things I've done so far is actually pick a topic. When a student is assigned such a long paper, it's hard to decide what to write about for that long. Also, I thought that the annotated bibliography was hard. It is nice having all of the sources done before writing the paper, however it's hard to find all of the information without knowing if you are going to use it in your paper or not. One of the easiest things has been interviewing my sisters. It was really fun getting to know their responses and how they feel about our sorority and sisterhood. Another thing I thought was easy were all of the blog postings. Because of the blogs, it has helped me keep my thoughts on top of things and focus on this paper. It's helped me keep track of everything and my ideas and since we've done a lot of postings, I can go back and look at them and see what I've written down. If I could go back, I don't know if I would do much differently. I think the process I've done thus far has been pretty beneficial. I think that the blogs will help preparing for my mini ethnography because I can use what's already been written in these blogs and it will make the whole paper writing process a much easier and lighter task. 

Questions in Class.

1. What will my readers care about this issue?

I think that the readers will care about this issue that I'm researching because lots of people are effected by Greek life than ever before. For example, many more children are going to college and since most colleges have fraternities and sororities, it will be something that is around them. Also, parents, grandparents, etc. have experienced or been in a fraternity or sorority so others learn more about Greek organizations. I believe that the readers will care because it relates to them and can put themselves in the same situation.

2. What will my readers want or need to know about this issue?

I think that my readers will want to know the history of my sorority, the types of things we are involved in, the inside working of it rather than just the party scene, and the stereotypes that arise. It is important to know these things especially in making the decision of wanting to join a greek organization. It's important to at least know a little about a topic before making an ultimate decision.

3. What do my readers already know about this issue?

If they are non-Greek, preconceived notions or assumptions and if they are Greek, they know pretty much everything that's going on. To non-Greek members, many people have their ideas of what a sorority or a fraternity is like, basing in an array of correct answers to complete stereotypical ones.

4. If I am trying to persuade my readers of something, how easily will they be persuaded?

Hopefully with my insight they will be very persuaded to not judge organizations so quickly and see what they are really about. Although I know I cannot change everyone's opinion, it will be rewarding to see if I can at least change some people's views on somethings and make them not think so negatively.

5. What will my readers use my writing for?

In choosing if they want to join or learning about sorority and fraternity life and the good things that can come out of it (ex. opportunities, etc.).

Questions!

As my research continues, the main theme seems to remain the same. To my sisters and even a few outsiders, a sorority is something that they would like to try out. However, member or no member sees the stereotypes. Some girls I have talked to that aren't in a sorority believe that they would join however they don't like how some girls in sororities seem to try and make themselves better than everyone else. As my field site is concerned, it remains the same. Our sisters can see the stereotypes and the cliques that have formed and are trying to fight against it. Throughout the six weeks, I'm still in the same place that I was before. Nothing's really changed because I've been an initiated sister the whole time.